JPH037150A - Sensing method for snore and its preventive device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely sense snoring by judging that a snore is generated at the point of time when the sonic pressure level has exceeded the specified value, which shall follow attainment of a certain number by counting on a counter means. CONSTITUTION:The oversurface of a movable casing 3 is covered with a foaming substance 19 as a cushion for the head of the user. A motor 16 is connected with a control circuit 23 including a snore sensing circuit and a motor driver circuit, and the control circuit 23 is connected with a sound collecting microphone 24 and a power supply 25. This control circuit 23 is composed of snore sensing circuit 23a in connection with the sound collecting microphone 24 and a motor driver circuit 23b for driving the motor 16. Generation of snore is sensed by counting the snoring sounds by reference to the intensity of the snoring sound, the duration, and interval to the next snoring sound. Generation of snore actuates the motor 16 with the motor driver circuit 23b and swings a movable casing 3 to stimulate the head of the user slightly, which accomplishes suppression of snore in favorable performance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a snoring detection method and a snoring prevention device using the snoring detection method.

<Prior art> Various anti-snoring devices have been proposed in the past, which suppress snoring by detecting snoring sounds using sound-collecting microphones and stimulating the user to wake him up.
An example of this is disclosed in Publication No. 056. In such snoring prevention devices, the occurrence of snoring is determined by detecting a relatively loud sound in a predetermined frequency band.

However, there have been problems with malfunctions, such as when sudden or continuous external noises are recognized as snoring, irritating the user. Therefore, it has been proposed to add the period of sound generation as a judgment criterion, but since the period of breathing (snoring) is not necessarily constant, it is not necessarily possible to prevent malfunctions. It was not possible to detect so-called reciprocating snoring, which produces snoring sounds.

On the other hand, in the past, after detecting the occurrence of snoring, the user of the device was completely awakened by applying light, sound, or electrical stimulation to stop the snoring. Although the snoring sound is reduced, the user's own sleep is not ensured, which causes new snoring to occur, and the occurrence of snoring cannot necessarily be fundamentally suppressed.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In view of the problems of the prior art, a first object of the present invention is to provide a snoring detection method that can reliably detect the occurrence of snoring. .

A second object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoring device that can ensure comfortable sleep for both the user and those around him.

[Structure of the Invention] <Means for Solving the Problems> According to the present invention, the first object is to detect the point in time when the sound pressure level changes from a state lower than a predetermined value to a state higher than the predetermined value, and when the sound pressure level changes from the state to the above predetermined value again. a point in time when the sound pressure level becomes lower than a predetermined value is detected by a sound pressure level measuring means, and the continuous time of the sound pressure level state higher than the predetermined value is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time, and A counter means is used to count only when the time is less than the predetermined value, and snoring occurs when the sound pressure level becomes higher than the predetermined value after the count of the counter means reaches a predetermined value. This is achieved by providing a snoring detection method characterized by determining that. A second purpose is to use a sound pressure level measuring means to determine the point in time when the sound pressure level changes from a state lower than a predetermined value to a state higher than the predetermined value, and the point in time when the sound pressure level becomes lower than the predetermined value again from the above state. The counter means counts only when the continuous time of the sound pressure level state higher than the predetermined value is longer than the first predetermined time and less than the second predetermined time; a snoring detection means that determines that snoring occurs when the sound pressure level becomes higher than the predetermined value after the count reaches a predetermined number; The movable support part (A) supported by the fixed part (A) and the movable support member are selectively connected to the movable support member (A) and the movable support member (A) so as to be swingable around an axis extending in the horizontal direction. This is achieved by providing an anti-snoring device characterized by a means for swinging the member.

<Effect> In this way, the deviation makes it possible to reliably detect non-uniform snoring and repeated snoring that generates snoring sounds at the same time as breathing inhalation, and also falsely detect other noises. In addition, after detecting the occurrence of snoring, the bacteria used tilts its head to change its posture and secure the necessary airway, making it possible to stop snoring without disturbing sleep. can.

<Implementation> Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the tM configuration of a snoring prevention device 1 to which the present invention is applied. This anti-snoring device 1 includes a box-shaped fixed casing 2 that is placed on a floor (not shown) and a movable casing 3 that covers the upper surface of the fixed casing 2. The movable casing 3 is the fixed casing 2
A bracket 4 protruding in the -1 direction from the center of the front and rear ends of the
and a bracket 5 provided on the movable casing 3 at a position corresponding to the bracket 4, and a pivot pin 6 that pivotally connects both brackets 4.5 to each other in the direction shown by the arrow with respect to the fixed casing 2, that is, back and forth. It is supported so as to be swingable around an axis extending in the direction.

A pair of bearing members 7 are provided inside the fixed casing 2 and are laterally spaced apart and facing each other, and a lateral shaft 8 is rotatably supported between the bearing members 7 . Near both ends of the lateral shaft 8, a pair of eccentric cam portions 9 are provided which are eccentric in opposite directions. As clearly shown in FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional view of the main part seen from the front direction of FIG. Contact surface 2
1 from below. A worm gear 10 is provided at the center of the horizontal shaft 8, and the worm gear 10 extends in the front-rear direction of the fixed casing 2 and is connected to a vertical shaft 1B supported by bearing members 11 at both ends. B. It meshes with the worm 12 installed. Further, a worm gear 14 is also provided on the vertical shaft 13, and meshes with a worm gear 18 attached to a drive shaft 17 extending from a motor 16 supported by a support member 15 in the lateral direction of the fixed casing 2. ing.

Therefore, the rotation of the drive shaft 17 of the motor 16 (from this, the shaft 18, the worm gear 14, the longitudinal shaft 13,
Both eccentric cam members 9 rotate via the worm 12, the twin gear 10, and the transverse shaft 8, and swing the movable casing 3 at a relatively slow speed via the abutment member 20 within a predetermined angular range. It is now possible.

The upper surface of the movable casing 3 is surrounded by a foamed material 19 as a cushioning material between the movable casing 3 and the user's head.

On the other hand, the motor 16 is connected to a control circuit 23 having a snoring detection circuit and a motor drive circuit. This control circuit 23 is provided at a suitable position in the fixed casing 2.
The pair of sound collecting microphones 24 and the fixed casing 2 are connected to a power source 25 which may be a battery provided in the center.

Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 23 includes a snoring detection circuit 23a connected to the sound collecting microphone 24, and a motor drive circuit 23b for driving the motor 16. Therefore, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the snoring detection circuit 23a uses the sound from the sound collecting microphone 24 to determine whether or not snoring is occurring, and if snoring is occurring, the motor drive circuit The movable casing 3 is oscillated by driving the motor 16 by the motor 23b for, for example, two seconds.

In fact, in addition to the sound collecting microphone 24, an external sound collecting microphone may be connected via a connection terminal to intensively collect only the user's snoring sound. Further, a volume may be provided between the sound collecting microphone and the snoring detection circuit, and a predetermined sound pressure level LO, which will be described later, may be changed depending on the surrounding noise and the condition of the user.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. Figure 4 shows the relationship between time and sound pressure level when snoring noise occurs only during inhalation, and Figure 5 shows the relationship between time and sound pressure level when snoring noise occurs during inhalation and exhalation. Indicates the relationship with the level. Further, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting the occurrence of snoring using the sound collecting microphone 24 and the snoring detection circuit 23a.

First, when the power is turned on, the snoring detection circuit 23a proceeds to step ST1 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
Assign 0 to . Next, the process proceeds to step ST2, and this step is repeated until the sound from the sound collection microphone 24 reaches a sound pressure level L higher than the predetermined sound pressure level LO. Sound pressure level L
When becomes higher than LO, the process proceeds to step ST3, and in this step and step ST4, it is determined whether the counter flag F is between 0 and 2. If it is 0, the process proceeds to step ST5 and the control circuit 23 Set time t of the built-in timer to 0. Then, the process proceeds to step ST6, and this step and step ST7 are repeated until the sound pressure level L becomes lower than a predetermined level LO, and when the sound pressure level L becomes lower, the process proceeds to step ST8. At this time, if the second predetermined time t2 (2.5 seconds) has elapsed while the sound pressure level L remains higher than LO, it is determined that snoring is not occurring and the process returns to step ST2.

In step ST8, the sound pressure level L remains at the first predetermined time tl.
(0.8 seconds), it is determined that snoring is not occurring and the process returns to step ST2. Also, step ST8
If the time during which the sound pressure level L was higher than LO was longer than the first predetermined time t1, that is, if t1≧L≧t2, proceed to step 9 and set the counter flag F to 1.
is added to set the counter flag F=1, and the current time t is assigned to the time variable ta. And step 5TI
The process proceeds to step O, and waits at this step until a fourth predetermined time t4 (0.6 seconds) has elapsed from the time when the sound pressure level L becomes lower than LO, and no change in the sound pressure level L is detected. When t≧[4], the process returns to step ST2 and repeats this step until the sound pressure level L becomes higher than LO again.

After that, when the sound pressure level L becomes higher than LO again, it is determined in step ST3 and Sr1 that the counter flag F is 1, and the process proceeds to step 5T11, where the current time t is substituted for the time variable ta. Then step S, T
Proceed to step 6. Then, similarly to the above, if the state in which the sound pressure level L is higher than LO is in the range of ta+tt>t>ta+t2, the counter flag F is set in step ST9.
Add 1 to and set the counter flag F = 2 in step 5.
The process returns to step ST2 via T10.

Thereafter, when the sound pressure level L becomes higher than LO again, it is determined in step ST3 and Sr1 that the counter flag F is 2, and the process proceeds to step 5T12, and the time t has not passed the third predetermined time t3. If it has elapsed, it is determined that the interval between the occurrences of the sound is too long and it is not snoring, and the process returns to step ST1. Further, if the time t has not passed the third predetermined time t3 in step 5T12, it is determined that snoring is occurring, and the process proceeds to step 5T13, where the motor 16 is driven for a predetermined time, which may be 2 seconds. By tilting the movable casing 3 and changing the head posture of the user who snores (by turning the head to the side), the airway is secured and snoring is suppressed.

If the occurrence of snoring is detected in this way, not only the snoring sound that occurs only during inhalation as shown in Fig. 4, but also the snoring sound that occurs both during inhalation and exhalation as shown in Fig. 5. Reciprocating snoring can also be easily detected. Furthermore, by performing the tilting operation of the movable casing 3 every time snoring occurs, snoring can be suitably suppressed without awakening the user.

7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of a modified embodiment of the above-mentioned embodiment, viewed from the axial direction of the transverse shaft 8. FIG. In FIG. 7, the contact surface 21' of the contact portion 1120 that contacts the -1 end of the eccentric cam member 9 fixed to the transverse shaft 8 has an uneven shape. Also, in FIG. 8, the eccentric forces t and 9' fixed to the transverse shaft 8 form a polygonal cross section with several corners. Therefore, as the transverse shaft 8 rotates, the movable casing 3 vibrates slightly, giving slight stimulation to the user's head, thereby making it possible to suppress snoring in a favorable manner.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the occurrence of snoring can be detected by counting the snoring sound a predetermined number of times based on the intensity of the snoring sound, the continuous time, and the interval between the next snoring sound. This not only prevents sudden or continuous noises from being mistakenly detected as snoring, but also makes it easier to detect relatively irregular snoring, such as snoring sounds that occur when breathing in and out. It can be detected quickly and reliably.

In addition, based on this detection result, the user tilts the user's head to change their posture and secures the airway, suppressing snoring, thereby disturbing not only those around them but also the user's own sleep. It becomes possible to suppress snoring without any noise. From the above, the effects of the present invention are extremely beneficial to humans.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a snoring prevention device to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the anti-snoring device shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 4 and 5 are graphs showing the relationship between the time when snoring occurs and the sound pressure level. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure of the snoring prevention device shown in FIG. 7 and 8 are side sectional views schematically showing an eccentric cam member and an abutment member showing a modified example of the first embodiment. 1... Snoring prevention device 2... Fixed casing 3.
...Movable casing 4.5...Bracket 6...
Pivot pin 7... Bearing member 8... Lateral axis
9... Eccentric cam member 10... Worm gear
11... Bearing member 12... Worm 13...
・Vertical axis 14... Worm gear 15... Support member] 6... Motor 17... Drive shaft 18...
- Worm 19... Foamed material 20... Contact member 21... Contact surface 23... Control circuit 23
a...Snoring detection circuit 23b...Motor drive circuit 24...Sound collecting microphone 25...Power source Fig. 2 9

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) Using a sound pressure level measuring means, detect the time when the sound pressure level changes from a state lower than a predetermined value to a state higher than the predetermined value, and the time when the sound pressure level becomes lower than the predetermined value again from the above state, and The continuous time of sound pressure level higher than the value is the first
A counter means counts only when the second predetermined time is greater than or equal to a second predetermined time, and after the count number of the counter means reaches a predetermined number, the sound pressure level becomes lower than the predetermined value. A snoring detection method is characterized in that it is determined that snoring is occurring when the level of snoring becomes high. (2) From the time when the sound pressure level first becomes higher than the predetermined value until the sound pressure level becomes higher than the predetermined value after the count number of the counter means reaches the predetermined number. Claim 1, characterized in that the count number is set to 0 when a third predetermined time has elapsed.
The snoring detection method described in section. (3) It is characterized in that it is not detected that the sound pressure level has become higher than the predetermined value before a fourth predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the counter means counts. The snoring detection method described in Section 2. (4) The first predetermined time is 0.8 seconds, the second predetermined time is 2.4 seconds, the third predetermined time is 11.1 seconds, and the fourth predetermined time is 0.6 seconds. The snoring detection method according to claim 3, characterized in that: (5) The sound pressure level measuring means detects the time when the sound pressure level changes from a state lower than a predetermined value to a state higher than the predetermined value, and the time when the sound pressure level becomes lower than the predetermined value again from the above state, and The counter means counts only when the continuous time of the sound pressure level state higher than the value is longer than the first predetermined time and shorter than the second predetermined time, and the count number of the counter means is a snoring detection means that determines that snoring occurs when the sound pressure level becomes higher than the predetermined value after reaching a predetermined number; a movable support member supported by a fixed member so as to be swingable about an axis extending in the direction of the movable support member; and means for selectively swinging the movable support member based on a detection result by the detection means. An anti-snoring device characterized by having: (6) The tilting means includes a drive shaft that is perpendicular to the swing axis of the movable support member and extends in the horizontal direction, and an eccentric cam member that is provided on the drive shaft and comes into contact with the movable support member. The snoring prevention device according to claim 5, further comprising: an actuator that rotationally drives the drive shaft.