JP2010188159A - Body motion sensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device which detects motion of a predetermined body site in a substantially natural state and, based on that, acquires information medically useful and meaningful for health. <P>SOLUTION: The body motion sensing device includes: a motion sensing module which measures, by mounting the device on a predetermined site of a body, a plurality of motion information including an angular speed of the site in a predetermined direction or linear acceleration in a predetermined direction and outputs the measurement result as signals of the plurality of motion information signals; and instruction signal selection circuit means which inputs the signals of the plurality of motion information to select and outputs at least one of a plurality of signals predetermined based on the motion information signals. The instruction signal selection means classifies and outputs the plurality of signal information by a predetermined site of a body where the motion sensing module is mounted, the kind of outputted motion information, the intensity level set on the motion information, and the number of generation of motion information within a predetermined time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a motion state of a predetermined part of a body and outputting a signal representing the meaning of the information. More specifically, the sensor vibrating body and the drive / detection circuit are integrated in a compact manner, and a module having a function of discriminating a specific movement of the body and outputting it as a corresponding display signal (hereinafter referred to as a motion sensing module). The present invention relates to a body motion sensing device that detects motion information with high accuracy by attaching a to a predetermined part of the body.

  Conventionally, there is a surface electromyogram measuring device as a device for accurately detecting body movement, but the surface electromyogram measuring device has a size and weight that is fixed or carried by a person by pushing on the floor. It is necessary to connect with a large number of electric cords, resulting in a very large device. In addition, there is a video-linked motor function analyzer that can analyze body movements without being connected with an electrical cord, but it can only analyze behavior within the range that can be captured by a video camera. You will be limited to exercise within a limited range.

  In the field of rehabilitation, for example, when a tendon that has been cut due to an accident is sutured by surgery, if the tendon is fixed without being moved for 1-2 months until the tendon is connected after surgery, the sutured area of the tendon adheres to the skin tissue. It will need to be moved to such an extent that the suture site cannot be cut. However, since the amount of exercise is not quantified, based on past clinical experiments and experiences, the current situation is that the exercise is based only on the doctor's intuition that this level of exercise will be fine.

  In hospitals, doctors or nurses had to look around patients in hospitals to see if there were any abnormalities in hospitalized patients. In addition, in order for a patient who cannot move from the bed to communicate his / her intention when the nurse is not nearby, such as at midnight, he / she has to call the nurse by pressing the nurse call button and verbally communicate it. Furthermore, since patients with laryngeal disorders cannot speak, it is difficult to communicate their intentions even if a nurse comes nearby.

  In addition, due to rapid aging and changes in family structure, etc., the form of home care has greatly changed, and the need for emergency call devices is increasing as the number of home care is increasing. Conventional emergency call devices have a telephone with an emergency contact switch installed in their home, or a cared person carrying a portable emergency contact switch. You have to push the switch with your will.

JP-A-10-113343 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-142083 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-295649 JP 07-219703 A JP 09-229667 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-024026

  In surface electromyogram measurement devices and video-linked motor function analysis devices, it is possible to detect body movements with high accuracy, but it is necessary to connect the body with a large number of electrical cords, and there are limitations on the shooting range of the camera. It is difficult to exercise in the same state as everyday, and it is difficult to detect the state of daily exercise after all.

  In the field of rehabilitation, since the state of exercise cannot be quantified, the limit of exercise that can be transmitted from the doctor to the patient is ambiguous, so the patient is not allowed to exercise. The exercise must be performed without a clear guideline, and the exercise is performed with a considerable margin for the limit of movement. Therefore, efficient rehabilitation according to the state of recovery cannot be performed, and the period required for recovery inevitably becomes longer.

  In the hospital, in the case of a normal patient in the communication between the patient and nurse's intention using nurse call, it is possible to convey the request contents verbally, but in the inconvenient state of the body after surgery for patients with laryngeal disorders Because it is difficult to move the body as well as the language is not spoken, it is very difficult to communicate the intention, and the nurse cannot grasp the situation without going to the person himself / herself and confirming. For this reason, there is a case where the response is delayed in an emergency case.

  In the case of a conventional emergency call device used for home care, etc., it is possible to cope to some extent when there is an abnormality in a conscious state, but for example, when an abnormality occurs during sleep, the switch is pressed by itself There was a problem that I couldn't. In addition, as long as there is no emergency contact, the status of the cared person is unknown, so the only way to monitor the normal behavioral status and the existence of survival is to call the person himself / herself or visit his / her home. There wasn't.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for detecting a motion of a predetermined part of a body in an almost natural state, and obtaining information that is meaningful in terms of health or medical care based on the motion. Another object of the present invention is to facilitate communication between a patient or a cared person and medical care or a caregiver by applying this apparatus, or to expand the range of communication by operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the body motion sensing module of the present invention has any of the following features.

(1) By mounting on a predetermined part of the body, a plurality of movement information including angular velocity in a predetermined direction or linear acceleration in a predetermined direction of the part is measured, and the measurement results are used as a plurality of movement information signals. An exercise sensing module for outputting, and an instruction signal selection circuit means for inputting the plurality of exercise information signals, selecting and outputting at least one of a plurality of predetermined signal information based on the exercise information signals, The instruction signal selection circuit means includes a predetermined part of the body on which the motion sensing module is mounted, the type of the output motion information, an intensity level set for the motion information, and the number of times the motion information is generated within a predetermined time. To classify and output the plurality of signal information.

  The body motion sensing device of the present invention may further include any of the following features.

(2) The plurality of signal information includes signal information for displaying a caution, a warning, or a request.

(3) The motion sensing module includes a head module that detects an angular velocity of the rotational motion of the head, an arm module that detects an angular velocity of the rotational motion of the arm, and a thigh module that detects the angular velocity of the rotational motion of the thigh. Including at least one of them.

(4) The motion sensing module includes an arm module that detects linear acceleration of a motion of swinging an arm, an ankle module that detects linear acceleration of a vertical motion of an ankle, and a linear acceleration of vertical motion of a torso Including at least one of the torso modules for detecting.

(5) The instruction signal is a rehabilitation evaluation information signal or a signal requesting predetermined nursing or care.

(6) The instruction signal is a predetermined audio signal.

(7) The motion sensing module and the instruction signal selection circuit means include short-range wireless communication means.

(8) The motion sensing module includes motion data display means.

(9) The motion sensing module is coupled to a mobile phone or a mobile watch.

(10) The motion sensing module coupled to the mobile phone includes an acceleration sensor. When the acceleration sensor detects a motion corresponding to a continuous impact or a continuous intense arm swing, the motion sensing module is replaced with an operation for outputting motion information. And a function of generating a signal for switching an operation state of the mobile phone or the sensing module itself.

1. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a plurality of body motion information signals in a substantially natural state, know the detailed body condition and degree of motion, and obtain a highly useful instruction signal based on the information signals. There are basic effects.
2. Alternatively, highly reliable rehabilitation information converted into numerical data can be obtained.
3. In addition, nursing, care requests and various cues can be transmitted without delay, which is convenient for patients and the like and can reduce the labor of nurses.
4). Alternatively, it is useful as a device for sending emergency medical care and living information from the care recipient.
5). Alternatively or additionally, it serves as a communication device for people with visual impairment, laryngeal disorder, or motor dysfunction.
6). Alternatively, the function and usefulness of the portable electronic device can be improved.

It is a functional block diagram of an example of an embodiment of a body motion sensing device of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows an example which mounted | wore the predetermined site | part of the human body with the motion sensing module. It is a front view of an example of a wristwatch incorporating a motion sensing module. It is a front view of an example of the mobile phone incorporating the motion sensing module. It is a perspective view of an example of a mobile phone used by mounting a motion sensing module from the outside.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example of an embodiment of a body motion sensing device of the present invention. This device senses the motion state of each part of the body, classifies the body motion part and motion status from the signal, selects the appropriate signal from a number of signals prepared in advance using the results. Is instructed to a necessary place, or another device is operated by the signal. The body motion sensing device includes a motion sensing module 9, an instruction signal selection device 21, and an attached device. The motion sensing module 9 includes a level setting unit 1, a motion sensor 3, a transmission unit, a display unit, a power source battery (not shown), and the like, and is small and light enough not to interfere with exercise, and is attached to an appropriate part of the body. .

  The level setting means 1 is a switch that makes it possible to set or change the number of operations and the degree of intensity as threshold values for selecting different instruction signals in accordance with the purpose of use of the apparatus, the physical condition of the patient, individual differences, etc. It is a circuit means with a controller such as a volume or volume. The motion sensor 3 applies a vibration gyroscope, a piezoelectric accelerometer, or the like, and detects an angular velocity around a predetermined rotation axis and a linear acceleration in a predetermined direction with a drive / detection circuit. It is desirable that a plurality of angular velocities, accelerations, and the like can be measured with one sensor as much as possible. The display means 7 displays the measurement result. The transmission unit 5 wirelessly transmits the measurement result to the instruction signal selection device 21. (In that case, there may be a repeater that transmits the measurement results from multiple motion sensors together.)

  The instruction signal selection device 21 includes a receiving means 13, an instruction signal circuit means 15, a memory 17, and other functions 19. The receiving means 13 receives a radio signal from the motion sensing module 9. The memory 17 receives and holds data on the standard exercise degree of each part of the body and the past exercise degree of the patient in charge. Another function 19 is a circuit means for calculating, for example, information required for calculating calorie consumption, number of steps, walking distance, and the like from received exercise data. Then, the instruction signal selection circuit means 15 generates one or more appropriate instruction signals from a large number based on the information received, stored or calculated, or the information obtained by combining them, according to a predetermined program. Extract.

  The instruction signal selection device 21 includes an instruction signal output means for a doctor's confirmation monitor 23 and voice output means 25, so that doctors and nurses can visually check characters and symbols, etc. Confirmation with different sensory organs such as auditory confirmation is possible. For example, even when the nurse is not looking at the monitor, the patient can make a voice call to the nurse, so the nurse rarely misses the patient's intention display. Also, the patient wearing the exercise module can confirm the result determined by the instruction signal selection circuit means 15 for the intensity of the current exercise (rehabilitation or the like) by the feedback means 27 to the patient.

  The instruction signal selection device 21 is connected to the care support center 29 by the communication means 11. As communication means, wireless or the Internet is used. By using this body motion sensing device for a home caregiver or the like and periodically transmitting the daily motion information of the wearer to the support center 29, the support center 29 can provide information such as the health status and survival of the care receiver. It can be confirmed on a monitor. Further, when the instruction signal selection circuit means 15 determines that the warning signal is an excessive warning signal or an abnormal caution signal, the communication means 11 automatically sets the notification to the care support center 29.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example in which the motion sensing module according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to a human body. Here, for convenience of explanation, an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system with the X axis in the direction parallel to the front-rear direction, the Y axis in the direction parallel to the left-right direction, and the Z axis in the direction parallel to the up-down direction with respect to the human body 43. I will consider it. The acceleration acting in the X-axis direction is Gx, the acceleration acting in the Y-axis direction is Gy, the acceleration acting in the Z-axis direction is Gz, the angular velocity due to rotation around the X-axis is Ωx, the angular velocity due to rotation around the Y-axis is Ωy, The angular velocity due to rotation around the Z axis is defined as Ωz.

  Table 1 shows, in a matrix form, the assignment of output signals in this apparatus and the discrimination criteria for exercise for the exercise of a predetermined part of the body. This table is merely an example, and the setting of the threshold value of the detection intensity level for switching the meaning of the operation, the number of times within the time as a guide of the operation, and the determination result can be freely changed.

  The output signals in Table 1 will be described with some examples. First, when the motion sensor module of the present invention is attached to a predetermined part of the body as shown in FIG. 2, when the head is shaken vertically, the head module 31 detects the angular velocity motion in the Ωy direction. can do. If the detected intensity level of the exercise information obtained at this time is 1 or 2, it corresponds to an OK signal in the table. Therefore, in the instruction signal selection circuit means 15, this exercise is ready or approved by the doctor in advance. It is determined that the sign is OK, meaning that the doctor monitor 23 displays characters and symbols, and the voice output means 25 outputs a voice response to the doctor and various instructions.

  Further, even if the head is shaken vertically once as in the above-described operation, if the exercise intensity level is 3, it is output as an abnormal attention signal. This is because the exercise intensity level 3 is set in advance by the instruction signal selection circuit means 15 to a strength intensity level that cannot normally be moved by a person in advance, so there is a possibility that the head is forcibly shaken by some external force. Because there is. By the way, when this exercise intensity level 3 is applied to the head twice within a unit time, there is a possibility that it may be related to human life, so that an excessive warning signal is output.

  Second, when the dominant arm is shaken twice, the arm module 35 can detect linear acceleration in the Gy direction. When this operation is applied to the table, it may be either request D or request E or an abnormal warning signal. If the dominant arm is lightly shaken twice horizontally so as to correspond to exercise intensity level 1, requirement D is obtained, and if it is strongly shaken twice horizontally corresponding to exercise intensity level 2, requirement E is obtained. If you assign the meaning that you want to drink water, or you want to go to the toilet to request E, the wearer will lightly move the dominant arm twice when you want to drink water, and if you want to go to the toilet, move the dominant arm sideways 2 It is possible to convey the intention by swinging.

  Next, an example will be given in which exercise is measured with higher accuracy than the discrimination method of the above table by combining sense information of a predetermined part equipped with a motion sensing module. First, the thigh longitudinal swing angular velocity Ωy motion obtained from the left and right thigh modules 37a and 37b is detected, and the motion direction of the right thigh longitudinal swing and the left thigh longitudinal swing is opposite (the phase is 180 °). If it is in a shifted state), it is regarded as walking, and the walking distance is calculated and displayed by adding motion information of the vertical angular velocity Ωy and the vertical acceleration Gy of the ankle obtained by the left and right ankle modules 39a and 39b. Furthermore, the calorie consumption is calculated and displayed by adding the information of the vertical movement of the trunk based on the vertical acceleration Gz of the trunk obtained by the trunk module 33.

  Second, when the person to be measured is riding a bicycle, the angular velocity Ωy of the thigh rotational motion obtained by vertical thigh swing by the pedaling motion and the angular velocity Ωy of the ankle rotational motion obtained by vertical ankle swing It is determined from the temporal change that the subject is riding a bicycle.

  Compare with current rehabilitation information or pre-rehabilitation information, display the presence or absence and degree of improvement, and instruct countermeasures (advice, next instructions, etc.).

  Although an example of the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the outline example, and various functions can be added and modified. For example, the level setting means 1 can be provided as a part of the instruction signal selection circuit means 15 on the instruction signal selection device 21 side. The body is not necessarily human. Further, the motion sensing module and the instruction signal selection device may be integrated. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a wristwatch 45 fitted with a patient or a doctor has a motion sensing module and an instruction signal selection device, and displays a motion measurement result and a selected instruction signal on its display surface. Can do. Further, if a single motion sensor that can detect angular velocity and linear acceleration, or angular velocity or linear acceleration in two or more directions is used, the usefulness is further increased.

  One example of use of the wristwatch-type motion sensing module is rehabilitation in patients with brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease. The brain disease patient trembles in the body such as hands. As one of the rehabilitations at this time, there is one that suppresses the above-mentioned hand tremor by itself. By fitting the wristwatch-type motion sensing module on the arm, the angular velocities Ωy and Ωz due to the trembling of the arm are detected, and the trembling level is displayed as characters, symbols, numerical values, graphs, or the like. The wearer can perform rehabilitation with a target by trying to suppress the level of tremor while watching the display.

  4 has a motion sensing module and an instruction signal selection device built therein, and is placed in a breast pocket or the like to sense the torso's vertical motion, and displays the calculated calorie consumption on the display surface 51. In addition, when a mobile phone is struck lightly or continuously by a built-in motion sensing module or shaken several times strongly, the signal is distinguished from normal motion signals and judged as a control signal, and the function of the device is quickly It is possible to easily switch and turn the power on and off. In addition, FIG. 5 shows a motion sensing module 53 (which may further include an instruction signal selection device) that can be installed as an option without being incorporated in the exterior of the mobile phone 55, and can be replaced with other functional modules. This is a configuration that further expands and advances the multi-functionalization of mobile phones.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Level setting means 3 Motion sensor 5 Transmitting means 7 Display means 9 Motion sensing module 11 Communication means 13 Receiving means 15 Instruction signal selection circuit means 17 Memory 19 Other functions 21 Instruction signal selection device 23 Doctor monitor 25 Audio output means 27 Patient Feedback means 29 support center 31 head module 33 trunk module 35 arm modules 37a, 37b thigh modules 39a, 39b ankle module 41 dominant arm 43 human body 45 wristwatch type sensing device 47 display means 49 mobile phone type sensing device 51 Display means 53 Mobile phone connection type sensing device 55 Mobile phone

Claims (10)

  Movement that measures a plurality of pieces of motion information including angular velocity in a predetermined direction or linear acceleration in a predetermined direction by being attached to a predetermined portion of the body, and outputs the measurement results as a plurality of motion information signals A sensing module; and instruction signal selection circuit means for inputting the plurality of movement information signals and selecting and outputting at least one of a plurality of predetermined signal information based on the movement information signals. The selection circuit means includes the predetermined part of the body to which the motion sensing module is attached, the type of the output motion information, the intensity level set for the motion information, and the number of times the motion information is generated within a predetermined time. A body motion sensing device characterized by classifying and outputting a plurality of signal information.   The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of signal information includes signal information indicating a caution, a warning, or a request.   The motion sensing module includes at least one of a head module that detects an angular velocity of the rotational motion of the head, an arm module that detects an angular velocity of the rotational motion of the arm, and a thigh module that detects the angular velocity of the rotational motion of the thigh. The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, comprising one.   The motion sensing module detects a linear acceleration of a motion of swinging an arm, an ankle module detecting a linear acceleration of a vertical motion of the ankle, and a linear acceleration of a vertical motion of the torso The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the trunk modules.   5. The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction signal is a rehabilitation evaluation information signal or a signal requesting predetermined nursing or care.   The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction signal is a predetermined audio signal.   The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensing module and the instruction signal selection circuit means include short-range wireless communication means.   The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensing module includes a motion data display unit.   The body motion sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensing module is coupled to a mobile phone or a mobile wristwatch.   The motion sensing module coupled to the mobile phone includes an acceleration sensor, and when the acceleration sensor detects a motion corresponding to a continuous impact or a continuous intense arm swing, instead of an operation of outputting motion information, The body motion sensing device according to claim 9, wherein the body motion sensing device has a function of generating a signal for switching an operation state of a mobile phone or the sensing module itself.

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