JP2009268676A - Biological information monitoring system and biological information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological information monitoring system and a biological information terminal wherein the biological information terminal is mdownsized and a continuous using period is extended. <P>SOLUTION: The biological information monitoring system includes: the biological information terminal 1 which is attaches to a living body 3 to obtain biological information on the living body 3 and to transmit the biological information; and a monitoring device 2 which receives the biological information. The biological information terminal 1 includes: a thermocouple 111 which is warmed by infrared rays emitted at least from the living body 3 and generates electromotive force based on a Seebeck effect; and a wireless part 14 which is driven by the electromotive force of the thermocouple 111 at least and transmits the biological information obtained from the living body 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological information monitoring system that acquires biological information, and a biological information terminal.

Currently, research on energy harvesting using body temperature is actively conducted. In general, these generate power by converting heat due to body temperature into an electric signal by a thermocouple.
Further, as represented by a pulse oximeter, an apparatus for measuring a heart rate using an infrared LED and a photodiode is known.
For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method for detecting a respiratory signal from a heartbeat waveform (for example, refer to claim 1).
Furthermore, as represented by ear-type thermometers, thermometers using infrared condensing lenses are known.

JP 2006-271949 A

  Generally, when obtaining biological information (heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, etc.) from a subject, a device for obtaining biological information (hereinafter also referred to as “biological information terminal”) is referred to as a subject (hereinafter also referred to as “biological”). )). Such a biometric information terminal is desired to be small and lightweight in order to reduce the sense of incongruity felt by the subject and to obtain biometric information without impairing the motor function of the subject.

  However, conventional devices for acquiring biological information require separate detection elements specialized for the type of biological information to be measured. For example, separate detection elements are required for the above heart rate measurement and body temperature measurement. For this reason, when acquiring a plurality of types of biological information, it is necessary to provide a plurality of detection elements, and there is a problem that the biological information terminal cannot be reduced in size and weight.

  In addition, since the biological information terminal generally uses a battery as a driving power source, there is a limit to the continuous use time. In addition, the battery size increases as the battery capacity increases. For this reason, when a small battery is used to reduce the size and weight of the biological information terminal, there is a problem that the continuous use time is shortened.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a biological information monitoring system and a biological information terminal that can reduce the size of the biological information terminal and extend the continuous use time. Is.

  A biological information monitor system according to the present invention includes a biological information terminal that is attached to a living body, acquires the biological information of the biological body, and transmits the biological information, and a monitor device that receives the biological information. The biological information terminal is driven by at least one thermoelectric element that is heated by at least infrared rays emitted from the living body and generates an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect, and at least the electromotive force of the thermoelectric element. And a wireless unit that transmits biological information acquired from the living body.

  In the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the biological information terminal further includes a condensing lens that collects infrared rays emitted from the living body and irradiates the thermoelectric element.

  In the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the biological information terminal further includes a heat conducting member that conducts heat from the living body to the thermoelectric element, and the thermoelectric element is heated by the heat from the living body. It is heated and generates an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect.

  Moreover, in the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the biological information terminal further includes a reference temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature in the vicinity of the cold junction of the thermoelectric element, and the radio unit is generated in the thermoelectric element. Information relating to the electromotive force value and information relating to the reference temperature in the vicinity of the cold junction are transmitted as the biological information, and the monitor device calculates the body temperature of the living body based on the information on the electromotive force and the information on the reference temperature. It is what you want.

  In the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the biological information terminal further includes a light emitting unit that irradiates the living body with infrared rays, and a light receiving unit that detects the amount of infrared rays reflected or transmitted by the living body. The wireless unit transmits information on the amount of infrared rays detected by the light receiving unit as the biological information, and the monitoring device is configured to transmit at least a heart rate, a respiratory rate, and a body temperature of the living body based on the amount of infrared rays. I want one.

  In the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the condensing lens collects infrared rays emitted from the living body and infrared rays from the light emitting part reflected or transmitted by the living body and irradiates the light receiving part. To do.

  In the living body information monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitoring device obtains the heart rate of the living body based on the pulsating component of the infrared amount.

  In the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitoring device obtains the respiration rate of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount in a predetermined frequency band.

  In the living body information monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitoring device obtains a respiration frequency from the respiration rate, and obtains the body temperature of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount equal to or less than the respiration frequency.

  In the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the biological information terminal further includes a charging unit that stores electric power based on the electromotive force of the thermoelectric element, and drives each of the components by at least the electric power of the charging unit. Is.

  In the biological information monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitor device includes a display unit that displays the biological information received from the biological information terminal.

  The biological information terminal according to the present invention is a biological information terminal that is attached to a living body and acquires biological information of the living body, and is heated by at least infrared rays emitted from the living body, and generates an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect. One or a plurality of generated thermoelectric elements, and a display unit that is driven by at least the electromotive force of the thermoelectric elements and displays biological information acquired from the living body.

  The biological information terminal according to the present invention further includes a condensing lens that condenses infrared rays emitted from the living body and irradiates the thermoelectric element.

  The biometric information terminal according to the present invention further includes a heat conducting member that conducts heat from the living body to the thermoelectric element, and the thermoelectric element is heated by the heat from the living body and is based on the Seebeck effect. An electromotive force is generated.

  In addition, the biological information terminal according to the present invention includes a reference temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature in the vicinity of the cold junction of the thermoelectric element, information on the electromotive force value generated in the thermoelectric element, and a reference temperature in the vicinity of the cold junction. And a controller that obtains the body temperature of the living body as the living body information based on the information on the living body.

  The biological information terminal according to the present invention further includes a light emitting unit that irradiates the living body with infrared rays, and a light receiving unit that detects the amount of infrared rays reflected or transmitted by the living body, and the control unit includes Based on the information regarding the amount of infrared rays detected by the light receiving unit, at least one of the heart rate, the respiratory rate, and the body temperature of the living body is obtained as the living body information.

  In addition, the biological information terminal according to the present invention includes a light emitting unit that irradiates the living body with infrared rays, a light receiving unit that detects the amount of infrared rays reflected or transmitted by the living body, and the infrared amount detected by the light receiving unit. And a control unit that obtains at least one of the heart rate, the respiratory rate, and the body temperature of the living body as the living body information based on the information on the living body.

  In the biological information terminal according to the present invention, the condensing lens collects infrared rays emitted from the living body and infrared rays from the light emitting part reflected or transmitted by the living body and irradiates the light receiving part. Is.

  In the biological information terminal according to the present invention, the control unit obtains the heart rate of the living body based on the pulsating component of the infrared amount.

  In the biological information terminal according to the present invention, the control unit obtains the respiration rate of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount in a predetermined frequency band.

  Moreover, in the biological information terminal according to the present invention, the control unit obtains a respiration frequency from the respiration rate, and obtains the body temperature of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount equal to or less than the respiration frequency.

  The biological information terminal according to the present invention further includes a charging unit that stores electric power based on the electromotive force of the thermoelectric element, and the display unit is driven by at least the electric power of the charging unit.

  In the biometric information terminal, since the biometric information acquired from the living body is transmitted by the wireless unit driven by at least the electromotive force of the thermoelectric element, the biometric information terminal can be miniaturized and the continuous use time can be extended. be able to.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a biological information monitoring system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the biological information monitoring system according to the first embodiment includes at least one biological information terminal 1 and a monitor device 2.
The biological information terminal 1 is attached to a living body such as a human (hereinafter referred to as “living body 3”), and for example, living body biological information (heart rate, respiration rate, respiration) for health management, training analysis, rehabilitation, etc. Body temperature etc.) is acquired and the biological information is transmitted. The biological information terminal 1 performs power generation using the body temperature of the living body 3 (hereinafter also referred to as “environmental power generation”). The monitor device 2 performs wireless communication with the biological information terminal 1, acquires the received biological information, processes the information, and displays it on the display unit 21 (described later) or the like as numerical data or graphic data of various biological signals. .
Hereinafter, in the first embodiment, a configuration and operation for measuring the body temperature of the living body 3 as biological information and performing energy harvesting using infrared rays generated by the body temperature of the living body will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the biological information terminal 1 includes a condenser lens 10, a power generation circuit 11, a battery 12 that is a charging unit, a control unit 13, and a wireless unit 14.
The condensing lens 10 collects infrared rays emitted from the living body 3 and irradiates the thermocouple 111 (described later), and the focal position where the light in the infrared region is converged is a hot junction (described later) of the thermocouple 111. It arrange | positions so that it may become a position.

The power generation circuit 11 performs power generation using heat generated by at least irradiated infrared rays. Details will be described later.
The battery 12 is charged by the power generation energy of the power generation circuit 11 and supplies power to each component of the biological information terminal 1. As the battery 12, for example, a large capacity capacitor such as a lithium secondary battery, a carbon-lithium secondary battery, a panadium-lithium secondary battery, or an electric double layer capacitor can be used.

  The control unit 13 is configured by an electronic circuit (microprocessor) that converts data detected by the thermocouple 111 (described later) into digital information, for example, and then transmits data sequentially or at a predetermined timing.

  The radio unit 14 modulates transmission data (biological information) input from the control unit 13 into a radio signal and transmits the radio signal via an antenna. When a plurality of biological information terminals 1 are attached to a living body, the plurality of biological information terminals 1 and the monitor device 2 are, for example, time division multiple access (hereinafter also referred to as “TDMA”). Wireless communication is performed using a multiple access method.

The power generation circuit 11 includes a thermocouple 111, a booster circuit 112, and a charging circuit 113.
The thermocouple 111 is a thermoelectric element in which, for example, a p-type thermoelectric semiconductor and an n-type thermoelectric semiconductor are connected at an end portion to form a thermocouple, and a plurality (for example, about 1000 pairs) are coupled. Then, one end side (hot contact) of these thermoelectric elements is heated by at least infrared rays irradiated by the condenser lens 10, and based on the Seebeck effect due to the temperature difference generated between the other end side (cold contact). Generate electromotive force. The thermocouple 111 includes, for example, a thermistor, and has a reference temperature measurement unit (not shown) that measures the temperature in the vicinity of the cold junction (hereinafter referred to as “reference temperature”). Then, a signal relating to the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111 and the detected value (for example, resistance value) of the reference temperature measurement unit is input to the control unit 13.

The booster circuit 112 converts an electromotive force generated in the thermocouple 111 into a desired voltage. For example, a charge pump configuration using a capacitor or a back electromotive force of a coil is used, and the voltage is boosted several times. The output of the booster circuit 112 is sent to and stored in the battery 12 via the charging circuit 113.
The charging circuit 113 controls the upper limit charging voltage so that the battery 12 is not overcharged, or when the thermocouple 111 is not generating power, the stored energy of the battery 12 flows back to the booster circuit 112 and wasted power. It controls to prevent consumption.

The condensing lens 10, the power generation circuit 11, the battery 12, the control unit 13, and the wireless unit 14 constituting the biological information terminal 1 are integrally formed in a small package and attached to the living body 3. For example, the condenser lens 10 can be attached with an adhesive tape or the like so that the condenser lens 10 faces the body surface (skin) of the living body. In addition, for example, using a supporter that covers an extremity, a torso, a head, or the like with a stretchable cloth or the like, the biological information terminal 1 can be fixed and brought into contact with the skin of the living body. Alternatively, the biological information terminal 1 may be integrally attached to a belt or clothes so as to come into contact with the skin of the living body.
Next, the configuration of the monitor device 2 that performs wireless communication with the biological information terminal 1 thus mounted will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the monitor device 2 includes a display unit 21, a signal processing unit 22, and a wireless unit 23.
The wireless unit 23 communicates with the biological information terminal 1 by receiving the transmission data transmitted from the biological information terminal 1 through the antenna, demodulates the received transmission data, and inputs the demodulated transmission data to the signal processing unit 22. . Note that, when the plurality of biological information terminals 1 and the monitor device 2 perform, for example, TDMA communication, the wireless unit 23 modulates the frame synchronization pattern transmitted to each biological information terminal 1 and transmits it via the antenna. And performing transmission of TDMA communication in synchronization with a plurality of biometric information terminals 1 by receiving transmission data transmitted at a predetermined timing from the biometric information terminal 1 that has received the frame synchronization pattern. Input to the signal processing unit 22.

The signal processing unit 22 is configured by an electronic circuit (microprocessor) or the like, and obtains the body temperature of the living body 3 based on input electromotive force information and reference temperature information by an operation described later, and outputs data for monitor output And output to the display unit 21.
The display unit 21 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays numerical data or graphic data such as biological information input from the signal processing unit 22.

The monitor device 2 is arranged at a place where wireless communication with the biological information terminal 1 is possible, and can monitor biological information of the living body in real time.
In addition to the above configuration, the monitor device 2 may include a unit (memory or the like) that stores the input biological information, and may store the biological information. Further, an abnormal value such as a biological signal may be determined and an alarm operation may be performed based on a predetermined threshold corresponding to the biological signal.

  Next, the operation of the biological information monitoring system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  When the biological information terminal 1 is attached to the living body 3, infrared light emitted from the living body 3 is collected by the condenser lens 10, and the collected infrared light is irradiated to the thermocouple 111. Thereby, the hot junction of the thermocouple 111 is heated. Then, an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect is generated due to a temperature difference generated between the hot junction and the cold junction. The generated energy is boosted by the booster circuit 112 and then used for charging the battery 12 via the charging circuit 113. The power of the battery 12 is supplied to each component of the biological information terminal 1. In addition, you may use the electric power generation energy of the thermocouple 111 as it is as a power supply of each structure part, without using the battery 12. FIG.

On the other hand, the control unit 13 converts the signal related to the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111 and the reference temperature of the thermocouple 111 into, for example, digital information, and then transmits data to the wireless unit 14 sequentially or at a predetermined timing. .
The monitor device 2 receives the transmission data by the wireless unit 23 via the antenna, demodulates the transmission data, and inputs it to the signal processing unit 22.

  Here, it is known that the amount of infrared energy radiated from an object increases as the temperature increases, and the amount of infrared energy and temperature are proportional to each other (Stephan Boltzmann's law). That is, the amount of infrared energy emitted from the living body 3 depends on the body temperature of the living body 3. Therefore, the body temperature of the living body 3 can be measured based on the electromotive force of the thermocouple 111 heated by infrared rays emitted from the living body 3.

  The signal processing unit 22 obtains a temperature difference between the hot junction heated by infrared irradiation and the cold junction not heated from the information of the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111, and compensates the temperature by the reference temperature. After that, a predetermined calculation process is performed, and a predetermined correction is performed as necessary to determine the body temperature of the living body 3. Then, the obtained body temperature information is converted into monitor output data of numerical data or graphic data (waveform, graph, etc.) and output to the display unit 21. As the predetermined correction, for example, a measurement error due to a temperature characteristic unique to the thermocouple 111 is corrected.

  The display unit 21 displays numerical data such as biological information or graphic data input from the signal processing unit 22 on a display or the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the infrared light emitted from the living body 3 is converted into electrical energy and power is supplied to each component of the biological information terminal 1, thereby reducing the continuous use time of the biological information terminal 1. Can be extended.
In addition, since power generation using infrared rays emitted from the living body 3 is performed, it is possible to construct an environment-friendly system.
In addition, since there is no need to provide a large capacity battery in the biometric information terminal 1, the biometric information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  Moreover, since the body temperature of the living body 3 can be measured based on the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111, a configuration (element) for performing power generation using infrared rays and a body temperature of the living body 3 are measured. Since it is not necessary to provide a detection element separately, the biological information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  Moreover, since the biometric information terminal 1 transmits the acquired biometric information to the monitor device 2 and displays the biometric information on the display unit 21 of the monitor device 2, there is no need to provide the display unit 21 on the biometric information terminal 1. It can be reduced in size and weight.

  In addition, by reducing the size of the biological information terminal 1, the area in contact with the living body 3 is reduced, and the uncomfortable feeling felt by the living body 3 can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a biological information monitor system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the biological information terminal 1 according to the second embodiment further includes a heat conducting member 114 that conducts heat from the living body 3 to the thermocouple 111 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  The heat conducting member 114 conducts heat generated by the body temperature of the living body 3 to the hot contact of the thermocouple 111 when the living body information terminal 1 is attached to the living body 3, and is a material having good heat conductivity, such as aluminum, Consists of copper, ceramics, etc.

  With this configuration, in Embodiment 2, when the biological information terminal 1 is attached to the living body 3, infrared rays emitted from the living body 3 are irradiated to the thermocouple 111, and heat due to the body temperature of the living body 3 is thermally conducted. Conducted by the member 114, these heat the hot junction of the thermocouple 111. Similarly to the first embodiment described above, an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect is generated by a temperature difference generated between the hot junction and the cold junction. The power generation energy charging operation and the biometric information transmission operation are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The electromotive force value of the thermocouple 111 obtained in this way is a superposition of heat from infrared rays and heat from heat conduction. Even in this case, since the electromotive force value is attributed to the body temperature of the living body 3, a predetermined proportional relationship (function) is established between the body temperature and the electromotive force. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the signal processing unit 22 obtains the temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction from the information on the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111 and compensates the temperature with the reference temperature. Predetermined arithmetic processing in consideration of heating by heat conduction is performed, and predetermined correction is performed as necessary to obtain the body temperature of the living body 3.
Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the obtained body temperature information is converted into monitor output data of numerical data or graphic data (waveform, graph, etc.) and displayed on the display unit 21.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the heat generated by the body temperature of the living body 3 is used to warm the hot junction of the thermocouple 111. And the cold junction become larger, a higher electromotive force can be obtained, and the amount of power generation energy can be improved.

  In addition, in this Embodiment 2, although the case where the heat | fever by the body temperature of the biological body 3 was conducted to the thermocouple 111 was demonstrated, in addition to this, the heat radiating member which radiates the heat | fever of the cold junction side of the thermocouple 111 outside was provided. May be. Thereby, the temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction of the thermocouple 111 is increased, and a larger electromotive force can be obtained.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment, a mode in which the heart rate (pulse rate) of the living body 3 is measured in addition to the body temperature measurement and the environmental power generation in the first or second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a biological information monitor system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 3, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the biological information terminal 1 according to the third embodiment further includes a photodiode 15 that is a light receiving unit, an amplifier circuit 16, and an infrared LED 17 that is a light emitting unit. ing. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

The infrared LED 17 is configured by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared light having a light emission wavelength of 840 nm, and irradiates the biological tissue (skin etc.) of the living body 3 with the infrared rays under the control of the control unit 13.
The photodiode 15 detects the amount of infrared rays reflected or transmitted by the living body 3. For example, when receiving infrared rays, a current corresponding to the received light level flows between the terminals.
The amplifier circuit 16 amplifies the current of the photodiode 15 to supply a detection value corresponding to the light reception level to the control unit 13.

  The light emitting element is not limited to an LED, and any element that emits infrared light can be used. The light receiving unit is not limited to a photodiode, and any light receiving element such as a phototransistor can be used, and an amplifier circuit 16 corresponding to the element to be used can be used.

  Further, the condensing lens 10 in the third embodiment collects infrared rays emitted from the living body 3 and infrared rays from the infrared LED 17 reflected or transmitted by the living body 3 and irradiates the photodiode 15 and the thermocouple 111. For example, the hot junction of the thermocouple 111 and the photodiode 15 are arranged close to the focal position of the condenser lens 10.

  In addition to the signal detected by the thermocouple 111, the control unit 13 according to the third embodiment transmits information related to the amount of infrared light detected by the photodiode 15 (for example, the light reception level value) as transmission data by the wireless unit 14. .

  Here, it is known that hemoglobin in blood has a characteristic of absorbing infrared rays (for example, wavelength 840 nm). It is also known that the blood volume of a living body changes in synchronization with the heartbeat. The heart rate can be measured using this characteristic. That is, in synchronization with the change in the amount of blood flowing through the living body 3, the infrared ray irradiated from the infrared LED 17 is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the blood of the living body 3, so the amount of infrared light reflected or transmitted by the living body 3 changes. Therefore, the heart rate can be measured by the change in the light receiving level at the photodiode 15.

As in the first embodiment, the signal processing unit 22 in the third embodiment obtains the body temperature of the living body 3 from the information on the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111, and from the received information on the amount of infrared rays. The heart rate of the living body 3 is obtained by detecting the pulsating component (change period) of the amount of infrared rays.
Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the obtained body temperature and heart rate information is converted into monitor output data of numerical data or graphic data (waveform, graph, etc.) and displayed on the display unit 21.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, power generation, body temperature measurement, and heart rate measurement can be performed using infrared rays collected by the condenser lens 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate condenser lens for heart rate measurement, and the biological information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  Further, there is no need to provide the display unit 21 for displaying the measurement result of the heart rate on the biological information terminal 1, and the size and weight can be reduced.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the heart rate is measured in addition to the body temperature measurement has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the heart rate may be measured.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, a mode for measuring the respiratory rate of the living body 3 in addition to the heartbeat measurement of the third embodiment will be described. The configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

First, the infrared respiratory rate component detected by the photodiode 15 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram for explaining extraction of respiratory components according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an example of a waveform when the living body 3 is resting and the heart rate is about 60 times / minute (frequency about 1 Hz) and the respiration rate is about 20 times / minute (frequency about 0.3 Hz). ing.
As described in the third embodiment, the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15 includes infrared rays (body temperature) generated by the heat of the living body 3 and infrared rays (reflection) from the infrared LED 17 reflected or transmitted by the living body 3. The amount of infrared rays superimposed with (min) is detected. It is known that the amount of reflected infrared rays changes in synchronization with the heartbeat, and a change component (respiration component) synchronized with the respiration of the living body 3 is superimposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). ). For this reason, the respiratory rate can be measured by extracting the respiratory component from the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15.

  The signal processing unit 22 according to the fourth embodiment receives information on the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15 by the same operation as that of the third embodiment. Then, the respiratory rate of the living body is obtained based on the component of this infrared ray amount in the predetermined frequency band. Specifically, in order to extract only the respiratory component, for example, a 0.05 Hz to 0.5 Hz band pass filter is applied. The change rate is detected for the signal processed waveform to obtain the respiration rate.

  Further, the signal processing unit 22 obtains the body temperature and heart rate of the living body 3 by the same operation as in the third embodiment. Thereafter, as in the third embodiment, the obtained body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate information is converted into monitor output data of numerical data or graphic data (waveform, graph, etc.) and displayed on the display unit 21. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the third embodiment, the respiration rate of the living body 3 can be detected from the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15, so that the respiration rate can be detected. There is no need to separately provide a detection element, and the biological information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  In addition, the biological information terminal 1 does not need to be provided with the display unit 21 that displays the measurement result of the respiration rate, and can be reduced in size and weight.

  In the fourth embodiment, the case where the body temperature, the heart rate and the respiratory rate are obtained has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the respiratory rate may be measured.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the body temperature of the living body 3 is obtained based on the electromotive force of the thermocouple 111 has been described. In the fifth embodiment, based on the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15, The form which measures body temperature is demonstrated. The configuration of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  As described in the fourth embodiment, the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15 includes infrared rays (body temperature) generated by the heat of the living body 3 and infrared rays (reflection) reflected from or transmitted through the living body 3. Min). Therefore, the body temperature of the living body 3 can be measured by extracting the amount of infrared light generated by the heat of the living body 3 from the amount of infrared light detected by the photodiode 15.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram for explaining body temperature measurement according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
The signal processing unit 22 in the fifth embodiment obtains the respiration rate by applying a band-pass filter by the same operation as in the fourth embodiment. Then, the respiration frequency is obtained from the respiration rate, and the body temperature of the living body 3 is obtained on the basis of the component below the respiration frequency of the infrared amount.
Specifically, in order to remove the fluctuation component of the amount of infrared rays, a low-pass filter that passes a frequency lower than the respiration frequency (for example, 0.2 Hz or less) is applied. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to obtain a waveform in which the reflection component from which the fluctuation component of the infrared ray amount due to heartbeat and respiration is removed and the body temperature component are superimposed.

  Here, since the amount of infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 17 is substantially constant, the amount of reflection after the low-pass filter is applied is substantially constant. Therefore, the change in the amount of infrared rays after the low-pass filter is applied depends on the amount of infrared rays (body temperature) generated by the heat of the living body 3. Thereby, the signal processing part 22 removes the infrared ray amount for reflection based on a component of the infrared ray amount below the respiration frequency, and performs a predetermined calculation process based on the infrared ray amount for the body temperature, thereby obtaining the body temperature of the living body 3. Can be requested.

  Thereafter, as in the fourth embodiment, the obtained body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate information is converted into monitor output data of numerical data or graphic data (waveform, graph, etc.) and displayed on the display unit 21. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the fourth embodiment, the body temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate of the living body 3 can be measured from the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15. Since there is no need to separately provide detection elements for measuring the body temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate of the living body 3, the biological information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  In addition, since the body temperature can be measured using the amount of infrared rays, there is no need to provide a reference temperature measurement unit for temperature compensation of the thermocouple 111, and the biological information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  In addition, the biological information terminal 1 does not need to be provided with the display unit 21 that displays the measurement result of the body temperature, and can be reduced in size and weight.

  In the fifth embodiment, the case where the body temperature, the heart rate and the respiration rate are obtained has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the body temperature may be measured.

  In the fifth embodiment, the case where power generation is performed by the power generation circuit 11 as in the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of assuming short-time measurement. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a small primary battery (button battery) is provided and the power generation circuit 11 is not provided. Even with such a configuration, the body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate of the living body 3 can be measured, and the living body information terminal 1 can be further reduced in size and weight.

  In the fifth embodiment, the frequency of the low-pass filter is set to a frequency equal to or lower than the respiratory rate component. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary to remove the fluctuation component of the infrared amount. It is good also as a component below this frequency.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In the first to fifth embodiments, the case where the biological information is transmitted from the biological information terminal 1 and the biological information is received and monitored by the monitor device 2 has been described. In the sixth embodiment, the monitor device 2 is A mode in which monitoring is performed on the terminal side without transmitting biological information will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a biological information terminal according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, in addition to the configuration of biometric information terminal 1 in the third embodiment, biometric information terminal 1 in the sixth embodiment acquires biometric information from control unit 13 and displays the obtained biometric information. 21 is further provided. Further, the control unit 13 in the sixth embodiment has a signal processing unit 22. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

With such a configuration, the control unit 13 acquires information related to the signal detected by the thermocouple 111 and the amount of infrared light detected by the photodiode 15 by the same operation as in the third embodiment described above. In the sixth embodiment, the signal processing unit 22 of the control unit 13 obtains the body temperature of the living body 3 from the information on the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111, and the heart rate from the received information on the amount of infrared rays. Find the respiratory rate.
Then, the obtained body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate information is converted into monitor output data of numerical data or graphic data (waveform, graph, etc.) and displayed on the display unit 21.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, infrared rays emitted from the living body 3 to which the biological information terminal 1 is attached are converted into electrical energy, and power is supplied to each component of the biological information terminal 1, thereby The continuous use time of the information terminal 1 can be extended.

  Moreover, since the body temperature of the living body 3 can be measured based on the electromotive force value generated in the thermocouple 111, a configuration (element) for performing power generation using infrared rays and a body temperature of the living body 3 are measured. Since it is not necessary to provide a detection element separately, the biological information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  Further, since the respiration rate of the living body 3 can be detected from the amount of infrared rays detected by the photodiode 15, it is not necessary to separately provide a detection element for detecting the respiration rate, thereby reducing the size and weight of the biometric information terminal 1. be able to.

  In addition, since it is possible to perform power generation, body temperature measurement, and heart rate measurement using infrared light collected by the condenser lens 10, there is no need to provide a separate condenser lens for heart rate measurement. The biological information terminal 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

  In addition, by reducing the size of the biological information terminal 1, the area in contact with the living body 3 is reduced, and the uncomfortable feeling felt by the living body 3 can be reduced.

  In addition, in this Embodiment 6, although the structure which provided the display part 21 and the signal processing part 22 in the structure of the biometric information terminal 1 in the said Embodiment 3 was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, You may make it provide the display part 21 and the signal processing part 22 in any structure of Embodiment 1-5 mentioned above.

  In the sixth embodiment, the case where the body temperature, the heart rate, and the respiration rate are obtained as the biological information has been described. However, arbitrary biological information may be obtained. Moreover, although the case where the body temperature of the living body 3 is calculated | required from the information of an electromotive force value was demonstrated, you may make it calculate | require not only this but the body temperature of the living body 3 from the amount of infrared rays by the operation | movement of the said Embodiment 5. FIG.

  In the third to sixth embodiments, the case where power generation using infrared rays from the living body 3 is performed as in the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second embodiment is described in the second embodiment. It is good also as a structure which applies the structure of Embodiment 3-6 and performs the electric power generation using the heat | fever by body temperature in addition to infrared rays.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the case where the biological information is displayed on the display unit 21 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the display unit 21 is not provided or in addition, for example, An external storage medium (USB memory or the like) may be connected to the processing unit 22 and biometric information may be output to the external storage medium. Then, the biological information stored in the external storage medium may be processed by an information processing device (for example, a personal computer) to be processed into numerical data or graphic data.

  In addition, the biometric information terminal 1 or the monitor device 2 is connected to the network through a public network or the like, and is installed in a remote place such as a medical facility (a place other than the place where the biometric information terminal 1 or the monitor device 2 is installed). Biometric information may be transmitted through network communication with an information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer). As this network communication, for example, an arbitrary wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network: IEEE802.11a, b, g, etc.) may be used, a dedicated line, a mobile phone line network, a satellite, etc. You may communicate directly with a mobile communication network such as a telephone network.

1 is a configuration diagram of a biological information monitor system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of the biological information monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the biological information monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a wave form diagram explaining extraction of the respiratory component which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a wave form diagram explaining the body temperature measurement which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the biometric information terminal which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Biological information terminal, 2 Monitor apparatus, 3 Living body, 10 Condensing lens, 11 Power generation circuit, 12 Battery, 13 Control part, 14 Radio | wireless part, 15 Photodiode, 16 Amplifier circuit, 17 Infrared LED, 21 Display part, 22 Signal Processing unit, 23 radio unit, 111 thermocouple, 112 booster circuit, 113 charging circuit, 114 heat conducting member.

Claims (22)

A biological information monitoring system comprising a biological information terminal mounted on a living body, acquiring biological information of the living body and transmitting the biological information, and a monitor device receiving the biological information,
The biological information terminal
One or more thermoelectric elements that are heated by at least infrared rays emitted from the living body and generate an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect;
A biological information monitoring system comprising: a wireless unit that is driven by at least an electromotive force of the thermoelectric element and transmits biological information acquired from the living body.   The biological information monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the biological information terminal further includes a condenser lens that collects infrared rays emitted from the living body and irradiates the thermoelectric element. The biological information terminal further includes a heat conducting member that conducts heat from the living body to the thermoelectric element,
The biological information monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric element is heated by heat from the living body and generates an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect. The biological information terminal further includes a reference temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature in the vicinity of a cold junction of the thermoelectric element,
The wireless unit transmits information on the electromotive force value generated in the thermoelectric element, and information on a reference temperature near the cold junction as the biological information,
The biological information monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitor device obtains the body temperature of the living body based on the information on the electromotive force and the information on the reference temperature. The biological information terminal
A light emitting unit for irradiating the living body with infrared rays;
A light receiving portion for detecting the amount of infrared rays reflected or transmitted by the living body,
The wireless unit transmits information on the amount of infrared light detected by the light receiving unit as the biological information,
5. The biological information monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device obtains at least one of a heart rate, a respiratory rate, and a body temperature of the living body based on the amount of infrared rays.   6. The biological information according to claim 5, wherein the condensing lens condenses infrared light emitted from the living body and infrared light from the light emitting section reflected or transmitted by the living body and irradiates the light receiving section. Monitor system.   The biological information monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the monitoring device obtains a heart rate of the living body based on the pulsating component of the infrared amount.   The biological information monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the monitoring device obtains the respiration rate of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount in a predetermined frequency band.   9. The biological information monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the monitor device obtains a respiratory frequency from the respiratory rate, and obtains the body temperature of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount equal to or less than the respiratory frequency. The biological information terminal further includes a charging unit that stores electric power based on an electromotive force of the thermoelectric element,
The biological information monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein each component is driven by at least the electric power of the charging unit.   The biological information monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes a display unit that displays the biological information received from the biological information terminal. A biological information terminal that is attached to a living body and acquires biological information of the living body,
One or more thermoelectric elements that are heated by at least infrared rays emitted from the living body and generate an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect;
A biological information terminal comprising: a display unit that is driven by at least an electromotive force of the thermoelectric element and displays biological information acquired from the living body.   The biological information terminal according to claim 12, further comprising a condenser lens that collects infrared rays emitted from the living body and irradiates the thermoelectric element. A heat conduction member that conducts heat from the living body to the thermoelectric element;
The biological information terminal according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the thermoelectric element is heated by heat from the living body and generates an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect. A reference temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the cold junction of the thermoelectric element;
The apparatus further comprises a control unit that obtains the body temperature of the living body as the biological information based on information on the electromotive force value generated in the thermoelectric element and information on a reference temperature in the vicinity of the cold junction. The biological information terminal according to any one of 12 to 14. A light emitting unit for irradiating the living body with infrared rays;
A light receiving portion for detecting the amount of infrared rays reflected or transmitted by the living body,
The said control part calculates | requires at least one of the heart rate of the said biological body, the respiration rate, and body temperature as said biological information based on the information regarding the said infrared rays amount which the said light-receiving part detected. Biological information terminal. A light emitting unit for irradiating the living body with infrared rays;
A light receiving portion for detecting the amount of infrared light reflected or transmitted by the living body;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a control unit that obtains at least one of a heart rate, a respiratory rate, and a body temperature of the living body as the biological information based on information on the amount of infrared rays detected by the light receiving unit. The biological information terminal in any one of -14.   The said condensing lens condenses the infrared rays emitted from the said biological body, and the infrared rays from the said light emission part reflected or permeate | transmitted by the said biological body, and irradiates the said light-receiving part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Biological information terminal.   The biological information terminal according to claim 16, wherein the control unit obtains the heart rate of the living body based on the pulsating component of the infrared amount.   The biological information terminal according to claim 16, wherein the control unit obtains the respiration rate of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount in a predetermined frequency band.   21. The biological information terminal according to claim 20, wherein the control unit obtains a respiration frequency from the respiration rate, and obtains the body temperature of the living body based on a component of the infrared amount equal to or less than the respiration frequency. A charging unit that stores electric power based on the electromotive force of the thermoelectric element;
The biometric information terminal according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the display unit is driven by at least power of the charging unit.

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