JP2020092745A - Biological data acquisition device and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a very simple personal authentication device capable of authenticating a user himself or herself simply by acquiring biological data on the user.SOLUTION: A biological data acquisition device includes: a vital sign sensor (109) positioned on a living body surface above a blood vessel leading to at least one of the ear concha and the external auditory canal (2) of a driver for acquiring biological data on the driver through a biological data acquisition place by being opposed to the biological data acquisition place in a state that an insertion part (101) is mounted on an external ear of the driver; an alcohol sensor (110); a brain wave sensor (111); and a transmission part for transmitting the biological data acquired by the respective sensors to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a biometric data acquisition device that acquires biometric data from a user's ear and a control system using the biometric data acquisition device.

As a conventional personal authentication device, for example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle face image authentication device that authenticates a user who intends to use a vehicle by using a face image. In the face image authentication device for a vehicle of Patent Document 1, a face image of a licensed person who is permitted to use the vehicle is stored in advance, and the face image of the licensed person is compared with the face image of the user. Then, a start permission is given to the vehicle engine.

JP, 2014-177141, A

However, in the vehicle face image authentication device of Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to perform complicated comparison and collation of comparing face images with each other and determining a matching point/a mismatching point, there is a problem that the device configuration becomes complicated. there were.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a biometric data acquisition device and a control system that can perform personal authentication using a simple device configuration.

In order to solve the above problems, the biometric data acquisition device according to an aspect of the present invention, an insertion portion formed along the shape of the concha of the user and the external auditory meatus, and incorporated into the insertion portion, and In the state where the insertion part is attached to the outer ear of the user, the biometric data acquisition portion is positioned on the living body surface immediately above the blood vessel that penetrates subcutaneously in at least one of the concha of the user and the external auditory meatus. By being opposed to each other, a sensor that acquires biometric data of the user via the biometric data acquisition location and a transmission unit that transmits the biometric data acquired by the sensor to the outside are provided.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a biometric data acquisition device and a control system capable of personal authentication using a simple device configuration.

(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an outer ear composed of an auricle and an ear canal, and (b) is an external view showing an outer shape of the auricle of the right ear. It is an external view of the biometric data acquisition device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a biometric data acquisition device and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a biometric data acquisition device and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a biometric data acquisition device and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the insertion part contained in the said biometric data acquisition device, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the example of arrangement|positioning of an electroencephalogram sensor, (c) is insertion contained in the said biometric data acquisition device. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section of an example of a part. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the said biometric data acquisition apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the said biometric data acquisition apparatus.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the description of the drawings referred to in the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[Ear structure]
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an outer ear 3 composed of an auricle 1 and an ear canal 2. As shown in FIG. 1A, the external auditory meatus 2 is a substantially S-shaped tubular organ that extends from the external auditory meatus foramen (the entrance of the external auditory meatus 2) to the eardrum 4.

The length of the external auditory meatus 2 is generally 25 to 30 mm, and the auricle 1 having a complicated uneven shape is provided on the outer side of the external auditory meatus 2 (on the side opposite to the eardrum 4 ). The external auditory meatus 2 is a curved surface that starts from the entrance of the external auditory meatus 2 and a curved portion that starts around the middle of the external auditory meatus 2 (between the cartilage part 5 and the bone part 6 on the ear lobe side). And a curved surface.

The first curved surface is a curved surface formed on the biological surface of the external auditory meatus 2 along the cartilage portion 5, and the second curved surface is a curved surface formed on the biological surface of the external auditory meatus 2 along the bone portion 6.

FIG. 1B is an external view showing the external shape of the auricle 1 of the human right ear. The auricle 1 is a flat organ protruding in the temporal region and having a complicated uneven shape. Further, the auricle 1 is composed of various parts such as an earring having a C-shaped outline which is the outermost peripheral edge of the auricle 1, and the concha 7 and There are parts such as the tragus 8 or the antitragus 9.

Under the skin of the auricle 1 and the external auditory meatus 2, there are deep auricular arteries, superficial temporal arteries, or branch arteries including these. The deep auricle artery is an artery passing through the surface of the external auditory meatus 2. The superficial temporal artery is an artery passing through the skin surface layer around the base of the auricle 1.

The present inventor pays attention to the fact that the shapes of the auricle 1 and the external auditory meatus 2 are different depending on the person, and the auricle 1 and the external auditory meatus 2 are similar to the individual authentication using biometric information such as fingerprints and faces. The present invention has been invented, considering that it is possible to perform personal authentication by using this shape.

[Configuration of biometric data acquisition device]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of the biometric data acquisition device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The biometric data acquisition device 100 includes an insertion unit 101, various sensors disposed inside the insertion unit 101, a control unit 102 that controls the various sensors, and a rechargeable battery 112 that is a power source of the biometric data acquisition device 100. Prepare Hereinafter, the insertion unit 101, the control unit 102, various sensors controlled by the control unit 102, and the rechargeable battery 112 that is a power source of the biometric data acquisition apparatus 100 will be sequentially described.

<Insertion part>
The insertion portion 101 has a substantially L-shaped shape, and the substantially L-shaped short side 101a is fitted from the entrance of the user's ear canal 2 toward the back of the ear canal 2 (eardrum 4 side). It is installed. That is, the insertion portion 101 is attached to the outer ear along the insertion direction X shown in FIG.

The insertion portion 101 is formed according to the shapes of the concha 7 and the external auditory meatus 2 of the user of the vehicle 200 (hereinafter referred to as “driver”) shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. .. Therefore, when the insertion portion 101 is attached to the outer ear 3 of the driver, the skin surface of the concha 7 and the external auditory meatus 2 and the surface (outer surface) of the insertion portion 101 facing the bottom surface of the concha 7 and the external auditory meatus. The surface (outer surface) facing the skin surface of No. 2 contacts without a gap.

<Control part>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of the biometric data acquisition device 100 and the vehicle 200 according to the present embodiment. The biometric data acquisition device according to this embodiment includes a control unit 102, various sensors, and a rechargeable battery 112.

The control unit 102 includes an acquisition unit 103, a vital sign determination unit 104, an alcohol concentration determination unit 105, an electroencephalogram determination unit 106, a transmission unit 107, and a management unit 108. Further, the control unit 102 is connected to the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, the brain wave sensor 111, and the rechargeable battery 112, respectively.

Although not shown, the control section 102 may be supported inside the insertion section 101 by a support member provided on the peripheral wall 101c of the insertion section 101 (see FIG. 6A).

[Acquisition part]
The acquisition unit 103 is connected to the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the brain wave sensor 111 via signal lines, respectively. The acquisition unit 103 constantly acquires biometric data from the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the brain wave sensor 111.

[Vital sign judgment part]
The vital sign determination unit 104 is connected to the acquisition unit 103 via a signal line, and receives the detection result (signal) of the vital sign detected by the vital sign sensor 109 via the acquisition unit 103.

Upon receiving the detection result (signal), the vital sign determination unit 104 determines whether the detection result (signal) of the vital sign is within a predetermined reference value range, and the detection result is the predetermined reference value. If it is outside the range of, it is determined that the driver's vitals are abnormal. On the other hand, when the detection result is within the range of the predetermined reference value, it is determined that the driver's vitals are normal. The vital sign determination unit 104 transmits the determination result (signal) to the transmission unit 107.

[Alcohol concentration determination unit]
The alcohol concentration determination unit 105 is connected to the acquisition unit 103 via a signal line, and receives the detection result (signal) of the alcohol concentration detected by the alcohol sensor 110 via the acquisition unit 103.

When the alcohol concentration determination unit 105 receives the detection result (signal), the alcohol concentration determination unit 105 determines whether or not the alcohol concentration is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, and when the detection result exceeds the predetermined reference value, the driver Determines that he is drinking (drinker). On the other hand, when the detection result is less than or equal to the predetermined reference value, it is determined that the driver is not drinking (non-drinking person). The maximum permissible value of the alcohol concentration reference value is the alcohol concentration “0.15 (mg/l)” which is the standard for “driving with drunkenness” specified by law.

The alcohol concentration determination unit 105 transmits the determination result (signal) to the transmission unit 107.

[Electroencephalogram determination section]
The electroencephalogram determination unit 106 is connected to the acquisition unit 103 via a signal line, and receives the detection result (signal) of the electroencephalogram detected by the electroencephalogram sensor 111 via the acquisition unit 103.

Upon receiving the detection result (signal), the electroencephalogram determination unit 106 determines whether or not the electroencephalogram detection result (signal) is within a predetermined reference value range, and the detection result is within the predetermined reference value range. If it is outside, it is determined that the brain wave of the driver is abnormal. On the other hand, when the detection result is within the range of the predetermined reference value, it is determined that the brain waves of the driver are normal. The electroencephalogram determination unit 106 transmits the determination result (signal) to the transmission unit 107.

The vital sign determination unit 104, the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, and the electroencephalogram determination unit 106 may be included in the vehicle 200. In that case, the acquisition unit 103 and the transmission unit 107 are connected via a signal line. Each of the determination units described above is connected to the reception unit 202 via a signal line. Further, the analysis unit 203 may be configured to include each determination function of each determination unit described above. In this case, the above-mentioned each judgment part becomes unnecessary.

Next, the flow of detection by each sensor when the above-described determination unit is provided in the vehicle 200 will be described below.

When the biometric data acquisition device 100 is attached to the outer ear 3 of the driver, the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the brain wave sensor 111 constantly detect the driver's vital sign, alcohol concentration, and brain wave. The detection result (signal) is sent from the acquisition unit 103 to the reception unit 202 via the transmission unit 107. The receiving unit 202 that has received the detection result (signal) sends the detection result (signal) to the vital sign determination unit 104, the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, and the brain wave determination unit 106.

When the analysis unit 203 makes each of the above determinations, the detection result (signal) is sent from the reception unit 202 to the analysis unit 203.

The detection result (signal) received from the reception unit 202 is temporarily recorded in the analysis unit 203, and is overwritten in order from the oldest detection result (signal). In this case, the analysis unit 203 is configured to include a memory for temporarily recording the detection result (signal), and the memory uses, for example, a cache memory. The memory is not limited to the above-mentioned cache memory as long as it can temporarily record the detection result (signal).

The oldest detection result (signal) may be overwritten when the number of records exceeds a predetermined number, may be overwritten when the remaining capacity of the memory is small, or may be overwritten after it is recorded in the memory. It is also possible to measure a fixed time and overwrite after a fixed time. Note that the time is measured, for example, by connecting a clock (timer) provided in the vehicle 200 and the analysis unit 203.

The operation in the case of making each of the above determinations is the same as that described so far, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[Transmitter]
When the transmission unit 107 receives the determination result (signal) determined by the vital sign determination unit 104, the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, or the electroencephalogram determination unit 106, the transmission unit 107 receives the determination result (signal) via the antenna 107a. It is always transmitted to the section 202.

Specifically, when the transmission unit 107 receives the determination result (signal) that the vital sign is abnormal from the vital sign determination unit 104, the transmission unit 107 sends the determination result (signal) to the reception unit 202 as a vital determination signal. Always send.

In addition, when the transmission unit 107 receives a determination result (signal) that the alcohol concentration is normal from the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, the transmission unit 107 always transmits the reception result (signal) to the reception unit 202 as an alcohol determination signal. To do.

Further, when the transmission unit 107 receives a determination result (signal) that the brain wave is normal from the electroencephalogram determination unit 106, the transmission unit 107 always transmits the reception result (signal) as a brain wave determination signal to the reception unit 202.

Data transmission/reception between the transmission unit 107 and the reception unit 202 is executed by wireless communication using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, or the like.

[Management Department]
The management unit 108 manages the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 112.

Although not shown, the management unit 108 uses a wireless communication at the time when the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 112 is very low, and uses a wireless communication to provide an instrument panel equipped with a speedometer or the like on the vehicle 200 or a car navigation system. Etc. are notified that the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 112 is very small. By doing so, it becomes possible to manage the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 112 on the vehicle 200 side.

The above notification may be performed using the transmission unit 107 of the biometric data acquisition device 100 and the reception unit 202 of the vehicle 200.

Further, the management unit 108 may notify the smartphone used by the driver that the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 112 is very small. By doing so, it becomes possible for the smartphone side to manage the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 112.

The above notification may be performed using the transmitting unit 107 of the biometric data acquisition apparatus 100, or the biometric data acquisition apparatus 100 may be separately provided with a transmission function for performing the above notification.
<Vital sign sensor, alcohol sensor and EEG sensor>
Next, the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the brain wave sensor 111 included in the biological data acquisition apparatus 100 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

The vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the electroencephalogram sensor 111 are fixed to the inner surface 101b of the insertion portion 101, as shown in FIG. In the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the electroencephalogram sensor 111, when the insertion portion 101 is attached to the outer ear 3 of the driver, the outer surface 101d of the insertion portion 101 that faces the inner surface 101b of the concha 7 and the ear canal 2. Direct contact with the body surface (where biometric data is acquired). The vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the electroencephalogram sensor 111 oppose the concha of the ear 7 or the living body surface of the external auditory meatus 2 so as to sandwich the peripheral wall 101c of the insertion portion 101.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of an example of the insertion portion 101. As shown in (c) of FIG. 6, the surfaces of the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the electroencephalogram sensor 111, which face the surface of the living body, form a plane along the shape of the external auditory meatus 2 together with the outer surface 101d of the insertion portion 101e. The structure may be exposed so as to be formed.

Depending on the type of each sensor, it may be preferable that a part of the sensor is exposed. With the above configuration, a biometric data acquisition device including the insertion section 101 or the insertion section 101e can be provided in accordance with various sensor types. It can be manufactured.

As shown in FIG. 6(a) or FIG. 6(c), an internal space surrounded by the peripheral wall 101c is provided in each insertion portion, but the internal space is filled with resin or the like. It doesn't matter.

[Vital sign sensor]
The vital sign sensor 109 is a sensor that detects at least one of the blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature of the driver. The vital sign determination unit 104 receives the detection result (signal) of at least one of blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature detected by the vital sign sensor 109 via the acquisition unit 103. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the vital sign sensor 109 is positioned inside the insertion portion 101 so as to face the surface of the living body in the ear canal 2 when the insertion portion 101 is attached to the outer ear 3. .

When facing the surface of the living body in the external auditory meatus 2, the vital sign sensor 109 acquires a vital sign from a blood vessel that subcutaneously passes through the surface of the living body.

[Alcohol sensor]
The alcohol sensor 110 is a sensor that detects the alcohol concentration. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the alcohol sensor 110 is positioned inside the insertion portion 101 so as to face the surface of the living body in the external auditory meatus 2 when the insertion portion 101 is attached to the outer ear 3.

When facing the surface of the living body in the external auditory meatus 2, the alcohol sensor 110 detects the alcohol concentration from the alcohol (ethanol) contained in the sweat on the surface of the living body.

If the alcohol concentration can be detected, the method is not limited to the above method, and for example, the alcohol concentration in the blood may be detected from the skin surface directly above the blood vessel passing under the skin of the living body, or the sweat evaporates. The alcohol concentration may be detected from the vapor generated by doing so, or the alcohol concentration may be detected by another method.

When the alcohol concentration is detected from the vapor generated by the evaporation of sweat, the insertion portion 101 has a vapor hole. The vapor hole is directly above the alcohol sensor 110, and is composed of a through hole that is smaller than the surface of the alcohol sensor 110 facing the living body surface when viewed from the living body surface. The alcohol sensor 110 detects the alcohol concentration from the vapor that enters through the vapor hole.

[EEG sensor]
The brain wave sensor 111 is a sensor that acquires a brain wave.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, brain waves are acquired by incorporating one brain wave sensor 111 at each of three locations inside the insertion section 101.

In the present embodiment, the electroencephalogram sensor 111 is incorporated into the insertion portion 101 at three locations, but the location of the electroencephalogram sensor 111 and the number of electroencephalogram sensors 111 are limited to the above as long as the electroencephalogram can be sensed. It is not something that can be done.

Further, the electroencephalogram sensor 111 may be any one as long as it can sense an electroencephalogram, and the type of sensing method is not limited.

The vital sign sensor 109 and the electroencephalogram sensor 111 are incorporated in the insertion portion 101 on the ear canal side (the eardrum 4 side with respect to the entrance of the ear canal 2) in FIG. 6A. It may be incorporated inside the portion 101 on the concha 7 side (in the vicinity of the entrance of the external auditory meatus 2).

[Rechargeable battery]
As shown in FIG. 6A, the rechargeable battery 112 is built in the insertion unit 101 and supplies electric power as a power source of the biometric data acquisition device 100.

The rechargeable battery 112 is, for example, a Li-ion battery, a Ni-Cd battery, or the like, and the rechargeable battery 112 can be charged by wireless power feeding or wired power feeding.

Note that a replaceable battery such as a button battery may be used instead of the rechargeable battery. In that case, the insertion portion 101 has a battery box so that the battery can be replaced.

[Operation of control unit]
The operation of the control unit 102 will be described below.

[Operation of control unit regarding vital sign sensor]
Next, a series of operations related to data transmission from the data acquisition by the vital sign sensor 109, the acquisition unit 103, the vital sign determination unit 104, and the transmission unit 107 to the vehicle 200 will be described below.

Among the vital signs acquired by the vital sign sensor 109, blood pressure refers to the pressure of blood generated inside the blood vessel, and generally refers to the pressure of blood generated by the ejection of vibration.

In the present embodiment, the method of acquiring the blood pressure measurement data is not the conventional oscillometric method, and thus the pressurization mechanism is not required, and the blood pressure measurement data is acquired by sensing by the sensor.

Further, as a method of acquiring blood pressure measurement data by sensing with a sensor, a PTT (Pulse Transit Time) method or a tonometry method can be mentioned.

The PTT method is a method of measuring blood pressure by estimating a blood pressure change from the pulse wave transit time by using the principle that there is a correlation between the pulse wave transit time (PTT) and the blood pressure change. .. The pulse wave is the propagation of arterial pressure wave generated by the pumping action of the heart, and is acquired through the vital sign sensor 109 by capturing the expansion and contraction of the artery as strain from the body surface.

The blood pressure measurement by the PTT method is performed by fixing the vital sign sensor 109 to two different points on the surface of the living body and calculating the systolic blood pressure from the corresponding time difference of the pulse wave measured between the two points.

As described above, when measuring blood pressure using the PTT method, it is necessary to fix the vital sign sensor 109 to two different points on the surface of the living body.

In the present embodiment, fixing and measurement as in the following (1), (2) and (3) are shown as an example.

(1) Measurement is performed between two points, that is, a vital sign sensor 109 incorporated in the insertion section 101 and a sensor arranged at a position where blood pressure can be measured, such as an ankle or a wrist.

(2) Measurement is performed between two points, that is, the vital sign sensor 109 incorporated in the insertion part 101 attached to the right ear and the vital sign sensor 109 incorporated in the insertion part 101 attached to the left ear. In this case, the measurement is performed by using one biometric data acquisition device set including the biometric data acquisition device 100 for the left ear and the biometric data acquisition device 100 for the right ear.

(3) Measurement is performed between two points of the two vital sign sensors 109 incorporated in the insertion part 101 attached to either the right ear or the left ear. In this case, the biometric data acquisition device 100 may be attached to only one of the right ear and the left ear.

For measuring blood pressure, the auricle 1, the deep auricular artery or the superficial temporal artery that passes under the skin of the external auditory meatus 2, or the branch artery including these are useful parts.

The tonometry method is a method in which a sensor is pressed against an artery with a flat contact pressure and the blood pressure is acquired by measuring the change in the internal pressure of the pulsating artery that resists the sensor, and blood pressure is measured for each beat. It is possible.

In the present embodiment, the vital sign sensor 109 is incorporated inside the insertion portion 101 formed along the shape of the concha of the driver's concha 7 and the shape of the external auditory meatus 2, and the insertion portion 101 is attached to the outside ear of the driver. 3 is attached to the concha 7 of the driver or the blood vessel passing under the skin of the external auditory meatus 2 and the vital sign sensor 109 face each other, and by inserting the insertion portion 101, the concha 7 of the driver or the external auditory canal. Since the flat contact pressure can be applied to the blood vessel passing under the skin 2, the vital sign sensor 109 can acquire blood pressure measurement data from the blood vessel.

According to the PTT method or the tonometry method described above, it is not necessary to use the oscillometric method.

In the present embodiment, the PTT method or the tonometry method has been described as an example, but the method is not limited to the above method as long as it is a blood pressure measurement method using a sensor.

Next, a case where the vital sign sensor 109 detects a pulse will be described below.

The pulse is the number of fluctuations in pressure generated in the blood vessel by the blood ejected along with the pulsation of the heart, and is the pulsation that occurs in the artery when the heart pumps blood. The pulse measurement data can be obtained by counting the number of beats.

The number of times the heart beats within a certain period of time is called the heart rate, and is usually expressed as the number of beats per minute.

Since it is necessary to count the number of beats that occur in the arteries for measuring the pulse rate, in one embodiment of the present invention, the deep auricle artery/the superficial temporal artery that subcutaneously penetrates the auricle 1, the external auditory meatus 2, or these are used. It is acquired from the branch artery containing it.

For pulse measurement, a technique developed for normal pulse measurement is used.

Next, a case where the vital sign sensor 109 detects body temperature will be described below.

The body temperature is obtained by directly measuring the infrared rays emitted from the temperature measurement site (the eardrum 4 suitable for measuring the temperature inside the ear canal 2 and its periphery) which is a heat source. The sign sensor 109 is preferably incorporated inside the insertion portion 101 so as to face the eardrum 4 and its periphery.

For the body temperature measurement, a technique developed for normal ear type body temperature measurement is used.

When the vital sign sensor 109 detects the measurement data of at least one of blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature, the vital sign sensor 109 sends the detection result to the acquisition unit 103.

The acquisition unit 103 that has received the detection result (signal) from the vital sign sensor 109 sends the detection result (signal) to the vital sign determination unit 104, and the vital sign determination unit 104 that has received the detection result (signal) A determination result (signal) based on the detection result (signal) is output and sent to the transmission unit 107. The transmission unit 107 that has received the determination result (signal) transmits the determination result (signal) to the reception unit 202.

[Control unit operation related to alcohol sensor]
The operation of the alcohol sensor is the same as that of the vital sign sensor 109 described above except that the acquired data is the alcohol concentration. That is, the acquisition unit 103 that has received the detection result (signal) from the alcohol sensor 110 sends the detection result (signal) to the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, and the alcohol concentration determination unit 105 that has received the detection result (signal) The determination result (signal) based on the detection result (signal) is output and sent to the transmission unit 107. The transmission unit 107 that has received the determination result (signal) transmits the determination result (signal) to the reception unit 202.

[Control unit operation related to EEG sensor]
The electroencephalogram sensor 111 operates similarly to the vital sign sensor 109 described above except that the acquired data is an electroencephalogram. That is, the acquisition unit 103 that has received the detection result (signal) from the brain wave sensor 111 sends the detection result (signal) to the brain wave determination unit 106, and the brain wave determination unit 106 that has received the detection result (signal) The determination result (signal) based on the detection result (signal) is output and sent to the transmission unit 107. The transmission unit 107 that has received the determination result (signal) transmits the determination result (signal) to the reception unit 202.

The biological data is not limited to the above-mentioned blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, alcohol concentration, or brain wave, and may be any data as long as it is data that can be obtained from a human.

[Vehicle operation]
As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle (control target) 200 according to the present embodiment includes an ECU 201, a reception unit 202, an analysis unit 203, an engine control unit (control device) 204, an engine 205, and a driving support device (control device) 206. Prepare

The engine control unit 204 controls the drive of the engine 205 according to the result (signal) acquired from the analysis unit 203.

The driving support device 206 supports driving so as to lead to safe driving according to the result (signal) acquired from the analysis unit 203.

Upon receiving the determination result (signal) from the transmission unit 107 via the antenna 202a, the reception unit 202 sends the determination result (signal) to the analysis unit 203.

The analysis unit 203 outputs whether or not the engine 205 can be driven as a signal according to the determination result (signal), and transmits the signal to the engine control unit 204. Further, the analysis unit 203 outputs the necessity of driving assistance as a signal according to the content of the determination result (signal), and transmits the signal to the driving assistance device 206.

The analysis unit 203 determines whether to transmit the signal to the engine control unit 204 or the driving support device 206 at the time of analyzing the signal received by the analysis unit 203. The determination is executed based on whether the engine 205 is already driven.

The vehicle 200 includes an engine drive determination unit that determines whether the engine 205 is driving. When the engine 205 is driven, the engine drive determination unit sends the engine drive determination result (signal) to the analysis unit 203.

That is, at the time when the analysis unit 203 receives the determination result (signal) from the receiving unit 202, if the engine drive determination result (signal) is received, the analysis unit 203 indicates that the engine 205 is driving. The determination is made and the necessity of driving assistance is transmitted to the driving assistance device 206 as a signal.

Further, when the analysis unit 203 does not receive the determination result (signal) of the engine drive at the time of receiving the determination result (signal) from the reception unit 202, the analysis unit 203 determines that the engine 205 is not driven. The determination is made and it is transmitted to the engine control unit 204 as a signal indicating whether or not the engine 205 can be driven.

The determination as to whether or not the engine 205 can be driven by the analysis unit 203 is made based on the respective determination results of the vital sign determination unit 104, the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, or the electroencephalogram determination unit 106.

Specifically, when the vital sign determination unit 104 outputs a determination result (signal) that at least one of the blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature of the driver is abnormal, the analysis unit 203 causes the determination result ( It is determined that the engine 205 cannot be driven based on the signal), and the determination result (signal) is sent to the engine control unit 204. On the other hand, when the vital sign determination unit 104 outputs the determination result (signal) that the blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature of the driver are all normal, the analysis unit 203 determines the engine based on the determination result (signal). Is determined to be possible, and the determination result (signal) is sent to the engine control unit 204.

When the alcohol concentration determination unit 105 outputs the determination result (signal) that the driver is drinking (drinker), the analysis unit 203 drives the engine based on the determination result (signal). Is determined to be impossible, and the determination result (signal) is sent to the engine control unit 204. On the other hand, when the alcohol concentration determination unit 105 outputs the determination result (signal) that the driver is not drinking (non-drinker), the analysis unit 203 determines whether the engine is running based on the determination result (signal). It is determined that driving is possible, and the determination result (signal) is sent to the engine control unit 204.

When the electroencephalogram determination unit 106 outputs a determination result (signal) that the driver's electroencephalogram is abnormal, the analysis unit 203 determines that the engine cannot be driven based on the determination result (signal). Then, the determination result (signal) is sent to the engine control unit 204. On the other hand, when the electroencephalogram determination unit 106 outputs the determination result (signal) that the driver's electroencephalogram is normal, the analysis unit 203 determines that the engine can be driven based on the determination result (signal). Then, the determination result (signal) is sent to the engine control unit 204.

Upon receiving the determination result (signal) of the analysis unit 203, the engine control unit 204 determines whether to start driving the engine 205 based on the determination result (signal).

Next, the determination of the necessity of driving support by the analysis unit 203 will be described. The analysis unit 203 outputs the determination result (signal) that the vital sign determination unit 104 determines that at least one of the blood pressure, the pulse, and the body temperature of the driver is abnormal, and/or the electroencephalogram determination unit 106 operates. When the determination result (signal) that the person's brain wave is abnormal is output, it is determined that driving assistance is necessary, and the determination result (signal) is sent to the driving assistance device 206.

When the driving support device 206 receives the determination result (signal) that the driving assistance by the analysis unit 203 is necessary, the driving support device 206 executes control for driving support based on the determination result (signal).

Specifically, when a signal that driving assistance is required is received, an alarm or the like (control target) is appropriately activated to wake up the driver, and switching to an automatic driving mode (control target) is performed. Alternatively, a safe driving support such as activating a braking device (controlled object) to decelerate and further forcibly stopping is performed.

(Effect of Embodiment 1)
According to the above configuration, the insertion portion 101 formed along the shape of the concha of the driver's concha 7 and the external auditory meatus 2 fits snugly on the outer ear 3 of the driver.

Further, since various sensors for acquiring the biometric data of the driver himself are incorporated inside the insertion section, and the sensor is incorporated in a position facing the location for acquiring the biometric data of the driver. Even if a third person other than the driver wears the insertion portion 101 on the outer ear 3, the shape of the concha of the ear 7 and the outer ear canal 2 are different for each person, and thus the biometric data cannot be acquired.

That is, it is possible to provide a biometric data acquisition device and a control system capable of authenticating a person using a simple device configuration in which the insertion unit 101 is attached to the outer ear 3 and biometric data of the driver is acquired.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

The difference between the biometric data acquisition apparatus 100a according to the present embodiment and the biometric data acquisition apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is that the biometric data acquisition apparatus 100a further includes a number determination unit 113, as shown in FIG.

The number determination unit 113 compares the number of various sensors incorporated in the insertion unit 101 in advance with the number of biometric data acquired by the acquisition unit 103, and collates them.

Although not shown, the biometric data acquisition device 100a includes a storage unit that stores the number of various sensors incorporated in the insertion unit 101.

Instead of the configuration including the storage unit, the number of various sensors may be detected each time the biometric data acquisition device 100a is attached to the outer ear 3 of the driver.

When the number determination unit 113 determines that the number of various sensors and the number of acquired biometric data acquired by the acquisition unit 103 match, the number determination unit 113 determines that the vital sign data detected by the vital sign sensor 109 is vital. The detection result of alcohol detected by the alcohol sensor 110 is sent to the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, the brain wave data detected by the brain wave sensor 111 is sent to the brain wave determination unit 106, respectively.

For example, when the number of the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the electroencephalogram sensor 111 incorporated in the insertion portion 101 is one each, the total number of sensors is three. When the acquisition unit 103 acquires one piece of biometric data from each of the vital sign sensor 109, the alcohol sensor 110, and the electroencephalogram sensor 111, the total number of acquired pieces of biometric data is three. Therefore, in this case, since the number of sensors and the number of biometric data acquired by the acquisition unit 103 match, the number determination unit 113 outputs the data (signal) acquired by each sensor to each determination unit. send.

Further, the number determination unit 113 may be provided in the vehicle 200. The operation on the side of the biometric data acquisition device 100a in this case is the same as that of the biometric data acquisition device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and therefore description thereof is omitted here.

When the number determination unit 113 is provided in the vehicle 200, the number determination unit 113 is connected between the reception unit 202 and the analysis unit 203 via a signal line.

Upon receiving the determination result (signal) from each determination unit, the reception unit 202 sends the determination result (signal) to the number determination unit 113, and the number determination unit 113 that has received the determination result (signal) inserts it in advance. The number of various sensors incorporated in the unit 101 and the number of received biometric data received by the receiving unit 202 are compared and collated. In this case, the vehicle 200 includes a storage unit that stores the number of various sensors incorporated inside the insertion unit 101.

When the number determination unit 113 determines that the number of various sensors and the number of received biometric data received by the reception unit 202 match, the number determination unit 113 sends the determination result (signal) from each determination unit to the analysis unit 203.

Instead of the number determination unit 113, the analysis unit 203 may have the function of the number determination unit 113. In this case, the number determination unit 113 is unnecessary.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to authenticate the driver only by acquiring the biometric data of the driver himself, and it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the very simple user authentication.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as those described in the first or second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

The difference between the biometric data acquisition device 100b in the present embodiment and the biometric data acquisition device 100 in the first embodiment is that it further includes a sound transmission unit 114, a speaker 115, a sound determination unit 116, and a microphone 117, as shown in FIG. It is a point.

The sound sending unit 114 sends an instruction signal for sending sound to the speaker 115. When the insertion unit 101 is attached to the outer ear 3, the sound sending unit 114 sends an instruction signal to the speaker 115 to send out sound. Upon receiving the instruction signal from the sound sending unit 114, the speaker 115 sends a high-frequency (18 to 48 KHZ) sound that cannot be heard by the human ear to the ear canal 2 of the driver.

Based on the reflected sound reflected by the external auditory meatus 2, the sound determination unit 116 determines whether the reflected sound has a waveform of a sound indicating the shape of the external auditory meatus 2 of the driver himself who is the user of the biological data acquisition device. Determine whether.

The microphone 117 collects the reflected sound that is sent from the speaker 115 to the ear canal 2 and reflected by the ear canal 2. The reflected sound collected by the microphone 117 is output as a signal and sent to the sound determination unit 116.

When the sound determination unit 116 receives the signal from the microphone 117, does the reflected sound (signal) have a waveform of a sound that is characteristic of the external auditory meatus 2 of the driver himself who is the user of the biometric data acquisition device? Determine whether or not. When it is determined that the reflected sound has a waveform of a sound that is characteristic of the ear canal 2 of the driver as a result of the determination, the sound determination unit 116 sends the determination result (signal) to the transmission unit 107.

When the transmission unit 107 receives from the sound determination unit 116 a determination result (signal) that the driver has the waveform of the sound showing the features of the ear canal 2 of the driver himself, the determination result (signal) received from each determination unit. ) Is sent to the receiving unit 202.

According to the above configuration, the person can be authenticated only by mounting the insertion section 101 on the outer ear, and very simple person authentication can be performed.

[Method for manufacturing biometric data acquisition device]
Next, a method of manufacturing the biometric data acquisition device 100 according to the first to third embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the manufacturing process of the biometric data acquisition device 100, the process of acquiring three-dimensional data representing the shape of the outer ear 3 of the driver, and the shape of the concha of the driver's concha 7 and the shape of the ear canal 2 based on the three-dimensional data. And a molding step of molding the insertion portion 101 into a shape conforming to.

First, three-dimensional data representing the shape of the outer ear 3 of the driver (hereinafter referred to as “3D data”) is acquired (S100). This step S100 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, after acquiring 3D data representing the shape of the outer ear 3 of the driver, slice group data for use in a three-dimensional modeling device (hereinafter, referred to as “3D printer”) is created (S200).

After the slice group data is created, the slice group data is used to perform positioning for physically supporting the insertion portion 101, which is a modeled object, and the support material is placed at the positioned location.

Through the arranging process, ejection data indicating presence/absence and types of droplets for each three-dimensional position is created (S300).

After the ejection data is created, the 3D printer executes the modeling process of the insertion unit 101 based on the ejection data (S400).

It should be noted that even if a step of incorporating the vital sign sensor 109 and/or the electroencephalogram sensor 111 for detecting biometric data into the intermediate shaped object is included in the step of performing the shaping process of the insertion portion 101 in the step S400. Good.

After the molding process is performed, the support material is appropriately removed in the middle of the modeling process, and the insertion portion 101, which is a model, is completed (S500).

(Detailed description of 3D data acquisition process)
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing details of the step S100.

Acquisition of 3D modeling data is performed by mounting a 3D modeling data acquisition device (S101). The 3D data acquisition device in the present embodiment is a device that scans the shape of the outer ear 3 of the driver, and for example, e-fit provided by United Science can be used.

The e-fit has a camera and a scanner. The camera photographs the outer ear 3. The user of the e-fit irradiates the outer ear 3 with a laser and acquires the shape data of the outer ear 3 while confirming the image captured by the camera. (S102). The shape data obtained by the scanner is taken into a personal computer connected to the scanner. The captured shape data is converted into 3D modeling data in the personal computer (S103).

The means is not limited as long as 3D data of the shape of the outer ear 3 of the driver can be acquired.

Further, in the present embodiment, the insertion section 101 is manufactured by acquiring the 3D modeling data and modeling the insertion section 101 with the 3D printer using the data. Alternatively, a mold having the shapes of the concha of the ear 7 and the external auditory meatus 2 may be created, and the insert 101 may be created using the mold.

According to the above process, it is possible to generate 3D modeling data of a shape that follows the shape of the concha of the driver's concha 7 and the shape of the external auditory meatus 2, and based on the 3D modeling data, It is possible to mold the insertion portion 101 having a shape that conforms to the shape of the concha of the ear 7 and the shape of the external auditory meatus 2.

In the above process, the 3D modeling data is acquired by scanning the shape of the outer ear 3 of the driver himself. However, the 3D modeling data for molding the insertion portion 101 is the data of a person other than the driver himself. It may be 3D modeling data acquired by measuring the shape of the outer ear 3.

Furthermore, a plurality of pieces of 3D modeling data acquired by measuring the shape of the outer ear 3 of a person other than the driver are collected, and various biometric information (eg, age, sex, nationality, etc.) is collected from the collected 3D modeling data. It may be 3D modeling data acquired by calculating suitable 3D modeling data.

[Example of software implementation]
The control block of the biometric data acquisition device 100 (in particular, the acquisition unit 103, the vital sign determination unit 104, the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, the brain wave determination unit 106, the transmission unit 107, and the management unit 108), the control block of the biometric data acquisition device 100a (in particular, The acquisition unit 103, the vital sign determination unit 104, the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, the electroencephalogram determination unit 106, the transmission unit 107, the management unit 108, and the number determination unit 113), and the control block of the biometric data acquisition device 100b (in particular, the acquisition unit 103, The vital sign determination unit 104, the alcohol concentration determination unit 105, the brain wave determination unit 106, the transmission unit 107, the management unit 108, the sound transmission unit 114, and the sound determination unit 116) are logic circuits formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. It may be realized by (hardware) or software.

In the latter case, the biometric data acquisition device 100, the biometric data acquisition device 100a, and the biometric data acquisition device 100b each include a computer that executes a program instruction that is software that implements each function. The computer includes, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. Then, in the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program to achieve the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program may be further provided. The program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

Note that the vehicle in each of the above-described embodiments may be, for example, an aircraft, a heavy machine, a train, a ship, etc. other than an automobile, and the type thereof is not limited as long as the present invention can be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

2 External ear canal 3 External ear 7 Concha 100, 100a, 100b Biometric data acquisition device 101 Insertion unit 104 Vital sign determination unit 105 Alcohol concentration determination unit 106 Brain wave determination unit 107 Sending unit 109 Vital sign sensor 110 Alcohol sensor 111 Brain wave sensor 112 Rechargeable battery 116 sound determination unit

Claims (12)

An insertion part formed along the shape of the concha and ear canal of the user,
Positioned on the living body surface immediately above the blood vessel that penetrates subcutaneously into at least one of the concha of the user and the external auditory meatus in a state of being incorporated in the insertion unit and attached to the outer ear of the user. By facing the biometric data acquisition location, a sensor for acquiring biometric data of the user via the biometric data acquisition location,
A biometric data acquisition apparatus, comprising: a transmitter that transmits biometric data acquired by the sensor to the outside. The transmitting unit transmits the biometric data acquired by the sensor to the outside only when the number of biometric data acquisitions of the user acquired by the sensor is the same as the number of the sensors. The biometric data acquisition device according to claim 1. The biometric data acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a vital sign sensor that detects at least one of a blood pressure, a pulse rate, and a body temperature of the user. The biometric data acquisition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor includes an alcohol sensor that detects an alcohol concentration of the user. The biometric data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor includes an electroencephalogram sensor that detects an electroencephalogram of the user. The sensor includes a vital sign sensor that detects at least one of the blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature of the user, an alcohol sensor that detects the alcohol concentration of the user, and an electroencephalogram sensor that detects the electroencephalogram of the user. The biometric data acquisition apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. Further comprising a vital sign determination unit that determines whether at least one of the blood pressure, pulse or body temperature detected by the vital sign sensor is abnormal,
The transmission unit, based on the determination result that at least one of blood pressure, pulse or body temperature detected by the vital sign sensor is abnormal, a vital judgment indicating that the vital sign of the user is abnormal. The biometric data acquisition apparatus according to claim 6, which transmits a signal. Further comprising an alcohol concentration determination unit for determining whether the alcohol concentration detected by the alcohol sensor is normal,
The transmitting unit transmits an alcohol determination signal indicating that the user is a non-drinker based on the determination result that the alcohol concentration detected by the alcohol sensor is normal. Item 6. The biometric data acquisition device according to item 6 or 7. Further comprising an electroencephalogram determination unit for determining whether the electroencephalogram detected by the electroencephalogram sensor is normal,
The transmitting unit transmits an electroencephalogram determination signal indicating that the electroencephalogram of the user is normal based on the determination result that the electroencephalogram detected by the electroencephalogram sensor is normal. The biometric data acquisition device according to any one of 6 to 8. The biometric data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a rechargeable battery that is disposed in the insertion portion and that can be charged by wired power supply or wireless power supply. By transmitting a signal to a control device, a biological data acquisition device for controlling the control target to the control device,
An insertion portion that sends sound to the ear canal when worn on the user's outer ear,
A sound determination unit that determines whether or not the user is based on the waveform of the sound reflected by the ear canal,
And a transmitter that transmits a sound determination signal indicating that the user is an authorized user to the control device based on a result of the determination by the sound determination unit that the user is the user. Biometric data acquisition device. A biometric data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Controlled object,
A control system for controlling the control target by receiving a signal from the biometric data acquisition device.

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