JPH07275210A - Physical condition detecting device and physical condition judging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect various physical conditions of a testee to be measured. CONSTITUTION:A detecting part 2 is made up of a cooling part 9 and a temperature detecting part 10, and the skin 18 of a testee is cooled by the cooling part 9 with a given temperature width, and after completion of cooling the time required for the temperature of the skin 18 being detected by the temperature detecting part 10 to return the temperature before it is cooled is measured. It is so contrived that the physical condition of the testee is detected by comparing the measured time with the data in the various physical conditions that have been previously measured.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting a physical condition, and more particularly to a physical condition detecting apparatus and a physical condition determination device capable of collecting so-called induction data as data indicating the physical condition of a driver such as a vehicle. Regarding the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for determining the physical condition of a human being, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-103942, the comfort of the person to be measured with respect to the environment is measured based on the change in the skin potential of the human body. Things are disclosed. That is,
This device is provided with a detection means for detecting the skin potential of the measurement subject and a potential change detection means for detecting a sudden change in the detected potential, and the potential change detected by this potential change detection means within a fixed time period. The degree of comfort of the person to be measured with respect to the surrounding environment is calculated based on the magnitude of the total change time.

In Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-229713, the actual skin temperature of an occupant is detected, and the temperature sensation is calculated based on the detected skin temperature and its change rate, and the calculated temperature is obtained. A vehicular air-conditioning control device is disclosed in which the operation of the air-conditioning device is controlled according to the magnitude of the sense.

[0004]

However, in any of the above-mentioned conventional examples, since the skin temperature or the like is only unilaterally detected from the subject, what kind of physical condition of the subject is concrete? It is not possible to fully understand whether it is in a state. The present inventor has noticed that the skin temperature, which is one of so-called evoked data obtained after applying thermal stimulation to the measurement subject, changes depending on the physical condition of the measurement subject, and based on the evoked data, The inventors have come up with a device for determining the physical condition of a measurer.

By the way, it is known that the sense of temperature change varies depending on the age as well as the individual difference and the gender difference. In particular, in the elderly, the temperature discrimination function of the fingertip is about 0.5 degrees up to about 50 years old, while the range of about 1.0 to 5.0 degrees occurs for people over 65 years old. Have been experienced.

Conventionally, the control of the vehicle interior temperature by the vehicular air-conditioning control device has not particularly taken into consideration the sense of the temperature change of the elderly, so that a comfortable temperature space can be obtained especially for the elderly. It wasn't something.
In particular, when considering the increase in social activity of the elderly in recent years, the elderly are the main focus, not only when the elderly drive the vehicle themselves, but also when the young person drives the vehicle. Comfortable air conditioning control is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a physical condition detecting device and a physical condition determining method capable of detecting various physical conditions of a person to be measured. Another object of the present invention is to provide a physical condition detection device and a physical condition determination method capable of detecting various physical conditions with a simple configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a physical condition detecting device capable of detecting a physical condition even when driving. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a physical condition detecting device capable of appropriately informing a person to be measured of the physical condition. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a physical condition detecting device capable of preventing drowsy driving.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control device for a vehicle, which can perform appropriate air conditioning control according to various physical conditions. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a minimum discriminating temperature detecting device capable of detecting discernible temperature differences. Still another object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control device for a vehicle that can obtain an air conditioning state that matches the temperature sense of the elderly. Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control device for a vehicle that can obtain an air conditioning state that matches a user's sense of temperature.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a physical condition detecting device comprising: a temperature detecting means for detecting the skin temperature of a person to be measured; and a temperature stimulating means for giving a thermal stimulus to the skin of the person to be measured. A determination means for determining the physical condition of the measurement subject based on a change in the skin temperature of the measurement subject to the temperature stimulation by the temperature stimulation means detected by the temperature detection means,
It is equipped with.

Particularly, it is preferable that at least the temperature detecting means and the temperature stimulating means are provided in the breath red. Further, it is also preferable that at least the temperature detecting means and the temperature stimulating means are provided on the ring. Further, at least the temperature detecting means and the temperature stimulating means may be provided on the control panel of the vehicle air conditioning control device. Furthermore, it is also preferable that at least the temperature detecting means and the temperature stimulating means are provided on the steering wheel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining the physical condition of a person to be measured, wherein a certain temperature stimulus is applied to the skin of the person to be measured and the physical condition of the person to be measured is determined based on the change characteristic of the skin temperature with respect to the temperature stimulus. Is.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature stimulating means applies a constant temperature stimulus to the person to be measured, and the change of the skin temperature due to the temperature stimulus is detected by the temperature detecting means. The change in the skin temperature changes depending on various physical conditions of the person to be measured, and as a result of the determination means determining what kind of physical condition the change in the acquired skin temperature is, the physical condition of the person to be measured is I understand it.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, first, unlike the prior art, a temperature stimulus is applied to a person to be measured, and a change in skin temperature due to this temperature stimulus is observed. The observed change in skin temperature is a physical condition. The physical condition of the person to be measured can be determined based on the change characteristics.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a physical condition detecting device and a physical condition determining method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a circuit configuration in an embodiment of a physical condition detecting device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration in an embodiment of a detecting unit configuring the physical condition detecting device according to the present invention. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of an external configuration of a detection unit that constitutes the physical condition detection device according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a schematic overall perspective view, FIG. 3B is a side view, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of another external configuration of the detection unit constituting the physical condition detection device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows an example configuration of a vehicle air conditioning control device in which the physical condition detection device according to the present invention is used. Configuration diagram, FIG. 6 is C of the physical condition detection device of the present embodiment
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a control procedure by the PU, and FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram for explaining that the change characteristic of the skin temperature changes according to the physical condition. The members, arrangements, and the like described below do not limit the present invention and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

First, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a physical condition detecting device.
It will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. This physical condition detecting device controls the operation of the entire device, a detecting part 2 for measuring the skin temperature while giving a temperature stimulus to the person to be measured, and energizing the detecting part 2. Energization circuit 3, analog-to-digital converter (abbreviated as "A / D" in FIG. 1) 4 for converting the detection signal from detection unit 2 into a digital signal, and read-only memory for storing control programs, data, etc. ROM5 which is
RAM 6 capable of reading and writing data,
A display unit (abbreviated as “DISP” in FIG. 1) 7 for displaying information as will be described later, and a vehicle air conditioning control device (“AIRCON” in FIG. A transmission unit (abbreviated as "TX" in FIG. 1) for wirelessly transmitting to
And, and.

The CPU 1 has a well-known and well-known configuration as a so-called integrated CPU central processing unit, and reads a control program from the ROM 5 and executes control based on a control flow described later. Detector 2
Is composed of a cooling unit 9 as a temperature stimulating unit composed of a Peltier element and a temperature detecting unit 10 as a temperature detecting unit for detecting the skin temperature of the measurement subject. These are integrally provided as described later. There is. As shown in FIG. 2, the basic configuration of the detection unit 2 of the present embodiment is that the temperature detection unit 10 made of a semiconductor thermistor is provided on the contact plate 11 made of an electrically insulating member, and the contact plate 11 is also provided. A cooling unit 9 is provided on the upper portion except the portion where the temperature detecting unit 10 is provided.

That is, the cooling unit 9 has a short-circuit plate 12 joined on the contact plate 11, and on the short-circuit plate 12,
A p-type semiconductor 13 and an n-type semiconductor 14 are provided with an appropriate interval, and electrodes formed of an electric conductive member are respectively provided on the tops of the two semiconductors 13 and 14 (portions on the upper side in the drawing of FIG. 2). 15a and 15b are joined.
Then, the voltage from the energizing circuit 3 is applied between the electrodes 15a and 15b. Further, an insulating plate 16 made of an electrically insulating member is joined so as to straddle the two electrodes 15a and 15b, and a heat radiating plate 17 is joined thereon to form the cooling unit 9. The contact plate 11 and the insulating plate 16 are preferably made of a member having electrical insulation and good heat conduction, and specifically, for example, alumina ceramic is suitable.

The cooling unit 9 is formed of a Peltier element having a known / well-known configuration as described above, and a DC voltage is applied so that the electrode 15a becomes a positive electrode and the electrode 15b becomes a negative electrode, and the p-type A current flows in the direction of the semiconductor 13, the short-circuit plate 12, and the n-type semiconductor 14. By this energization, cooling is performed on the short-circuit plate 12 side and heat is generated on the electrodes 15a and 15b side, respectively. Then, the cooling phenomenon on the side of the short-circuit plate 12 is conducted to the skin 18 of the measurement subject through the contact plate 11.

As the external configuration of the detection unit 2, for example, a configuration provided in a so-called bracelet as shown in FIG. 3A is suitable. That is, in this structure, the contact plate 11 is arranged at a portion that comes into contact with the arm, the heat radiating plate 17 is arranged on the upper side thereof, and belts (not shown) are connected to both sides of the heat radiating plate 17 to form a bracelet structure. In addition, an electric circuit such as the display unit 7 and the energizing circuit 3 is provided on the upper side of the heat dissipation plate 17 (see FIG. 3B).

As another configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 2 is housed in an annular case 19 which also serves as a ring, and the detection unit 2 is fitted on the finger of the person to be measured. An electric circuit such as the display unit 7 and the energizing circuit 3 is housed in the arm mounting unit 20 formed in a shape, and the detection unit 2 housed in the case 19 and the arm mounting unit 20 are connected by a lead wire 21. Those configured to do so are also suitable.

The energizing circuit 3 supplies power to the Peltier element forming the cooling section 9, and its operation is controlled by the CPU 1 based on a control flow described later. Analog-to-digital converter (Fig. 1
Is abbreviated as "A / D", and hereinafter referred to as "A / D converter". ) 4 is for converting the analog detection signal from the temperature detection unit 10 into a digital signal and inputting it to the CPU 1. The ROM 5 is a read-only IC memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 1 and also stores data relating to previously measured skin temperature change characteristics of the measurement subject, such as EPROM or EE.
PROM or the like is suitable.

The RAM 6 is an IC memory for temporarily storing and reading out various data generated during the operation of this apparatus, and for example, a static RAM is suitable. The display unit 7 displays the health condition of the person to be measured, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display element. In the display unit 7, as a result of operation control as described later, for example, “NORM” indicating that the measured person's health condition is normal, “WARNING” warning that the subject is close to a dozing state, and the physical condition is not good. The character display of "WORST" that indicates that is displayed.

The transmission unit 8 is for wirelessly transmitting the data regarding the health condition of the person to be measured, which is acquired by this device, to the vehicle air conditioning control device. As a wireless transmission method, a method using electromagnetic waves or a method using ultrasonic waves is suitable. The physical condition detecting device according to the present embodiment is suitable for use as, for example, an air conditioning control device for a vehicle, so that comfortable air conditioning control is performed according to the physical condition of a person to be measured who is the driver of the vehicle. Here, if one configuration of the vehicle air conditioning control device is shown, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the inside air inlet 23a and the outside air inlet 23b are formed in two branches at the most upstream side of the ventilation duct 22. The inside / outside air switching door 24 is provided in the divided portion, and the air to be introduced can be selected between the inside air and the outside air by changing the position of the inside / outside air switching door 24.
The position of the inside / outside air switching door 24 can be changed by an actuator 25.

A blower 26 is provided in the ventilation duct 22 on the downstream side of the inside / outside air switching door 24, and air is sucked into the ventilation duct 22 from the inside air inlet 23a or the outside air inlet 23b. It is designed so that the air is blown to the flow side. Ventilation duct 2 on the downstream side of the blower 26
An evaporator 27, which is connected to a cooling cycle (not shown), is arranged in the unit 2 to cool the passing air. Further, in the ventilation duct 22 on the downstream side of the evaporator 27, a heater core 28 is arranged in a biased manner to the side of the ventilation duct 22, and the heater core 2 is provided.
An air mix door 29 is provided immediately before 8.
Then, by changing the rotational position of the air mix door 29 by the actuator 30, the heater core 28
Cooling passage 3 formed on the side of the ventilation duct 22 on the side opposite to
The ratio of the air passing through 1 to the air passing through the heater core 28 can be changed.

A blowout port (not shown) is formed in the ventilation duct 22 on the downstream side of the heater core 28 so that the conditioned air is blown into the vehicle interior. The operations of the blower 26 and the two actuators 25 and 30 described above are controlled by the control unit 32. Further, this vehicle air conditioning control device has a receiving unit 33, demodulates the physical condition data wirelessly transmitted from the transmitting unit 8 of the physical condition detecting device,
It is designed to be input to the control unit 32.

Next, regarding the operation of the physical condition detecting apparatus in this embodiment, the control flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
This will be described with reference to the characteristic diagram shown in FIG. The control shown in FIG. 6 is executed periodically by the CPU 1. First, the temperature detection unit 10 first causes the thermistor temperature when the cooling unit 9 is in an inoperative state, that is, the skin of the measurement subject. The temperature Ts is measured (see step 100 in FIG. 6). The measured temperature Ts is temporarily stored in the RAM 6 as the skin temperature at the start of cooling, and the CPU 1
The energizing circuit 3 starts energizing the cooling unit 9 in response to the control signal from (1) to perform cooling by the Peltier element (see step 102 in FIG. 6).

The temperature of the cooling unit 9 is gradually lowered by the start of energization, and the skin temperature of the person to be measured is also lowered via the contact plate 11. The lowering temperature of the cooling unit 9 is set to fall within a predetermined temperature range from the temperature Ts measured at the start of cooling, and the temperature detecting unit 10 determines whether or not the predetermined temperature To has been reached. (See step 104 in FIG. 6). Here, the cooling temperature is set experimentally, is in the range of several degrees to several tens of degrees with respect to the skin temperature before cooling, and is the amount of temperature decrease that causes humans to start feeling cold.

Then, the cooling by the cooling unit 9 is performed at the predetermined temperature T.
When it is determined that o has been reached (in the case of YES), the energization by the energizing circuit 3 is stopped (see step 106 in FIG. 6), while when it is determined that the planned temperature To has not yet been reached (see step 106 in FIG. 6) (step 106 in FIG. 6). In the case of NO), the energization by the energization circuit 3 is continued until the expected temperature To is measured.

Here, the basic concept of the physical condition detection by the main body condition detecting device such as the grounds for cooling the skin of the person to be measured and the subsequent measurement of the rise time of the skin temperature will be described. It is known that the human skin temperature not only changes due to the influence of the environmental temperature, but also the skin temperature rises, for example, when an increase in blood flow due to autonomic nerve action occurs. Here, the nervous system called autonomic nerve is found in the sympathetic nervous system that acts in the direction of releasing energy by causing the excitement of the body as seen in an increase in heart rate and contraction of blood vessels in the skin, and a decrease in heart rate. It is well known and well known that the body is roughly classified into a parasympathetic nervous system which acts to keep the body still and accumulate energy.

The present inventor has determined that the increase in the skin temperature caused by the increase in blood flow due to the autonomic nerve varies depending on the physical condition after the subject is given a temperature stimulus to the extent that it can start to feel cold. Focusing attention, the change time of the skin temperature after applying the thermal stimulus is judged by comparing with the data measured in advance when the physical condition is normal or when the physical condition is not good. That is, the temperature decrease of the cooling unit 9 described above gives a temperature stimulus to the person to be measured. The standard time tst required for the skin temperature to rise from To to Ts is measured in advance and stored in the ROM 5 when the physical condition of the person to be measured is normal.

Further, when the subject feels drowsiness, the time difference Δ1 between the time required for the skin temperature to rise from To to Ts (see the dotted line in FIG. 7) and the standard time tst and the skin temperature at the time of autonomic dysfunction. Time difference Δ2 between the time required to rise from To to Ts (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 7) and the standard time tst
May be obtained experimentally, or may be determined in consideration of the standard time tst of the measurement subject based on general data.

Step 10 in the previous flowchart
At the same time when the energization by the energization circuit 3 based on 6 is stopped (see step 108 in FIG. 6), it is determined whether the temperature detected by the temperature detector 10 has returned to Ts (step 110 in FIG. 6). reference). When the temperature Ts is detected by the temperature detecting unit 10 (in the case of YES), the previously started time measurement is stopped (see step 112 in FIG. 6), and the time tx from the time measurement start to the measurement stop is once, While being stored in the RAM 6, if the temperature Ts is not yet detected by the temperature detection unit 10 (in the case of NO),
The time measurement and the temperature measurement by the temperature detection unit 10 will be continued (see step 110 in FIG. 6).

After the time tx until the temperature Ts is detected by the temperature detector 10 is measured, it is judged whether or not the measured time tx is equal to the standard time tst (see step 114 in FIG. 6). If it is determined that they are equal (YES), a display indicating that the physical condition is normal is displayed on the display unit 7, while if it is determined that they are not equal (NO), the next step 118 is performed. At time tx and standard time ts
It is determined whether or not the time difference from t is a predetermined difference Δ1.

When it is determined that the time difference is Δ1 (in the case of YES), it means that the body of the person to be measured is drowsy, so that the display unit 7 displays "WARNING". Is displayed (step 1 in FIG. 6).
20), the subject is cautioned, but the time difference is Δ1.
If not (NO), it is determined whether or not the time difference is Δ2 (see step 122 in FIG. 6). In FIG. 7, the change from the temperature To of the temperature detection unit 10 to the temperature Ts is shown by a solid line in a normal state, by a dotted line in a state of drowsiness, and by a broken line in an autonomic imbalance. Each is indicated by a dashed line.

When it is determined that the time difference is Δ2 (Y
In the case of ES), it means that the physical condition of the person to be measured is in a state of physical condition due to autonomic imbalance (refer to the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 7). Therefore, “WORST” is displayed on the display unit 7 and the person to be measured is displayed. (See step 124 in FIG. 6). Thereafter, the information about the physical condition of the person determined by the above-described processing (whether normal, whether drowsy or not, etc.) is sent to the vehicle air conditioning control device by the transmission unit 8. Will be transmitted (step 126 in FIG. 6).
reference). Then, the process returns to step 100 again, and the above-mentioned processing is repeated. In the above-described embodiment, the determination unit is realized by the CPU 1 performing the determination processes shown in steps 114, 118 and 122 of FIG.

The data relating to the physical condition of the person to be measured, which is transmitted by the transmitting section 8, is demodulated by the receiving section 33 of the vehicle air conditioning control device, and is taken into the control unit 32.
It is used as a parameter for air conditioning control (see FIG. 5). Specifically, when the physical condition of the person to be measured is unsatisfactory (such as when the warning of physical condition is not given in step 124 of FIG. 6), the air-conditioning state is changed to the so-called economy from the viewpoint of preventing overcooling or overheating. It is preferable to set the air-conditioning control state such that the mode is switched to or a so-called full-cool state is forcibly stopped or a so-called full-heat state is forcibly stopped.

In the above embodiment, it is determined in step 114 of FIG. 6 whether or not the difference between the measurement time tx and the standard time tst is zero.
If α is in a certain range, it may be determined to be normal. Similarly, also in the determinations in steps 118 and 122, the determination criterion is not a fixed numerical value, but
It may be set as a fixed range, and when it is within the range, it may be determined to be in a drowsiness state or a state in which the physical condition is poor.

Further, in the above embodiment, the physical condition is judged by the size of the difference between the measurement time tx and the standard time tst, but the rate of increase of the skin temperature at the measurement time tx is calculated and the value is calculated. It is also possible to determine the physical condition by comparing the calculated increase rate with the normal condition when the physical condition is normal. This also applies to the determinations in steps 118 and 122. That is, the determination may be made by comparing the rate of increase of the skin temperature at the measurement time tx with the rate of increase of the skin temperature in a drowsiness state that has been obtained in advance or the rate of increase of the skin temperature at the time of autonomic dysfunction. It's good.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration used for the vehicle air conditioning control device enables the physical condition of the driver to be grasped, and in particular, the state of drowsiness can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver from falling asleep. In addition, if the driver is used by incorporating the detection unit 2 in the bracelet or the ring and the cooling unit 9 is regularly operated, the driver's dozing driving can be reliably and effectively prevented.

Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to 1. First, this physical condition detector
It is designed to detect the temperature sensation of the person being measured. That is, the physical condition detecting device according to the second embodiment is roughly divided into the detecting unit 40 and the control determining unit 41. The detection unit 40 measures the sensitivity to temperature changes by applying the finger of the person to be measured, and in the present embodiment, the two contacts 42a and 42b are closed when pressed. A push button switch 43, a temperature measuring thermistor 45 as a temperature detecting means built in the switch body 44 of the push button switch 43,
It has a control thermistor 46, a first heater 47 as a temperature stimulating means, and a second heater 48.

The push button switch 43 in this embodiment is
The switch body 44, a holding member 50 that holds the switch body 44 as described later, and a holding member 50.
And a coil spring 51 for pressing the switch main body portion 44 against the locking panel 50a constituting the above. The switch body 44 has a flange 44 at one end of the columnar member.
A is formed, and a locking projection 44b is provided on the end surface on the side where the flange 44a is formed, and the coil spring 51 is mounted on the locking projection 44b. Further, a first contact 42a made of a conductive member is fixed to an appropriate position on the back surface side of the flange 44a (the side facing the support piece 50b described later).

The holding member 50 is composed of a locking panel 50a and a support piece 50b which face each other in parallel with each other. The locking panel 50a has a portion above the flange 44a of the switch main body 44 (upper surface of FIG. 9). A through hole 52 is formed so as to be vertically movable. Further, on the back surface side of the locking panel 50a, a locking recess 53 in which the flange 44a of the switch body 44 is formed,
It is formed in an annular shape around the through hole 52.

On the other hand, the support piece 50b is provided with a support hole 54 into which the locking projection 44b of the switch body 44 is loosely fitted, and the first contact 42a fixed to the flange 44a of the switch body 44. A second contact 42b made of a conductor member is fixedly provided at a portion facing to. And
The locking protrusion 44b of the switch body 44 is formed by the coil spring 5
1, the end portion of the switch body portion 44 is loosely fitted in the support hole 54, so that the switch body portion 44 is normally urged by the pressing force of the coil spring 51 toward the locking panel 50a, and the flange 44a. Touches the locking recess 53. As a result, the first contact 42a and the second contact 42b are separated from each other, and the push button switch 43 is opened. On the other hand, when the switch main body 44 is pressed down to the side of the support piece 50b, the first contact 42a and the second contact 42b are joined to each other, and the push button switch 43 is closed. Becomes

A recess 44c is formed at the top of the switch body 44 of the push button switch 43 described above, and a heat insulating material 55 is attached to the bottom of the recess 44c and the wall surface around the recess. The temperature measuring thermistor 45 is fitted so as to close the opening surface of the recess 44c and form a space between the temperature measuring thermistor 45 and the bottom. A first heater 47 is arranged between the temperature measuring thermistor 45 and the bottom. This first heater 4
Reference numeral 7 is for applying heat to the thermistor 45 for temperature measurement as described later. Further, in the switch main body 44, a storage space 44d is formed in a portion below the temperature measuring thermistor 45 and the first heater 47 (downward in the plane of FIG. 8), and is formed as a control thermistor 46. A second heater 48 that gives heat to the control thermistor 46 (details will be described later) is housed.

The above-mentioned detection unit 40 is, for example, the control panel 5 of the vehicular air-conditioning control device as shown in FIG.
6 is preferable. That is, the control panel 56 provided on the dashboard (not shown) in the vehicle compartment also serves as the locking panel 50a, and the support piece 50b is provided on the back side of the control panel 56 (the back side of the paper in FIG. 9). Good to do. In the example of FIG. 9, the push button switch 43 is provided between the inside air circulation switch 57 and the temperature increase switch 58. Further, a dedicated display unit 67 including a liquid crystal display element or the like
, And the minimum discrimination temperature Δ measured as described below.
T is displayed numerically.

The control determination section 41 of this embodiment comprises a comparator (abbreviated as "COMP" in FIG. 8) 59 for comparing the output value of the temperature measuring thermistor 45 with the output value of the control thermistor 46, and a first And an energizing circuit 60 for controlling energization of the second heaters 47 and 48, a waveform shaping circuit 61 for shaping the output signal of the push button switch 43, and an output signal of the comparator 59 from an analog signal to a digital signal. The first analog-to-digital converter (see "A
/ D (1) ". ) 62, a second analog-to-digital converter (abbreviated as “A / D (2)” in FIG. 8) 63 for converting the output signal of the temperature measuring thermistor 45 from an analog signal to a digital signal, and a book. A CPU 64 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus and a ROM that is a read-only memory that stores control programs and data.
65 and a RAM for temporarily storing data during control operation
66 and a display unit (abbreviated as “DISP” in FIG. 8) 6
7 and the interface circuit (“I /
Abbreviated as [F]) 68.

The comparator 59 is a thermistor 45 for temperature measurement.
Of the temperature of the control thermistor 46 is compared with the output signal of the control thermistor 46 to determine from which the temperature detected is higher. The energizing circuit 60 controls the energizing current to the first and second heaters 47 and 48 based on a control signal from the CPU 64 to adjust the heat generation amount of each heater 47 and 48. The waveform shaping circuit 61 is for removing the noise superimposed on the output signal of the push button switch 43 and shaping the waveform so as to obtain a signal suitable for input to the CPU 64.

The CPU 64 is an integrated central processing unit, which inputs signals from the thermistor 45 for temperature measurement based on a control program read from the ROM 65,
While controlling the operation of the energization circuit 60, the minimum discrimination temperature ΔT of the person to be measured is calculated and the display operation is performed on the display section 67 (details will be described later). The display unit 67 is for numerically displaying the minimum discrimination temperature ΔT measured by the present apparatus, and is made of, for example, a display element such as a liquid crystal display element. The interface circuit 68 is for inputting the data detected by the body condition detection device to an external device such as a vehicle air conditioner.

Next, the CPU described above with reference to FIG.
The operation of the present device based on the control program executed by 64 will be described. First, after turning on a start switch (not shown), the person to be measured pushes the switch main body 44 of the push button switch 43 with the tip of the index finger a until the switch main body 44 contacts the support piece 50b. After the CPU 64 confirms that the first contact 42a and the second contact 42b of the push button switch 43 are closed,
Temperature matching processing is performed (see step 200 in FIG. 10).

In this temperature matching process, the output of the temperature measuring thermistor 45 to which the skin temperature of the fingertip of the person to be measured is transmitted and the output of the controlling thermistor 46 are matched (temperature of the temperature measuring thermistor 45). This is equivalent to matching the temperature of the control thermistor 46). That is, specifically, the output value of the temperature measurement thermistor 45 and the output value of the control thermistor 46 are compared by the comparator 59 so that the temperature of the control thermistor 46 matches the temperature of the temperature measurement thermistor 45. The energizing circuit 60 energizes the second heater 48 to warm the control thermistor 46.

The heating of the control thermistor 46 by the second heater 48 is performed by the temperature measuring thermistor 4.
The temperature of 5 becomes substantially equal to the skin temperature of the fingertip of the person to be measured, but at this time, in a normal atmosphere, the control thermistor 4
This is the case where the precondition that the temperature of 6 is lower than the temperature of the thermistor 45 for temperature measurement is satisfied. Therefore, if the temperature of the control thermistor 46 is higher for some reason, the following process (see step 202 in FIG. 10) is performed until the temperature decreases and reaches the temperature of the temperature measuring thermistor 45. Will refrain.

After the temperature of the temperature measurement thermistor 45 and the temperature of the control thermistor 46 match, the heating process is performed (see step 202 in FIG. 10). The heating process is a process of heating the temperature measuring thermistor 45 by the first heater 47 to raise the skin temperature of the fingertip of the measurement subject by a constant value. That is, specifically, the energization circuit 60 energizes the first heater 47 in response to the control signal from the CPU 64, and the first heater 47 is energized.
The heater 47 is heated to heat the temperature measuring thermistor 45. Then, the heat raises the skin temperature of the fingertip of the measurement subject. Here, the heat generation amount of the first heater 47 is such that the energization amount is such that the temperature rise of the temperature measurement thermistor 45 is about 5 degrees.
Is continuously increased by.

The person to be measured is the switch body 44
When the user feels the recognizable warmth of the pressed fingertip, the fingertip is released from the switch body 44. The CPU 64 determines whether or not the pressed state of the push button switch 43 is released (so-called off state) due to a change in the output signal of the push button switch 43 input via the waveform shaping circuit 61 (step of FIG. 10). 204),
When the push button switch 43 is determined to be in the OFF state (in the case of YES), the skin temperature at that time is measured by the temperature measuring thermistor 45 (see step 206 in FIG. 10), and then the calculation process of the minimum identification temperature ΔT is performed. (See step 208 of FIG. 10).

That is, the minimum discrimination temperature ΔT is calculated by measuring the skin temperature of the fingertip of the subject measured by the temperature measuring thermistor 45 when the subject presses the push button switch 43 at the start of measurement by the present apparatus. Is performed by subtracting the temperature measured by the temperature measuring thermistor 45 (the skin temperature at the fingertip of the measurement subject at that time) when the push button switch 43 is turned off. The minimum discrimination temperature ΔT calculated in this manner represents the minimum change amount that the person to be measured can perceive with respect to the change in ambient temperature. The minimum discrimination temperature ΔT calculated as described above is displayed numerically on the display unit 67 (see FIG. 9).

Although not shown in the flow chart of FIG. 10, the minimum discrimination temperature ΔT in a good physical condition is measured in advance and stored in the ROM 65,
By comparing this stored value with the minimum discrimination temperature ΔT measured in real time in step 208 (see FIG. 10), the physical condition of the person to be measured can be determined. In the present embodiment, the minimum discrimination temperature ΔT detected in real time by the CPU 64 and the ROM 65
The determination means is implemented by performing the process of comparing the data stored in the.

Next, a case where the lowest discrimination temperature ΔT calculated as described above is used for air conditioning control will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 11. First, the configuration of the vehicle air conditioning control device using the physical condition detection device described above is, for example,
It is assumed that the description is given with reference to FIG. The minimum identification temperature ΔT calculated by the physical condition detection device is input to the control unit 32 (see FIG. 5) of the vehicle air conditioning control device via the interface circuit 68.

Then, for example, it is used to stop and start the blowing of the cooling air around the target temperature in the so-called cooldown control. That is, the cool down is an operation state in which the vehicle interior temperature is cooled to the target temperature all at once when the vehicle air conditioning control device starts to be started (see FIG. 11A), but the vehicle interior temperature is below the target value. When it is below ΔT, stop blowing air into the passenger compartment,
As a result, when the temperature inside the vehicle exceeds the target temperature by ΔT, it is preferable to restart the air blowing (see FIG. 11A). By performing such a cool-down control, it is possible to obtain an air-conditioning state that matches the sense of the temperature of the subject without causing the subject to feel too cold.

Next, the case of using for so-called warm-up control will be described. The warm-up control is just the opposite of the previous cool-down, and is the operation state (see FIG. 11 (b)) in which the vehicle interior temperature is set to the target heating temperature when the vehicle air-conditioning control device starts to start. When the temperature exceeds the target value by the minimum discriminating temperature ΔT, the blowing of heating air into the vehicle interior is stopped, and when the temperature inside the vehicle interior decreases and falls below the target value by ΔT, the vehicle interior is heated again. Air should be blown out (Fig. 11 (b)).
reference). By performing such warm-up control, a comfortable warm-up can be realized without causing the subject to feel too hot.

Even in the normal air conditioning control state, if the air temperature of the vehicle interior temperature exceeds the target value by ΔT, the blowing of the air-conditioned air is stopped, and if the air temperature falls below the target value by ΔT,
By blowing out the conditioned air again so that the temperature in the vehicle interior is maintained at ΔT before and after the target value,
It is possible to obtain a comfortable air-conditioning state that matches the temperature sensation of the person to be measured.

In the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 10, when the temperature of the temperature measuring thermistor 45 is raised by the first heater 47, the temperature is continuously changed, but with a constant temperature range. You may make it raise in steps. In this case, naturally, the value of the current supplied to the first heater 47 by the energizing circuit 60 does not change continuously but changes stepwise.

Further, in the above-mentioned second embodiment,
In order to keep the temperature measuring thermistor 45 constant at the skin temperature of the fingertip, the first heater 47 heats the temperature measuring thermistor 45 (see step 202 in FIG. 10), and the minimum discriminating temperature in the state where the skin temperature rises. Δ
Although T can be detected, the minimum discriminating temperature ΔT may be detected in a state where the temperature drops, contrary to this embodiment. That is, for example, the temperature measuring thermistor 45 is cooled by a cooling element such as a Peltier element, and the temperature of the fingertip is continuously or gradually changed to continuously or gradually lower the skin temperature of the fingertip. The minimum discrimination temperature ΔT may be obtained by detecting the temperature at which the measurer begins to feel cold.

Further, the detection unit 40 is provided on the control panel 56 of the vehicular air-conditioning control device (see FIG. 9), but as another installation example, for example, the steering wheel as shown in FIG. The detection unit 40 may be provided at an appropriate position on the grip 69a of the 69 (see FIG. 12A) or at an appropriate position on the pad 69b (see FIG. 12B). In this case, the display unit 67 may be provided on the control panel 56 of the vehicle air conditioning control device, as shown in FIG.

Further, the device of the second embodiment can be regarded as the following device. That is, a temperature detecting means for detecting the skin temperature of the measurement subject, a temperature stimulating means for cooling or heating the skin of the measurement subject, and the skin temperature has been changed by the measurement subject cooling or heating by the temperature stimulation means. When it is recognized, the signal generating means for outputting a predetermined signal by the operation of the person to be measured, and the skin temperature and the skin temperature detected by the temperature detecting means immediately before the skin of the person to be measured is cooled or heated by the temperature stimulating means. A minimum discriminating temperature comprising: an arithmetic means for calculating the minimum temperature change value that can be discriminated by the subject from the skin temperature detected by the temperature detecting means when the signal is output by the signal generating means. It can also be regarded as a detection device.

[0064]

As described above, according to the physical condition detecting apparatus of the first aspect, the skin temperature is not unilaterally acquired from the measurement subject, but the stimulation applied from the outside to the measurement subject. By detecting the skin temperature that occurs in response to the above, and by deciding the physical condition of the person to be measured based on the detected change in skin temperature, it is possible to acquire more specific physical condition data, unlike the conventional method. As a result, the physical condition of the person to be measured can be grasped more concretely than in the conventional case.

Further, according to the physical condition determining method of the second aspect, the skin temperature is not unilaterally acquired from the person to be measured, but first, the person to be measured is thermally stimulated and the temperature stimulation is dealt with. By configuring so that the physical condition of the person to be measured is determined based on the change in skin temperature that occurs, the physical condition determination is based on more specific data regarding the physical condition of the person to be measured. The present invention has the effect of being able to grasp various physical conditions of the person to be measured.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the physical condition is determined based on the skin temperature obtained by applying the temperature stimulus, so that the physical condition can be detected with a simple structure without using complicated means. An apparatus and a physical condition determination method can be provided. Further, with the configuration according to claims 3 and 4 and 6, it becomes possible to detect the physical condition even while the vehicle is being driven, and the temperature stimulus given to the driver is used for drowsy driving. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of such a dangerous driving state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a circuit configuration in an embodiment of a physical condition detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a detection unit constituting the physical condition detection device according to the present invention.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of an external configuration of a detection unit constituting the physical condition detection device according to the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a schematic overall perspective view and FIG. 3B is a side view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of another external configuration of a detection unit constituting the physical condition detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle air conditioning control device in which the physical condition detection device according to the present invention is used.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the CPU of the physical condition detecting device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram for explaining that the change characteristic of the skin temperature changes according to the physical condition.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a physical condition detecting device according to a second embodiment.

9 is a front view of a control panel of an air conditioning control device showing an installation example of the physical condition detection device shown in FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a CPU of the physical condition detecting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram for explaining control of an air conditioning control device using the physical condition detection device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing another embodiment of the installation example of the physical condition detecting device of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Detection unit, 3 ... Energizing circuit, 7 ... Display unit, 10 ...
Temperature detection part, 19 ... Annular case, 20 ... Arm mounting part, 40 ... Detection part, 41 ... Control determination part, 43 ... Push button switch, 44 ... Switch body part, 45 ... Temperature measurement thermistor, 46 ... Control Thermistor, 47 ...
First heater, 48 ... Second heater

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A temperature detecting means for detecting the skin temperature of a person to be measured, a temperature stimulating means for giving a temperature stimulus to the skin of the person to be measured, and a temperature stimulus by the temperature stimulating means detected by the temperature detecting means. A physical condition detecting device comprising: a determination unit that determines the physical condition of the measured person based on a change in the skin temperature of the measured person. 2. A physical condition determination method, characterized in that a constant temperature stimulus is applied to the skin of the measurement subject, and the physical condition of the measurement subject is determined based on the change characteristics of the skin temperature in response to the temperature stimulation. 3. The physical condition detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least the temperature detecting means and the temperature stimulating means are provided in the breath red. 4. The physical condition detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least the temperature detecting means and the temperature stimulating means are provided on the ring. 5. The physical condition detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least the temperature detecting device and the temperature stimulating device are provided on a control panel of the vehicle air conditioning control device. 6. The physical condition detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least the temperature detecting means and the temperature stimulating means are provided on the steering wheel.