JP2007252848A - Living body information detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of detecting a minute movement such as breathing operation regardless of the position of the person in a closed space. <P>SOLUTION: A detection wave transmitted from a detection wave transmitter 1 in closed space is reflected at the wall surface of the closed space so that it is filled with the detection wave. The detection wave reflected by the living body is received by a detection wave receiver 2 through a wave collection device 3. Presence of the living body is detected by whether or not the amplitude signal of the received detection wave exists. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological information detection apparatus using a detection wave in a closed space such as a toilet.

  In closed spaces such as toilets and bathrooms, people's condition is likely to change suddenly and is closed, making early detection difficult and possibly leading to death. In order to prevent such an emergency, an apparatus for detecting a change in the condition of a person is required, and various living body detection apparatuses have been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, an ultrasonic distance sensor is installed on the ceiling or wall of the toilet. When the inside of the toilet is unattended, when a person is sitting on the toilet seat, etc., are detected by the difference in the received signal and fallen to the floor. This is a device that judges an abnormality when the user is sitting for a long time or is sitting for a long time and warns the outside. The distance sensor is used to detect the state and level of the reflected wave when the toilet is not in use, and then the state and level of the reflected wave when a person is standing, sitting, or lying down The state of the person entering the room is detected from the change in the.
JP 2004-199122 A

  Since the apparatus of Patent Document 1 detects only three modes of standing, sitting, and falling down using a gate signal, there is a problem that only the above three modes can be identified. Have.

  Moreover, since it is determined that an abnormality has occurred only when the above-described state has passed for a certain period of time using a gate circuit, there is a problem that an emergency cannot be detected instantaneously.

  Furthermore, since the range in which ultrasonic waves can be directly emitted from the ultrasonic transmitter is narrow, the detection area is narrow. For this reason, there is a problem that it cannot be detected when a person leaves the detection area in the space.

  Furthermore, when the ultrasonic wave is directly applied to the living body and the detection is performed and the mounting position or orientation of the sensor is changed, there is a problem that it cannot be detected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the present invention can detect a breathing movement that is difficult to detect without attaching any detection device to the living body, and where the living body is located in the closed space. It is an object to provide an apparatus that can detect biological information.

  The present invention comprises a detection wave transmitter, a detection wave receiver, and a collector, and transmits a detection wave from the detection wave transmitter in a closed space and reflects it on a wall surface of the closed space to A detection wave filled with a detection wave and reflected by the detection wave hitting a living body is received by the detection wave receiver via the collector, and the presence or absence of the living body is determined by the presence or absence of an amplitude signal of the received detection wave. It is characterized by detecting.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the detection wave is an ultrasonic wave.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the detection wave is infrared.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the modulation of the amplitude signal corresponds to respiration of the living body.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the collector is an umbrella shape.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the detection wave transmitter is installed on the convex surface side of the collector, and the detection wave receiver is installed on the concave surface side of the collector.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the detection wave transmitter is installed in the convex center portion of the collector, and the detection wave receiver is installed in the concave center portion of the collector.

  Furthermore, the present invention integrates the detection wave transmitter, the collector and the detection wave receiver, directs the transmission surface of the detection wave transmitter toward the ceiling, and sets the reception surface of the detection wave receiver to the floor direction. It is characterized by being installed toward

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that one or more detection wave transmitters are installed.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the closed space is a toilet, a bathroom, a hospital room, a single room, or a private room.

  Furthermore, in another embodiment according to the present invention, a plurality of detection wave transmitters and a plurality of detection wave receivers are provided, and detection waves are transmitted from the plurality of detection wave transmitters in a closed space, and the closed space is transmitted. The detection waves reflected by the wall surface of the body are filled with the detection waves, and the detection waves reflected by the living body are received by the plurality of detection wave receivers, and the presence of the amplitude signal of the received detection waves The presence or absence is detected.

  Furthermore, in another embodiment according to the present invention, the detection wave is an ultrasonic wave.

  Furthermore, in another embodiment according to the present invention, the detection wave is an infrared ray.

  According to the biological information detection apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to detect a minute body movement such as a breathing movement because a detection wave is filled in a closed space and a large amount of reflected waves can be received via a collector. It is.

  For the same reason, since the entire closed space becomes a detection region, there is an advantage that biometric information can be detected instantaneously regardless of the state of the person.

  Furthermore, since it has a simple structure of a pair of normal detection wave transceivers and an umbrella-shaped collector, it can be provided at low cost.

  Furthermore, since the detection wave is used, it is possible to detect biological information in a non-contact manner without attaching any sensor or the like to the body.

  Further, according to another form of the living body detection device of the present invention, a large amount of detection waves can be filled in the space by a plurality of detection wave transmitters, and a large amount of reflected waves can be received by a plurality of detection wave receivers. It is possible to detect minute body movements such as movements.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the biological information detection apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a detection wave transmission / reception flow diagram of the ultrasonic transmission unit and the reception unit when ultrasonic waves are used as detection waves. FIG. 3 is a detection wave transmission / reception flowchart of the infrared transmitter and receiver when infrared rays are used as detection waves. FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section of the frequency device. FIG. 5 is a measurement diagram using a biological information detection device and a piezoelectric film sensor using ultrasonic waves as detection waves. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a biological information detection apparatus as another embodiment.

  An outline of the biological information detection apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The biological information detection apparatus of the present invention includes a detection wave transmitter 1, a detection wave receiver 2, and a collector 3. The detection wave transmitter 1, the detection wave receiver 2, and the wave collector 3 are integrally installed on the ceiling of the toilet. The detection wave transmitter 1 is installed on the convex portion of the collector 3 with the transmission surface facing the ceiling, and the detection wave receiver 2 is a concave surface of the collector 3 with the reception surface facing the floor. Installed in the department.

  A detection wave is transmitted from the detection wave transmitter 1 toward the ceiling. The detection wave is complicatedly reflected by the ceiling, wall surface, etc. in the enclosed space and fills the enclosed space. As detection waves, ultrasonic waves or infrared rays are preferable. Further, the frequency of the detection wave to be transmitted is not particularly limited, and may be a widely used one.

  The detection wave transmitter 1 may be installed at a location where a detection wave is emitted so that the detection wave is diffusely reflected and filled in the closed space, preferably on the convex surface side of the current collector, more preferably in the center of the convex surface portion. It is good to install in the department.

  The collector 3 blocks the detection wave transmitted by the detection wave transmitter 1 from being directly received by the detection wave receiver 2 and receives a reflected wave from a wall surface, a toilet, a living body, and the like. The collector 3 is configured to block the detection wave directly generated by the detection wave transmitter 1 from being received by the detection wave receiver 2 and to effectively receive the detection wave reflected by the detection wave receiver 2. That's fine. As such a shape, an umbrella shape is particularly preferable. Moreover, the one where the shape of the collector 3 is large is preferable. Since the reception capability of the detection wave is increased, the detection wave receiver 2 can receive effectively.

  The detection wave receiver 2 faces downward, and receives a reflected wave from a wall surface, a toilet bowl, a living body, or the like received via the collector 3. The detection wave receiver 2 may be installed at a location where the detection wave reflected in the closed space can be effectively received via the current collector 3, preferably on the concave surface side of the current collector 3, more preferably It is good to install in the center of the concave surface.

  When there is no living body in the toilet, the detection wave is reflected constantly, so the amplitude of the detection wave received by the detection wave receiver 2 is constant. When a living body is present in the toilet, the reflection of the detection wave becomes unstable due to the movement of the person, and the amplitude of the detection wave to be received fluctuates.

  In the state where the living body in the toilet is breathing, the volume of the body increases, so that the reflection distance of the received detection wave is shortened, and the amplitude of the received detection wave is increased. On the other hand, when the person in the toilet is exhaling, the volume of the body is small, so the reflection distance of the detection wave until reception is long, and the amplitude of the detection wave to be received is small.

  Within the enclosed space, detection waves are reflected in a multiple manner like sound, and the receiver receives a large amount of reflected waves via a collector. Therefore, even a slight motion in which amplitude modulation cannot be recognized with one reflected wave, such as a breathing motion, can be detected.

  Moreover, this apparatus fills a detection wave in the closed space and detects all the movements in the closed space. For this reason, it becomes possible to detect the living body wherever it is in the closed space.

  In the case of a wide closed space, one or more detection wave transmitters 1 may be provided. As the detected waves to be transmitted increase, the reflected waves also increase, so that the closed space is sufficiently filled with the detected waves and can be effectively received by the detected wave receiver 2. When a plurality of detection wave transmitters 1 are installed, there is no phase problem and detection of biological information is possible if detection waves having the same frequency are transmitted.

  The closed space may be a space that is filled with the detection wave irregularly reflected. It is particularly effective for toilets, bathrooms, hospital rooms, or private rooms. Since such a space has the most accidents, accidents can be prevented beforehand by using the present invention.

  It is also suitable for detention facilities such as prisons, detention centers, etc. Since this apparatus does not use a monitoring camera, effective monitoring can be performed while suppressing the invasion of the privacy of the monitored person. Furthermore, it may be a space that requires security. Abnormalities due to suspicious person intrusions can be detected.

  FIG. 2A is an ultrasonic transmission flowchart in the ultrasonic transmission unit when ultrasonic waves are used as detection waves. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter toward the ceiling via the pulse oscillation circuit.

  FIG. 2B is an ultrasonic reception flowchart in the ultrasonic receiver. The ultrasonic waves that are complicatedly reflected in the enclosed space are received by an ultrasonic receiver installed at the lower part of the collector. The detection wave received by the detection wave receiver is amplified by the amplifier after the low frequency is removed by the high-pass filter, and the amplitude is detected by the detection circuit. The detection circuit rectifies and detects the amplitude of the received ultrasonic wave.

  FIG. 3A is an infrared transmission flowchart in the infrared transmission unit when infrared rays are used as detection waves. An infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) is driven through the pulse oscillation circuit, and infrared rays are transmitted toward the ceiling.

  FIG. 3B is an infrared reception flowchart in the infrared receiver. Infrared rays reflected in a complicated manner in the enclosed space are received by a photosensor installed at the lower part of the collector. Infrared light received by the photosensor is amplified by an amplifier after the low frequency is removed by a high-pass filter, and the amplitude is detected by a detection circuit. The detector circuit rectifies and detects the amplitude of the received infrared rays. Note that when the infrared light emitting diode is driven by a direct current, a high-pass filter and a detection circuit are not required.

  Measurements were taken in a general household toilet-sized box. Three modes were measured: a state in which the subject is resting in the box, a state in which the subject has stopped breathing, and a state in which the subject is absent.

  The size of the box was 220 cm × 90 cm × 220 cm (height × width × depth), and an ultrasonic transmitter, an ultrasonic receiver, and a collector were integrally installed on the ceiling. An ultrasonic transmitter was provided in the upper central part of the conical collector so as to transmit ultrasonic waves to the ceiling. In addition, the ultrasonic receiver was installed in the center of the collector with the floor facing.

  The frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave was 40 kHz.

  Measurement was performed using the three types of collectors shown in Table 1 using the collector shown in FIG.

また、本発明による装置で人の呼吸動作が検出可能であることを検証するために、圧電フィルムセンサを被験者の上腕部につけて、低周波数体動（呼吸）を同時に計測した。

Moreover, in order to verify that the human breathing motion can be detected by the apparatus according to the present invention, a low-frequency body motion (breathing) was simultaneously measured by attaching a piezoelectric film sensor to the upper arm of the subject.

  FIG. 5 shows the measurement results of the present invention and the piezoelectric film sensor.

  Note that the larger the collector, the higher the reception capability, and thus the amplitude modulation increased. It was confirmed that effective detection was possible by selecting the size of the collector according to the size of the enclosed space.

  FIG. 5A shows a measurement result in a resting state. The output waveform and the piezoelectric film sensor output voltage according to the present invention are synchronized although a phase difference occurs.

  FIG. 5B shows the measurement results of the state before and after stopping breathing. The output fluctuates before and after breathing stops, but no fluctuation occurs in the breathing stopped state. It should be noted that the piezoelectric film sensor output voltage does not change at all after stopping breathing, whereas a slight change is observed in the present invention. This is because it is difficult to completely stop the movement of the subject, and it is assumed that a slight movement of the subject was detected.

  FIG. 5 (C) shows the measurement result in the absence of the subject in the box. There is no output fluctuation.

  From this measurement result, it can be determined that what is detected by the present invention corresponds to the breathing of the subject, and it can be confirmed that the human breathing motion in the closed space can be detected in a non-contact manner.

  An outline of a biological information detection apparatus as another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The living body detection apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of detection wave transmitters and a plurality of detection wave receivers.

  Four detection wave transmitters 1 are installed with the transmission surface facing the toilet ceiling. Four detection wave receivers 2 are installed with the reception surface facing the toilet floor.

  When a large number of detection waves are transmitted from the plurality of detection wave transmitters 1, the detection waves are reflected by the ceiling, wall surface, toilet bowl, living body, etc., and the detection waves fill the toilet. The plurality of detection wave receivers 2 are directed downward and receive reflected waves from a wall surface, a toilet bowl, a living body, and the like. A large number of reflected waves can be received by the plurality of detection wave receivers 2.

  Therefore, as described above, even a slight movement that cannot recognize amplitude modulation with a single reflected wave, such as a breathing motion, can be detected.

  With a simple device, it is possible to detect a slight movement of a person, particularly a breathing movement, at any location in a closed space without directly attaching a sensor or the like to the person. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an emergency such as a physical abnormality in a closed space such as a toilet, a bathroom, a sickroom, a single room, and a private room, and it can be used in general homes including hospitals and nursing homes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the outline of the biometric information detection apparatus which is 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is an ultrasonic transmission / reception flowchart of the ultrasonic transmission part by this invention, and a receiving part. It is an infrared transmission / reception flowchart of the infrared transmission part and reception part by this invention. It is sectional drawing of the collector by this invention. It is a measurement figure using the living body information detecting device and piezoelectric film sensor by the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of the biological information detection apparatus which is other embodiment by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 detection wave transmitter 2 detection wave receiver 3 current collector

Claims (13)

A detection wave transmitter, a detection wave receiver, and a collector;
Transmitting a detection wave from the detection wave transmitter in a closed space, and reflecting the wall of the closed space to fill the detection wave,
The detection wave reflected by the detection wave hitting the living body is received by the detection wave receiver via the collector, and the presence or absence of the living body is detected by the presence or absence of the amplitude signal of the received detection wave. Biological information detecting device.   The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection wave is an ultrasonic wave.   The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection wave is infrared rays.   The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the modulation of the amplitude signal corresponds to respiration of the living body.   The biological information detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the current collector has an umbrella shape. Installing the detection wave transmitter on the convex side of the current collector;
The living body information detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection wave receiver is installed on the concave portion side of the collector. Installing the detection wave transmitter in the convex center of the current collector;
The living body information detecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection wave receiver is installed at a concave central portion of the collector. The detection wave transmitter, the collector and the detection wave receiver are integrated,
Directing the transmission surface of the detection wave transmitter toward the ceiling,
The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection wave receiver is installed with a reception surface facing a floor direction.   The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more detection wave transmitters are installed.   The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closed space is a toilet, a bathroom, a hospital room, a solitary cell, or a private room. A plurality of detection wave transmitters and a plurality of detection wave receivers;
Transmitting detection waves from the plurality of detection wave transmitters in a closed space, reflecting on the wall surface of the closed space to fill the detection waves,
A biological information detection apparatus, wherein the detection waves reflected by the detection wave are received by the plurality of detection wave receivers, and the presence or absence of the living body is detected based on the presence or absence of an amplitude signal of the received detection waves. .   The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detection wave is an ultrasonic wave.   The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detection wave is an infrared ray.

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