JP5724693B2 - Biological information processing apparatus and biological information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological information processing apparatus and a biological information processing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a biological information processing apparatus used for exercise management and health management of a subject, a pulsometer that is attached to a part of the subject's body and measures the subject's pulse rate is known. The pulse meter detects a change in blood flow of the subject wearing the device, calculates the pulse rate of the subject, and calculates the calculated pulse rate (hereinafter referred to as “calculated pulse rate”) as a measurement result. This is to notify the subject. As a pulsometer, one using light, one using ultrasonic waves, one using electrocardiogram, and the like are known.

  Whether or not the pulse rate can be calculated correctly depends largely on the accuracy with which changes in the blood flow of the subject are detected. However, the accuracy of detecting a change in blood flow may be reduced due to an influence of disturbance such as a change in outside air temperature, a physical effect such as a position of the pulse meter and a shift in the position of attachment. In view of this, a method has been devised in which an allowable range of variation for the calculated pulse rate is set to determine the suitability of the calculated pulse rate (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP-A-9-113309 JP-A-9-154825

  For example, in the technique of Patent Document 2, a window width that is a width of a variation allowable range (hereinafter referred to as “window”) is set based on the body movement of the subject. Specifically, when it is detected that the body movement of the subject has increased, the window width with respect to the direction in which the pulse rate increases (high direction) is increased. Conversely, when it is detected that the body movement of the subject has decreased, the window width in the direction (low direction) in which the pulse rate decreases is increased.

  In this method, the window width is set by paying attention only to the body movement of the subject. Therefore, an appropriate window setting is not necessarily realized depending on the state of the pulse rate of the subject. For example, it is a scene in which exercise is started from a state where the pulse rate is increased to some extent. Specifically, a scene where the exercise is resumed after the cool-down, or a scene where the user once stops after the pulse rate is high and starts walking after that is assumed.

  In the above case, since the pulse rate of the subject has already increased to some extent, the increase in the pulse rate is not considered so much. However, if the window width is set by paying attention only to the body movement of the subject, the window width in the high direction is set wider than necessary. In this case, the possibility that the abnormal value is captured by the window is increased. On the other hand, even when the subject stops operating while the pulse rate is low, the window width in the low direction is set wider than necessary, and the same problem as described above occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to propose a new method for determining the suitability of the calculated pulse rate.

  A first form for solving the above problems includes a pulse rate calculation unit that calculates a pulse rate of a subject, and a calculated pulse rate calculated by the pulse rate calculation unit is included in a given fluctuation allowable range. A pulse rate propriety determination unit that determines whether or not the calculated pulse rate is appropriate based on whether the calculated pulse rate is appropriate, and a variation allowable range setting that sets a variation allowable range that is a range of the allowable range of fluctuation based on a given reference pulse rate And a biological information processing apparatus.

  As another form, the suitability of the calculated pulse rate is determined based on calculating the pulse rate of the subject and whether the calculated calculated pulse rate is included in a given allowable fluctuation range. And setting a permissible fluctuation range consisting of the permissible fluctuation range based on a given reference pulse rate may be configured.

  According to the first form and the like, the pulse rate of the subject is calculated by the pulse rate calculation unit. Then, based on whether or not the calculated pulse rate calculated by the pulse rate calculation unit is included in the given allowable fluctuation range, the suitability of the calculated pulse rate is determined by the pulse rate suitability determination unit. In this case, the fluctuation allowable width which is the width of the fluctuation allowable range is set by the fluctuation allowable width setting unit based on a given reference pulse rate.

  The reference pulse rate is a pulse rate used as a reference of the fluctuation allowable range. For example, the latest calculated pulse rate determined to be appropriate in the suitability determination may be set. The allowable variation range can be optimized by setting the allowable variation range based on the reference pulse rate, instead of fixing the allowable variation range. Then, by using the fluctuation allowable range having the set fluctuation allowable range, it is possible to correctly determine the suitability of the calculated pulse rate.

  Further, as a second form, in the biological information processing apparatus according to the first form, as the reference pulse rate is low, the change allowable width setting unit has a change allowable range with respect to a high direction based on the reference pulse rate. It is good also as comprising the biological information processing apparatus which increases the high direction fluctuation | variation tolerance which becomes.

  According to the second embodiment, the lower the reference pulse rate, the higher the allowable fluctuation range in the high direction, which is the allowable fluctuation range in the high direction with reference to the reference pulse rate. When the pulse rate is low, the pulse rate is less likely to decrease and tends to increase. Thus, by increasing the allowable fluctuation range in the higher direction as the reference pulse rate is lower, it is possible to set the allowable fluctuation range that matches the tendency of the human pulse rate.

  Further, as a third mode, in the biological information processing apparatus according to the first or second mode, the variation allowable width setting unit varies with respect to a low direction based on the reference pulse rate as the reference pulse rate is higher. The biological information processing apparatus may be configured to increase a low-direction fluctuation allowable width that is an allowable width.

  According to the third embodiment, the higher the reference pulse rate, the lower the allowable fluctuation range in the low direction, which is the allowable fluctuation range in the low direction with reference to the reference pulse rate. When the pulse rate is high, the pulse rate tends not to increase and tends to decrease. Therefore, by increasing the allowable fluctuation range in the lower direction as the reference pulse rate is higher, it is possible to set the allowable fluctuation range that matches the tendency of the human pulse rate.

  Further, as a fourth mode, in the biological information processing apparatus according to the first mode, as the reference pulse rate is low, the variation allowable range setting unit has a variation allowable range with respect to a high direction based on the reference pulse rate. The higher fluctuation tolerance is increased, and the higher the reference pulse rate is, the greater the fluctuation tolerance is in the low direction with respect to the low direction relative to the reference pulse rate, and the higher fluctuation tolerance is increased. The biological information processing apparatus may be configured such that the increase degree of the width is relatively larger than the increase degree of the low-direction fluctuation allowable width.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the lower the reference pulse rate, the higher the allowable fluctuation range in the high direction, which is the allowable fluctuation range with respect to the high direction based on the reference pulse rate, and the higher the reference pulse rate, The low-direction fluctuation allowable width, which is the low-frequency fluctuation allowable width based on the pulse rate, is increased. At this time, the increase degree of the high-direction variation allowable width is set relatively larger than the increase degree of the low-direction variation allowable width. In the scene where the pulse rate rises, the degree of change tends to be greater than in the scene where it falls. Simply put, the pulse rate tends to rise more than it falls. Therefore, by setting the increase degree of the high-direction fluctuation allowable range relatively larger than the increase degree of the low-direction fluctuation allowable width, it is possible to realize the setting of the allowable fluctuation range in consideration of the characteristics of the human pulse rate.

  Further, as a fifth mode, in the biological information processing apparatus according to the second or fourth mode, the apparatus further includes an exercise status determination unit that determines the exercise status of the subject, and the variation allowable width setting unit includes the exercise The biological information processing apparatus is configured to relatively increase the degree of increase in the permissible range of high direction fluctuation when the determination result of the situation is exercise start compared to the degree of increase of the permissible range of high direction fluctuation in a steady state. It is good as well.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the increase degree of the high direction fluctuation allowable range when the determination result of the subject's exercise state is the start of the exercise is compared with the increase degree of the high direction fluctuation allowable range in the steady state. Make it bigger. When a human starts exercising, the pulse rate tends to increase rapidly. In view of this, it is possible to make the allowable fluctuation range follow a sudden rise in the pulse rate by relatively widening the allowable fluctuation range in the high direction at the start of exercise compared to the steady state.

  Further, as a sixth aspect, the biological information processing apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect further includes an exercise state determination unit that determines the exercise state of the subject, and the variation allowable width setting unit includes the exercise The biological information processing apparatus is configured to relatively increase the degree of increase in the low direction variation allowable width when the determination result of the situation is motion stop as compared with the degree of increase in the low direction variation allowable width in a steady state. It is good as well.

  According to the sixth aspect, the increase degree of the low direction fluctuation allowable range when the determination result of the subject's exercise state is the movement stop is compared with the increase degree of the low direction fluctuation allowable width in the steady state. Make it bigger. When humans stop exercising, the pulse rate tends to drop rapidly. Therefore, when the motion is stopped, the allowable range of fluctuation in the low direction is relatively wide compared with that in the steady state, so that the allowable range of fluctuation can be made to follow a sudden decrease in the pulse rate.

  Further, as a seventh aspect, in the biological information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the fluctuation allowable width setting unit is configured such that the reference pulse rate exceeds a predetermined pulse rate upper limit set value. Alternatively, when the reference pulse rate is lower than a predetermined pulse rate lower limit setting value, the biological information processing apparatus may be configured such that the variation allowable range is set to a predetermined minimum variation allowable range.

  According to the seventh aspect, when the reference pulse rate exceeds the predetermined pulse rate upper limit setting value, or when the reference pulse rate is lower than the predetermined pulse rate lower limit setting value, the variation allowable width is increased. A predetermined minimum allowable fluctuation range is set. When the reference pulse rate is excessively high or when the reference pulse rate is excessively low, the allowable fluctuation range may be small, and the allowable fluctuation range may be excessively narrow. Therefore, it is effective to set a lower limit value of the allowable fluctuation range and adjust so that the allowable fluctuation range is not narrower than that.

The front view of a pulse meter. (A) Rear view of pulse meter. (B) The use state figure of a pulse meter. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a pulse wave sensor. (A) High window width model. (B) Low direction window width model. (A) Window width setting method at the start of exercise. (B) Cool down → Window width setting method when resuming exercise. (C) Window width setting method when stopping exercise. The block diagram which shows the function structure of a pulse meter. The flowchart which shows the flow of a pulse rate measurement process. (A) High-direction window width model in the modified example. (B) Low direction window width model in the modification.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an embodiment in which the biological information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a wristwatch-type pulse meter. Needless to say, embodiments to which the present invention is applicable are not limited to the embodiments described below.

1. External Configuration FIG. 1 is a front view of a pulse meter 1 in the present embodiment. The pulsometer 1 includes a wristband 2, and the case 3, the time, the operating state of the pulsometer 1, and various biological information (pulse rate, exercise intensity, calorie consumption, etc.) are displayed by letters, numbers, icons, etc. A liquid crystal display 4 for this purpose is arranged.

  An operation button 5 for operating the pulsometer 1 is disposed on the peripheral portion (side surface) of the case 3. The pulse meter 1 operates using, for example, a built-in secondary battery as a power source. A charging terminal 6 for charging the built-in secondary battery is disposed on the side surface of the case 3 so as to be connected to an external charger.

  FIG. 2A is a rear view of the pulse meter 1 and shows an external view when the pulse meter 1 is viewed from the rear surface of the case 3. Moreover, FIG. 2 (B) is a use state diagram of the pulsometer 1 and shows a side view of the pulsometer 1 in a state of being worn on the wrist WR of the subject.

  A pulse wave sensor 10 that detects a pulse wave of the subject and outputs a pulse wave signal is disposed on the back surface of the case 3. The pulse wave sensor 10 detects a pulse wave at the wrist WR of the subject in contact with the back surface of the case 3. In the present embodiment, the pulse wave sensor 10 is a photoelectric pulse wave sensor and includes a mechanism for optically detecting the pulse wave.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view when the internal structure of the pulse wave sensor 10 is viewed from the side surface of the case 3. The pulse wave sensor 10 is installed in a hemispherical storage space having a circular bottom surface formed on the back side of the case 3. A light source 12 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a light receiving element 13 such as a phototransistor are built in the storage space. The inner surface of the hemisphere is a reflecting surface 11 that is a mirror surface, and the light receiving element 13 and the light source 12 are mounted on the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate 14, respectively, when the bottom surface side of the hemisphere is downward.

  When the light Le is irradiated by the light source 12 toward the skin SK of the user's wrist WR, the irradiated light Le is reflected by the subcutaneous blood vessel BV and returns to the hemisphere as reflected light Lr. The reflected light Lr is further reflected by the hemispherical reflecting surface 11 and enters the light receiving element 13 from above.

  The intensity of the reflected light Lr from the blood vessel BV changes due to the absorption action of hemoglobin in the blood, reflecting the change in blood flow. The pulse wave sensor 10 blinks the light source 12 at a predetermined cycle at a cycle earlier than the pulsation. The light receiving element 13 outputs a pulse wave signal corresponding to the received light intensity by photoelectric conversion for each lighting opportunity of the light source 12. The pulse wave sensor 10 blinks the light source 12 at a frequency of, for example, 128 Hz.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the pulsometer 1 includes a body motion sensor 20 for detecting the body motion of the subject. In the present embodiment, the body motion sensor 20 includes an acceleration sensor. As shown in FIG. 1, the acceleration sensor has, for example, the normal direction of the cover glass surface of the case 3 and the Z axis with the display surface side positive, and the vertical direction with the 12 o'clock direction of the watch as positive is the Y axis. This is a triaxial acceleration sensor having the X axis as the left-right direction with the 3 o'clock direction of the watch as positive.

  In a state where the pulsometer 1 is worn, the X axis coincides with the direction from the subject's elbow to the wrist. The body motion sensor 20 detects acceleration in three axes of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and outputs the result as a body motion signal. The pulsometer 1 detects a periodic body movement (for example, an arm movement or a vertical movement of the body) of the subject accompanying walking or jogging based on the body movement signal detected by the body movement sensor 20. .

2. Principle The pulsometer 1 calculates the pulse rate of the subject using the pulse wave signal detected by the pulse wave sensor 10. Specifically, a predetermined frequency decomposition process is performed on the pulse wave signal, and a signal intensity value (spectrum value) for each frequency band is extracted. The frequency decomposition process can be a process to which, for example, a fast Fourier transform (FFT) is applied. Then, a frequency spectrum corresponding to the pulse wave of the subject is specified from the extracted signal intensity value, and the pulse rate is calculated based on the frequency (or period). The pulsometer 1 calculates the pulse rate at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 1 to 5 seconds). In the present embodiment, the pulse rate of the subject calculated as described above is referred to as “calculated pulse rate”.

  The pulse meter 1 notifies the subject by displaying the calculated pulse rate on the liquid crystal display 4 as the pulse rate of the measurement result (measured pulse rate). However, the calculated pulse rate greatly deviated from the actual pulse rate of the subject due to the influence of disturbance such as changes in external temperature, the influence of the position of the pulse meter and the deviation of the wearing position, etc. May be obtained. The calculated pulse rate obtained in this case is an abnormal value, and it is not appropriate to notify the subject of the value. Therefore, in this embodiment, the suitability of the calculated pulse rate is determined according to the procedure described below.

  In the present embodiment, a window based on a given reference pulse rate is set. The reference pulse rate is a reference value of the pulse rate at the calculation time (calculation timing) of the pulse rate. In the present embodiment, the latest calculated pulse rate determined to be appropriate by the suitability determination is set as the reference pulse rate. Specifically, when it is determined that the calculated pulse rate is appropriate, the process of updating the reference pulse rate with the calculated pulse rate is repeated for each calculated time.

  For each calculation time, it is determined whether the calculated pulse rate is included in the window. When the calculated pulse rate is included in the window, the calculated pulse rate is determined to be appropriate. On the other hand, when the calculated pulse rate is not included in the window, the calculated pulse rate is determined to be inappropriate. The window is a range that allows fluctuations in the calculated pulse rate that is calculated based on a given reference pulse rate (hereinafter referred to as “fluctuation allowable range”).

  The window width in the direction in which the pulse rate is higher than the reference pulse rate is referred to as “high direction window width”. The window width in the direction in which the pulse rate is lower than the reference pulse rate is referred to as “low direction window width”. The pulse rate obtained by adding the high direction window width to the reference pulse rate is referred to as “window upper limit value” in the sense of the upper limit value of the window. The pulse rate obtained by subtracting the low-direction window width from the reference pulse rate is referred to as a “window lower limit value” in the sense of the window lower limit value. The window is defined as a range from the window lower limit value to the window upper limit value.

  The feature of this embodiment is that the window width is set based on the reference pulse rate. If the reference pulse rate is low, the pulse rate is less likely to decrease and tends to increase. Conversely, if the reference pulse rate is high, the pulse rate tends not to increase and tends to decrease. Focusing on the characteristics of the pulse rate, the lower the reference pulse rate, the higher the window width in the high direction and the lower the window width in the low direction. Further, the higher the reference pulse rate, the lower the window width is increased and the higher window width is decreased.

2-1. Basic Setting of Window Width FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a basic window width setting method in the present embodiment. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a method for setting the high direction window width, and illustrates a high direction window width model that is a model for setting the high direction window width. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a method for setting the low direction window width, and illustrates a low direction window width model which is a model for setting the low direction window width.

  In FIG. 4A, the horizontal axis is the reference pulse rate “HRc”, and the vertical axis is the high direction window width “Wup”. In FIG. 4B, the horizontal axis is the reference pulse rate “HRc”, and the vertical axis is the low direction window width “Wdown”.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the high direction window width model is modeled, for example, as a function that linearly decreases as the reference pulse rate “HRc” increases. That is, the primary pulse width “Wup” takes a maximum value at the reference pulse rate “HRc = 0”, and the high direction window width “Wup” linearly decreases as the reference pulse rate “HRc” increases. Approximate with function.

  However, if the predetermined minimum window width “Wmin” is added to the reference pulse rate “HRc” and the obtained pulse rate exceeds the maximum pulse rate “HRmax” of the subject, the high-direction window width Let “Wup” be the minimum window width “Wmin”. That is, when the reference pulse rate “HRc” exceeds the predetermined pulse rate upper limit setting value “HRmax−Wmin”, the high-direction window width is set to a predetermined minimum window width (Wup = Wmin).

The maximum pulse rate “HRmax” is the maximum pulse rate of the subject, and can be calculated, for example, according to the following equation (1).
HRmax = 220−age of subject (1)

  The minimum window width “Wmin” is the minimum value of the high direction window width “Wup”, and can be set by selecting an appropriate value in advance. For example, a value of “5 or less” may be set, and a value such as “3” or “5” may be set.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the low-direction window width “Wdown” is modeled as a function (linear function) that increases linearly as the reference pulse rate “HRc” increases, for example.

  However, when the minimum pulse width “Wmin” is subtracted from the reference pulse rate “HRc”, if the calculated pulse rate is less than the minimum pulse rate “HRmin” of the subject, the low direction window width “Wdown” Is the minimum window width “Wmin”. That is, when the reference pulse rate “HRc” is below the predetermined pulse rate lower limit setting value “HRmin + Wmin”, the low direction window width is set to a predetermined minimum window width “Wmin” (Wdown = Wmin).

  The minimum pulse rate “HRmin” is the minimum pulse rate of the subject. It is known that the average value of a normal adult resting pulse rate is about “60 to 70”. Therefore, for example, a value selected from this range can be determined as the minimum pulse rate “HRmin”.

2-2. In this embodiment, the degree of increase in the high-direction window width is made relatively larger than the degree of increase in the low-direction window width. In the scene where the pulse rate rises, the degree of change tends to be greater than in the scene where it falls. That is, paying attention to the characteristic that the human pulse rate is likely to increase rather than to decrease, the window width is set by changing the increase degree between the high direction and the low direction.

  In FIG. 4A, the magnitude of the inclination of the high-direction window width model in the steady state is “α”. Also, in FIG. 4B, the magnitude of the slope of the low-direction window width model in the steady state is “β”. In this case, the high direction window width model and the low direction window width model are determined so as to satisfy “α> β”. Thereby, the high direction window width can be set relatively wider than the low direction window width.

2-3. Setting of Window Width Considering Exercise Situation In this embodiment, in addition to the above-described window width setting method, the window width is set considering the exercise situation of the subject. “Exercise situation” means a subject's exercise situation that can be determined from a temporal change in the physical movement state of the subject. For example, situations such as “exercise start”, “exercise continuation”, and “exercise stop” are included.

  The “body motion state” means a body motion state that can be determined from the detection result of the body motion sensor 20. For example, states such as “sedated state” and “exercise state” are included. That is, the body motion state of the subject is determined from the detection result of the body motion sensor 20, and the exercise status of the subject is determined based on the change over time.

  FIG. 4 individually shows window width setting models when the subject starts exercise, when the subject is stationary, and when exercise is stopped. In FIG. 4A, the inclinations of the steady-state model, the motion start model, and the motion stop model are illustrated as “α1”, “α2”, and “α3”, respectively. Further, in FIG. 4B, the inclinations of the steady-state model, the motion start model, and the motion stop model are illustrated as “β1”, “β2”, and “β3”, respectively.

  At the start of exercise, the subject's pulse rate tends to increase rapidly. Therefore, the increase degree of the high direction window width when the determination result of the exercise state is the start of exercise is relatively increased as compared with the increase degree of the high direction window width in the steady state. In addition, it is rare that the subject's pulse rate increases when the exercise is stopped. Therefore, the degree of increase in the high-direction window width when the determination result of the exercise state is that the movement is stopped is made relatively smaller than the degree of increase in the high-direction window width in the steady state. In this case, the model is determined so that the magnitude relation of the magnitude of the inclination of the high direction window width model in FIG. 4A is “α3 <α1 <α2”. However, here, the magnitude relationship is determined by the absolute value of the slope.

  When the exercise is stopped, the pulse rate tends to decrease rapidly. Therefore, the degree of increase in the low-direction window width when the determination result of the exercise state is that the movement is stopped is relatively larger than the degree of increase in the low-direction window width in the steady state. In addition, a situation in which the subject's pulse rate decreases at the start of exercise is rare. Therefore, the degree of increase in the low direction window width when the determination result of the exercise state is the start of exercise is made relatively smaller than the degree of increase in the high direction window width in the steady state. In this case, the model is determined such that the magnitude relation of the magnitude of the inclination of the low direction window width model in FIG. 4B is “β2 <β1 <β3”.

2-4. Specific Example FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example. The window width setting method in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the actual time-dependent trend of the pulse rate. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis is the time axis, and the pulse rate calculation time “t” is shown below the time axis. The vertical axis is the pulse rate. The calculated pulse rate is indicated by a triangular plot, and the reference pulse rate is indicated by a rectangular plot.

  The upward arrow provided on the upper side and the downward arrow provided on the lower side based on the reference pulse rate are respectively an upper limit provided on the high side via a given width and a given width on the low side. The lower limit provided is shown. The window width is the difference between the upper limit value indicated by the upward arrow pointing up from the reference pulse rate and the lower limit value indicated by the downward arrow pointing downward from the reference pulse rate. The range determined by this window width is allowed to vary. It becomes a range. Further, a window set by applying the steady-state model is indicated by a thin solid line, and a window set by applying the motion start model / motion stop model is indicated by a thick solid line.

(1) At the time of starting exercise FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of a window width setting method at the time of starting exercise.
The calculation time t0 is before the start of exercise, and the calculated pulse rate is slightly higher than the minimum pulse rate “HRmin”, and is a value within the window range. In this case, at the calculation time t1, the window is set with the calculated pulse rate as the reference pulse rate. That is, since the reference pulse rate is low, a window having a wide high direction window width and a narrow low direction window width is set.

  Thereafter, the subject's pulse rate suddenly increases because the subject started exercising between the calculation times t1 and t2. In this case, since the determination result of the exercise state of the subject is the exercise start, the window width is set by applying the exercise start model. In this case, it is effective to apply the exercise start model with a certain time width. For example, a period for three times from the calculation time t2 to t4 is set as the exercise start model application period. Then, during the exercise start model application period, the window width is set by applying the exercise start model.

  As a result of applying the exercise start model, at the calculation time t2, the high direction window width is set relatively wide compared to the calculation time t1, and the low direction window width is set relatively narrow compared to the calculation time t1. Yes. At the calculation times t3 and t4, the pulse rate of the subject increased, and the reference pulse rate increased accordingly. As a result, the high direction window width gradually narrowed and the low direction window width gradually increased. As a result, at the calculation times t2 to t4, it can be seen that the window follows a rapid rise in the pulse rate, and the calculated pulse rate is appropriately captured.

  Thereafter, the application of the exercise start model is canceled at the calculation time t5. That is, after the calculation time t5, the window width is set by applying the steady-state model. At the calculation time t5, the subject's pulse rate is already high. Since the reference pulse rate is high, a window having a wide low window width and a narrow high window width is set.

  Thereafter, the state in which the reference pulse rate exceeds the pulse rate upper limit set value “HRmax−Wmin” at the calculation time t8 is illustrated. As a result, at the calculation time t8, the minimum window width “Wmin” is set as the high direction window width. The same applies to the calculation times t9 and t10. Eventually, the low window width is the maximum window width and the high window width is the minimum window width.

(2) Cool-down → When resuming exercise FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of a window width setting method during cool-down → resuming exercise. Here, after the subject exercises, a cool-down such as stretching or slow walking is performed, and then the exercise is resumed. This assumes a scene in which exercise starts from a state where the pulse rate is somewhat high.

  The subject cools down during the period from the calculation time t51 to t56. Since the exercise was performed before the cool-down period, the pulse rate of the subject is kept high to some extent during the cool-down period. Thereafter, the state in which the subject resumed exercise between the calculation times t56 and t57 is illustrated. At the calculation time t56, the calculated pulse rate is already high to some extent. At the calculation time t57, a window is set with the calculated pulse rate as the reference pulse rate. That is, since the reference pulse rate is high to some extent, a window having a wide low window width and a narrow high window width is set.

  Thereafter, the pulse rate of the subject gradually increases. Here, a state where an abnormal value is obtained in the high direction as the calculated pulse rate at the calculation time t58 is illustrated. However, at the calculation time t58, a window with a narrow high-direction window width is set. Therefore, the abnormal value is not captured by the window, and the calculated pulse rate is determined to be inappropriate. That is, by setting the window width based on the reference pulse rate, erroneous determination of an abnormal value as a normal value is prevented.

(3) When motion is stopped FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram of a window width setting method when motion is stopped.
The calculation time t89 is during exercise, and the calculated pulse rate is the maximum pulse rate “HRmax”. At the calculation time t90, a window is set with the calculated pulse rate as the reference pulse rate. That is, since the reference pulse rate is high, a window having a wide low window width and a narrow high window width is set.

  Thereafter, a state in which the exercise is stopped between the calculation times t90 and t91 is illustrated. In this case, since the determination result of the exercise state is the exercise stop, the window width is set by applying the exercise stop model. In this case as well, it is effective to apply the motion stop model with a certain time width. For example, a period corresponding to three times from the calculation time t91 to t93 is set as the exercise stop time model application period. Then, during the motion stop model application period, the window width is set by applying the motion stop model.

  As a result of applying the motion stop model, at the calculation time t91, the low-direction window width is set relatively wide compared to the calculation time t90, and the high-direction window width is set relatively narrow compared to the calculation time t90. Yes. At the calculation times t91 to t93, it can be seen that the window follows the rapid decrease in the pulse rate, and the calculated pulse rate is appropriately captured.

  Thereafter, the application of the motion stop model is canceled at the calculation time t94. That is, after the calculation time t94, the window width is set by applying the steady-state model. The pulse rate of the subject gradually decreases after a certain period of time.

  Thereafter, the state in which the reference pulse rate falls below the pulse rate lower limit set value “HRmin + Wmin” at the calculation time t99 is illustrated. As a result, at the calculation time t99, the minimum window width “Wmin” is set as the low-direction window width. The same applies to the calculation time t100. Eventually, the high window width is the maximum window width, and the low window width is the minimum window width.

3. Functional Configuration FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the pulse meter 1. The pulsometer 1 includes a pulse wave sensor 10, a body motion sensor 20, a pulse wave signal amplification circuit unit 30, a pulse waveform shaping circuit unit 40, a body motion signal amplification circuit unit 50, and a body motion waveform shaping circuit unit 60. An A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion unit 70, a processing unit 100, an operation unit 200, a display unit 300, a notification unit 400, a communication unit 500, a clock unit 600, and a storage unit 700. It is prepared for.

  The pulse wave sensor 10 is a sensor that measures the pulse wave of the subject to whom the pulse meter 1 is attached, and is configured to include, for example, a photoelectric pulse wave sensor. The pulse wave sensor 10 detects a volume change caused by the inflow of blood flow into the body tissue as a pulse wave signal and outputs it to the pulse wave signal amplification circuit unit 30.

  The pulse wave signal amplification circuit unit 30 includes an amplification circuit that amplifies the pulse wave signal input from the pulse wave sensor 10 with a predetermined gain. The pulse wave signal amplifier circuit unit 30 outputs the amplified pulse wave signal to the pulse waveform shaping circuit unit 40 and the A / D converter 70.

  The pulse waveform shaping circuit unit 40 is a circuit unit that shapes the pulse wave signal amplified by the pulse wave signal amplification circuit unit 30, and includes a circuit that removes a high-frequency noise component, a clipping circuit, and the like. The processing unit 100 determines whether or not a pulse wave has been detected based on the pulse waveform shaped by the pulse waveform shaping circuit unit 40.

  The body motion sensor 20 is a sensor for capturing the movement of the subject to whom the pulsometer 1 is attached, and includes, for example, an acceleration sensor. The body motion sensor 20 corresponds to a body motion detection unit that detects the body motion of the subject.

  The body motion signal amplification circuit unit 50 includes an amplification circuit that amplifies the body motion signal input from the body motion sensor 20 with a predetermined gain. The body motion signal amplification circuit unit 50 outputs the amplified body motion signal to the body motion waveform shaping circuit unit 60 and the A / D conversion unit 70.

  The body motion waveform shaping circuit unit 60 is a circuit unit that shapes the body motion signal amplified by the body motion signal amplification circuit unit 50. The body motion waveform shaping circuit unit 60 is a circuit that removes high-frequency noise components, a gravitational acceleration component, and other components. A circuit for determining whether or not, a clipping circuit, and the like. The processing unit 100 determines whether or not body motion is detected based on the body motion waveform shaped by the body motion waveform shaping circuit unit 60.

  The A / D conversion unit 70 converts the analog pulse wave signal amplified by the pulse wave signal amplification circuit unit 30 and the analog body motion signal amplified by the body motion signal amplification circuit unit 50 to predetermined amounts, respectively. It is sampled and digitized at sampling time intervals and converted to a digital signal. Then, the converted digital signal is output to the processing unit 100.

  The processing unit 100 is a control device and arithmetic device that comprehensively controls each unit of the pulse meter 1 according to various programs such as a system program stored in the storage unit 700, and has a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Configured. The processing unit 100 performs a pulse rate measurement process according to the pulse rate measurement program 710 stored in the storage unit 700, calculates and measures the pulse rate of the subject wearing the pulse meter 1, and causes the display unit 300 to display the pulse rate. Take control.

  The processing unit 100 functions, for example, a pulse rate calculation unit 120, a window setting unit 130, an exercise state determination unit 150, a pulse rate suitability determination unit 160, a display control unit 170, and a reference pulse rate update unit 180. Have as part. However, these functional units are merely examples, and all the functional units do not necessarily have to be essential constituent requirements.

  The pulse rate calculation unit 120 performs a process of removing body motion noise components from the pulse wave signal (pulse wave data) using the body motion signal (body motion data) input from the A / D conversion unit 70. Then, the pulse rate of the subject is calculated using the extracted pulsation component (beat data).

  The window setting unit 130 sets a window used by the pulse rate suitability determining unit 160 for determining the suitability of the calculated pulse rate 790. Specifically, the window lower limit value 760 and the window upper limit value 770 are calculated using the low direction window width 740 and the high direction window width 750 set by the window width setting unit 140 and the latest reference pulse rate 780. .

  The window width setting unit 140 uses the window width setting data 720 stored in the storage unit 700 to set the low direction window width 740 and the high direction window width 750 according to the above principle.

  The exercise status determination unit 150 determines the exercise status (exercise start, exercise continuation, exercise stop) of the subject based on the time change of the body motion signal (body motion data) input from the A / D conversion unit 70 for a predetermined time. Etc.).

  The pulse rate suitability determining unit 160 determines the suitability of the calculated pulse rate 790 calculated by the pulse rate calculating unit 120 using the window set by the window setting unit 130.

  The display control unit 170 controls the display of the pulse rate on the display unit 300 based on the determination result of the pulse rate suitability determination unit 160. Specifically, when the calculated pulse rate 790 is determined to be appropriate by the pulse rate suitability determining unit 160, the display unit 300 controls the display unit 300 to display the calculated pulse rate 790 as a measured pulse rate (measurement result). On the other hand, when the calculated pulse rate 790 is determined to be inappropriate by the pulse rate suitability determining unit 160, the latest reference pulse rate 780 is displayed and controlled on the display unit 300 as the measured pulse rate (measurement result).

  When the calculated pulse rate 790 is determined to be appropriate by the pulse rate suitability determining unit 160, the reference pulse rate update unit 180 updates the reference pulse rate 780 with the calculated pulse rate 790.

  The operation unit 200 is an input device having a button switch or the like, and outputs a signal of a pressed button to the processing unit 100. By operating the operation unit 200, various instructions such as a pulse rate measurement instruction are input. The operation unit 200 corresponds to the operation button 5 in FIG.

  The display unit 300 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and is a display device that performs various displays based on a display signal input from the processing unit 100. Various kinds of biological information (pulse rate, exercise intensity, calorie consumption, etc.) are displayed on the display unit 300. The display unit 300 corresponds to the liquid crystal display 4 in FIG.

  The notification unit 400 includes a speaker, a piezoelectric vibrator, and the like, and is a notification device that performs various notifications based on a notification signal input from the processing unit 100. For example, various notifications are given to the subject by outputting an alarm sound from a speaker or vibrating a piezoelectric vibrator.

  The communication unit 500 is a communication device for transmitting / receiving information used inside the device to / from an external information processing device such as a personal computer (PC) under the control of the processing unit 100. As a communication method of the communication unit 500, a form of wired connection via a cable compliant with a predetermined communication standard, a form of connection via an intermediate device also used as a charger called a cradle, or short-range wireless communication is used. Various systems such as a wireless connection type can be applied.

  The clock unit 600 includes a crystal oscillator including a crystal resonator and an oscillation circuit, and is a time measuring device that measures time. The time measured by the clock unit 600 is output to the processing unit 100 as needed.

  The storage unit 700 is configured by a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash ROM, or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The system program of the pulse meter 1, the pulse rate measurement function, the exercise intensity measurement function, and the calorie measurement function Various programs and data for realizing various functions are stored. In addition, it has a work area for temporarily storing data being processed and results of various processes.

  The storage unit 700 stores a pulse rate measurement program 710 executed as a pulse rate measurement process (see FIG. 7) as a program. In addition, the storage unit 700 includes, as data, window width setting data 720, a low direction window width 740, a high direction window width 750, a window lower limit value 760, a window upper limit value 770, a reference pulse rate 780, and the like. The calculated pulse rate 790 is stored.

  The window width setting data 720 is data used by the window width setting unit 140 to set the window width. For example, this includes data of the model function of the window width (upper limit and lower limit) described in FIG. 4 and a table in which the reference pulse rate and the window width (upper limit and lower limit) are associated with each other.

4). Processing Flow FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the pulse rate measurement process executed in the pulse meter 1 when the pulse rate measurement program 710 stored in the storage unit 700 is read by the processing unit 100.

  First, the processing unit 100 performs initial setting (step A1). Specifically, a predetermined value (for example, a resting pulse rate) is set as an initial value of the reference pulse rate 780.

  Next, the processing unit 100 acquires detection results of the pulse wave sensor 10 and the body motion sensor 20 (step A3). Then, the pulse rate calculation unit 120 calculates the pulse rate of the subject using the detection result of the pulse wave signal of the pulse wave sensor 10 and the detection result of the body motion sensor 20, and the calculation result of the storage unit 700 is calculated based on the calculation result. The pulse rate 790 is updated (step A5).

  Thereafter, the exercise status determination unit 150 determines the exercise status based on the detection result of the body motion sensor 20 (step A6). Then, the window width setting unit 140 sets the low direction window width 740 and the high direction window width 750 based on the latest reference pulse rate 780 stored in the storage unit 700 and the exercise state determined in step A6. And stored in the storage unit 700 (step A7).

  Next, the window setting unit 130 calculates the window lower limit value 760 and the window upper limit value 770 using the low direction window width 740 and the high direction window width 750 and the reference pulse rate 780 set in step A7, and the storage unit 700. (Step A9).

  Thereafter, the pulse rate suitability determination unit 160 determines whether or not the calculated pulse rate 790 is equal to or greater than the window lower limit value 760 (step A11). If this condition is satisfied (step A11; Yes), the calculated pulse rate 790 is determined. Is less than or equal to the window upper limit value 770 (step A13). If this condition is satisfied (step A13; Yes), the pulse rate suitability determination unit 160 determines that the calculated pulse rate 790 is appropriate (step A15).

  Then, the display control unit 170 controls the display unit 300 to display the calculated pulse rate 790 as the measured pulse rate (step A17). The reference pulse rate updating unit 180 updates the reference pulse rate 780 of the storage unit 700 with the calculated pulse rate 790 (step A19).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step A11 or step A13 that the condition is not satisfied (step A11; No or step A13; No), the pulse rate appropriateness determination unit 160 determines that the calculated pulse rate 790 is inappropriate (step A23). Then, the display control unit 170 controls the display unit 300 to display the reference pulse rate 780 as the measured pulse rate (step A25).

  After step A19 or A25, the processing unit 100 determines whether or not to end the pulse rate measurement (step A29). For example, it is determined whether or not an instruction operation for ending pulse rate measurement has been performed by the subject via the operation unit 200. If it is determined that the measurement is not yet finished (step A29; No), the process returns to step A3. Moreover, when it determines with complete | finishing a process (step A29; Yes), a pulse rate measurement process is complete | finished.

5). Operational Effect In the pulsometer 1, the pulse rate of the subject is calculated by the pulse rate calculation unit 120. Then, based on whether or not the calculated pulse rate calculated by the pulse rate calculating unit 120 is included in a given window, the appropriateness of the calculated pulse rate is determined by the pulse rate appropriateness determining unit 160. At this time, the window width, which is the window width, is set by the window width setting unit 140 based on a given reference pulse rate.

  Specifically, the window width setting unit 140 increases the high-direction window width that is the window width with respect to the direction in which the pulse rate is high with reference to the reference pulse rate as the reference pulse rate is low. When the pulse rate is low, the pulse rate is less likely to decrease and tends to increase. Therefore, the higher direction window width is increased as the reference pulse rate is lower.

  Further, the window width setting unit 140 increases the low-direction window width that is the window width with respect to the direction in which the pulse rate is low with reference to the reference pulse rate as the reference pulse rate is higher. When the pulse rate is high, the pulse rate tends not to increase and tends to decrease. Therefore, the lower window width is increased as the reference pulse rate is higher.

  Further, the degree of increase in pulse rate tends to be larger than the degree of decrease in pulse rate. Therefore, setting the window width in consideration of the characteristics of the human pulse rate can be realized by relatively increasing the increase degree of the high direction window width as compared with the increase degree of the low direction window width.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the exercise situation of the subject is determined, and the increase degree of the high direction window width when the determination result is the start of the exercise is compared with the increase degree of the high direction window allowable width in the steady state. Make it relatively large. In addition, the degree of increase in the low-direction window width when the determination result of the exercise state is that the movement is stopped is relatively larger than the degree of increase in the low-direction window width in the steady state. As a result, the window can be made to follow a rapid increase / decrease in the pulse rate, and the accuracy of determining the suitability of the calculated pulse rate can be improved.

  In the window width setting method in this embodiment, the window width is set based on the reference pulse rate. Therefore, when the exercise starts once from a state in which the pulse rate is high, such as during cooldown, or when the subject runs and the pulse rate is high, stop once and then walk Even in the case of starting, it is possible to determine appropriateness of the calculated pulse rate by setting an appropriate window width. That is, if the reference pulse rate is high, the low-direction window width is set wider and the high-direction window width is set narrower. For this reason, even when an abnormal value is calculated in the high direction, a situation in which the abnormal value is captured in the portion of the high direction window width does not occur, and erroneous determination of the abnormal value as a normal value is prevented. The

  Similarly, even when the subject stops operating while the pulse rate is low, it is possible to determine the suitability of the calculated pulse rate by setting an appropriate window width. That is, if the reference pulse rate is low, the high direction window width is set wider and the low direction window width is set narrower. Therefore, even when an abnormal value is calculated in the low direction, a situation in which the abnormal value is captured in the portion of the low-direction window width does not occur, and erroneous determination of the abnormal value as a normal value is prevented. The

6). Modifications Embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Hereinafter, modified examples will be described.

6-1. Biological Information Processing Device In the above-described embodiment, a wristwatch type pulsometer has been described as an example of the biological information processing device, but a biological information processing device to which the present invention is applicable is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to a finger-mounted pulse meter that is mounted on the fingertip and measures the pulse rate. Further, the pulse wave signal detection method is not limited to the detection method using light, and may be a detection method using ultrasonic waves or a detection method using electrocardiogram.

6-2. Body Motion Detection Unit In the above embodiment, the body motion sensor that is the body motion detection unit has been described as including an acceleration sensor. However, the body motion detection unit may include other sensors instead of the acceleration sensor. It is good. For example, the body motion sensor may be configured to include a gyro sensor, and the body motion of the subject may be detected based on the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor. Of course, it may be configured to have both an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, and the body movement of the subject may be detected using the detection results of these sensors together.

6-3. Window Width Model In the above embodiment, the window width model function approximated by a linear function has been described as an example. However, the window width model function to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to this. For example, the window width model is defined as a model function with a high window width that decreases logarithmically with an increase in the reference pulse rate, or a low window width model function that increases logarithmically with an increase in the reference pulse rate. It is good also to leave.

6-4. Method for setting window width at start of exercise / stop of motion In the above embodiment, the model application period at the start of exercise / the model application period at the time of stop of motion is set at the start of exercise / at the time of stop of motion. In these periods, the window width is set by applying a fixed (same) motion start model / motion stop model. However, in these periods, the window width model can be set by changing the model to be applied instead of fixing the window width model.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a window width model in the modification. The way of viewing the figure is the same as in FIG. With respect to the high-direction window width “Wup” shown in FIG. 8A, the slope of the model function is gradually reduced so that the motion start model gradually approaches the steady state model during the motion start model application period. To go. In addition, during the motion stop model application period, the slope of the model function is increased stepwise so that the motion stop model gradually approaches the steady state model.

  For the low-direction window width “Wdown” shown in FIG. 8B, during the exercise start model application period, the slope of the model function is gradually increased so that the exercise start model gradually approaches the steady model. Make it bigger. In addition, during the motion stop model application period, the slope of the model function is gradually reduced so that the motion stop model gradually approaches the steady state model.

6-5. Model application period at the start of exercise / Model application period at the time of exercise stop In situations where the pulse rate rises, such as at the start of exercise, the pulse rate tends to rise relatively quickly and then gradually stabilize. On the other hand, in a situation where the pulse rate decreases, such as at the end of exercise, the pulse rate is relatively difficult to decrease initially, tends to decrease rapidly after a certain period of time, and then converge gradually.

  Focusing on the characteristics of the pulse rate, the exercise start model application period and the exercise stop model application period may be set as different periods. Focusing on the above characteristics of the pulse rate, it is effective to make the model application period at the time of exercise stop longer than the model application period at the time of exercise start. For example, a period for 3 hours after detecting the start of exercise is set as a model application period at the time of starting exercise, and a period of 6 hours after detecting stop of exercise is set as a model application period at the time of stopping exercise.

6-6. Reference Pulse Rate In the above embodiment, the latest calculated pulse rate determined to be appropriate by the suitability determination is set as the reference pulse rate. That is, when it was determined that the calculated pulse rate is appropriate, the process of updating the reference pulse rate with the calculated pulse rate has been described as being repeated at each calculation time.

  However, the pulse rate that can be set as the reference pulse rate is not limited to this. For example, an average value or a median value of calculated pulse rates determined to be appropriate in the past predetermined period (for example, a period corresponding to the past five calculation times) from the current calculation time may be obtained and set as the reference pulse rate.

6-7. Maximum Pulse Rate and Minimum Pulse Rate The method for setting the maximum pulse rate and the minimum pulse rate is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in addition to the equation (1), the subject may perform exercise with a high load, calculate the pulse rate over a predetermined time, and obtain the maximum pulse rate “HRmax” from the average value or the median value. Good. Alternatively, the pulse rate may be calculated over a predetermined time while the subject is at rest, and the minimum pulse rate “HRmin” may be obtained from the average value or the median value. It is also possible for the subject himself / herself to manually input the values of the maximum pulse rate “HRmax” and the minimum pulse rate “HRmin”.

  1 pulse meter, 10 pulse wave sensor, 20 body motion sensor, 30 pulse wave signal amplification circuit unit, 40 pulse waveform shaping circuit unit, 50 body motion signal amplification circuit unit, 60 body motion waveform shaping circuit unit, 70 A / D conversion Unit, 100 processing unit, 200 operation unit, 300 display unit, 400 notification unit, 500 communication unit, 600 clock unit, 700 storage unit

Claims (8)

A pulse rate calculator for calculating the pulse rate of the subject;
A suitability determination unit that determines whether the calculated pulse rate is appropriate based on whether or not the calculated pulse rate calculated by the pulse rate calculation unit is included in a given fluctuation allowable range;
Said fluctuation allowable range width Ah Ru variation allowable width the appropriateness determining section by Ru is set based on the reference pulse rate which is set based on the pulse rate it is determined to be appropriate variation in the past tolerance setting unit of the A biological information processing apparatus comprising: The allowable fluctuation range setting unit has an allowable fluctuation range with respect to a high direction set at a second pulse rate lower than the first reference pulse rate than an allowable fluctuation range with respect to a high direction set at the first reference pulse rate. The variation allowable range is set so that the direction becomes larger ,
The biological information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The fluctuation allowable width setting unit has a fluctuation allowable width for a low direction set at a second pulse rate higher than the first reference pulse rate than a fluctuation allowable width for a low direction set at the first reference pulse rate. The variation allowable range is set so that the direction becomes larger ,
The biological information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The allowable fluctuation width setting section, the increase degree of fluctuation allowable range with respect to the height direction, relatively larger than the increase degree of fluctuation allowable range for low direction,
The biological information processing apparatus according to claim 2 . Further comprising an exercise status determination unit for determining the exercise status of the subject;
The allowable fluctuation width setting section, the increase degree of fluctuation allowable range with respect to the height direction when the movement state determination result is the start exercise, as compared with an increase degree of fluctuation allowable range with respect to the height direction during steady-state relative Bigger
The biological information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 4. Further comprising an exercise status determination unit for determining the exercise status of the subject;
The allowable fluctuation width setting section, the increase degree of fluctuation allowable range the movement status of the determination result for the low direction when a movement stop, compared with increasing the degree of fluctuation allowable range with respect to the lower direction during steady-state relative Bigger
The biological information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. When the reference pulse rate exceeds a predetermined pulse rate upper limit set value or when the reference pulse rate is lower than a predetermined pulse rate lower limit set value, the variation allowable width setting unit The width is a predetermined minimum allowable fluctuation range,
The biological information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Calculating the subject's pulse rate;
Determining the suitability of the calculated pulse rate based on whether or not the calculated calculated pulse rate is included in a given allowable fluctuation range;
And setting on the basis of a reference pulse rate that is set based on the Oh Ru fluctuation tolerance in the width of the allowable variation range in the pulse rate which is determined to be appropriate in the past,
A biological information processing method comprising:

Images