JPH0310329B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a communication device for a physically disabled person to communicate his or her intentions to a caregiver.

Mutual information exchange, or communication, between a person with a severe physical disability who is unable to speak or move his or her own body, such as a person with a speech disability (hereinafter referred to as a patient) who has motor impairment to the extent that he or she cannot press a push button, and a caregiver. Nickyon requires a lot of effort. In other words, patients are unable to express their intentions satisfactorily and feel pain in expressing their intentions because they have extremely few areas to express their intentions. In addition, the caregiver must carefully observe the patient's movements in order to understand the patient's intentions, which requires a lot of effort.

Therefore, communication between patients and caregivers tends to cause pain, misunderstandings, and dissatisfaction for both parties, and furthermore, this communication tends to be lacking.

A common method that has been tried in the past is a search method using a 50-syllabary table. However, these methods have the drawback of being uncertain, time-consuming, and requiring a certain amount of experience and intuition. Furthermore, the caregiver has to perform communication while observing the patient's behavior, which requires a lot of effort, and the patient also has the disadvantage of feeling pain and irritation due to the slow rate of communication. . Furthermore, communication becomes even more difficult when the patient has multiple impairments in sensory systems such as vision and hearing. For example, it has been difficult to accurately meet the requests of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who are suffering from complete blindness in both eyes and to make it accessible to everyone.

The present invention provides a communication device that eliminates all the difficulties associated with executing communication as described above, and allows communication between a patient and a caregiver to be smoothly exchanged without difficulty even if the patient and caregiver are separated from each other. It is intended to.

That is, the present invention provides a conductor 1 for detecting myoelectric signals of a living body.
, a control unit 2 that converts the myoelectric signal detected by the conductor 1 into a control signal, a sound generation unit 3 that sequentially generates sounds under the control of the control signal of the control unit 2, and a signal signal that is displayed. The sounds sequentially generated by the sound generating section 3 and the signal signals sequentially displayed on the display section 4 are generated and generated in a mutually related manner.
This is a communication device characterized by a display.

The control unit 2 also includes a preamplifier 5 that amplifies the myoelectric signal, and a rectifier circuit 6 that rectifies the amplified myoelectric signal.
and a differentiation circuit 7 that differentiates the rectified myoelectric signal.
a comparator 8 that compares the differentiated myoelectric signal with a predetermined reference voltage; and a start condition circuit 9 that generates an output signal only when the signal obtained from the comparator 8 satisfies a predetermined condition. It consists of a controller 10 that controls the operation of the sound generating section 3 and the display section 4.

The start condition circuit 9 generates an output signal at the output terminal of the start condition circuit 9 only when a predetermined number of input signals are received at the input terminal of the start condition circuit 9 within a predetermined time, and outputs an output signal at the output terminal of the start condition circuit 9. After once generating an output signal, if an input signal is received at the input end again, the output signal at the output end disappears.

In this start condition circuit 9, input signals that are input to the input end of the start condition circuit 9 less than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time are deleted.

Further, the start condition circuit 9 is configured to generate an output signal at the output terminal when a predetermined number of input signals are received at a predetermined time at the input terminal, and the predetermined time and the predetermined number of times can be set to be variable as appropriate. It is configured.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

A conductor 1 for detecting myoelectric signals is attached to the patient's skin above the unparalyzed voluntary muscle, and a lead wire of the conductor 1 is connected to a preamplifier 5 of a control section 2.

The control section 2 is constructed by sequentially connecting a preamplifier 5, a differentiating circuit 7 of a rectifying circuit 6, a comparator 8, a start condition circuit 9, and a controller 10. The preamplifier 5 is a circuit that preamplifies the myoelectric signal,
The rectifier circuit 6 is a circuit that rectifies the myoelectric signal, and the differentiator circuit 7 is a circuit that differentiates the rectified myoelectric signal. The comparator 8 is a circuit that compares the input signal with a predetermined reference voltage present in the comparator 8, and generates an output signal only when the input signal becomes higher than the reference voltage.

The start condition circuit 9 generates an output signal only when an appropriately set predetermined number of input signals are obtained within a suitably set predetermined time, and once an output signal is generated, an output signal is generated when an input signal is obtained again. This is a circuit that eliminates the output signal. That is, the start condition circuit 9 includes a waveform shaping circuit 20 which obtains the output signal of the comparator 8 and shapes the waveform of this signal, a counter 21 which obtains a signal from the waveform shaping circuit 20 and counts the number of inputs of this signal, and a counter. A decoder 22 which decodes the count value of 21 and generates an output signal when the count value reaches a predetermined value, and further erases the output signal when the count value reaches another predetermined value, is connected in sequence, and further a waveform shaping circuit. A monostable multivibrator 23 starts time counting upon obtaining an output signal of 20, and provides an operating signal to the counter 21 only while counting a predetermined time. The controller 10 is a circuit that generates a control signal to control the sound generating section 3 and the display section 4 that displays a signal signal.

The audio generator 3 includes a cassette deck 11 for reproducing recorded signals on a tape, an amplifier 12 for amplifying the output signal of the cassette deck 11 and a receiver 14 (to be described later), and a speaker 13 for converting the output signal of the amplifier 12 into audio. Consists of sequential connections. The operation of the cassette deck 11 is controlled by the output signal of the controller 10.
A tape on which predetermined audio signals and control signals are recorded is loaded.

The display unit 4 includes a receiver 14 that receives and amplifies output signals from the cassette deck 11, the controller 10, and the oscillator 19 for making the speaker 13 sound.
and a feedback processor 17 that obtains the output signal of the receiver 14 and generates a control signal for controlling the oscillator 19 of the display 15 and buzzer 16;
A display 15 that displays a signal signal to the caregiver, and a buzzer 1 that emits a notification sound to the caregiver.
6 are connected in sequence, and a confirmation switch 18 and oscillator 1 are connected to the feedback processor 17 to stop the buzzer 16 and to stop the operation of the oscillator 19.
9 are connected to each other.

The connection cords connecting the controller 10, the cassette deck 11, the amplifier 12, and the receiver 14 are made long, and the display section 4 can be installed separately from the control section 2 and the audio generation section 3. It is composed of At this time, two display parts 4 and 4a are installed, one of which is installed adjacent to the control part 2 and the sound generation part 3, and the other one is installed separately.

As another embodiment, the two components of the audio generating section 3, the cassette deck 11 and the amplifier 12, may be replaced with one audio synthesizer.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above will be described in detail below.

Myoelectric signals A generated in the patient's muscles are detected when the patient consciously applies force to the muscles with a conductor 1 attached to the skin over a non-paralyzed voluntary muscle. The myoelectric signal A detected by the conductor 1 is input to the preamplifier 5 and amplified. The amplified myoelectric signal is rectified by a rectifier circuit 6, further differentiated by a differential input 7, and a change in the myoelectric signal is taken out as an output signal B.

The output signal B of the differentiating circuit 7 is input to a comparator 8, and is compared with the reference voltage c present in the comparator 8 to produce a signal B.
The comparator 8 generates an output signal D only when the voltage c is higher than the reference voltage c.

The output signal D of the comparator 8 is input to a start condition circuit 9, and if this signal D satisfies a predetermined condition, that is, it is input a predetermined number of times during a predetermined period, an output signal E is generated in the start condition circuit 9.

In this embodiment, the signal D1 from the comparator 8,
When D2 and D3 are obtained, an output signal E is generated in the start condition circuit 9. Once the output signal E is generated in the start condition circuit 9, the signal from the comparator 8 is generated again.
When D4 is obtained, the output signal E disappears. In this embodiment, the predetermined number of times the signal D is applied is three times, but the number of times is not variable and can be set to an appropriate number depending on the patient's medical condition and individual differences.

For example, when patients using the device of the present invention have progressive muscular atrophy, they often have muscle weakness and muscle spasm in various muscles throughout the body. Since muscle spasm occurs regardless of the patient's intention, it is necessary to distinguish between the myoelectric signal A5 caused by this muscle spasm and the myoelectric signals A1, A2, and A3 caused by the patient's intention. The start condition circuit 9 operates to perform this braiding.

That is, the time count for the set time T is started by the input signal D5 inputted for the first time in the reset state of the start condition circuit 9, and if three input signals are not input within the set time T, the input signal D5 is inputted for the first time. The start condition circuit 9 operates so that the signal D5 is erased, the time count returns to 0, and the next input signal is waited for. Therefore, the start condition circuit 9 eliminates myoelectric signals that occur sporadically, thereby preventing malfunction of the device.

The controller 10 is actuated by the output signal E of the start condition circuit 9, and the controller 10 controls starting and stopping of the cassette deck 11 of the audio generating section 3, and furthermore, the controller 10 controls the receiver 14 of the display section 4. The signal is then input to the feedback processor 17. When the signal is input to the feedback processor 17, the display 15
is held, the buzzer 16 starts sounding, and the oscillator 19 starts operating.

The cassette deck 11 of the voice generating section 3 is loaded with a tape recording a voice signal of words such as "Please let me drink tea" and a control signal of the feedback processor 17.
is controlled by the controller 10 to perform playback and rewind operations. One of the output signals from the cassette deck 11, the audio signal G, is amplified by an amplifier 12, and a speaker 13 is sounded, so that the patient can hear the sound from the speaker 13. The other control signal F of the output signals from the cassette deck 11 controls the progression of the display symbols on the display 15 via the feedback processor 17.

The control signal F recorded on the tape is recorded just before the beginning of the audio signal G of each word of one sentence, and when the tape is played back, the control signal F and the audio signal G are played back alternately, and as the display code on the display 15 progresses, the control signal F is recorded on the speaker. Although the control signal F, in which a sound is emitted from the control signal 13, is an inaudible sound, it may be an audible sound such as a "pitsu" sound, for example.

When the output signal E is issued from the start condition circuit 9, the cassette deck 11 is operated and the audio signal G and control signal F of the tape are reproduced. Further, when the output signal E from the start condition circuit 9 becomes zero, the reproduction of the tape on the cassette deck 11 is stopped and the tape is rewound further. Further, when the output signal E from the start condition circuit 9 becomes zero, the display 15 is maintained and the buzzer 16 starts sounding.

In the receiver 14 of the display section 4, the cassette deck 1
1. The output signals of the controller 10 and the oscillator 19 are received and amplified, and the output signals are sent to the feedback processor 1.
At 7, a signal for starting a display 15, a buzzer 16, and an oscillator 19 is generated based on the signal from the receiver 14. "1" on display 15
A code such as "2" is displayed, and a sound is emitted from the buzzer 16 to notify the caregiver that the patient is expressing his/her intention.

As mentioned above, the words sequentially generated from the speaker 13 and the codes sequentially displayed on the display 15 are combined with each other, so that the content of the words and the codes are always displayed in agreement. For example, speaker 1
When the words ``Please let me drink tea'' are uttered from 3, the code ``1'' is always displayed on the display 15, and similarly ``Please sit up.''
Whenever the word ``2'' is uttered, the sign ``2'' is used.
are combined so that they are displayed.

CRT is the display method for the display 15.
It is also possible to display a code that matches the voice using, for example, a code that matches the voice.

When the cassette deck 11 is started and sound is being emitted from the speaker 13, the myoelectric signal A4
is input to preamplifier 5, cassette deck 1
The signals for playing back the tape No. 1 and advancing the display on the display 15 are stopped. Simultaneously with this stop, the tape is rewound and the display 15 is maintained. Furthermore, the output signal from the feedback processor 17 causes the speaker 13 to generate sound via the buzzer 16 and the oscillator 19. When the confirmation switch 18 is pressed, the buzzer 16 and speaker 13 sounds stop, and the display code on the display 15 is released.
The entire device is reset to its initial state.

Input signals D1, D2,
An oscillation circuit may be provided in addition to the start condition circuit 9 so that a different melody sound is generated from the speaker 13 each time D3 is input.

The method of using the device of the present invention is that when a patient expresses his or her intention to a caregiver, the patient applies the probe 1 to the site a predetermined number of times (three times in this example).
When force is applied, the device activates and the speaker 13 sequentially utters words assuming various requirements.The patient listens to these words, and when the words match the patient's own requirements, the patient is guided again. Apply pressure to the attachment site. In this embodiment, the force is inserted between the beginning of a word in one sentence and just before the beginning of a word in the next sentence.

When the patient applies force, the words emanating from the speaker 13 stop and at the same time a constant audible sound is emitted from the speaker 13. On the other hand, the caregiver hears the buzzer 16 on the display 4 placed at the caregiver's viewing position, looks at the code on the display 15, learns the patient's requirements from the code, and then switches the confirmation switch 1.
Press 8 to stop the 16 buzzer sounds and the 13 speaker sounds. When the sound of the speaker 13 stops, the patient knows that his or her intention has been transmitted to the caregiver. In this way, communication between the patient and the caregiver is achieved.

On the tape, several dozen examples of one sentence, such as ``Please let me drink tea,'' were recorded in advance, assuming the patient's requirements, and furthermore, at the beginning of each sentence, a message was recorded on the display 15 to advance the display. Signal F
Record. The recorded words can be updated in any way, and the recorded content can be freely composed by a caregiver or the like.

Immediately after the patient expresses his/her intention to the caregiver for the first time, the tape is automatically rewound for a short time, so even if the patient expresses his/her intention again for a short time, the device will still operate.

Note that normally the control section 2, the sound generation section 3, and the display section 4
The display unit 4, which is connected to the control unit 2 and the sound generation unit 3 by long conductive wires, is placed in a separate housing, placed near the patient, and placed in a separate room isolated from the patient, such as a nursing center. The device of the present invention is used by installing the device in As mentioned above, the two display parts 4, 4
A is set up, and the caregiver stays next to the patient or at the nursing center and communicates with the patient.

As another configuration of the start condition circuit 9, the input signal D4 when the output signal E is eliminated is a single signal, but this signal may be a plurality of signals. In other words, the same condition as when the output signal E is generated (that a predetermined number of input signals are input in a predetermined time) is applied when the output signal E disappears.

The effects of the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration and operation will be described below.

First, patients can now express their intentions to caregivers at any time. In other words, patients can now easily and reliably express their intentions to caregivers at any time by making extremely small contractions and relaxations of specific muscles.

In addition, the caregiver is notified of the patient's requirements by a buzzer and a code displayed on the display, and by comparing the code with the words recorded on the tape, the caregiver can instantly and easily understand the patient's requirements. Summer. As a result, caregivers no longer feel fatigued or irritated when communicating with patients, and their mental health has improved.
Furthermore, the burden of having to accompany the patient and constantly watching the patient's facial expressions or presenting a card to the patient can be eliminated. In other words, the caregiver was able to easily determine the patient's intention through the sound of a buzzer in a separate room from the patient without seeing the patient's facial expressions.

In addition, caregivers will be able to easily understand the expressions of intent of multiple patients without missing any of the patients' expressions of intent, and this will facilitate centralized management in facilities such as sanatoriums where one caregiver is caring for multiple patients. This made it possible to greatly improve the efficiency of assistance.

In addition, since tapes containing recorded words based on the patient's requirements can be made freely to suit the patient, communication with any patient can be carried out while respecting the patient's wishes, and both the patient and the caregiver can feel comfortable. I was able to get more satisfaction.

Furthermore, since there is no patient's spasm, rolling over, or malfunction due to the nozzle, etc., the patient can now accurately convey his or her intentions to the caregiver. Furthermore, the start condition circuit to prevent malfunctions can be adjusted to suit the patient's medical condition and individual differences, greatly increasing its versatility and adaptability in the field of use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of use, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing voltage waveforms at various parts, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a start condition circuit. shows. 1... Conductor, 2... Control section, 3... Sound generation section, 4... Display section, A... Myoelectric signal waveform, E...
Output waveform of the start condition circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A conductor 1 that detects a myoelectric signal of a living body, a control unit 2 that converts the myoelectric signal detected by the conductor 1 into a control signal, and a control unit 2 that converts the myoelectric signal detected by the conductor 1 into a control signal. and a display section 4 that displays a signal signal consisting of symbols such as letters or numbers combined with a pair of requirements to be displayed by voice. The sounds that are sequentially displayed and the cue signals that are sequentially displayed on the display unit 4 are generated and displayed in synchronization, and the control unit 2 has control over the magnitude of the signal related to the myoelectric signal or the signal related to the myoelectric signal. A communication device characterized in that a start condition circuit 9 is provided which generates an output signal only when a condition consisting of a number of times is satisfied, and a signal signal is displayed by a myoelectric signal consciously generated by a living body. . 2 The control unit 2 includes a preamplifier 5 that amplifies the myoelectric signal.
and a rectifier circuit 6 that rectifies the amplified myoelectric signal.
and a differentiation circuit 7 that differentiates the rectified myoelectric signal.
and a comparator 8 that compares the differentiated myoelectric signal with a predetermined reference voltage, and the signal obtained from the comparator 8 is the magnitude of the signal related to the myoelectric signal or the number of times of the signal related to the myoelectric signal. Claim 1 comprising: a start condition circuit 9 that generates an output signal only when the following conditions are satisfied; and a controller 10 that controls the operations of the audio generator 3 and the display unit 4. The communication device described. 3. The start condition circuit 9 once generates an output signal at the output terminal of the start condition circuit 9, satisfying the condition consisting of the magnitude of the signal related to the myoelectric signal or the number of times the signal related to the myoelectric signal is generated, and then outputs the output signal again. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when a signal is obtained at the input end, the output signal at the output end disappears. 4. A patent claim characterized in that the start condition circuit 9 erases the signal related to the myoelectric signal when a condition consisting of the magnitude of the signal related to the myoelectric signal or the number of times of the signal related to the myoelectric signal is not satisfied. The communication device according to item 1. 5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the start condition circuit 9 is configured to appropriately change the setting of the reception time of the signal received at its input terminal and the setting of the number of times of reception.