JP2022177728A - Stick - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a stick capable of performing stable wireless communication in a wide range.SOLUTION: A stick 1 includes: a stick body 10; and an electronic device 20 arranged in the stick body 10. The electronic device 20 includes: a first wireless communication section 21 to be connectable to a mobile body communication network 8; a slot 22 on which a recording medium (SIM card) for recording information of a subscriber of a communication service to be provided in the mobile body communication network 8 is mounted; and a processing section 27 to be connected to the mobile body communication network 8 by the first wireless communication section 21 based on the information of a specified subscriber recorded in the recording medium 30 mounted on the slot 22, so as to perform processing to transmit/receive information via the mobile body communication network 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a cane.

For elderly people who need walking assistance with a cane, the cane is an essential item to carry when moving outdoors where there is nothing to hold with the hand. Therefore, by adding various functions to the cane, it is possible to improve convenience without increasing extra belongings. As an example of such a cane, a cane with a pedometer function and a flashlight function is known.

Utility Model Registration No. 3128758

By the way, in recent years, various mobile devices are equipped with wireless communication functions, and an environment is being developed in which services provided via the Internet or the like can also be used with mobile devices. Therefore, if a walking stick, which is an essential item for elderly people, is equipped with a wireless communication function, it will be easier for them to use services via the Internet or the like even when they are away from home. In particular, if it is possible to connect to a mobile communication network for mobile phones that covers a wider range than a public wireless LAN or the like, stable wireless communication will be possible even on the go, and convenience will be improved.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cane that enables stable wireless communication over a wide range.

A cane according to one aspect of the present invention has a cane body and an electronic device provided in the cane body. The electronic device comprises: a first wireless communication unit connectable to a mobile communication network; a slot in which a recording medium in which subscriber information of a communication service provided in the mobile communication network is recorded; Based on the information of the specific subscriber recorded on the recording medium loaded in the slot, the first wireless communication unit connects to the mobile communication network and transmits and receives information via the mobile communication network. and a processing unit that performs processing to perform processing.

Preferably, the electronic device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the health condition of the user, and the processing unit transmits the information about the health condition acquired by the information acquisition unit through the first wireless communication unit. and transmission to another device via the mobile communication network.

Preferably, the cane body has a gap into which a wrist can be inserted, and the information acquisition unit includes a generator for generating ultrasonic waves toward the wrist inserted into the gap, and an ultrasonic wave generated by the generator. and a receiving unit that receives the ultrasonic waves transmitted or reflected by the wrist, and the processing unit receives the ultrasonic waves generated by the generating unit and the ultrasonic waves received by the receiving unit. A process of measuring bone density based on sound waves and a process of transmitting the measurement result of the bone density to another device via the mobile communication network by the first wireless communication unit are performed.

Preferably, the electronic device includes at least one of a fingerprint sensor for detecting a fingerprint, a voice input unit for inputting voice, and an imaging unit for capturing an image, and the processing unit detects the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor. , based on at least one of the voice input by the voice input unit and the image of the human body captured by the imaging unit, processing related to authentication of the user is performed.

Preferably, the electronic device includes a second wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a lock device capable of remote control of locking and unlocking by wireless communication, and the processing unit performs the wireless communication with the second wireless communication unit. Wireless communication with the lock device is performed, and processing for locking or unlocking the lock device is performed.

Preferably, the cane body includes a first frame member extending upward from a ground-contacting surface, and two second frame members extending upward from a branch position at the upper end of the first frame member in directions away from each other. two frame members, two third frame members extending upward from bent positions at the upper ends of the two second frame members in a direction toward each other and intersecting each other at an intersection position above the bent positions; two fourth frame members extending upward from the intersecting position in directions away from each other; and a fifth frame member connecting upper ends of the two fourth frame members; Each of the second frame member, the third frame member, the fourth frame member and the fifth frame member is a rod-shaped member extending along a common imaginary plane.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the cane which can perform stable wireless communication over a wide range can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cane according to this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including a cane according to this embodiment. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic device provided on the cane body. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modified example of the cane according to the present embodiment. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic device in the cane shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the electronic device.

A cane according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cane 1 according to this embodiment. The cane 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a cane body 10 and an electronic device 20 provided on the cane body 10 .

The cane body 10, in the example of FIG. It has a fourth frame member 14B and a fifth frame member 15 . These frame members are made of, for example, relatively lightweight metals such as aluminum and titanium, and lightweight and high-strength materials such as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP).

The first frame member 11 extends upward from a ground-contacting surface 16 .
The second frame member 12A and the second frame member 12B extend upward from a branch position P1 at the upper end of the first frame member 11 in directions away from each other.
The third frame member 13A extends from the bent position P2A at the upper end of the second frame member 12A. The third frame member 13B extends from the bent position P2B at the upper end of the second frame member 12B. The third frame member 13A and the third frame member 13B extend upward from the bending position P2A and the bending position P2B in a direction toward each other, and cross each other at a crossing position P3 above the bending position P2A and the bending position P2B. ing.
The fourth frame member 14A and the fourth frame member 14B extend away from each other from the intersecting position P3.
The fifth frame member 15 connects the upper end of the fourth frame member 14A and the upper end of the fourth frame member 14B.
Each of the frame members (11, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15) described above is a rod-shaped member extending along a common imaginary plane. A virtual plane is a plane parallel to the page of FIG. 1 in the example of FIG.

According to the cane 1 having such frame members (11, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15), two gaps H1 and H2 are formed in the cane body 10 as shown in FIG. be. The gap H1 is a space surrounded by the second frame member 12A, the second frame member 12B, the third frame member 13A and the third frame member 13B, and the gap H2 is the fourth frame member 14A and the fourth frame member 14B. and a space surrounded by the fifth frame member 15 . The user can firmly grip the frame members (12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15) while putting his or her hand in these gaps (H1, H2). Therefore, it is possible to grip the frame members (12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15) at a plurality of positions with different distances from the ground with an appropriate gripping force, allowing the user to select a grip that suits his or her taste. You can select the gripping position.
Also, when the stick 1 is not used, it can be hung by hooking suitable hooks in the gaps (H1, H2) formed in the stick main body 10, and the stick 1 can be stored easily.

In the example of FIG. 1, the cane body 10 has a generally plane-symmetrical shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the above-described imaginary plane. The first frame member 11 extends along a plane that bounds the plane symmetry. Also, the branch position P1 and the intersection position P3 are located on a plane forming a symmetrical boundary. By having the cane body 10 having such a plane-symmetrical shape, the cane body 10 can easily maintain a balance between stress and load, thereby improving strength.

In the example of FIG. 1, the cane body 10 has a Y-shaped joint 17 that connects the upper portion and the lower portion with respect to the branch position P1. The joint 17 connects the lower ends of the second frame members 12A and 12B and the upper end of the first frame member 11 .

In the example of FIG. 1, a grip member 18 is attached to the fifth frame member 15 to be gripped by the user. The grip member 18 is made of, for example, a material having moderate elasticity (elastomer, etc.). Part or all of the electronic device 20 is arranged, for example, inside the portion of the fifth frame member 15 to which the grip member 18 is attached. Since the elastic grip member 18 absorbs the impact from the outside, it becomes difficult for the impact from the outside to propagate to the electronic device 20 arranged inside the grip member 18 .

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a system including the cane 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the cane 1 performs wireless communication with the base station 81 of the mobile communication network 8, connects to the Internet 9 from the mobile communication network 8, and communicates with the server 2 on the Internet 9. is possible.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic device 20 provided in the cane body 10. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2B, the electronic device 20 includes a first wireless communication unit 21 connectable to the mobile communication network 8, a slot 22 in which the recording medium 30 is loaded, an information acquisition unit 23, a fingerprint sensor 24, It has a storage unit 26 and a processing unit 27 .

The first wireless communication unit 21 performs wireless communication with the base station 81 of the mobile communication network 8 using a predetermined communication method (such as LTE) and connects to the mobile communication network 8 .

A recording medium 30 on which subscriber information of a communication service provided in the mobile communication network 8 is recorded is loaded into the slot 22 . In the example of FIG. 2B, the recording medium 30 loaded in the slot 22 is a SIM card.

The information acquisition unit 23 acquires information about the health condition of the user. For example, the information acquisition unit 23 includes a device that measures bioelectrical impedance used for estimating the body fat percentage of the user, a device that measures the body temperature of the user, a device that measures the blood oxygen saturation of the user, and a device that measures the blood oxygen saturation of the user. Including devices that measure a person's pulse. The information acquisition unit 23 may include one or more measurement devices that measure the user's vital signs.
A device for measuring bioelectrical impedance includes, for example, at least two electrodes with which a user's skin (such as a palm) is in contact, and a circuit for measuring impedance between the electrodes.
A device for measuring body temperature includes, for example, a thermal conductor that contacts the user's skin (such as the palm of the hand) and a circuit that converts the temperature of the thermal conductor into an electrical signal.
A device that measures blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate consists of, for example, a light-emitting element that irradiates the user's body (fingertip, etc.) with light of a predetermined wavelength, and an optical sensor that detects light of a predetermined wavelength that passes through the body. including.

The fingerprint sensor 24 is a sensor that detects the fingerprint of the user. including sensors that detect ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface of the

The storage unit 26 stores instructions of one or more programs that cause the processing unit 27 to execute predetermined processes, data used in the processes, data temporarily held during the processes, and the like. The storage unit 26 may include, for example, one or more storage devices such as flash memory, DRAM, SRAM, hard disk, and SSD, and may include multiple types of storage devices.

The processing unit 27 is a circuit for executing various processes, for example, one or more processors (central processing unit, microprocessor, digital signal processor etc.). The processing unit 27 operates as a computer by executing processing according to program instructions.

Note that the processing unit 27 may include dedicated hardware (FPGA, ASIC, etc.) configured to execute predetermined processing. In this case, the processing unit 27 may execute all the processing according to the instructions of the program, or may execute at least a part of the processing by dedicated hardware.

The processing unit 27 connects to the mobile communication network 8 by the first wireless communication unit 21 based on the information of the specific subscriber recorded in the recording medium 30 (for example, SIM card) loaded in the slot 22, and moves. Processing for transmitting and receiving information via the body communication network 8 is performed. For example, the processing unit 27 accesses the server 2 from the mobile communication network 8 via the Internet 9 and performs processing for using services provided by the server 2 .

The processing unit 27 also performs processing related to user authentication based on the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor 24 . For example, the processing unit 27 compares the fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint sensor 24 with the fingerprint information stored in advance in the storage unit 26, thereby confirming that the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor 24 belongs to the user himself/herself. It is determined whether or not the

Here, as an example, the server 2 provides a service for recording and managing information on the user's health condition (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "health condition information") in a database.
In this case, for example, the processing unit 27 transmits an access request to the server 2 from the first wireless communication unit 21 to the server 2 on condition that the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor 24 is determined to be that of the user. do. This access request includes, for example, authentication information (login ID, password, etc.) for access to the server 2 stored in advance in the storage unit 26 . When the server 2 receives an access request containing authentication information from the cane 1, it performs authentication processing based on the authentication information. When the access is permitted as a result of the authentication process, the server 2 transmits a permission response indicating that the access is permitted to the cane 1 that is the source of the access request. , the health condition information of the user (bioelectric impedance, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation level, etc.) acquired by the information acquisition unit 23 is transmitted to the server 2 by the first wireless communication unit 21 . The server 2 records the health condition information received from the cane 1 in a database in association with information about the user of the cane 1 (identification information of the user, etc.). The server 2 may record information about the date when the health information was acquired in the database in association with the health information.

The server 2 may permit access to the server 2 through a predetermined authentication process in response to an access request from a terminal device (personal computer, smart phone, tablet, etc.) operated by the user. In this case, the server 2 displays the user's health condition information recorded in the database on the display of the terminal device or downloads it to the storage device of the terminal device in response to a viewing request from the terminal device to which access is permitted. You can This allows the user to check the health condition information recorded in the database of the server 2 on the terminal device or other device.

As described above, according to the cane 1 according to the present embodiment, the first wireless communication unit is based on the specific subscriber information recorded in the recording medium 30 (for example, SIM card) installed in the slot 22. 21 connects to the mobile communication network 8, and processing for transmitting and receiving information via the mobile communication network 8 is performed. This enables stable wireless communication over a wide range covered by the mobile communication network 8 . Therefore, the cane 1, which is one of the essential belongings of elderly people, enables information communication in various places, thereby improving user's convenience.

Further, according to the cane 1 according to the present embodiment, the health condition information acquired by the information acquisition unit 23 is transmitted to another device (the server 2 on the Internet 9) by the first wireless communication unit 21 via the mobile communication network 8. etc.). Therefore, it is possible to manage or check the health condition information acquired by the information acquisition unit 23 by another device.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the process related to user authentication is performed based on the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor 24, it is possible to increase the certainty that the user of the cane 1 is the person himself/herself. can. As a result, for example, on the condition that the user is authenticated as the person himself/herself, it is possible to permit transmission by the first wireless communication unit 21 of the health condition information acquired by the information acquisition unit 23. It is also possible to increase the certainty that the health condition information transmitted to the device (such as the server 2 on the Internet 9) is that of the user himself/herself.

Next, several modifications of the cane 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modified example of the cane 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic device 20 in the cane 1 shown in FIG. In the modified example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the information acquisition unit 23 of the electronic device 20 acquires information on the bone density of the user as health condition information. The information acquisition unit 23 shown in FIG. 3 includes a generator 231 that generates ultrasonic waves, a receiver 232 that receives ultrasonic waves, and a signal processor 233 .

The generator 231 and the receiver 232 are arranged in a gap H2 of the cane body 10 into which the user's wrist can be inserted, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The generator 231 generates ultrasonic waves toward the user's wrist inserted into the gap H2. The receiving unit 232 receives the ultrasonic waves generated by the generating unit 231 and transmitted through the wrist. In the example of FIG. 3, the generator 231 and the receiver 232 are arranged inside the fourth frame member 14A and the fourth frame member 14B so as to face each other. Bone density measurement is performed with the wrist sandwiched between the generator 231 and the receiver 232 facing each other. The generator 231 and the receiver 232 include piezoelectric elements such as piezoelectric elements. The signal processing unit 233 inputs a driving signal for generating ultrasonic waves to the generating unit 231 . Further, the signal processing unit 233 performs signal processing such as amplification on the electric signal converted from the ultrasonic wave in the receiving unit 232 and inputs the electric signal to the processing unit 27 .

The processing unit 27 performs processing for measuring bone density based on the ultrasonic waves generated by the generating unit 231 and the ultrasonic waves received by the receiving unit 232 . For example, the processing unit 27 calculates a bone density measurement value according to the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in the bone. The processing unit 27 also performs a process of transmitting the bone density measurement result to another device (such as the server 2 on the Internet 9) via the mobile communication network 8 using the first wireless communication unit 21 .

According to the modifications shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is possible to manage and check the information on the user's bone density acquired by the information acquisition unit 23 in another device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the electronic device 20 in the cane 1 according to this embodiment.
In addition to the same configuration as the electronic device 20 shown in FIG. 2B, the electronic device 20 shown in FIG. It has a wireless communication unit 25 . The key device with which the second wireless communication unit 25 wirelessly communicates may be a lock device provided on the door of a building or a lock device provided on the door of a vehicle such as an automobile. The processing unit 27 performs wireless communication with the lock device through the second wireless communication unit 25, and performs processing for locking or unlocking the lock device.
As a result, the user can easily lock and unlock the door while holding the cane 1 without taking out the key from the bag or the like.

Although several examples according to the present embodiment have been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these examples and includes various variations.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which processing related to personal authentication is performed based on fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint sensor 24, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example.
In another example of the present embodiment, the electronic device may include an audio input unit for inputting audio using a microphone or the like. In this case, the processing unit of the electronic device may perform processing related to authentication of the user from the characteristics of the voice input by the voice input unit.
Also, in another example of the present embodiment, the electronic device may include an imaging unit that captures an image using a camera or the like. In this case, the processing unit of the electronic device may perform processing related to personal authentication of the user based on the human body image captured by the imaging unit, based on the features of the human body (for example, facial features).
In another example of the present embodiment, the processing unit of the electronic device performs processing related to personal authentication based on two or more of fingerprint information, voice information, and human body image information. may

In the modified example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ultrasonic wave transmitted through the wrist bone is received by the receiver 232 of the information acquisition unit 23, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example.
In another example of the present embodiment, the receiving section of the information acquisition section may receive ultrasonic waves reflected by the bones of the wrist. Also in this case, the processing unit can obtain the bone density measurement value based on the ultrasonic waves generated by the generating unit and the ultrasonic waves received by the receiving unit.

The cane electronic device according to the above-described embodiment includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's health condition, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example. In another example of this embodiment, the cane electronic device may comprise a device for obtaining various information, not limited to health information. For example, the cane electronics may include devices that acquire positional information about geographical location (such as GPS/GNSS modules), devices that detect orientation (such as geomagnetic sensors), devices that detect steps (such as acceleration sensors), and devices that measure angular velocity. At least one sensing device (such as a gyro sensor) may be included. The electronic device of the wand may transmit information obtained by such devices to other devices connected to the mobile communication network, such as servers on the Internet. This makes it possible to manage various types of information, not limited to health condition information, on the server, and to check such information on a terminal device (smartphone, etc.) that accesses the server.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 stick 2 server 8 mobile communication network 81 base station 9 internet 10 stick body 11 first frame member 12A, 12B second frame member 13A, 13B second 3 Frame members 14A, 14B Fourth frame member 15 Fifth frame member 16 Ground plane 17 Joint 18 Grip member 20 Electronic device 21 First wireless communication unit 22 Slot 23... Information acquisition unit 231... Generation unit 232... Reception unit 233... Signal processing unit 24... Fingerprint sensor 25... Second wireless communication unit 26... Storage unit 27... Processing unit 30... Recording medium P1... branch position, P2A, P2B... bend position, p3... intersection position, H1, H2... gap

Claims (6)

cane body,
and an electronic device provided on the cane body,
The electronic device
a first wireless communication unit connectable to a mobile communication network;
a slot in which a recording medium in which subscriber information of a communication service provided in the mobile communication network is recorded is mounted;
Based on the information of the specific subscriber recorded on the recording medium loaded in the slot, the first wireless communication unit connects to the mobile communication network and transmits information via the mobile communication network. A processing unit that performs transmission and reception processing,
Cane. The electronic device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's health condition,
The processing unit transmits the information about the health condition acquired by the information acquisition unit to another device via the mobile communication network by the first wireless communication unit.
The cane according to claim 1. The cane body has a gap into which the wrist can be inserted,
The information acquisition unit
a generator that generates ultrasonic waves toward the wrist inserted into the gap;
a receiving unit that receives the ultrasonic waves generated by the generating unit and transmitted or reflected by the wrist,
The processing unit is
A process of measuring bone density based on the ultrasonic waves generated by the generating unit and the ultrasonic waves received by the receiving unit;
a process of transmitting the measurement result of the bone density to another device via the mobile communication network by the first wireless communication unit;
The cane according to claim 2. The electronic device includes at least one of a fingerprint sensor that detects a fingerprint, a voice input unit that inputs voice, and an imaging unit that captures an image,
The processing unit performs personal authentication of the user based on at least one of the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor, the voice input by the voice input unit, and the image of the human body captured by the imaging unit. perform the processing involved,
The cane according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The electronic device includes a second wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a lock device capable of remote control of locking and unlocking by wireless communication,
The processing unit performs wireless communication with the lock device through the second wireless communication unit, and performs processing for locking or unlocking the lock device.
The cane according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The cane body includes:
a first frame member extending upward from a ground contacting surface;
two second frame members extending upward and away from each other from a branch position at the upper end of the first frame member;
two third frame members extending upward from a bent position at the upper ends of the two second frame members in a direction toward each other and intersecting each other at an intersection position above the bent position;
two fourth frame members extending upward from the intersecting position in directions away from each other;
a fifth frame member connecting the upper ends of the two fourth frame members;
each of the first frame member, the second frame member, the third frame member, the fourth frame member, and the fifth frame member is a bar-shaped member extending along a common imaginary plane;
Cane according to any one of claims 1-5.

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