JP2002010994A - Organism information gathering device using sealed air type sound sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems that temperature characteristics are deteriorated and there are restrictions that signals fluctuate in a low frequency band or the like occurs since a capacitance type sensor is used for the detection of the signals of a living body in a conventional organism information gathering device. SOLUTION: A sealed air type sound sensor is composed of an elastic structure 1 deformable against a load and an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor 2 provided with an opening part and internal volume in which the opening part is closed by the application of the load, the internal volume is turned to a sealed air chamber in the state of sealing air and an air pressure inside is detected and converted to electric signals. By detecting the air pressure in a deformable container in the state that the living body is put on through a chair, a bed, a toilet seat lid, a bathtub or a floor plate 5 or the like, organism information such as the respiration of the living body, a heart rate (heart rate cycle) and body movement including coughs and snores is measured without taking away the freedom of a human body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a closed air type sound sensor in which an opening is closed by applying a load using an elastic structure which has an opening and an internal volume and is deformable with respect to the load. The present invention relates to a living body information collecting apparatus using a sealed air type sound sensor that collects living body information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, body movement including squirrels and squirrels by using the above. The present invention can provide a device that can accurately collect biological information without attaching electrodes, lead wires, and other observation and measurement instruments to a human or animal body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional apparatus for collecting biological information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, body movement and the like is provided with electrodes for detecting various kinds of information on a human or animal body, and a signal detected by the electrodes is obtained. Many of them are configured to collect biological information of a human body by transmitting the information to a measuring device via a lead wire. In such a conventional device, the electrodes for information detection are attached to the human or animal body, so that the position of the electrodes is shifted during use and the signal changes, or the collection lead wire is crossed at the intersection of the electrodes or the fold of the bedding. When a commercial power supply is used, there is a danger of electric shock if it comes into contact with a living body.
In addition, there are various problems that the lead wire becomes an antenna and is very susceptible to external electromagnetic noise.

As a method for solving the problem of this kind of biological signal detecting device, the inventor has proposed an airtight flexible rubber,
Developed various biological information collection devices using a sealed air type sound sensor that detects air pressure in a sealed air chamber made of plastic, metal, wood, etc. with an omnidirectional microphone or pressure sensor and converts it to an electric signal. And has filed many patent applications. A sealed air-type sound sensor that uses a sealed air chamber made of air-tight flexible rubber, plastic, metal, wood, etc., is an outstanding performance as a device that directly collects biological information from the human or animal body. The sealed pneumatic sound sensor not only collects biological information directly from the human body or animal body, but also through the chairs, beds, toilet seats, bathtubs, rooms and unit bath floors used by humans and animals. However, it has been found that biological information can be collected.

[0004] If biometric information can be directly detected from a bed or the entire floor, it is possible to monitor the entire house with a plurality of devices, and use communication means to perform general vital activities from a place away from the elderly. Can be monitored, so that morbid accidents and wandering outdoors can be detected, and early measures can be taken to expand the applications. In order to detect biological information from chairs, beds, toilet seat lids, bathtubs, and the entire floor, it is necessary to integrally fabricate an elastic structure that can withstand a large load. It is not easy to integrally fabricate a structure having. For this purpose, fixing and bonding of the upper and lower two-piece structure are used, but when confidentiality is required, fixing and bonding are also laborious. In particular, it is very difficult to integrally fabricate an elastic structure that can withstand a large load, such as a room floor.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Using a closed air type sound sensor, biological information can be obtained through a chair, a bed, a toilet seat lid, a bathtub, a floor of a room or a unit bath, etc. used by a person or an animal. In order to perform the collection, there is a demand for a technique for easily manufacturing an airtight elastic structure capable of withstanding a large load on a chair, a bed, a toilet seat lid, a bathtub, and the entire floor surface.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an elastic structure which is deformable with respect to a load, has an opening and an internal volume, and when the load is applied, the opening is formed on a floor, a chair or the like. A non-directional microphone that is closed by the bed leg itself, a toilet seat, a fulcrum of a bathtub or an attached plate-shaped member, and has an internal volume that becomes a sealed air chamber in which air is sealed and detects air pressure inside and converts the air pressure into an electric signal or A sealed air type sound sensor comprising a pressure sensor is constituted, and the air pressure in the sealed air chamber when a living body of a person or an animal rides on the sealed air chamber via a chair, a bed, a toilet seat lid, a floor plate, or the like. Uses a closed pneumatic sound sensor that measures biological information such as body respiration, heart rate (heartbeat cycle), and body movements including squirrels and squibs by detecting with a non-directional microphone or pressure sensor. By implementing the biometric information collection apparatus, it is obtained by solving the problem. In the biological information collecting apparatus of the present invention, the air pressure of the sealed air chamber in a state where a living body such as a person or an animal is on a floor surface, a chair, a bed, a toilet seat lid, or the like is used to measure a biological signal by a pressure sensor. In addition, it is possible to detect a wide range of movement of a living body such as turning over. For this reason, the biological signal can be accurately measured over a long period of time as compared with a conventional measuring device using a capacitive sensor or the like, so that it is optimal for remote monitoring of inpatients and animals in hospitals.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of a configuration of a closed air type sound sensor used in the present invention, which is constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load and has an opening and an internal volume. It is. The embodiment of FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor is mounted on a leg such as a bed or a chair. FIG. 1A shows an embodiment in which a part of a leg such as a bed or a chair is inserted into an opening to create a closed space. In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 1 denotes a structure which is made of an elastic material which can be deformed with respect to a load, has a side surface 11 and a bottom surface 12 and has an internal volume having an opening 13 and an air signal outlet 14 on the upper surface. is there. Reference numeral 2 denotes an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and reference numeral 3 denotes a pipe for sending an air signal to the omnidirectional microphone or the pressure sensor 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a bed, a chair, or the like used by a person who collects biological information. Reference numeral 5 denotes a floor on which the bed, chair, or the like is placed. A part of the leg 4 such as a bed or a chair is inserted into the opening 13 of the structure 1 made of a deformable elastic material, and a load is applied to the leg 4 such as a bed or a chair. Opening 13 is closed by the chair or the bed leg itself, and the internal volume becomes air-tight, creating a closed space. The air pressure inside the enclosed space is controlled by an omnidirectional microphone or pressure sensor 2 via a pipe 3 which sends out an air signal from an air signal sending port 14.
, And is detected and transmitted to an external receiving device.

FIG. 1B shows an embodiment in which the bottoms of the legs of a bed, a chair or the like close the opening to create a closed space. In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 1 denotes a structure which is made of an elastic material which can be deformed against a load, has a side surface 11 and a bottom surface 12, and has an opening 13 and an air signal sending port 14 on an upper surface and has an internal volume. is there. Reference numeral 2 denotes an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and reference numeral 3 denotes a pipe for sending an air signal to the omnidirectional microphone or the pressure sensor 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a bed, a chair, or the like used by a person who collects biological information. Reference numeral 5 denotes a floor on which the bed, chair, or the like is placed. The opening 13 of the structure 1 made of a deformable elastic material is placed upward, the bottom of the leg 4 such as a bed or a chair is placed on the opening 13, and a load is applied to the leg 4 such as a bed or a chair. Is applied, the opening 13 of the structure 1 is closed by the chair or the bed leg itself, and the internal volume becomes air-tight, creating a closed space. The air pressure inside the closed space is applied to a non-directional microphone or pressure sensor 2 via a pipe 3 for sending an air signal from an air signal sending / receiving port 14, detected, and transmitted to an external receiving device.

FIG. 2 is a view showing another embodiment of a closed air type sound sensor used in the present invention, which is constituted by an elastic structure capable of deforming under a load and has an opening and an internal volume. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor is placed under a leg such as a bed or a chair. FIG. 2A shows an embodiment in which an opening of a structure placed under a leg such as a bed or a chair is closed with a floor to create a closed space. In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 1 denotes a structure which is made of an elastic material which can be deformed by a load, has a side surface 11 and a bottom surface 12, and has an internal volume having an opening 13 and an air signal sending port 14 on the upper surface. . Reference numeral 2 denotes an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and reference numeral 3 denotes a pipe for sending an air signal to the omnidirectional microphone or the pressure sensor 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a bed, a chair, or the like used by a person who collects biological information. Reference numeral 5 denotes a floor on which the bed, chair, or the like is placed. The opening 13 of the structure 1 made of a deformable elastic material is placed downward, the opening 13 is laid down on the floor 5 and the bed 4 such as a bed or a chair is placed on the bottom 12, and the bed , Chairs and other legs 4
Is applied to the opening 13 of the structure 1.
Is closed by the floor 5 and the internal volume becomes air-tight, creating a closed space. The air pressure inside the enclosed space is
The signal is applied to the omnidirectional microphone or the pressure sensor 2 via the pipe 3 for sending out the air signal from the air signal sending port 14, detected and transmitted to an external receiving device.

FIG. 2 (b) shows an embodiment in which the opening is closed by a plate-shaped member to create a closed space. FIG.
In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 1 denotes an opening formed on an upper surface having a side surface 11 and a bottom surface 12 and made of an elastic material capable of being deformed by a load.
3 and a structure having an internal volume having an air signal sending port 14. Reference numeral 2 denotes an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and reference numeral 3 denotes a pipe for sending an air signal to the omnidirectional microphone or the pressure sensor 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a leg of a bed or a chair used by a person who collects biological information, 5 denotes a floor on which the bed or chair is placed, and 6 denotes a plate-shaped member. An opening 13 of the structure 1 made of a deformable elastic material is placed upward, the upper part of the opening 13 is closed by a plate-shaped member 6, and a bed, a chair or the like is placed on the plate-shaped member 6. When the leg 4 is put on and a load is applied to the leg 4 such as a bed or a chair, the opening 13 of the structure 1 is closed by the plate-shaped member 6,
The internal volume becomes airtight and creates a closed space.
The air pressure inside the closed space is applied to a non-directional microphone or pressure sensor 2 via a pipe 3 for sending an air signal from an air signal sending / receiving port 14, detected, and transmitted to an external receiving device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the structure of the closed air type sound sensor having an opening and an internal volume which is constituted by an elastic structure capable of being deformed under a load used in the present invention. is there. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor is embedded in legs such as a bed and a chair. FIG. 3A shows an embodiment in which the opening of the structure is closed with legs to create a closed space. In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 1 denotes a structure which is made of an elastic material which can be deformed against a load, has side surfaces 11, has openings 13 and 15 on the upper and lower surfaces, and has an internal volume having an air signal sending port 14. It is. Reference numeral 2 denotes an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and reference numeral 3 denotes a pipe for sending an air signal to the omnidirectional microphone or the pressure sensor 2. Reference numerals 41 and 42 denote legs such as beds and chairs used by a person who collects biological information, and reference numeral 5 denotes a floor on which the beds and chairs are placed. The openings 13 and 15 of the structure 1 are closed by legs 41 and 42 such as a bed and a chair, and the elasticity of the structure 1 supports the legs 41 and 42 to form a closed space. When a load is applied to the legs 4 of a bed, a chair, or the like, the opening is closed, and the internal volume becomes a state in which air is sealed, thereby creating a closed space. The air pressure inside the closed space is applied to a non-directional microphone or pressure sensor 2 via a pipe 3 for sending an air signal from an air signal sending / receiving port 14, detected, and transmitted to an external receiving device.

FIG. 3 (b) shows an embodiment in which the opening of the structure is closed with legs to create a closed space. With these structures, it is possible to simultaneously have a vibration absorbing effect against a load change. In FIG. 3 (b), reference numeral 1 denotes an air signal outlet 1 which is made of an elastic material which can be deformed by a load, has side surfaces 11, and has openings 13 and 15 on upper and lower surfaces.
4 is a structure with an internal volume. Reference numeral 2 denotes an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and reference numeral 3 denotes a pipe for sending an air signal to the omnidirectional microphone or the pressure sensor 2. Reference numerals 41 and 42 denote legs such as beds and chairs used by a person who collects biological information, and reference numeral 5 denotes a floor on which the beds and chairs are placed. Reference numeral 7 denotes a spring placed inside the structure 1. The openings 13 and 15 of the structure 1 are closed by legs 41 and 42 such as a bed and a chair.
2 is supported to create a closed space. When a load is applied to the legs 4 of a bed, a chair, or the like, the opening is closed, and the internal volume becomes a state in which air is sealed, thereby creating a closed space. In FIG. 3B, since a part of the load of the bed, the chair, and the like is supported by the spring 7 placed inside the structure 1, the load on the structure 1 is reduced, and the material of the deformable elastic material is used. The range of selection is expanded. The air pressure inside the closed space is applied to a non-directional microphone or pressure sensor 2 via a pipe 3 for sending an air signal from an air signal sending / receiving port 14, detected, and transmitted to an external receiving device.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, as long as the person whose biological information is to be collected is sitting on a chair or sleeping on a bed, the biological information can be collected in any state. Involuntary mechanical movements such as the breathing of the person being collected and the heartbeat, and involuntary mechanical movements of unconscious body movements such as turning over, are caused by sealed pneumatic sounds through the chair or bed legs. It is transmitted to air sealed inside the sensor, transmitted to an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and converted into an electric signal. When collecting biological information such as a patient's pulse rate and respiratory rate for remote monitoring of an inpatient at a hospital or the like, the person whose biological information is to be collected sits on a chair or sleeps on a bed. Since the measurement can be performed in the state, the burden on the patient is greatly reduced even when the measurement needs to be performed for a long time.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a sealed pneumatic sound sensor having an opening and an internal volume, which is constituted by an elastic structure capable of being deformed under a load used in the present invention, is installed on the floor of a room. FIG. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a sealed pneumatic sound sensor is mounted between the floor of a room and a floor support. FIG. 4A shows an embodiment in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor is mounted between the floor of a room and a floor support in the center. 4A, reference numeral 1 denotes an internal volume which is made of an elastic material capable of deforming under the load of the structure as shown in FIG. 2, has side and bottom surfaces, and has an opening and an air signal transmission port on the upper surface. Is a structure with Reference numeral 3 denotes a non-directional microphone or a pipe for sending an air signal to a pressure sensor. Reference numeral 50 denotes a floor support at the center, and reference numerals 51 and 52 denote floor support at four corners, but only two corners thereof. Reference numeral 60 denotes a floor of a room used by a person who collects biological information. The structure 1 of the sealed pneumatic sound sensor is mounted between the floor support 50 and the floor 60 at the center. The opening of the structure 1 is closed by the floor support 50 in the center or the floor 60 of the room, and the elasticity of the structure 1 supports the center of the floor 60 of the room to form a closed space. Room floor 6
When a load is applied to zero, the opening is closed, and the internal volume becomes air-tight, creating a closed space. The air pressure inside the closed space is applied to a non-directional microphone or a pressure sensor via a pipe 3 for sending an air signal from an air signal sending / receiving port, detected, and transmitted to an external receiving device.

FIG. 4 (b) shows an embodiment in which a closed air type sound sensor is mounted between the floor of a room and floor supports at four corners. In FIG. 4B, reference numeral 1 denotes an internal volume which is made of an elastic material which can be deformed against a load as shown in FIG. 2, has side surfaces and a bottom surface, and has an opening and an air signal transmission port on the upper surface. Structure. Reference numeral 3 denotes a non-directional microphone or a pipe for sending an air signal to a pressure sensor. Reference numeral 51 denotes one of the four floor supports at the four corners, and only one corner portion is shown. Reference numeral 60 denotes a floor of a room used by a person who collects biological information. The structure 1 of the closed pneumatic sound sensor is mounted between the floor support 51 and the floor 60 at the four corners. The opening of the structure 1 is closed by the floor support 51 or the floor 60 of the room, and the floor 60 of the room is supported by the elasticity of the structure 1 placed on the floor support at the four corners, so that the closed space is provided. Is making. When a load is applied to the floor 60 of the room, the opening is closed, and the internal volume becomes air-tight, creating a closed space. The air pressure inside the closed space is applied to a non-directional microphone or a pressure sensor via a pipe 3 for sending an air signal from an air signal sending / receiving port, detected, and transmitted to an external receiving device. In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 4, the structure 1 of the sealed pneumatic sound sensor for collecting biological information includes the structure of the sealed pneumatic sound sensor in which a person or an animal whose biological information is collected through the floor surface 60 is provided. In order to be in a state of riding on the vehicle 1, a person whose biological information is collected while lying on the floor plate member 60 always collects stable biological information even when the position of the body is changed by turning over or the like. I can do it.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor having an opening and an internal volume, which is constituted by an elastic structure capable of deforming under a load used in the present invention, is installed on the floor of a room. FIG. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor is mounted at a central portion between a floor surface and a plate member on the floor surface. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a structure which is made of an elastic material which can be deformed with respect to a load as shown in FIG. is there. Reference numeral 3 denotes a non-directional microphone or a pipe for sending an air signal to a pressure sensor. Reference numerals 51 and 52 denote floor pillars at four corners, but show only those two corners. Reference numeral 60 denotes a floor of a room used by a person who collects biological information. 70 is a plate-shaped member placed on the floor surface 60.

The floor surface 60 is supported by floor support columns 51 and 52 at four corners, and a plate member 70 is placed on the floor surface 60. At the center between the floor surface 60 and the plate-shaped member 70, the structure 1 of the sealed pneumatic sound sensor is mounted. The opening of the structure 1 is closed by the floor surface 60 or the plate member 70, and the elasticity of the structure 1 causes the plate member 70 to move to the floor surface 6 of the room.
It is supported by the center part of 0 to create a closed space. When a load is applied to the plate-shaped member 70 by a person or an animal, the opening of the structure 1 is closed, and the internal volume is in a state of sealing air, thereby creating a closed space. The air pressure inside the enclosed space is controlled by the pipe 3 that sends out the air signal from the air signal sending port.
Is applied to an omni-directional microphone or a pressure sensor, detected and transmitted to an external receiving device. In addition, FIG.
This embodiment shows an example in which a sealed air-type sound sensor is attached to a central portion between a floor surface and a plate-like member on the floor surface. The same effect can be obtained even if it is mounted at a position suitable for collecting biological information such as four corners between members.

The biological information collecting apparatus using the sealed air type sound sensor of the present invention shown in the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 does not restrict the behavior of people and animals living in the room at all. In this way, these breathing, heart beat, body movement including seki and ikibiki are comprehensively captured as superimposed signals, and body movement time is sorted and analyzed by amplitude, respiration and heart beat is sorted and analyzed by frequency. It is ideal for remote monitoring of hospitalized patients at hospitals and the like. In the biological information collecting apparatus of the present invention, since a living body signal of a person or an animal on a floor or a plate-shaped member of a room is measured using a sealed air-type sound sensor, a foreign electromagnetic wave, Vibration noise and the like are less likely to be received, and detection of a wide range of movement of a living body such as turning over becomes possible. Further, the closed air type sound sensor can also serve as a vibration absorbing effect of a floor or a plate-shaped member of a room where people or animals live. The living body information detected by the closed air type sound sensor of the living body information collecting apparatus of the present invention includes involuntary mechanical movements such as respiration and heartbeat in the human body. In addition, there are unconscious body movements such as turning over and involuntary mechanical movements. During sleep, such unconscious body movements are important information as arousal level.

In remote monitoring of an inpatient at a hospital or the like, the sleep state of the patient is automatically detected from the state of biological information such as the pulse rate and respiratory rate of the patient, and the lights in the hospital room are turned off. You can also turn off the TV and adjust the volume of the radio. In addition, when the living body information collecting device using the closed air type sound sensor of the present invention shown in the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 is applied to a room for breeding animals, a plate-shaped member or the floor itself of the room is used. Since the animal whose biological information is collected via the air sensor is placed on the closed air sensor, even if the animal moves around the room and changes its position, the biological information is more reliably collected. Can be done. Conventionally, the only way to observe the animal's respiration, heartbeat, etc. is to fix the animal's body completely or to be under anesthesia so that the electrodes, sensors and lead wires are not bitten, There was no natural detection method. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, animals can be continuously observed in a natural state, which is very effective for elucidating pathological conditions using experimental animals and confirming the effects of drugs.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an output signal of the omnidirectional microphone 2 of the closed air type sound sensor.
The horizontal axis in FIG. 6 is time (Sec), and the vertical axis is the level (V) of the output signal. In FIG. 6, the part where the level of the output signal fluctuates greatly is the involuntary mechanical movement B of unconscious body movement such as turning over of the person whose biological information is collected.
MT is shown. Further, a portion where the level of the output signal fluctuates stably and small indicates an involuntary mechanical movement such as a respiration or a heartbeat of a person from whom biological information is collected. FIG. 7 shows a portion of the output signal of the omnidirectional microphone 2 of the sealed pneumatic sound sensor shown in FIG. 6 in which the level is stable and fluctuates small (a circled portion in FIG. 6).
And a signal S2 obtained by differentiating the signal of the same part. The high-level periodic signal of the waveform of the signal S2 obtained by differentiating the output signal of the omnidirectional microphone 2 of the sealed pneumatic sound sensor indicates a cardiac cycle, and includes a high-level periodic signal and a medium-level periodic signal. The interval between the signals indicates the left ventricular ejection time. in this way,
Various biological information can be continuously obtained over a long period of time from the output signal of the omnidirectional microphone 2 of the closed air type sound sensor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a signal processing circuit for processing the output signal of the omnidirectional microphone 2 of the closed air type sound sensor to obtain various kinds of biological information. In FIG. 8, PT is an omnidirectional microphone 2 of a closed air type sound sensor, which outputs a signal as shown in FIGS. LV is a level detection circuit that outputs a pulse A when the output of the omnidirectional microphone PT exceeds a predetermined level. LP is a low-pass filter that removes high frequency components of the output signal of the omnidirectional microphone PT. D
F outputs a signal as shown in S2 of FIG. 8 by differentiating the output signal of the omnidirectional microphone PT with a differential amplifier.
DT1, DT2 and DT3 are maximum value detectors, which output positive polarity pulses every time the maximum value of the signal applied thereto is detected.

Each of CU1, CU2, and CU3 counts a pulse applied thereto by a counter, and generates an output signal when the pulse reaches a set value. TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4
Are timers that measure the time from when a signal is applied to the start terminal to when a signal is applied to the stop terminal, and output the result to an output terminal. DV is an attenuator, which attenuates the signal t applied thereto to 1 / n and outputs it. SW1 is a switch, and M1 is a memory. The output signal of the omnidirectional microphone PT is a level detection circuit L
V, a low-pass filter LP, and a differential amplifier DF. The pulse output from the level detection circuit LV is supplied to the timer TM1 as a start signal, and is added to the counter CU1. The counter CU1 outputs a pulse of a different polarity every time the pulse A output from the level detection circuit LV is received. When the counter CU1 receives the first pulse from the level detection circuit LV, the counter CU1 outputs the next negative pulse. This is a preset counter that operates so as to output a positive polarity pulse when receiving a pulse. Timer TM1
Measures the time from receiving a positive pulse from the level detection circuit LV to receiving a positive pulse from the counter CU1, and outputs the measured value as a body movement time BMT.

The output of the low-pass filter LP is applied to a maximum value detector DT1, and the pulse output from DT1 is supplied as a start signal to a timer TM2.
It is also added to the counter CU2. Timer TM2 is
The time from when the positive polarity pulse A is received from the maximum value detector DT to when the positive polarity pulse F is received from the counter CU2 is measured, and the measured value is output as the respiratory cycle RP. The output signal of the differential amplifier DF is connected to the maximum value detector DT2. The pulse output from the maximum value detector DT2 is supplied to the timer TM3 as a start signal,
It is also added to the counter CU3. Timer TM3 is
The time from when the positive polarity pulse is received from the maximum value detector DT2 to when the positive polarity pulse is received from the counter CU3 is measured, and the measured value is output as the heartbeat period RR. The timer TM4 starts with a pulse output from the maximum value detector DT2, turns on the switch SW1 for 1 / n of the heartbeat period RR one heartbeat before and measured and stored by the timer TM3, and turns on the aortic valve. Only the closing sound is detected by the maximum value detector DT3, added as a stop signal of the timer TM4, and the measured value is output as the left ventricular ejection time ET.

Next, the operation of the circuit of FIG. 8 configured as described above will be described as follows. From the omnidirectional microphone PT, as shown in S1 of FIG. 6 or FIG.
An electric signal of biological information is output. This signal indicates involuntary mechanical movements such as a person's breathing and heart beats from which biological information is collected. The level detection circuit LV outputs a pulse A when the electric signal output from the omnidirectional microphone PT exceeds a predetermined level, that is, when a person whose biological information is to be collected moves, and outputs the pulse A to the timer TM1. To supply. In response, the timer TM1 sets the body movement time BM
Begin measuring T. The timer TM1 measures the time from when the pulse A is received from the level detection circuit LV to when the pulse B is received from the counter CU1, that is, the body movement time BMT of the person who collects the biological information shown in FIG. Is output.

High-frequency components associated with body movements and the like in the electric signal output from the omnidirectional microphone PT are removed by the low-pass filter LP, and the maximum value thereof, body movements associated with the respiration of the person whose biological information is collected are reduced. The pulse A is output as detected by the maximum value detector DT1. The timer TM2 receives the pulse A from the maximum value detector DT1, and then sets the counter C
The time until the pulse B is received from U2, that is, the respiratory cycle RP shown in FIG. 7 is measured, and the measured value is output. The electric signal output from the omnidirectional microphone PT is differentiated by the differential amplifier DF, converted into a signal as shown by S2 in FIG. 7, and the maximum value is detected by the maximum value detector DT2.

After receiving the pulse A from the maximum value detector DT2, the timer TM3 outputs the pulse B from the counter CU3.
Time to receive the pulse, ie, the heartbeat cycle RR shown in FIG.
And outputs the measured value. In addition, timer TM4
Is 1 after receiving the pulse A from the maximum value detector DT2.
Switch SW only for 1 / n time of heartbeat period RR before heartbeat
1 to ON and the time until the pulse B is received from the maximum value detector DT3, that is, the left ventricular ejection time ET shown in FIG.
And outputs the measured value. In this way, various biological information can be obtained by processing the output signal of the closed air type sound sensor by the signal processing circuit. During this measurement period, the user only needs to sleep on a bed or the like without any restriction, so that the burden is greatly reduced as compared with the conventional apparatus. For this reason, the biological information collecting device using the closed air type sound sensor of the present invention,
It can be used for a long time even for elderly people with weak physical strength, severely sick people, and animals that move rapidly.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention is constituted by an elastic structure which can be deformed against a load, has an opening and an internal volume, and the opening is formed by applying a load. It is closed by the floor, the chair or bed legs itself, the fulcrum of the toilet seat or bathtub or the attached plate-like member, and the internal volume becomes a sealed air chamber in which the air is sealed, and the omnidirectional that detects the air pressure inside and converts it to an electric signal A closed air type sound sensor composed of a conductive microphone or a pressure sensor,
By detecting the air pressure in the sealed air chamber when a living body such as a person or an animal rides on the sealed air chamber via a chair, a bed, a toilet seat lid, a floor plate, or the like by a non-directional microphone or a pressure sensor, The present invention has realized a biological information collecting apparatus using a sealed air type sound sensor that measures biological information such as respiration of a living body, a heart rate (heartbeat cycle), and body movements including seki and iki.

For this reason, in the living body information collecting apparatus of the present invention, a living body signal of a person or an animal is placed on the floor of a room or a unit bath, a chair, a bed, a toilet seat lid, or the like, and a closed air type sound sensor is used. , It is possible to detect a wide range of movement of the living body such as turning over, and it is possible to detect the movement of the living body such as respiration of the living body, heart rate (heartbeat cycle), and body movement including seki and ibiki. A biological information collecting device capable of measuring information without impairing the freedom of the human body can be realized. The device of the present invention is useful not only as a monitor for in-hospital patients in hospitals and as a patient monitor during home treatment, but also as a sleep monitor for healthy people by using short-range and long-distance communication means. And sleep arrhythmias. It is also possible to observe changes in heart rate and respiration caused by fever such as a cold or changes in female sexual hormones. Furthermore, the timing of sleep, the depth of sleep (REM sleep,
NONREM sleep) can also be determined, and comfortable wake-up timing can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of a closed air type sound sensor used in the present invention, which is constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load and has an opening and an internal volume.

FIG. 2 is a view showing another embodiment of a closed air type sound sensor used in the present invention, which is constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load and has an opening and an internal volume.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another embodiment of the configuration of the closed air type sound sensor constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load used in the present invention is installed on the floor of a room.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment in which a closed pneumatic sound sensor constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load used in the present invention is mounted on the floor of a room.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an output signal of the omnidirectional microphone 2 of the closed air type sound sensor.

7 is a signal of a portion (a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 6) in which the level is stably small and fluctuates in the output signal of the omnidirectional microphone 2 of the closed air type sound sensor shown in FIG. And a signal S2 obtained by differentiating the signal of the same part.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a signal processing circuit for processing an output signal of the closed air type sound sensor to obtain various kinds of biological information.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Structure with internal volume comprised by elastic material deformable with respect to load 11 ... Side of the structure with internal volume 12 ... Structure with internal volume , 13 ... opening of a structure having an internal volume, 14 ... air signal sending and receiving port of a structure having an internal volume, 2 ... omnidirectional microphone or pressure sensor, 3 ... An omnidirectional microphone or a pipe for sending an air signal to the pressure sensor 2,
4. 41, 42 ... legs such as beds and chairs used by a person whose biological information is collected; . . Floor on which beds, chairs, etc. are placed;
7 ・ ・ ・ Spring, 50 ・ ・ ・ Center floor support,
51, 52... Floor support at four corners, 60... Floor of a room used by a person whose biological information is collected, 70
... Plate member PT placed on floor surface 60 ... Non-directional microphone of closed air type sound sensor, LV.
..Level detection circuit, LP: low-pass filter, DF: differential amplifier, DT1, D
T2, D3 ..., maximum value detector, CU1, CU
2, CU3 ..., counter, TM1, TM2
TM3, TM4: timer, SW1: switch, M1: memory, DV: attenuator

Claims (10)

[Claims] An opening is formed by an elastic structure capable of deforming with respect to a load, and has an opening and an internal volume, and the opening is partially inserted by a load applied to a chair, a bed leg, a toilet seat lid fulcrum, and a bathtub fulcrum. A container that is closed and closed and becomes an airtight chamber with an internal volume that seals air, and is deformable with respect to a load. The air pressure in the airtight chamber of the container that is deformable with respect to the load is detected and an electric signal is generated. Closed air sound sensor consisting of an omnidirectional microphone or pressure sensor that converts to humans, living organisms of humans and animals on a closed air chamber of a container that can be deformed against load via a chair, bed, toilet seat lid, bathtub, etc. Detects the air pressure in the closed air chamber with a non-directional microphone or pressure sensor when the vehicle is on, and measures biological information such as the respiration of the living body, heart rate (heart rate cycle), and body movements including seki and ibiki Living body information collecting apparatus that uses the closed air Sicyon sensor to so that. 2. An opening having an opening and an internal volume formed by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load, wherein the opening is formed by the bottom of a chair or a bed leg, a toilet seat lid fulcrum, and a bathtub fulcrum when a load is applied. A container that can be deformed against a load that becomes a closed air chamber that is closed and has an internal volume that seals air. Detects the air pressure in the sealed air chamber of the container that can be deformed against the load and converts it into an electric signal. An airtight sound sensor consisting of an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor, and a living body of a human or animal riding on a sealed air chamber of a container that can be deformed against a load via a chair bed, toilet seat lid, bathtub, etc. By detecting the air pressure in the sealed air chamber in the state with a non-directional microphone or a pressure sensor, the biological information such as the respiration of the living body, the heart rate (heart rate cycle), and the body movement including the seki and ibiki are measured. Living body information collecting apparatus that uses the closed air Sicyon sensor to so that. 3. An opening which is formed by an elastic structure capable of being deformed with respect to a load, has a frontage and an internal volume, and is applied by a leg of a chair or bed, a fulcrum of a toilet seat lid, or a fulcrum of a bathtub. A container that is closed by the floor surface of the room, the surface of the toilet bowl, or the bathtub pedestal and is an air chamber that has an internal volume that is air-tight and is deformable under a load, and a sealed air chamber of a container that is deformable under the load Closed air type sound sensor consisting of omnidirectional microphone or pressure sensor that detects the air pressure in the room and converts it to an electric signal, above the closed air chamber of a container that can be deformed through the chair or bed legs, toilet seat lid, bathtub By detecting the air pressure in the closed air chamber when a person or an animal is riding on the vehicle with a non-directional microphone or a pressure sensor, the body movements including the respiration of the living body, heart rate (heart rate cycle), seki and ikiki Living body information collecting apparatus that uses the closed air Sicyon sensor so as to measure the biological information. 4. A chair or bet leg, which is constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to load, has a frontage and an internal volume.
A container that is deformable with respect to a load that becomes a closed air chamber in which the above-mentioned opening is closed by a plate-shaped member and the internal volume is air-tight when a load is applied by a toilet seat lid and a bathtub. A sealed pneumatic sound sensor comprising an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor that detects air pressure in a sealed air chamber of a deformable container and converts it into an electric signal;
The omnidirectional microphone measures the air pressure in an air bag in a state where a living body of a person or an animal rides on a sealed air chamber of a deformable container via a chair or bed leg, a toilet seat lid, and a bathtub on the plate-like member. Or by detecting with a pressure sensor,
A living body information collecting device using a sealed pneumatic sound sensor adapted to measure living body information such as respiration of a living body, heart rate (heartbeat cycle), body movements including seki and ikibiki. 5. An opening having an opening and an internal volume which is constituted by an elastic structure deformable with respect to a load, and the opening is closed by a floor or a floor support of a room or a unit bath when a load is applied. A container that can be deformed against a load that becomes a sealed air chamber with an internal volume that seals air, and a non-directional that detects air pressure in the sealed air chamber of the container that can be deformed against the load and converts it into an electric signal Air sensor consisting of a directional microphone or pressure sensor, and the omnidirectional microphone or pressure sensor that measures the air pressure in the closed air chamber when a living person or animal living on the floor above the closed air chamber is on board. A living body information collecting device using a closed air type sound sensor that detects and measures living body information such as a living body's respiration, heart rate (heartbeat cycle), and body movements including seki and iki. 6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the container is a closed air chamber whose opening is closed by a floor or a floor support of a room or unit bath and whose internal volume is air-tight. A living body information collecting device using a sealed pneumatic sound sensor mounted between the floor support at the center of the floor and the floor. 7. The container according to claim 5, wherein the container is a room, the opening of which is closed by a floor of a room or a unit bath or a floor support, and whose internal volume is a sealed air chamber with air sealed. A living body information collecting device using a sealed pneumatic sound sensor mounted between the floor support at the four corners and the floor. 8. An opening having an opening and an internal volume which is constituted by an elastic structure capable of being deformed with respect to a load, and the opening is formed on a floor surface of a room or a unit bath or a plate-like shape on the floor surface when a load is applied. A container that is closed by a member and becomes a sealed air chamber with an internal volume that seals air, and is deformable with respect to the load, and detects the air pressure in the sealed air chamber of the container that is deformable with respect to the load and generates an electric signal. A closed air sound sensor consisting of an omnidirectional microphone or a pressure sensor for converting, and the air pressure of the closed air chamber when a living body of a living person or animal rides on a plate-shaped member on the floor above the closed air chamber. A living body using a sealed pneumatic sound sensor that detects living body information such as respiration, heart rate (heartbeat cycle), and body movements, including seki and iki, by detecting with a non-directional microphone or pressure sensor Broadcast collection device. 9. A sealed information chamber according to claim 8, wherein the opening is closed by a floor surface of the room or the unit bath or a plate-like member on the floor surface, and the internal volume is air-tight. The container is a living body information collection device using a sealed pneumatic sound sensor mounted between the floor in the center of a room or unit bath and a plate-like member on the floor. 10. A living body information collecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an opening is closed by a floor surface of a room or a unit bath or a plate-like member on the floor surface, and an internal volume is sealed with air. The container is a living body information collection device using a sealed air type sound sensor mounted between floors at the four corners of a room or unit bath and a plate member on the floor.