JP2002282227A - Biological information measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological information measuring device for making a subject continue the vital data measurement in a bathroom by giving pleasure to the subject. SOLUTION: When a biological information measuring means 100 (a bathroom electrocardiograph 200) makes measuring motion for measuring the biological information (electrocardiogram) of a subject in a bathroom, an image variable in response to the measuring motion is displayed on an image display means 101 (a display part 31 of a bathroom remote controller 3), and the subject can enjoy watching the displayed image vary. Moreover, at the time, the biological information (electrocardiogram) measuring motion is made.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a biological information measuring device for measuring biological information of a subject.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of the above-mentioned biological information measuring apparatus, for example, there is known an electrocardiographic measuring apparatus which measures an electrocardiogram as biological information of a subject in a bathroom, and a bathtub electrocardiograph which applies the electrocardiographic measuring technique to a bathtub. Discloses a bathtub electrocardiogram measurement technique for measuring an electrocardiogram of a subject who is taking a bath as biological information (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2594217).

[0003]

By the way, in the electrocardiogram measurement using the bathtub electrocardiograph, it is necessary to prevent the subject from moving as much as possible during the measurement time in order to perform proper measurement. It is normal for bathers to relax and move their bodies, and it is difficult to force bathers to keep their bodies still. Also, in other biological information measuring devices, it is desirable to keep the body from moving as much as possible during the measurement in order to ensure the accuracy of the measurement. Further, it is desirable for the health management that the subject observes the transition of the biological data by continuously and regularly measuring the biological information of the subject by using the above-described biological information measuring device for a long period of time.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a subject with measurement of biological information in a bathroom for a long period of time so that the subject can have fun. An object of the present invention is to provide a biological information measuring device that can be continuously performed. A second object of the present invention is to provide a biological information measuring device capable of satisfactorily measuring an electrocardiogram in a bathing state while giving a subject who is taking a bath pleasure.

[0005]

A first characteristic configuration of a biological information measuring apparatus according to the present invention for achieving this object is as follows.
As described in claim 1 of the claims section, a biological information measuring means for measuring biological information of a subject in a bathroom, and an image display for displaying an image which changes with the measuring operation by the biological information measuring means. And means are provided.

[0006] The second feature configuration is, in addition to the first feature configuration, as described in claim 2 of the claims section, wherein the biological information measuring means is provided in the bathtub as the biological information. A bathtub electrocardiograph that measures an electrocardiogram of a subject who is taking a bath, and the image display means is installed in the bathroom in a state in which the image is changed in accordance with the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph. It is in the point.

[0007] The third characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the second characteristic configuration, the image display means includes an electrocardiogram by the bathtub electrocardiograph as described in claim 3 of the claims. The point is that the changing speed of the image is changed depending on the appropriateness of the measuring operation.

According to a fourth feature configuration, as described in claim 4 of the claims, in addition to the second or third feature configuration, the image display means displays the image in a stepwise manner. , The end of the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph is displayed.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the image display means includes a bathing environment. Depending on the appropriateness of the bathing environment detected by the detection means,
It is configured to change the change speed of the image.

The operation and effect will be described below. According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, when a measurement operation for measuring biological information of a subject in a bathroom is performed by the biological information measurement unit, an image that changes with the measurement operation is displayed on the image display unit. Is done. That is, the subject can enjoy watching the state where the displayed image changes,
In addition, at that time, an operation of measuring biological information in the bathroom is performed. Therefore, a biological information measuring device capable of allowing a subject to continuously measure biological information in a bathroom over a long period of time so that the subject has fun by an image that changes with the measurement operation. Provided.

According to the second characteristic configuration, when an electrocardiogram measuring operation for measuring an electrocardiogram of a subject taking a bath in the bathtub as the biological information is performed by the bathtub electrocardiograph, the electrocardiogram measuring operation is carried out. The changing image is displayed on image display means installed in the bathroom. In other words, the subject while taking a bath can enjoy watching the state in which the image displayed in the bathroom changes, and at that time, while taking a bath while focusing on the image and the subject does not move much. Of the electrocardiogram is performed. In this case, since a troublesome operation such as a button operation is not required to change the image, a disadvantage that a relaxed state is prevented when the image is changed by the button operation is also avoided. Therefore, there is provided a biological information measuring device capable of satisfactorily measuring an electrocardiogram in a bathing state while giving a subject who is taking a bath pleasure.

According to the third characteristic configuration, the changing speed of the displayed image is changed depending on the appropriateness of the electrocardiogram measuring operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph. That is, for example, when the degree of properness of the electrocardiogram measurement operation is high, the change speed of the image is high, and conversely, when the degree of properness of the electrocardiogram measurement operation is low, the change speed of the image is low. Therefore, the subject can determine the appropriateness of the ECG measurement operation based on the change speed of the image,
It is possible to ensure that the electrocardiogram measurement operation is performed properly by, for example, preventing the body from moving in the bathtub while checking and checking the image.

[0013] According to the fourth characteristic configuration, when the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph is completed, the image changes stepwise, and the end of the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph is displayed. That is, the subject who is taking a bath can see the end of the electrocardiogram measurement operation by seeing the state in which the image displayed in the bathroom changes stepwise. Therefore, the end of the electrocardiogram measurement operation can be appropriately notified to the subject during bathing by a discontinuous change in the image, and the subject is maintained in an appropriate measurement state until the end display is displayed, and the electrocardiogram measurement operation is performed. It is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the subject unnecessarily maintains the measurement state even after the end.

According to the fifth characteristic configuration, the changing speed of the image is changed according to the appropriateness of the bathing environment detected by the bathing environment detecting means. That is, for example, when the degree of appropriateness of the bathing environment is high, the change speed of the image is high, and conversely, when the degree of appropriateness of the bathing environment is low, the change speed of the image is low. Therefore, the subject can determine the appropriateness of the bathing environment based on the change speed of the image, and can take appropriate measures to bathe in the bathing environment as appropriate as possible while checking the image.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a biological information measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be described for a case where an electrocardiogram of a subject taking a bath is measured as biological information of the subject in a bathroom. As shown in FIG. 1, water supplied by a water supply is heated by a gas combustion type burner, and hot water is supplied through a hot water supply path 6 to a bathroom 9.
A hot water heater 1 for supplying hot water to a bathtub 5 therein, a controller 2 for controlling the operation of the hot water heater 1, a bath remote controller 3 and a kitchen remote controller 4 communicably connected to the controller 2 are provided. , An automatic hot water bath is configured. The bath remote controller 3 is installed on a side wall of the bathroom 9.

A water level sensor 7 for detecting a water level in the bathtub 5 is provided, and information detected by the water level sensor 7 is input to the controller 2. The water level sensor 7 is specifically composed of a pressure sensor provided at a location where the hot water supply path 6 communicates with the bathtub 5. When the water level in the bathtub 5 rises, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is reduced. Since the pressure becomes high, the water level in the bathtub 5 is detected based on the detected pressure value.
Further, a temperature sensor 8A for detecting the temperature of hot water in the bathtub 5 is provided, and detection information of the temperature sensor 8A is input to the controller 2. The temperature sensor 8A is specifically provided near a location where the hot water supply path 6 communicates with the bathtub 5. A room temperature sensor 8B for detecting the room temperature in the bathroom 9
The detection information of the room temperature sensor 8B is input to the controller 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bath remote controller 3 has a control unit 30 communicably connected to the controller 2 and a control unit 30 connected to the control unit 30.
A liquid crystal display unit 31 for displaying various information, a speaker 32, an up / down type change key 33, and an individual selection for selecting one of a plurality of individuals (A, B, and C in the figure). A button 34, an operation switch 35, an automatic filling switch 36, and the like are provided. Although not shown, the kitchen remote controller 4 is also connected to the individual selection button 34.
, Except that the speaker 32 is not provided.

A bathtub electrocardiograph 20 for obtaining an electrocardiogram signal of a bather is provided, and an electrocardiogram signal obtained by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20 is input to the controller 2. That is, the living body information measuring means 100 for measuring the living body information of the subject in the bathroom is constituted by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20 for measuring the electrocardiogram of the subject bathing in the bathtub 5 as the living body information of the subject in the bathroom. ing. 4 and 5
As shown in FIG. 2, the bathtub electrocardiograph 20 includes a plurality of electrocardiogram electrodes 10 installed on the inner wall of the bathtub 5 and an electrocardiogram signal generation process for generating an electrocardiogram signal from electric signals appearing on the plurality of electrocardiogram electrodes 10. Means 11 and signal processing means 12 for performing predetermined signal processing on the electrocardiogram signal generated by the electrocardiogram signal generation means 11 are provided.

The plurality of electrocardiogram electrodes 10 include four electrodes 10a.
The electrodes 10a to 10d are separately installed at predetermined positions on the inner wall surface of the bathtub 5 soaked in hot water. Specifically, the first electrode 10a is located near the outside of the bather's right arm base, the second electrode 10b is located near the outside of the bather's left base, and the third electrode 10c is positioned at the left foot of the bather. The fourth electrode 10d is installed at a position close to the outside, and at a position close to the outside of the right foot base of the bather. Then, the surface potential of each corresponding part of the bather is induced to each of the electrodes 10a to 10d by a conductive path formed through hot water in the bathtub.

The electrocardiogram signal generating means 11 basically includes
It comprises a plurality of differential amplifiers for combining the electric signals guided to the respective electrodes 10a to 10d to obtain a difference signal between the combined signals, and includes six types in the standard 12-leading method represented by the following equation. ECG signals of the standard limb induction (V1, V2, V3, aV R, aV L, aV F) to produce a. Incidentally, _{wherein, V R, V L, V} F , respectively, the first electrode 1
0a, the potential induced at the second electrode 10b and the third electrode 10c.

[0021]

[Number 1] _{V1 = V L -V R V2 =} V F -V R V3 = V F -V L aV R = V R -0.5 (V L + V F) aV L = V L -0.5 ( _{V R + V F) aV F} = V F -0.5 (V R + V L)

The signal processing means 12 converts the electrocardiogram signal generated by the electrocardiogram signal generation means 11 into a low-frequency signal generated by movement of hot water in the bathtub 5 or movement of a bather's body. The baseline sway component is removed, and the P, Q, R, S, T
A specific signal wave among characteristic signal components such as a wave and a QRS complex is extracted, and electrocardiogram information included in the specific signal wave is further extracted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, an R wave is extracted, its generation time phase is detected, and the heart rate and its time variation are measured from its generation interval.

Image display means 101 for displaying an image that changes with the measurement operation by the biological information measuring means 100
Is provided. Specifically, the image display means 10
1 is configured using the display unit 31 of the bath remote controller 3 and is installed in the bathroom 9 in a state where the image is changed in accordance with an electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20. Then, the control unit 30 of the bath remote controller 3 receiving the information on the electrocardiogram measurement operation from the controller 2 controls the display operation of the image display unit 101. As described below, the image is composed of a pet image, and the pet image is displayed on the display unit 31 of the bath remote controller 3 in a state in which the pet image grows and changes with the electrocardiogram measurement operation. FIG. 7 illustrates a case where “tadpole” grows and changes into an adult frog using “frog” as a pet image. FIG. 8 illustrates a case where “chick” grows and changes into an adult fowl using “chick” as a pet image. An example is shown below.
In the figure, (a) and (b) are pet images representing “tadpoles” or “chicks” that are growing from the early stage of growth, and (c) is the final pet image. The number of R waves (heart rate) is used as information (feed for growing) of the electrocardiogram measurement operation for growing and changing the pet image. Therefore, the pet image grows and changes as the number of counted R waves increases. In addition, as information of the electrocardiogram measurement operation for growing this pet image, instead of the number of the R waves, the height (intensity) of the R wave and other information (the fluctuation of the interval of the R waves, the number of arrhythmias) are used. Etc.), or
A combination of the above information may be used.

The image display means 101 is configured to change the change speed of the image according to the appropriateness of the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20. Specifically, the growth speed and the operation speed of the pet image are changed according to the appropriateness of the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20. For example, when a subject who is taking a bath moves his / her body so that a normal electrocardiogram signal cannot be obtained, the growth speed of the pet image and the operation speed of the pet image are reduced. Specifically, when a normal electrocardiogram signal is obtained, each of the pet images shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B (a) and (b) moves rapidly in the screen, but the normal electrocardiogram signal is not displayed. When it is no longer possible, the growth of each pet image is slowed down and the movement in the screen is slowed down. If the abnormal measurement state continues, the movement of the pet image stops. For example, as shown in FIG. 8D, the "chick" sits down or falls asleep. Therefore, when the subject sees this image and puts on moving his / her body, a normal measurement state is established, and the growth of each pet image progresses again, and the pet moves quickly on the screen. Note that, when the movement of the pet image is slowed, an instruction may be given not to move the body by the sound from the speaker 32 of the bath remote controller 3 at the same time.

FIG. 9 conceptually shows a growth state of a pet image. In a normal measurement state, as shown by a dotted line,
As the time (horizontal axis) elapses, the growth degree (vertical axis) of the pet image increases smoothly from 0 and reaches the growth level 1, and the measurement ends in the standard measurement time Ts, but the measurement is abnormal. In the state, as shown by the solid line, the growth of the pet image (vertical axis) increases slowly, so that a measurement time T longer than the standard measurement time Ts is required. The growth degree 0 corresponds to the first pet image, and the growth degree 1 corresponds to the final pet image.

Further, the image display means 101 is configured to display the end of the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20 by changing the image stepwise. Specifically, during the electrocardiogram measurement operation, the growing pet image ((a) in FIGS. 7 and 8)
To (b) are displayed, and the size of the pet image gradually increases. When the electrocardiogram measurement operation is completed, the grown pet image (the image of (c) in FIGS. 7 and 8) is suddenly displayed. Changes to The subject can know the end of the measurement operation by the sudden change of the pet image. Note that the growth degree change curve in FIG. 9 also shows a rapid change in the growth degree at the end of the measurement.

Further, the image display means 101 is configured to change the changing speed of the image according to the appropriateness of the bathing environment detected by the bathing environment detecting means 102. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the bathing environment detecting means 102 includes the water level sensor 7 and the temperature sensor 8.
A and a room temperature sensor 8B, and as a bathing environment, the amount of hot water and the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 5 at the time of bathing, and the room temperature in the bathroom 9 are detected. It is sent to the control unit 30 of the bath remote controller 3. The control unit 30 of the bath remote controller 3 determines whether or not a safe bathing environment is present based on the detected information and controls the display of the pet image. The safe bathing environment is, for example,
The amount of hot water in the bathtub 5 is not too large (the neck is above the surface of the water in the whole body bath), the temperature of the hot water is in the range of the body temperature and slightly higher than this, and the room temperature in the bathroom 9 is bathed. The condition is such that the temperature does not make the person feel cold. And when taking a bath in a safe bathing environment and measuring an electrocardiogram, the growth rate of the pet image becomes faster, and when taking a bath outside the safe bathing environment and measuring the electrocardiogram, , The pet image is displayed such that the growth speed of the pet image is reduced.

[Another Embodiment] Another embodiment will be described below. In the above embodiment, when the image display unit 101 changes the image in accordance with the measurement operation by the biological information measuring unit 100, specifically, when the pet image grows and changes,
By one measurement operation (for example, electrocardiogram measurement operation),
The image was changed from the image of the initial growth (chick) to the image of the completed growth (chick). However, in order to make the ECG measurement repeated at appropriate intervals on a daily basis, it was not a single measurement operation but a measurement operation. Is repeated over a long period of time, so that the pet image grows.

The image display means 101 can display various images including a pet image. For example, animals other than those described above, or plants such as flowers, artificial objects, virtual objects, and the like may be used.

When displaying the above pet image,
For example, when an abnormal decrease or abnormal increase in heart rate is detected based on the measurement information of the bathtub electrocardiograph 20,
And ask them to take you out of the bath,
Alternatively, the pet image may be displayed so as to act according to the degree of relaxation calculated from the electrocardiogram or the respiration calculated from the detection information of the water level sensor 7. Further, the pet image may be displayed so as to move according to the electrocardiogram. For example, the pet image jumps, performs a walking motion, and shakes a hand in synchronization with the timing of the heartbeat. The pet image performs a three-step jump operation (hop, step, jump) at the timing of the heartbeat. The movement of the pet image makes a golf swing in accordance with the timing of the heartbeat. Furthermore, according to the water level fluctuation during bathing,
The character of the pet image may be changed. For example,
When taking a bath with the water surface shaking violently, the nature of the pet image becomes rough, and the behavior of the pet image when growing with the ECG measurement becomes intense. become,
The operation of the pet image when growing along with the electrocardiogram measurement becomes easy.

In the above embodiment, the biological information measuring means 10
0 is constituted by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20, but in addition to the bathtub electrocardiograph 20, measuring means for measuring, for example, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body fat percentage, etc. of the bather as biological information of the subject during bathing May be.

In the above-described embodiment, the image display means 101 is constituted by using the display unit 31 of the bath remote controller 3. In addition to this, another stationary display installed in the bathroom 9 or a water surface of hot water It may be constituted by a floating display device floating above. The image such as the pet image may be displayed on the display unit 31 of the kitchen remote controller 4 in conjunction with displaying the image such as the pet image on the display unit 31 of the bath remote controller 3. Further, in the case of the above-mentioned floating type display, a moving mechanism for moving in the bathtub is provided, for example, when the electrocardiogram measuring operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph 20 is proper,
When approaching the position of the subject taking a bath, but the ECG measurement operation is inappropriate, the operation may be performed so as to move away from the position of the subject taking a bath.

In the above embodiment, the bathing environment detecting means 10
In 2, the bathing environment is configured to detect the amount and temperature of hot water in the bathtub 5 at the time of bathing, and the room temperature in the bathroom 9, but in addition to this, for example, the bathing time (electrocardiogram) And the time of bathing), the frequency of bathing (every day, one day a week, etc.), etc.
01 may change the changing speed of the image such as the pet image according to the bathing environment. further,
The image display means 101 may use a total number of times of bathing as information for changing an image such as a pet image, and change an image such as a pet image according to the total number.

When a plurality of families measure an electrocardiogram while taking a bath, it is possible to register an image in a different form for each individual. Specifically, each individual (father is A,
The mother selects B and the child selects C) so that the individual pet image is displayed on the display section 31 of the bath remote controller 3. Instead of selecting each individual by such button operation, each individual may be recognized from the characteristics of the waveform of the electrocardiogram, and a pet image for each individual may be automatically called and displayed. In this case, the identified personal name may be displayed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a hot water supply bath provided with a biological information measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a bath remote controller.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a bath remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a bathtub electrocardiograph.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bathtub showing an electrode arrangement of the bathtub electrocardiograph.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing an electrocardiogram signal obtained by a bathtub electrocardiograph.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a display screen showing a display state of a pet image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a display screen showing a display state of a pet image.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the degree of growth of a pet image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 5 bathtub 9 bathroom 20 bathtub electrocardiograph 100 biological information measuring means 101 image display means 102 bathing environment detecting means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A biological information measurement device comprising: biological information measurement means for measuring biological information of a subject in a bathroom; and image display means for displaying an image that changes with a measurement operation by the biological information measurement means. apparatus. 2. The living body information measuring means comprises a bathtub electrocardiograph for measuring an electrocardiogram of a subject taking a bath in a bathtub as the living body information, and the image display means comprises the bathtub electrocardiograph. The biological information measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the biological information measurement device is installed in a bathroom in a state where the image is changed according to an electrocardiogram measurement operation. 3. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the image display means is configured to change a change speed of the image according to an appropriate degree of an electrocardiogram measuring operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph. 4. The living body according to claim 2, wherein the image display means displays the end of the electrocardiogram measurement operation by the bathtub electrocardiograph by changing the image stepwise. Information measuring device. 5. The image display means is configured to change a change speed of the image according to an appropriate degree of a bathing environment detected by a bathing environment detecting means.
5. The biological information measuring device according to any one of 4.