JP2009247361A - Living body detector and electronic device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a living body detector capable of automatically recognizing the attachment to a human body and securely turning on/off a power supply of an electronic device, and to provide an electronic device using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The living body detector includes: the power supply for driving electronic circuits; a contact sensor which generates attachment signals when attached to the human body; a pulse sensor for detecting the pulse when attached to the human body; a first power supply control means for feeding the power of the power supply to the pulse sensor when receives the attachment signal; and a second power supply control means for feeding the power of the power supply to the electronic circuits when determines that the detection signal from the pulse sensor is the pulse. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to power control of an electronic device that performs functional control electrically, and particularly relates to a power control technology for an electronic device that is used in contact with a human body.

  There is an electronic spectacle as one of electronic devices that electrically control a function while in contact with a human body. This can be achieved by encapsulating a dielectric material such as liquid crystal in the lens and applying voltage to the lens to change the dielectric constant to control the refractive index, or to change the lens color electrically. As spectacles, there are dimming sunglasses that use an EC element or liquid crystal in a lens and apply a voltage to the lens to change the color and transmittance.

  On the other hand, power is required to drive these electronic glasses. However, from the viewpoint of recent environmental problems and long-time driving demands by users, low power consumption is also required for these electronic glasses. It has been demanded. As an effective example in reducing power consumption, it is desirable to suppress unnecessary power consumption and to automatically turn on the power only when necessary. Therefore, a configuration is known in which a contact sensor is used for the nose pad, and when the contact sensor senses contact, the power of devices necessary for driving the electronic glasses such as the power supply unit and the electric signal processing means is turned on.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the power switch device of the conventional electronic glasses. As shown in FIG. 5, in the electronic glasses 101, a contact sensor 113 including a pressure sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like is installed on a nose pad 109. By wearing the electronic glasses 101, the contact sensor 113 comes into contact with the user's nose, the contact sensor 113 sends out a detection signal, and the power control means supplies the power of the power source to the electrical signal processing means 119 to provide the electronic glasses. Drive. When the contact sensor 113 stops detecting contact, the power is turned off after a certain time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, as a power switch used for the electronic spectacles, there is a method in which a switch is provided on the frame side of the nose pad, and when the spectacles are worn, the nose pad is pushed by the nose and the switch on the frame side is turned on. The configuration of this method is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a nose pad 209 is held on a butterfly foot 220 in the electronic glasses 201, and the nose pad 209 and the butterfly foot 220 are configured to be movable up and down. A power switch 221 is provided at the end of the butterfly leg 220, and a fixed electrode and a movable electrode are provided therein. The movable electrode is fixed to the end of the butterfly foot 220, and when the electronic glasses are attached, the nose pad 209 and the butterfly foot 220 are pushed by the nose and moved upward (direction A in the figure). Inside the power switch 221, the fixed electrode and the movable electrode come into contact with each other so that the switch is turned on. When the electronic glasses 201 are removed, the nose pad 209 is moved away from the nose, the nose pad 209 and the butterfly leg 220 are moved downward, and the fixed electrode and the movable electrode inside the power switch 221 are separated, so that the switch is turned off. (For example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 62-157007 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-297088

  However, in the conventional configuration, since the power supply is controlled by a contact sensor or switch, the power is turned on if an object touches the contact sensor or the contact switch even when the electronic glasses are not used. Cause malfunction. In other words, it is insufficient as a configuration for turning on the power only when necessary, and has a problem of unnecessarily consuming power.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a living body detection device that can automatically recognize attachment to a human body and can reliably turn on / off the power of an electronic device, and an electronic device using the same. .

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a living body detection device of the present invention and an electronic apparatus using the same include a power source for driving an electronic circuit, a contact sensor that emits a wearing signal when worn on the human body, and a pulse when worn on the human body. A pulse sensor for detecting the pulse, first power control means for supplying power of the power source to the pulse sensor when the mounting signal is received, and the power source when the detection signal from the pulse sensor is determined to be a pulse. Second power control means for supplying the electric power to the electronic circuit.

    According to the living body detection apparatus and the electronic apparatus using the same of the present invention, it is possible to automatically recognize attachment to a human body and to reliably turn on / off the electronic apparatus.

  In the following, the living body detection apparatus of the present invention and electronic glasses using the same will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows electronic glasses using the living body detection apparatus of the present invention as a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 includes a lens 2 as an electrically controlled function control element, a rim 3 for fixing the lens 2, a bridge 4 for connecting the left and right rims 3, a rim 3 and a temple 5. It consists of components such as an armor 6 for connection, a modern 7 connected to a temple 5 for putting the glasses 1 on the ears, klings 8a and 8b for holding the glasses at the nose, and nose pads 9a and 9b.

  The pulse sensor 10, which is a component of the present invention, is installed in the portion of the nose pad 9a that contacts the user's nose, and the contact sensor 13 is installed in the portion of the other nose pad 9b that contacts the user's nose. . An electronic circuit 14 including a first power control unit 15, a second power control unit 16, which will be described later, and a power source unit 17 including a battery and a booster circuit is installed in the bridge 4. Although not shown here, the pulse sensor 10 and the contact sensor 13 may be connected to the electronic circuit 14, and the electronic circuit 14 and the lens unit 2 may be connected by wiring such as flexible cable. Specific examples of the electronic glasses having the above-described configuration include variable focus glasses using a liquid crystal element as the lens 2 as a function control element, and dimming sunglasses using an EC element or the like as the lens 2.

  FIG. 2 shows an installation example of the pulse sensor 10 and the contact sensor 13.

  The pulse sensor 10 includes a light emitting unit 11 that irradiates near infrared rays and a light receiving unit 12 that is installed so as to receive reflected light of the near infrared rays emitted from the light emitting unit 11. It is possible to measure the pulse using the near infrared absorption principle of hemoglobin. More specifically, any configuration may be used as long as an LED is used for the light emitting unit 11 and a phototransistor is used for the light receiving unit 12. In the present embodiment, one light emitting portion 11 and one light receiving portion 12 are arranged on the nose pad 9a, but a plurality of light emitting portions 11 and light receiving portions 12 may be provided. As another method, a photo interrupter in which the light emitting unit 11 and the light receiving unit 12 are integrated may be used. On the other hand, the contact sensor 13 may be any sensor as long as it can sense the contact of an object, and may be a sensor that senses the contact of an object from a change in resistance value between two electrodes in addition to a mechanical switch.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the living body detection apparatus. The living body detection device 19 of the present invention includes an electronic circuit 14 including a contact sensor 13, a pulse sensor 10, a first power supply control unit 15, a second power supply control unit 16, and a power supply unit 17. The first power supply control means 15 in the living body detection device 19 is activated in response to a contact signal transmitted when the contact sensor 13 senses the contact of an object, and the power from the power supply unit 17 is supplied to the pulse sensor 10 and the second power supply 17. Supply to the power control means 16 is started. Here, the contact sensor 13 may be a mechanical ON / OFF switch.

  The pulse sensor 10 is activated by the supply of power via the first power supply control means 15 and detects the presence or absence of a pulse. Here, the power supply time from the first power supply control means 15 is a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, during which power is supplied from the first power supply control means 15 to the pulse sensor 10 and the second power supply control means 16. Is done. That is, this power supply time becomes the pulse measurement time. Then, a current based on the reflected near-infrared light measured by the light receiving unit 12 of the pulse sensor 10 during the measurement time of 10 seconds is sent to the second power supply control means 16. At this time, when the pulse sensor 10 detects a pulse, a certain periodicity appears in the current waveform sent to the second power supply control means 16. Then, when the second power supply control means 16 recognizes the peak of the current waveform sent from the pulse sensor 10 within 10 seconds from the start of measurement, the second power supply control means 16 turns the lens as the function control element 18 from the power supply unit 17. Supply and control of electric power to the unit 2 are started, and the electronic glasses 1 as an electronic device are in a usable state.

  However, since the peak value of the previous current may be noise, measurement will continue even after the peak is detected, and if a waveform with periodicity does not appear within 10 seconds from the start of measurement, or the peak value If variations appear, the second power control means 16 is turned off to prevent malfunction. On the other hand, when the contact sensor 13 senses contact with an object but no peak is observed in the current waveform from the pulse sensor 10 or when there is no constant periodicity, the second power supply control means 16 to the lens 2. Is not supplied, and when the measurement time measured by the pulse sensor 10 is exceeded, the power supply of the first power supply control unit 15 is also turned off, and the power consumption of the entire apparatus is stopped.

  Further, when the electronic glasses 1 are driven, if the contact sensor 13 no longer senses the contact of an object, the supply of power from the second power control means 16 to the lens 2 is stopped. When the user removes the electronic glasses 1, the power can be automatically turned off. At this time, if the second power supply control means 16 is set to be turned off after a certain time from the state in which the contact sensor 13 no longer senses contact with an object, the temporary contact sensor during exercise It is possible to prevent the electronic glasses from being stopped due to 13 disengagement or the like.

  As described above, the living body detection device 19 using the pulse sensor 10 detects the mounting of an electronic device such as the electronic glasses 1 on the human body, reliably suppresses the malfunction, and automatically switches the power ON / OFF. This makes it possible to suppress the consumption of excess power and to obtain a great effect in reducing power consumption.

  In the description of the electronic glasses of FIGS. 1 and 2, the pulse sensor 10 and the contact sensor 13 are installed on the nose pad 9, and the electronic circuit 14 is installed on the bridge 4. By arranging in this way, the living body detection device 19 can be gathered around the bridge 4 and the electrical wiring can be simplified. However, the pulse sensor 10 and the contact sensor 13 may be provided in the modern 7 as long as they are in contact with the human body.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the pulse sensor 10 and the contact sensor 13 are installed in the modern 7 and the electronic circuit 14 is arranged in the armor 6. By installing the pulse sensor 10 and the contact sensor 13 in the modern 7 in this way, it is possible to make it difficult to understand the presence in appearance. Further, by arranging the electronic circuit 14 so as to extend over the temple 5, the armor 6, the modern 7, etc. of the electronic glasses 1, the degree of freedom of arrangement can be improved and the range of design of the electronic glasses 1 can be widened. I can do it. However, in this case, it is preferable to install the pulse sensor 10 in a part that directly contacts the skin, such as behind the ear. Needless to say, the pulse sensor 10 and the contact sensor 13 may be installed at different locations. For example, the pulse sensor 10 is installed in the nose pad 9 and the contact sensor 13 is installed in the modern 7. Several combinations can be envisaged by combining the pulse sensor 10 in the modern 7 on the right ear and the contact sensor 13 in the modern on the left ear. Further, regarding the electronic circuit 14, there is no problem even if the first power supply control means 15, the second power supply control means 16, and the power supply unit 17, which are internal components, are separately distributed.

  The example here shows electronic glasses having electrical control, but specific examples of electronic glasses include variable focus glasses using variable focus lenses as function control elements, electronic sunglasses using dimming lenses, etc. It can be used for electronic glasses. It can also be applied to head mounted displays that use video display means such as liquid crystal display elements as function control elements, and glasses and sunglasses with music playback functions that have an external data input device and audio output means as function control elements. . Further, the present invention can be used not only for eyeglass-type electronic devices mounted on the human body, but also for all electronic devices that are mounted on and used by the human body, such as hearing aids having function input elements and sound output means.

  The living body detection apparatus according to the present invention and an electronic device using the same can automatically turn on / off the power when the electronic device is attached / detached by using the pulse sensor, and the power is automatically turned on only when attached to the human body. It is in an ON state and is useful for reducing power consumption of electronic devices. The living body detection apparatus according to the present invention and an electronic apparatus using the same have a function control element that is electrically controlled and requires low power consumption, and can be applied to all electronic apparatuses that are attached to a human body.

Schematic of electronic glasses as an example of an electronic apparatus using the living body detection apparatus of the present invention Sensor arrangement diagram of electronic glasses as an example of an electronic apparatus using the living body detection device of the present invention Functional block diagram related to control and drive in the biological detection apparatus of the present invention Schematic of electronic glasses as an example of an electronic apparatus using the living body detection apparatus of the present invention Schematic diagram of conventional electronic glasses Schematic diagram of conventional electronic glasses

Explanation of symbols

1, 101, 201 Electronic glasses 2 Lens 3 Rim 4 Bridge 5 Temple 6 Armor 7 Modern 8 Klings 9, 9a, 9b, 109, 209 Nose pad 10 Pulse sensor 11 Light emitting unit 12 Light receiving unit 13, 113 Contact sensor 14 Electronic circuit 15 1st power supply control means 16 2nd power supply control means 17 Power supply part 18 Function control element 19 Living body detection apparatus 120 Electrical signal processing means 208 Butterfly foot 221 Power switch

Claims (6)

A power supply for driving the electronic circuit;
A contact sensor that emits a wearing signal when worn on the human body;
A pulse sensor for detecting a pulse when worn on a human body;
First power control means for supplying power of the power source to the pulse sensor when receiving the mounting signal;
A biological detection apparatus comprising: a second power supply control unit that supplies power of the power supply to the electronic circuit when a detection signal from the pulse sensor is determined to be a pulse. The living body detection device according to claim 1 is provided,
An electronic apparatus having a function control element to which power of the power supply is supplied in accordance with an instruction from the second power supply control means. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is an electronic spectacle, and the functional element is a variable focus lens. The pulse sensor and the contact sensor are each provided on a nose pad,
The electronic glasses according to claim 3, wherein the power source, the first power source control unit, and the second power source control unit are provided in a bridge. The pulse sensor and the contact sensor are provided in a modern manner,
4. The electronic glasses according to claim 3, wherein the power source, the first power source control unit, and the second power source control unit are provided in any one of armor, temple, and modern. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is a hearing aid.

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