DE102013103955B3 - Player device with wake-up detector for playing a specific information - Google Patents

Abstract

Playback device for detecting the waking up of a patient and for a subsequent automatic presentation of certain acoustic information, comprising: - an EKG amplifier (11) for detecting an EKG signal of the patient, the EKG amplifier (11) having an input for connecting lead electrodes (3) has; - An HRV detector (21) for evaluating the EKG signal, thereby generating an HRV signal that corresponds to a hertz rate variability (HRV); characterized by - a wake-up detector (22) for evaluating the HRV signal in order to detect the waking up of the patient therefrom and thereby generate a wake-up signal; - A playback unit (24) to which the wake-up signal is transmitted and which is designed to retrieve the specific information from a memory after receiving the wake-up signal and to output or present it acoustically, the playback unit (24) being designed after receiving the wake-up signal in addition, to call up and present visual information.

Description

The present invention relates to a player device with a wake-up detector, whereby a patient awake is detected in order to then play or present a specific acoustic and / or visual information.

For example, to detect a sleep state and a patient waking up, movements of the patient in bed can be measured during sleep. Maciek Dreajak Labs AB offers an iPhone application that uses an iPhone-integrated accelerometer to measure the patient's movements and evaluate them accordingly. The iPhone or mobile device is placed under a bed sheet and measures while in continuous operation. This is also undesirable in terms of emitted radiation and therefore has limited acceptance. Also, in such procedures, in which mobile devices are actually arranged misappropriate in a bed, especially in case of care legal questions of security open.

Another method of sleep wakefulness measurement is based on an EEG signal evaluation. Different sleep phases can be detected via pattern recognition in the EEG signal. However, this brings a cumbersome electrode assembly on the head of the patient and also a large amount of equipment and associated costs.

WO 2009 133 484 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method for measuring various physiological parameters of a patient and for a feedback, wherein in particular a detection of a heart rate variability is made to generate therefrom an HRV signal and various feedback signals in response to the HRV signal. The system disclosed therein is also referred to as a virtual musical instrument. The disclosure includes the preamble of claim 1.

EP 0 496 196 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method for detecting a sleep phase of the patient by means of a measurement of various physiological parameters, such as, in particular, cerebral current measurement, body temperature and cardiac rhythm. From the physiological parameters, an optimal wake-up time is determined and an alarm is triggered accordingly.

Particularly in cases of care for a patient with dementia, it is desirable to have a wake-up detection that is easier to install than the above-mentioned methods, which is inexpensive and, upon waking, informs the patient of personal information that the patient has forgotten. These are, for example, information such as his name, the name of his caregiver or his children, where he is, how he goes to the toilet, etc.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, to provide a player device with a wake-up detector and a playback unit for a patient, wherein the wake-up detector as contactless as possible, and without sensors connected to the patient itself are required to be formed, and wherein the playback unit automatically presents a certain information after a detection of a wake up.

The above objects and other objects to be taken from the description are achieved by a player apparatus according to the features of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

A particular advantage of the present invention is a detection of a patient's awakening by heart rate variability determination (HRV), in which only an ECG signal needs to be derived from the patient without any special requirements. In this case, capacitive deflection electrodes are preferably used, which can be mounted, for example, under a sheet in bed or on chairs or armchairs. The derived ECG signals advantageously also need to be evaluable only insofar as an RR time interval can be determined, from which the heart rate variability (HRV) can be derived over several RR time intervals.

Advantageously, after detection of his waking up, the patient is also preferably shown pictures or a video shown, for example, with his face in the circle of his family and friends, the faces of his caregivers, his wife and children. Other individual wake-up videos or messages may be, for example, a music or an opera performance. This is intended to bring back the patient suffering from dementia better in his real world and to refresh his memory. Thus, the patient can be given more courage and confidence to get along in his everyday life. Especially through the representation of pictures of his close to him persons the patient can be encouraged to live on. The images can be combined with speech text, or even only speech text can be acoustically output. Preferably, the images and the speech text may be further selected or aborted by the patient, or abbreviated or skipped. The inventive Device is suitable as an orientation device for Alzheimer's and / or epilepsy sufferers.

Capacitive drainage electrodes can be easily integrated into the bed or other reclining and seating areas, and do not bother or interfere with the patient. Advantageously, the discharge electrodes are robust and durable and need not be replaced. The patient can advantageously simply go into his bed or in another lying or seating area and gets his HRV signal without having to be wired and evaluated.

Advantageously, the wake-up detector also evaluates further signals by a pattern recognition in order to detect waking up more securely. For example, while an IR camera can detect the position of the patient in bed, movements of forces in the bed can be measured, which are signs of corresponding movements of the patient in bed.

Advantageously, a plurality of lead electrodes are preferably also placed at the patient's location in order to cover several areas, for example in the bed. In this case, coupling capacitances of the lead-off electrodes to the patient and preferably also interference signals are preferably measured in order to further evaluate the suitable signals of the respective lead-off electrodes. In this case, interference signals can be additionally reduced, and the determination of the HRV signal is safer.

The playback device device is preferably subdivided into at least one first and one second device unit, wherein the first device unit is used for signal acquisition and the second device unit essentially consists of a possibly already available conventional playback unit. As a result, the first unit unit can be kept small under development and structural aspects and thus easily arranged in or on the bed. As a second unit, for example, a conventional smartphone or a tablet PC can be used, which can be used inexpensively and without hardware development effort. The software necessary for detecting the HRV signals and waking the patient can be easily implemented in the second device unit under a conventional operating system.

By advantageously falling asleep is detected, the patient can also be better and calmer brought to sleep.

Advantageously, the player device can also be used for waking up the patient in the middle of the night, which then also a caregiver can be called automatically.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention is illustrated in the following drawings and detailed description, but is not intended to limit the present invention thereto.

1 shows a first embodiment of a player device comprising a first device unit with connected Ableitelektroden and a second device unit with an HRV and a wake-up detector and with a playback unit.

2 shows a second embodiment of the playback device device comprising another first device unit with connected Ableitelektroden and integrated HRV detector and also includes another second device unit substantially with the wake-up detector and the playback unit.

3 shows a preferred embodiment of a Ableitelektrodenmatte.

Detailed description of an embodiment

1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a player device for detecting a waking up of a patient, which automatically presents a certain acoustic and / or visual information after the detection of the waking up. In this case, the playback device device is in a first device unit 10 for the derivation and transmission of an ECG signal, and in a second device unit 20 for processing the ECG signal and for displaying the determined acoustic and / or visual information by a playback unit 24 divided up. For the sake of simplicity, from now on only certain information is spoken, which stands for the acoustic and / or the visual information.

The first device unit 10 includes an ECG amplifier 11 with a connection for at least two corresponding external lead-off electrodes 3 whose derivative signals are amplified. From the amplified lead-off signals, at least one difference signal is formed as the ECG signal. Other known embodiments of the ECG amplifier 11 for active discharge electrodes 3 and / or for the use of a reference or potential control electrode are also conceivable in principle. The ECG amplifier is preferred 11 formed, the ECG signal contactless via capacitive discharge electrodes 3 from the patient. Here is the input range of the ECG amplifier 11 preferably designed correspondingly high impedance, or it will lead electrodes 3 active type with integrated preamplifier or impedance converter used. The capacitive deflection electrodes are preferred 3 and the ECG amplifier 11 for a lead electrode skin clearance of 0.1-10 mm. The discharge electrodes 3 are accordingly robust and durable, for example, each made of a stainless steel plate or a conductive mesh of wires or carbon fibers. It is conceivable that the conductive wires or carbon fibers are woven into a skin-friendly tissue with. Particularly advantageous are thin silver wires, which are preferably formed so thin that they do not break. The discharge electrodes are preferred 3 so elastic and robust that loads the patient on the lead-off electrodes 3 lies and alternately supports itself to withstand permanently. But it is also conceivable that the discharge electrodes 3 , as in 3 outlined, in a flexible rubber mat 3c are embedded. In this case, the discharge electrodes 3 each of an isolation area 3b surrounded or embedded and led via discharge electrode lines electrically to the outside ( 3 ). The rubber mat is preferred 3c Electromagnetically conductive and forms an electromagnetic shield for the Ableitelektroden 3 , An embedding of respective preamplifiers or impedance transformers is well conceivable. The discharge electrodes 3 are arranged, for example, in a bed under a sheet, integrated in a couch or in a seat.

The discharge electrodes 3 can also be integrated in a seat, armchair, massage chair or car seat. These and other seats and couches are also conceivable, for which the term "bed" in this description is to be understood as a general term for it. For example, the discharge electrodes 3 be arranged in or under a chair cover or in or under a textile tape in the armrest and / or the backrest.

Preferably, the playback device device comprises a measuring electronics for measuring a coupling capacitance between the respective discharge electrode 3 and the patient to detect which of the lead electrodes 3 enough for a measurement on the patient. In this case, the signals of those discharge electrodes 3 selected, which have a sufficiently high coupling capacity to the patient. Preference is given by the measuring electronics and interference signals to the discharge electrodes 3 , such as a mains humming measured and the signals of those Ableitelektroden 3 intended for ECG signal evaluation, which have sufficiently low interference. Preferably, a potential control electrode for a patient potential can also be arranged and controlled. Preferably, the ECG signals or the Ableitelektrodensignale be digitized as early as possible for further processing. In this case, the ECG difference signals can be digitally formed. Of course, this is a corresponding microprocessor or a corresponding processing unit in the first device unit 10 integrated.

The ECG signal thus derived and generated as at least one difference signal is preferred as a multiplexed ECG signal by a first transmitter 13 via a wired or wireless connection 14 to the second device unit 20 transfer. The transmission by the first transmitter 13 to a second transmitter 23 the second device unit 20 preferably wirelessly via Bluetooth, ANT +, Zigbee, via WIFi or WLAN. The connection 14 but can also be wired.

In the second device unit 20 the at least one ECG signal is transmitted through the second transmitter 23 received and a downstream HRV detector 21 fed. The HRV detector evaluates the at least one ECG signal by determining an average heart rate and deviations of the at least one ECG signal from the determined average heart rate form the HRV signal. The HRV signal is then sent to a wake-up detector 22 fed. The wake up detector 22 In this case, it is designed to recognize a wake-up state from the HRV signal based on a changed hertz rate. Preference is given by the wake-up detector 22 a histogram analysis of the HRV signal is performed, which recognizes the wake-up condition upon detection or correlation with a typical wake-up pattern. Upon detection of the wake-up condition, a wake-up signal is then generated and sent to a playback unit 24 forwarded. The playback unit 24 is preferably designed to retrieve and output the specific information from a memory upon receipt of the wake-up signal. The output or presentation of the information takes place at least via an electro-acoustic sound transducer, such as a speaker or a headphone.

An output of the visual or audiovisual information is additionally provided by an integrated display 25 (please refer 2 ) or through an external display 25 , Preferably, for the auditory or audiovisual output or performance also a television set to the second device unit 20 be connected. However, preference may also be given to a conventional smartphone, a PC or a tablet PC or the like as the second device unit 20 be used. The HRV detector is preferred 21 and the wake-up detector 22 designed in principle as software, which is executed by a microprocessor or other processing unit. The playback unit is preferred 24 also designed as software in conjunction with a memory. The memory is preferably a semiconductor memory in the player. Other more remote memories, such as USB or SD card memory or memory residing on a remote server are also possible. However, other players with recorder and playback function are just as conceivable. For example, a video or an image presentation may preferably be started by the wake-up signal. Through the video or image presentation, the patient suffering from memory loss, such as Alzheimer's or dementia, may display his or her own person and the faces of his family and loved ones. Preference can be easily PowerPoint presentations or videos in popular formats in the playback unit 24 integrated. In this case, it is also possible to record acoustic information simply, as with a recorder, and to play it automatically on the wake-up signal.

2 shows a second preferred embodiment of the player device, in addition in the second device unit 20 the display 25 is arranged and at the HRV detector 21 different than in the first embodiment according to 1 , now in the first device unit 10 is arranged. In principle, all components of the first device unit 10 As far as possible, software is executed by a microprocessor or computation unit and corresponding main memory. This has the advantage that the hardware of the first device unit 10 is more difficult to copy by adding more know-how of the HRV evaluation in the first device unit 10 is plugged. In principle it is also possible to use the wake-up detector 22 in the first device unit 10 relocate.

A third preferred embodiment of the player device is also conceivable, in which the first 10 and the second device unit 20 according to 1 or 2 form an integral device unit. The first 13 and the second transmitter 23 would of course be omitted.

3 shows the rubber mat 3c with the integrated discharge electrodes 3 as a possible embodiment for the arrangement of the discharge electrodes 3 in bed.

In addition to the ECG signal, at least one further signal is preferably derived from the patient and evaluated by the wake-up detector, for example a moisture, a temperature on the patient or a movement signal of the patient. Preferably, the moisture and / or temperature are measured under the sheet. The motion signal is preferably picked up by an acceleration sensor under the sheet or bed. Preference can also be given to the bed, chair, couch or chair feet forces are measured and their distributed signals are evaluated as a motion signal. By additionally evaluating the at least one further signal for detecting the awakening of the patient, the wake-up detector makes the detection of waking more reliable. A signal from an infrared camera is conceivable to use as additional additional signal.

Preferably, the ECG signal or the HRV signal is continuously from the first transmitter 13 to the second transmitter 23 transfer. However, a packet-wise transmission is also possible in which it is assumed that the data in the first unit of equipment for the packet-wise transmission are buffered in a working memory. In this case, the buffered data is transmitted in packets to a call of the second device unit or to transfer the buffered data to an internal trigger signal to the second device unit. The trigger signal can be generated for example by a signal preprocessing.

Preferably, the HRV detector is designed to determine the mean value of the Hertz rate over a certain time. Preferably, the mean Hertz rate is determined via a least mean square algorithm.

Preferably, the wake-up detector is configured to apply histogram analysis to the HRV signal to detect wake-up for a particular histogram pattern typical of the patient's waking-up. In this case, the histogram pattern, which is characteristic or typical for the awakening of the patient, is determined and stored over a long period of time via a multiplicity of awakening processes, for example as an average value or median value. Later, when such a histogram pattern is detected by comparison or correlation, it is detected as wake-up, and the wake-up signal is output.

Preferably, the wake-up detector also evaluates at least one further signal in addition to the HRV signal, wherein a typical signal pattern in the combination of all considered signals is also evaluated, which is typical for waking up.

Preferably, the playback unit is designed to retrieve and output the specific information via a connection to a data server upon receipt of the wake-up signal. Preferably, the playback unit retrieves the particular information via an Internet connection. Preferably, the particular information is voice information, music, messages or combinations thereof.

Preferably, the playback device device further comprises a sleep detector, which is designed to evaluate at least the ECG signal or the HRV signal in order to detect a falling asleep of the patient. Upon detection of falling asleep, a falling asleep signal is generated and forwarded to the playback unit. The sleep detector is preferably designed to detect falling asleep from the same signals and in the same way as the wake-up detector detects the wake-up. In this case, falling asleep is preferably determined by a correlation analysis of the signals to be evaluated with a characteristic signal pattern for falling asleep. In this case, the playback device device preferably has a sleep mode in order to play or present a second information to the patient before falling asleep until the sleep signal is detected. Upon detection of the falling asleep signal, the output or presentation of the second information to the patient is automatically stopped either immediately or after a certain time has elapsed. The second information is preferably a music, a music video, television, a text message, a book text or the like. Preferably, the second information is suitable for falling asleep.

A further preferred embodiment of the player device for detecting the falling asleep of a driver comprises of the aforementioned components the ECG amplifier, the HRV detector, the sleep detector and the player, wherein only falling asleep is detected as described above. The discharge electrodes 3 are preferably arranged in / on a car seat and / or on a steering wheel and / or in an armrest in a motor vehicle. Upon detection of falling asleep, the second information, which is preferably a warning signal, is output by the falling-in signal. However, it is also conceivable to detect various states of falling asleep, which produce different types of second information. For example, as a second information, a short-term brake signal or the like can be generated.

Further possible embodiments are described in the following claims. In particular, the various features of the embodiments described above can be combined with each other, as far as they are not technically exclusive. The reference numerals mentioned in the claims are for better understanding, but do not limit the claims to the shapes shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

first device unit

11

ECG amplifier

12

multiplexer

13

first transmitter

14

Signal transmission path

20

second device unit

21

HRV detector

22

Aufwachdetektor

23

second transmitter

24

playback unit

25

display

3

lead-out

3a

Ableitelektrodenleitung

3b

Quarantine

3c

rubber mat

Claims (10)

A player apparatus for detecting a patient's waking up and subsequently automatically presenting a particular acoustic information comprising: - an ECG amplifier ( 11 ) for acquiring an ECG signal from the patient, the ECG amplifier ( 11 ) has an input for connecting lead-off electrodes ( 3 ) having; An HRV detector ( 21 ) for evaluating the ECG signal to thereby generate an HRV signal corresponding to HR rate variability (HRV); characterized by - a wake-up detector ( 22 ) for evaluating the HRV signal to detect the patient's wake-up thereby generating a wake-up signal; A playback unit ( 24 ) to which the wake-up signal is transmitted, and which is adapted to retrieve, and to acoustically output or display the determined information from a memory upon receipt of the wake-up signal; 24 ) is configured to retrieve and present a visual information after receiving the Aufwachsignals also. A player apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ECG amplifier ( 11 ) is formed, the ECG signal contactlessly via capacitive discharge electrodes ( 3 ) capture. Player device according to one or more of the preceding claims, additionally comprising the lead-off electrodes ( 3 ), which are designed to be correspondingly robust and durable to be integrated in a bed, a couch or a seat, and / or to be incorporated robustly and permanently in a bed sheet or other skin-friendly textile. Player device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the wake-up detector ( 22 ) is configured to also evaluate at least one further signal in addition to the HRV signal for detecting the wake-up, such as, for example, a moisture, a temperature on the patient or a movement of the patient. A player apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the Player device in a first device unit ( 10 ) containing at least the EKO amplifier ( 11 ) and into a second device unit ( 20 ), which at least the playback unit ( 24 ) and the wake-up detector ( 22 ), the first ( 10 ) and the second device unit ( 20 ) via a wired or wireless connection ( 14 ), the radio connection ( 14 ) based on one of the standards Bluetooth, ANT +, Zigbee, WIFI or WLAN. A player device according to claim 5, wherein the first device unit ( 10 ) comprises a latch configured to latch either the ECG signal or the HRV signal as corresponding data for packet-to-paging the cached data upon a fetch to the second device unit (Fig. 20 ) or transfer the cached data to the second device unit in response to an internal trigger signal ( 20 ) transferred to. Player device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the HRV detector ( 22 ) is adapted to determine a mean value of the Hertz rate over a certain time and to generate and provide or output actual changes in the Hertz rate with respect to the mean value as the HRV signal. Player device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the wake-up detector ( 22 ) is adapted to apply a histogram analysis to the HRV signal in order to detect the wake-up in a particular histogram pattern typical of the patient's waking-up, and / or wherein the wake-up detector ( 22 ) is adapted to record waveforms or signal patterns that are used to evaluate the sleep state and / or a wakefulness of the patient over more than a day in order to use a characteristic signal pattern that is characteristic of the awakening and / or falling asleep of the patient to be determined and thereafter used to evaluate the sleep state and / or waking state of the patient. Player device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the playback unit ( 24 ) is adapted to receive and store the particular acoustic and / or visual information to retrieve and output upon receipt of the Aufwachsignals; or wherein the playback unit ( 24 ) is arranged to retrieve, receive and output acoustically or audiovisually upon receipt of the wake-up signal the particular acoustic and / or visual information via a connection to a data server, the particular information being, for example, voice information, music or messages or combinations thereof can be. A player apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising: a sleep detector configured to evaluate at least the ECG signal or the HRV signal to detect falling asleep of the patient, wherein a sleep signal is generated upon detection of the fall asleep ; wherein the sleep signal to the playback unit ( 24 ) to stop upon receipt of the falling-in signal a second information, which is previously audibly and / or visually output, the second information being, for example, a music, a video or a voice message suitable for falling asleep.

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