JPH1189807A - Pulse examination supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support pulse examination while supporting a diagnostic person or user to speedily and exactly specify a pulse waveform by letting the diagnostic person or user directly feel pulsation. SOLUTION: This device is composed of a sensor 201 arranged at the pulse detection part of the user (patient) (such as near the artery of the bent bone, for example,) so as to output a pulse wave signal expressing the pulse waveform corresponding to the pulsation, synchronous processing means 202 for generating/ outputting a synchronizing signal synchronous with the pulsation of the patient, converting means 203 for converting the frequency of the pulse waveform expressed by the pulse wave signal outputted from the sensor 201 to an audible frequency range sensible for a human being as a sound and outputting it, and sounding means 204 for sounding the tone corresponding to the sonic waveform expressed by the signal outputted from the converting means 203, and the converting means 203 outputs the sonic wave signal expressing the converted waveform corresponding to the timing expressed by the synchronizing signal outputted from the synchronous processing means 202.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a pulse diagnosis support apparatus which assists pulse diagnosis by assisting a person in identifying (detecting) a pulse waveform.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the fields of Chinese medicine and Indian medicine, which are one of the oriental tradition medicines, pulse diagnosis is performed as one of important diagnostic methods for diagnosing a disease or constitution of a patient.
One of the important factors in pulse diagnosis is a pulse waveform, which is classified into various types in Chinese medicine and Indian medicine. FIG. 16 (a) shows a typical pulse waveform according to the classification of Chinese medicine and Indian medicine.
(C) Three types of pulse wave waveforms of a normal pulse, a smooth pulse, and a chord pulse will be described as examples. A pulse is a pulse of a "normal person", that is, a normal healthy person. FIG. 16A shows a pulse waveform of a 34-year-old man as a waveform example. As shown in the figure, the pulse is slow and relaxed, and the rhythm is constant and the disturbance is small. On the other hand, the synovial vein is caused by abnormal blood flow, and the traffic of the vein is extremely smooth and smooth due to diseases such as edema, liver and kidney disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease and inflammatory disease. FIG. 16B shows a pulse waveform of a 28-year-old man as a typical waveform of a smooth pulse. As shown in the figure, the waveform of the smooth pulse rises sharply and falls immediately, and the aortic notch is cut deeply, and at the same time, the subsequent diastolic peak is much higher than usual. On the other hand, the chord vein is caused by an increase in the tone of the blood vessel wall, and appears in diseases such as hepatobiliary disease, skin disease, high blood pressure, and painful disease. This is considered to be due to the fact that the blood vessel wall was tensioned due to the tension of the autonomic nervous system, the elasticity was reduced, and the effect of the pulsation of the pumped blood became difficult to appear. FIG. 16C shows a pulse waveform of a 36-year-old man as a typical example of a pulse vein. As shown in the figure, the waveform of the chord vein rises rapidly, does not immediately fall, and is characterized by a high pressure state that is maintained for a certain period of time. In the graphs of FIGS. 16A to 16C, the vertical axis represents blood pressure BP (mmHg), and the horizontal axis represents time t (seconds). As can be seen from the above, by analyzing the pulse wave waveform (specifying whether the pulse wave is a flat vein, a smooth vein, or a chord vein, for example), it is possible to determine the specific disease of the patient or to determine It is possible to make a diagnosis of the constitution. As described above, the pulse wave waveform plays a large role in pulse diagnosis, and it can be said that it is necessary to accurately specify the pulse wave waveform in order to accurately diagnose a patient's disease or constitution.

[0003]

By the way, conventionally, in a pulse diagnosis, a pulse wave waveform is specified (detected) by a diagnostician pressing a wrist portion of a patient with a finger to sense pulsation of a radial artery by tactile sensation (feeling). Was done by measuring. That is,
The identification of the pulse waveform was performed depending on the sense of each individual diagnostician. For this reason, there has been a problem that findings based on pulse diagnosis must be qualitatively evaluated for diseases and constitutions.

[0004] Also, it is extremely difficult to quantify the tactile measurement result, and it has been virtually impossible to record the measurement result in a quantified form that can be used by a third party. Of course, it is possible to record a two-dimensional image of the pulse wave waveform obtained by analyzing the measurement result by the diagnostician in a format that can be used by a third party. It does not represent the measurement results quantitatively and accurately.

Further, a change in blood pressure due to pulsation is measured, a two-dimensional image of a pulse wave waveform (for example, FIGS. 16A to 16C) is obtained based on the measurement result, and the two-dimensional image is recorded. Is also conceivable. A technique for displaying a two-dimensional image of a pulse waveform is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-33638. In this publication, a display control circuit performs display according to a pulse wave signal indicating a change in blood pressure. It is described that a signal is generated and a liquid crystal display displays a two-dimensional image represented by the display signal. In addition, this publication exemplifies, as the two-dimensional image displayed by the liquid crystal display, an image representing a temporal change of the pressure value, similarly to the two-dimensional images shown in FIGS. 16 (a) to 16 (c). However, diagnosers are accustomed to tactile measurement, that is, measurement by directly sensing the strength of a stimulus that changes on the time axis, and refer to a two-dimensional image representing a pressure change in the form of a curve with respect to the time axis. However, it is difficult to intuitively grasp the meaning represented by the curve shape (meaning in Chinese medicine and Indian medicine), and it is expected that pulse diagnosis cannot be adequately supported in the clinical field where quick and accurate diagnosis is required. You.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a pulse diagnosis support apparatus that assists a pulse diagnosis by assisting a diagnostician to quickly and accurately specify (detect) a pulse wave waveform. It is an object.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor for detecting a pulsation and outputting a pulse wave signal representing a pulse waveform, and a timing corresponding to the pulsation. Synchronization processing means for outputting a synchronization signal representing
Conversion means for outputting a sound wave signal representing a sound wave waveform obtained by converting the frequency of the pulse wave waveform represented by the pulse wave signal so as to fall within the audible frequency range in accordance with the timing represented by the synchronization signal, A sound generator that emits a sound in accordance with the sound wave signal output from the converter.

In the above configuration, the invention according to claim 2 further comprises scale setting means for setting a frequency range within the audible frequency range, wherein the converting means sets the frequency of the converted sound waveform to the scale setting means. The pulse wave signal is converted so that the pulse wave signal falls within the frequency range set by (1).

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, a sample waveform storage means for storing a pulse wave signal representing a pulse wave waveform, and an instruction input means comprising an operation element for inputting an instruction. And converting the pulse wave signal converted by the conversion means into a pulse wave signal output from the sensor and a pulse wave signal stored in the sample waveform storage means in accordance with an instruction input by the instruction input means. Control means for selecting from among them.

[0010] In the above configuration, when a predetermined instruction is input by the instruction input means, the control means stores the pulse wave signal output from the sensor in the sample waveform storage means. (Claim 4) or a pulse wave input means for inputting a pulse wave signal, wherein the control means stores the pulse wave signal input by the pulse wave input means in the sample waveform storage. Means may be stored (claim 5), or a pulse wave input means for inputting a pulse wave signal, wherein the control means according to the instruction input by the instruction input means, Either a pulse wave signal output from a sensor or a pulse wave signal input by the pulse wave input means may be stored in the sample waveform storage means.

Further, in any one of the above-mentioned configurations, a display surface for displaying an image may be provided, and display means for displaying an image corresponding to the pulse wave signal output from the sensor may be provided on the display surface. Preferably (claim 7), there is provided a movable portion that comes into contact with the human epidermis, and a pressing means that drives the movable portion so as to press the epidermis with a pressure corresponding to a pulse wave signal output from the sensor. (Claim 8) or the display means and the pressing means (claim 9).

[0012] In any one of the above constructions, the invention according to claim 10 is an analog / digital conversion means for converting a pulse wave signal output from the sensor into a digital signal, and converting a digital signal into an analog signal. Digital / analog conversion means, wherein the conversion means has the analog / digital conversion means at a preceding stage and the digital / analog conversion means at a subsequent stage.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but prior to the description of a specific configuration, the configuration of main parts of the present embodiment will be extracted and described.

<1. Basic Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a main part of the present embodiment.
Reference numeral 201 denotes a sensor arranged at a pulse detection site (for example, near the radial artery) of the patient, which detects a pulsation of the patient and outputs an electric signal (hereinafter, a pulse wave signal) representing a pulse waveform corresponding to the pulsation. Reference numeral 202 denotes a synchronization processing unit that outputs a synchronization signal indicating a timing corresponding to the pulsation of the patient. As a method of generating a synchronization signal output from the synchronization processing unit 202, for example, a rising edge of a pulse wave waveform represented by a pulse wave signal output from the sensor 201 to the conversion unit 203 is detected, and A method in which a signal that becomes high level at the time of rising and a signal that becomes low level in other cases is used as a synchronization signal, or a cycle of a patient's pulsation (60 / pulse rate) is determined in advance, and a signal that becomes high in each cycle is defined as a synchronization signal. There are ways to do that.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a conversion means for converting the frequency of the pulse wave waveform represented by the pulse wave signal output from the sensor 201 into a frequency range in which humans can perceive as sound (hereinafter referred to as an audible frequency range). (Hereinafter referred to as a sound wave waveform) is output in synchronization with the timing represented by the synchronization signal output from the synchronization processing means 202. 204
Reference numeral denotes sounding means for generating a sound corresponding to a sound wave waveform represented by a sound wave signal output from the converting means 203.

The basic configuration has been described above. With this basic configuration, a diagnostician can listen to a sound representing a pulse wave waveform corresponding to the pulsation in frequency and sound pressure in synchronization with the pulsation of the patient. . Understanding the pulse waveform by listening to sound is more intuitive than grasping the pulse waveform using graphs, and is similar to grasping the pulse waveform by tactile (fingering) in Chinese and Indian medicine. Become. And sounding means 2
By synchronizing the sounding timing of 04 with the pulsation of the patient, the diagnostician can simultaneously obtain information on the pulsation from different senses. Therefore, the accuracy and speed of the diagnostician's recognition of the pulse can be improved as compared with the case where only the sense of touch (feeling) is used.

Since the sound wave waveform represented by the sound wave signal output from the converting means 203 is obtained based on the pulse wave waveform for one beat, the sound wave waveform at the rising of the pulse wave waveform for one beat is obtained. Although it is difficult to obtain a sound wave waveform corresponding to the pulse wave waveform, the synchronization processing means 202 and the conversion means 2
Synchronization of the pulsation and the sound wave waveform in 03 is almost achieved by outputting a sound signal representing a pulsation of one beat from the conversion means 203 in synchronization with a pulsation subsequent to the pulsation. The pulse waveform may be different for each beat, but since the pulse diagnosis is performed in a resting state, the adjacent pulse waveforms are substantially the same unless there is an abnormality such as arrhythmia.

Therefore, for example, if a sound signal representing a sound wave waveform for one beat is output from the conversion means 203 in synchronization with the pulsation immediately after the pulsation corresponding to the sound wave waveform, the diagnostician can sense tactile and auditory sensations. The information acquired at the same time becomes information on substantially the same pulse wave waveform, and the accuracy and speed of the diagnosis by the diagnostician can be reliably improved.
Conversely, if the continuous pulse waveforms are not substantially the same, it is considered that there is some abnormality. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is easy to detect such an abnormality by shifting the pulse wave waveform and the sound wave waveform by one beat. .

The conversion means 203 may use a plurality of devices capable of analog recording / variable speed reproduction, such as a tape recorder, and directly perform frequency conversion on analog signals. In the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of simplification and downsizing of the device configuration, an analog signal is once converted into a digital signal, and then the frequency conversion process is performed. Therefore, the following description is based on the assumption that an analog signal is once converted to a digital signal and then the frequency conversion process is performed, unless otherwise specified.

The frequency conversion process after once converting an analog signal to a digital signal is performed by, for example, as shown in FIG.
(Analog / Digital) converter 2031, waveform memory 2032 capable of storing the output data of A / D converter 2031 for one beat, and D / A (Digital / Digital) (Analog) converter 2033. D / A
The converter 2033 operates at a predetermined number of times the operating frequency of the A / D converter 2031, and the predetermined number is represented by an output signal from the D / A converter 2033. This is a number such that the frequency of the sound wave waveform falls within the audible frequency range, and is statistically obtained.

Here, the synchronization processing means 202
It is assumed that a synchronizing signal is output at a high level when the pulse wave waveform rises (when an ejection wave having the highest pulse pressure in one pulse wave rises) and at a low level in other cases. Specifically, the synchronization processing unit 202
Means 2 for differentiating and outputting the pulse wave signal output from
021; a zero-crossing detecting means 2022 for detecting a zero-crossing point in an output signal of the differentiating means 2021 and outputting a detection result; and if the detection result by the zero-crossing detecting means 2022 indicates detection of a zero-crossing point, the pulse wave signal is used. A wavelet transform unit 2023 for performing a wavelet transform on the wavelet transform to obtain a frequency distribution in a preset short time (ΔT);
It is determined whether or not the frequency distribution obtained in step 023 is similar to a preset frequency distribution. If the frequency distribution is similar, the output signal is set to a high level for a certain period of time. Judging means 2 to keep low level
024.

The wavelet transform means 2023
Does not operate if the detection result by the zero-cross detection means 2022 indicates that the zero-cross point is not detected. The above-mentioned ΔT is a time much shorter than one beat, and here, it is a time at which the frequency component obtained by the wavelet transform is expected to characteristically represent the rising of the ejection wave. I have. Further, the judgment means 2024
, A frequency distribution composed of characteristic frequency components obtained as a result of performing a wavelet transform on the pulse wave signal from the rising point of the ejection wave to the lapse of ΔT is set in advance. In the similarity / dissimilarity determination by the determination unit 2024, not all frequency components included in the frequency distribution as a result of the wavelet transform are compared, but only characteristic frequency components in a preset frequency distribution are compared. Like that. Thus, the above-described comparison can be performed while eliminating the influence of the noise component mixed in the pulse wave signal.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the operation of the synchronization processing means 202 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a pulse waveform. In this figure, T indicates the period of the pulse waveform, and P indicates the rising time of the pulse waveform (rising time of the ejection wave). When the pulse wave signal representing the pulse wave waveform shown in FIG. 3 is supplied to the synchronization processing means 202, the pulse wave signal is supplied to the zero cross detection means 2022 after being differentiated by the differentiation means 2021, where the zero cross point, that is, An inflection point of the pulse waveform is detected.

While no inflection point is detected by the zero-cross detecting means 2022, the wavelet transform means 2023
Does not operate, and the result of the determination by the determination means 2024 is "dissimilar", and the output signal thereof maintains a low level. When the inflection point is detected by the zero-cross detecting means 2022, the wavelet transform means 2023 performs a wavelet transform on the pulse wave waveform after the elapse of ΔT. The frequency distribution as a result of this conversion is compared with a frequency distribution set in advance by the determination means 2024. Here, if the conversion result by the wavelet conversion unit 2023 is not obtained for the pulse wave waveform from the time point P to the time point P + ΔT in FIG. 3, the determination result of the determination unit 2024 is “dissimilar” and its output The signal remains low. Conversely, the result of the conversion
If it is obtained for the pulse wave waveform from to the time point P + ΔT, the judgment result of the judging means 2024 becomes “similar”, and the output signal becomes high level for a certain period. Therefore, the synchronizing signal which becomes a high level for each P in each pulse wave is output from the determination means 2024.

Here, a method of generating a synchronization signal without using a wavelet transform will be discussed. Normally, a noise component that rises and falls rapidly is also mixed into the pulse wave signal, so that inflection points corresponding to the noise component can be obtained only by obtaining the first derivative. Therefore, higher order differentiation is required. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, since a plurality of inflection points can be obtained for one pulse waveform, the waveform change before and after each inflection point can be detected to detect the rising point of the ejection wave. (Such as the direction and speed of change and the positional relationship on the time axis with other inflection points) must be examined. On the other hand, according to the above-described method using the wavelet transform, it is only necessary to perform conversion and comparison on a short-time pulse wave signal subsequent to the target inflection point, and the processing can be simplified.

Here, the synchronization processing means 202
Although the rising point of the ejection wave is set as a detection target, the present invention is not limited to this, and another feature point such as a peak or notch of the ejection wave may be set as a detection target. Further, a frequency distribution to be compared is set in advance for a plurality of feature points when detecting a feature point, and a target feature point and a frequency distribution are selected based on an instruction input from input means described later. Embodiments are also feasible.

According to the above-described configuration, the pulse wave signal (analog signal) from the sensor 201 is supplied to the A / D converter 2031.
Are A / D converted and stored in the waveform memory 2032.
The data stored in the waveform memory 2032 is read out by the D / A converter 2033 at a timing according to the synchronization signal, and is converted into a sound wave signal (analog signal). As described above, since the operating frequency of the D / A converter 2033 is a predetermined number of times the operating frequency of the A / D converter 2031, the time for reading data from the waveform memory 2032 is one time of the writing time. / Predetermined number, and the frequency of the sound wave waveform is a predetermined number times the frequency of the pulse wave waveform.

The waveform memory 2032 in FIG.
The configuration shown in FIG. 4 may be inserted between the A converter 2033. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example that can be added to the conversion means 203 in FIG.
Numeral 034 denotes waveform shaping means for performing processing for shaping the waveform represented by the data output from the waveform memory 2032 and outputting the result.
This is a waveform emphasizing means for performing a process of emphasizing a waveform represented by the data output from the data No. 4 and outputting the processed data.

The waveform shaping means 2034 includes the waveform memory 2
The output data from 032 functions as, for example, a noise removing unit, and the waveform emphasizing unit 2035 is realized by, for example, a differentiating circuit. According to such a configuration, it is possible to remove noise mixed in the detection stage of the pulse wave signal from the sound output from the sounding means 204 and to emphasize a slight change in the pulse wave waveform to reflect the sound on the sound. Can be.

<2. Additional Configuration> Next, a configuration that can be added to the above-described basic configuration will be described. However, here, a configuration that can be added to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 (a configuration for performing frequency conversion processing on a digital signal) will be exemplified in order to avoid a complicated description. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an additional configuration obtained by adding a specific configuration to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 205 denotes an input unit for inputting data from outside, and 206 denotes an internal program. , A control unit that operates based on data input from the input unit 205 and output data of a comparison / selection unit 206a described later. The comparison / selection unit 206a stores the information supplied from the control unit 206, compares the stored information with data input from the input unit 205,
Outputs data according to the comparison result. 207 is 1
This is a sample waveform storage unit that stores sample data of a pulse waveform of a beat (hereinafter, sample waveform data), and is controlled by the control unit 206. Sample waveform storage means 2
07 storage capacity and internal data structure, etc.
Although it is an item to be set according to the control content of No. 6, the sample waveform storage means 207 is required to have a storage capacity capable of storing at least one sample waveform data.

Here, it is assumed that the internal program of the control means 206 is described so as to select and execute each of the processes listed below based on the input data from the input means 206. The operation of the additional configuration will be described.

(A) Basic Process The basic process is a process performed in the basic configuration shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. When data for selecting the basic process is supplied from the input unit 205 to the control unit 206. , The control means 206 sends the sensor 20
An instruction is given to perform the above-described frequency conversion processing on the pulse wave signal from No. 1. As a result, the sound according to the pulse wave signal from the sensor 201 is emitted from the sounding means 204 in synchronization with the pulsation of the patient.

(B) Processing for storing the pulse wave waveform from the sensor 201 When data for selecting this processing is supplied from the input means 205 to the control means 206, the control means 206 While instructing the sample waveform storage unit 207 to supply a digital signal representing a pulse waveform for one beat represented by a pulse wave signal from the sensor 201,
For the sample waveform storage means 207, the conversion means 203
Is stored as sample waveform data together with identification information. As a result, the digital signal output from the A / D converter 2031 is stored in the sample waveform storage unit 207. Further, the control unit 206 supplies the identification information to the comparison / selection unit 206a. Note that basic processing is also performed in parallel with the above processing. The identification information is unique information that does not overlap, and may be automatically generated by the control unit 206 or may be input from the input unit 205.
Here, the following description will be made assuming that natural numbers increase sequentially from 1.

(C) Sample Waveform Storage Processing from Input Means 205 When data for selecting the processing is supplied from the input means 205 to the control means 206, the control means 206 sends a signal to the sample waveform storage means 207. And then input means 205
, And instruct the digital signal supplied from the control unit 206 to be stored as sample waveform data together with the identification information. Thus, when the sample waveform data is input from the input unit 205, the data is supplied to the sample waveform storage unit 207 via the control unit 206, where it is stored together with the identification information. further,
The control means 206 compares the identification information with the comparison / selection means 206
supply to a.

(D) Sample waveform selection / reproduction processing Data indicating that sample waveform selection processing is to be performed is input to the input means 2.
05 to the comparing / selecting means 206a, the comparing / selecting means 206a compares the data with the stored information, and if there is sample waveform data corresponding to the data, that is, the data is stored. If it is less than the identification information, the data is output. Conversely, if there is no information that matches the data, the comparing / selecting means 206
a outputs the minimum value (for example, 1).

Further, when data indicating that the sample waveform is to be reproduced is supplied from the input means 205 to the control means 206, the control means 206 sends a
The data to be subjected to the / A conversion is not the data on the waveform memory 2032 but the sample waveform data stored in the sample waveform storage unit 207 (according to the latest data output to the control unit 206 by the comparison / selection unit 206a). Sampled waveform data). As a result, a sound obtained by D / A conversion of the sample waveform data corresponding to the input data from the input means 205 is generated from the sound generating means 204 in synchronization with the pulsation of the patient.

As is apparent from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by employing the additional configuration shown in FIG. A sound corresponding to the pulse wave waveform in a specific past state of the patient (for example, a state of being healthy and at rest) can be generated in synchronization with the current pulse of the patient. Therefore, the diagnostician can eliminate individual differences by comparing the current pulse wave waveform grasped by tactile sensation with the past pulse wave waveform grasped by auditory sense. The accuracy and speed of recognition can be improved. In particular, if sample waveform data representing a pulse waveform in an unhealthy state due to some disease is stored in the sample waveform storage unit 207, and a sound corresponding to the sample waveform data is reproduced in synchronization with the patient's pulsation, the patient will be able to compare the past with the past. It can be a great judgment for determining whether a similar disease has occurred.

Further, by storing sample waveform data representing a standard pulse waveform in the sample waveform storage means 207 and generating a sound corresponding to the sample waveform data in synchronization with the pulsation of the patient, the diagnostician can It is possible to easily compare a pulse waveform of a patient grasped by tactile sensation with a standard pulse wave waveform grasped by auditory sensation, and to improve accuracy and speed of a diagnostician's recognition of a pulse image. Can be. Furthermore, sample waveform data representing a standard pulse waveform is stored in the sample waveform storage means 207 for each age and gender, for example, and appropriate sample waveform data is selected and reproduced according to the patient's age and gender. If it does, further effects can be expected.

In addition, the sample waveform data is stored in the sample waveform storage means 207 for each disease that can be diagnosed by pulse diagnosis, and a sound corresponding to the sample waveform data is generated in synchronization with the pulsation of the patient. Can narrow down the type candidates of the pulse wave waveform grasped by touch. For example, when it is difficult to determine whether the pulse wave waveform of the patient grasped by the tactile sense indicates the disease A or the disease B, the reproduced sound of the sample waveform data corresponding to each disease and the pulse wave grasped by the tactile sense By comparing the waveform with the waveform, the diagnostician can easily determine which disease is closer to the pulse waveform.

<3. Other effects> Although various effects have been described on the assumption that the listener is a diagnostician, such effects can be obtained even when the listener is the user (patient) himself. However, since it is difficult for the user to perform a pulse diagnosis, each of the above-described effects is an effect in the range of physical condition determination and pulse diagnosis learning that does not reach the pulse diagnosis. Hereinafter, specific effects within the range will be described.

In the above-described basic configuration, the user can grasp the pulse wave waveform not only by the sense of touch but also by hearing, so that the user who is not proficient in specifying (detecting) the pulse wave waveform by the sense of touch. Even if there is a hearing aid, the pulse wave waveform can be grasped relatively easily with the aid of hearing. Since the task of specifying the pulse waveform by hearing is a task based on an intuitive stimulus that is similar to the task of specifying the pulse waveform by tactile sense, while repeating such a process of specifying the pulse waveform, the tactile pulse wave is specified. It is expected that the specific accuracy of the wave waveform will be improved.

In the additional configuration, the user stores sample waveform data representing his / her typical pulse waveform in the sample waveform storage means 207 and selects / reproduces the sample waveform data to provide a tactile sense. By comparing the current pulse wave waveform ascertained with the past pulse wave waveform ascertained by hearing, it is possible to judge one's own physical condition. The method of this determination depends on the knowledge of the individual user's pulse diagnosis, but the sample waveform data of various physical conditions is stored in the sample waveform storage means 207, and any sample waveform data is reproduced and grasped by touch. If a sound similar to the current pulse wave waveform is searched for, the physical condition at the time of obtaining the sampling waveform data, from the identification information stored together with the sample waveform data selected when the most similar sound is generated, That is, it is possible to know a physical condition similar to the current physical condition. Therefore, even a user who has no knowledge of pulse diagnosis can judge his / her physical condition.

Also, by storing sample waveform data representing a standard pulse waveform in the sample waveform storage means 207 and generating a sound corresponding to the sample waveform data in synchronization with the pulsation of the patient, the user can obtain In addition, it is possible to grasp the characteristics of the pulse wave waveform according to one's own constitution. Furthermore, by storing sample waveform data representing a standard pulse waveform in the sample waveform storage means 207 for each age, for example, and generating a sound corresponding to any sample waveform data in synchronization with the user's pulsation, The user can estimate how his / her pulse waveform changes over time. In addition, by storing sample waveform data for each disease that can be diagnosed by pulse diagnosis in the sample waveform storage unit 207 and generating a sound corresponding to the sample waveform data in synchronization with the user's pulsation, the user can: It is possible to learn the difference between a normal pulse wave waveform grasped by touch and a pulse wave waveform corresponding to a disease. Such understanding of the body is Q
This is an important matter in raising OL (Quality of Life).

<4. Application Configuration> As described above, from the basic configuration shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or the additional configuration shown in FIG.
In addition to the effect on the pulse diagnosis by the diagnostician, the effect on the user's own physical condition judgment and the learning of the pulse diagnosis can be obtained.
Therefore, an application configuration for making such additional effects more remarkable will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an applied configuration obtained by adding an applied configuration to the additional configuration shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 208 denotes a display means for displaying an image corresponding to input data; Pressing means provided in contact with a site where the tactile sensation of the user is sharp, and presses the contact site with an intensity (pressure) according to input data. In addition, as the pressing means 209, for example, a piezo element can be used. Reference numeral 210 denotes a control unit including the function of the control unit 206 (see FIG. 5). Further, the display unit 208 and the pressing unit 2 correspond to data supplied from the input unit 205.
09 has a function of switching between the A / D converter 2031 and the sample waveform storage unit 207, and a function of designating sample waveform data to be used in accordance with the output data of the comparison / selection unit 206a. .

According to such a configuration, the aforementioned (a) to (d)
In each process of (d), the control unit 210 controls the display unit 2
08 and the input means of the pressing means 209 are set to the A / D converter 2031. Therefore, an image (pulse wave waveform) corresponding to the output data of the A / D converter 2031 is displayed on the display means 208, and the The contact portion with the pressing means 209 is pressed with an intensity corresponding to the output data. In the process (d), since the control unit 210 can supply the data of the display unit 208 and the pressing unit 209 to the sample waveform storage unit 207, the data is stored in the sample waveform storage unit 207. An image (pulse wave waveform) corresponding to the sampled waveform data (sample waveform data corresponding to the latest data output from the comparison / selection unit 206a to the control unit 210) is displayed on the display unit 208, and the user presses the unit. 209 can be pressed with an intensity corresponding to the sample waveform data. As described above, by using the transmission means (display means 208 and pressing means 209) that appeals to senses other than the auditory sense, the stimulus given to the user is strengthened, and the above-described additional effects become even more remarkable. It is expected.

<5. Specific Configuration of Embodiment> Next, a specific configuration of the pulse diagnosis support apparatus according to the present embodiment based on the above configuration will be described. 7 and 8 are a block diagram and an external view showing a configuration of a pulse diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is provided inside a device main body 300 having a wristwatch structure shown in FIG. It has been incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pulse diagnosis support apparatus is formed in a portable wristwatch form so that the user can deepen the understanding of the pulse wave waveform and can judge his / her physical condition state from the pulse wave waveform. To do that. As is clear from the name, the present pulse diagnosis support device aims at supporting pulse diagnosis, but as described above, the effect obtained by supporting the identification of the pulse wave waveform depends on the pulse wave by the diagnostician. Not only the examination, but also the learning of the pulse diagnosis by the user, the understanding of the relationship between the physical condition and the pulse wave waveform by the user, and the like. In order to obtain a sufficient effect on such work by the user, it is necessary to present necessary information whenever the user wants to know. It is desirable to constitute. Therefore, the present pulse diagnosis support apparatus is in the form of a wristwatch.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 301 denotes a pulse wave detector for measuring the pulsation at the base of the user's finger, and outputs the measurement result as a pulse wave signal (analog signal). Reference numeral 303 denotes an A / D converter that operates at a predetermined operating frequency, quantizes the pulse wave signal output from the pulse wave detection unit 301 with predetermined bits, and outputs the result to the bus.

The CPU 305 is a central unit that controls each circuit in the apparatus. The CPU 305 performs various arithmetic processes and transmits and receives digital signals to and from each unit via a bus to realize various functions described later. ROM connected to the bus
306 stores a control program executed by the CPU 305, initial values of control parameters, and the like. The temporary storage memory 307 is a type of RAM, and is used via the bus as a work area when the CPU 305 performs an operation.
The data memory 308 has a battery-backed R
A non-volatile memory including an AM and the like, which stores various data supplied via a bus.

A clock circuit 309 generates time information and outputs it to the bus. This time information is used for display by a wristwatch and processing by the CPU 305. Note that the CPU 3
05 has a function of generating time information, the clock circuit 30
9 need not be provided. Reference numeral 310 denotes an operation unit operated by the user, which is provided with various buttons provided on the apparatus main body 300, and detects that these buttons are pressed and sends the type information of the buttons to the bus. Output.

Reference numeral 311 denotes a sound generator connected to the bus.
As shown in FIG. 9, the sound generation control unit 311 connected to the bus
1; a sound source 3112 and a D / A converter 3113 connected to the sound generation control unit 3111;
An amplifier 3114 for amplifying an analog signal output from the A converter 3113 and a speaker 3115 driven by the analog signal amplified by the amplifier 3114 are included. Note that the sound control unit 3111, the sound source 3112,
The sound generation system composed of the amplifier 3114 and the speaker 3115 has the same function as the sound generation mechanism attached to a commercially available digital wristwatch, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The sound generation control unit 3111 includes a CPU 305
The instruction supplied via the bus is a fixed sound (for example, an alarm sound) with a fixed pitch pattern, sound pressure pattern, etc.
If the instruction is to sound a sound, the sound source 3112 is controlled to generate an analog signal representing the fixed sound, and if the instruction is to stop sounding the fixed sound, the sound source 3112 is controlled to stop generating the analog signal. If the instruction is to change the operating frequency of the D / A converter 3113, the D / A converter 31
13 to change its operating frequency, and to store the storage area (the area on the temporary storage memory 307 or the data memory 308) in which the pulse waveform data to be converted by the D / A converter 3113 is stored. If it is an instruction to specify, the address to start reading is determined at a sounding timing described later, and if the instruction indicates a sounding timing of a sound corresponding to the pulse waveform data, the reception of the instruction triggers the above address. The pulse wave waveform data is read out in order and supplied to the D / A converter 3113.

When the D / A converter 3113 receives the pulse wave waveform data from the sound generation control unit 3111, it operates at the operating frequency preset by the sound generation control unit 3111.
The pulse wave waveform data is sequentially converted into an analog signal. D / A
The operating frequency initially set in converter 3113 is:
The frequency is set higher than the operating frequency of the A / D converter 303 so that the sound represented by the converted analog signal falls within the audible frequency range. In the present embodiment, the operating frequency of the A / D converter 303 and the D / D converter are set so that each frequency appearing in the pulse wave of a healthy person at rest falls within the audible frequency range with a margin.
An initial operating frequency of the A converter 3113 is set.

The operating frequency of the D / A converter 3113 is determined by the tone generation controller 3111 which receives an instruction from the CPU 305.
In the present embodiment, the instruction is issued in response to a user operation on the operation unit 310. So, for example, if the frequency is too low,
Or if it ’s too loud to hear the pronounced sound,
The frequency of the sound can be adjusted so that the user can easily hear the sound. However, if the operating frequency of the D / A converter 3113 is changed each time the pulse wave waveform data used for sound generation is changed, if the correspondence between the frequency component included in the pulse wave waveform and the frequency of the sound generated is unique. Will be gone.
Therefore, when comparing the frequencies of the pronounced sounds, it is desirable not to change the operating frequency during the comparison.

Referring again to FIG. 7, reference numeral 312 denotes an I / O interface for performing communication (for example, optical communication) with a device provided outside the apparatus. By using this I / O interface 312, the data memory 30
8 can be transferred to an external device, and various data transferred from the external device can be stored in the data memory 308 or the like. Also, 3
Reference numeral 13 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel that displays the current time, date, and the like, and performs display according to data supplied via a bus.

As shown in FIG. 8, the present apparatus
00, the cable 32 connected to the apparatus main body 300
1, a sensor unit 322 provided on the distal end side of the cable 321. Wrapped around the user's arm from the 12 o'clock direction of the watch,
A wristband 323 fixed at 6 o'clock on the wristwatch is attached. The apparatus main body 300 is detachable from the user's arm by the wristband 323.

The sensor unit 322 is shielded from light by the sensor fixing band 324 and is mounted between the base of the index finger of the user and the second finger joint. In addition,
The mounting position of the sensor unit 322 can be shifted. For example, the sensor unit 322 can be mounted on the fingertip of the index finger of the user.

The sensor unit 322 functions as a photoelectric pulse wave sensor including, for example, a light emitting element such as an infrared light emitting diode and an optical sensor such as a phototransistor. Pulse wave sensor is reflected from the subcutaneous tissue etc. while being absorbed by hemoglobin of red blood cells in the blood vessel passing directly under the skin where it contacts
The light is received by the optical sensor and photoelectrically converted. The signal thus obtained indicates a change in the amount of hemoglobin having a predetermined light absorption characteristic, that is, a blood flow pulse wave. In consideration of a signal-to-noise (SN) ratio, a light-emitting diode used for a light-emitting element is preferably a blue light (for example, 940 nm). Of course, a sensor (for example, a piezoelectric sensor) other than such a photoelectric sensor may be used.

On the other hand, on the front side of the wristwatch at 6 o'clock,
A connector section 325 is provided. This connector part 3
A connector piece 326 provided at an end of the cable 321 is detachably attached to the cable 25. By detaching the connector piece 326 from the connector section 325,
The device can be used as a normal wristwatch. In order to protect the connector 325, the cable 3
When the connector 21 and the sensor unit 322 are detached from the connector section 325, a predetermined connector cover is attached to the connector 325. As the connector cover, a component configured in the same manner as the connector piece 326 except for an electrode portion and the like is used. In addition, 26-32 in a figure
Denotes operation buttons, which are included in the operation unit 310.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the functions related to the display of the present pulse diagnosis support apparatus and the parts not described in FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 10 shows details of the apparatus main body 300 in the present embodiment,
Are removed, and the same parts as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 10, the apparatus main body 300 has a watch case 331 made of resin. Watch case 331
Is provided with a display unit 313 for digitally displaying pulse wave information such as a pulse rate in addition to the current time and date. The display unit 313 includes a first segment display area 313-1 located on the upper left side of the display surface, a second segment display area 313-2 located on the upper right side, and a third segment display area located on the lower right side. An area 313-3 has a dot display area 313-D located on the lower left side.

Each of the above segment display areas 313-1 to 31-1
A segment for character display of information such as date, day of the week, time, and measurement time is provided in 3-3, and a liquid crystal cell for graphically displaying a pulse wave waveform is provided in the dot display area 313-D. ing. The above-described character display has already been realized in a general digital timepiece, and a description thereof will be omitted. Here, a graphic display of a pulse waveform will be described. Although the pulse wave waveform in FIG. 10 is a smooth curve, the smoothness of the curve changes according to the size and arrangement interval of the liquid crystal cells in the dot display area 313-D.

Although not shown, the display unit 313 displays each area 3
13-1 to 313-3 and 313-D. This display control unit has a storage area corresponding to each dot forming the dot display area 313-D, and stores the dot display area 3 in accordance with the storage content of the storage area.
Turn on / off all dots in 13-D. That is, the image displayed in the dot display area 313-D can be changed by changing the storage content of the storage area.

If the instruction supplied from the CPU 305 (see FIG. 7) via the bus is an instruction to specify the source of the pulse wave waveform data to be displayed,
Data is received from the supply source at a timing synchronized with the operating frequency of the / D converter 303. However, the source of the pulse wave waveform data to be displayed includes the CPU 305 and the data memory 13, and the source is the data memory 13.
In the case of, the instruction includes the information of the storage area storing the waveform data to be displayed, and the display control unit reads the pulse wave waveform data from the address represented by the information.

When the display control unit is in a displayable state in accordance with an instruction supplied from the CPU 305 via the bus, each time the pulse wave data is received via the bus, the display control unit responds to the pulse waveform data. The storage content of the internal storage area is rewritten so that the dot at the position (the position on the direction from 12:00 to 6:00 in FIG. 10) is turned on. Note that the display control unit includes:
By shifting the position of the dot whose state is changed or the position of all dots in the direction (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock in FIG. 10) at a timing synchronized with the operating frequency of the A / D converter 303, the change with respect to the time axis is obtained. Is displayed. The display control unit does not display anything when the display control unit is in a non-display state according to an instruction supplied from the CPU 305 via the bus.

<6. Specific Operation of Embodiment> Next, a specific operation of the pulse diagnosis support apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described. However, it is assumed that the present pulse diagnosis support device is already worn by the user. <6-1. Normal Operation> The pulse diagnosis support apparatus normally operates in the same manner as a general digital clock. <6-2. Pulse Wave Waveform Specification and Learning Operation> When the user or the diagnostician performs a specific operation using the operation unit 310, an operation relating to the pulse wave waveform is performed. Since the content of these actions changes according to the content of the above specific operation,
Hereinafter, each operation will be individually described.

<6-2-1. Reproduction operation of current pulse wave waveform of user> The user or the diagnostician performs a specific operation using the operation unit 310, and the CPU 305 activates the pulse wave detection unit 301 and the A / D converter 303. At the same time, an instruction corresponding to the operation content is supplied to the sound generator 311 and the display 313. Thereby, the pulse wave detection unit 301
Starts the output of the pulse wave signal according to the pulsation of the user, and sets the storage address of the pulse wave waveform data to be read next by the sound generator 311 as the address on the temporary storage memory 307.

The pulse wave signal output from pulse wave detecting section 301 is converted into pulse wave waveform data (digital signal) by A / D converter 303 and supplied to CPU 305. CPU
305 supplies the supplied pulse waveform data to the display unit 313, detects the start time of the pulsation (for example, the rising time of the ejection wave) from the pulse waveform data, and The pulse waveform data until immediately before the start of the pulsation is stored in the temporary storage memory 307. The method of detecting the start of each pulsation is arbitrary, and here, detection is performed by the method using the above-described wavelet transform.

On the other hand, on the display unit 313, an image (a graph representing the pulse wave waveform) corresponding to the pulse wave waveform data supplied from the CPU 305 is displayed in the dot display area 313-D almost simultaneously with the actual pulsation. Also, the CPU 305
At the start of the next pulsation, an instruction indicating the sounding timing of the sound corresponding to the previous pulsation is supplied to the sounding unit 311. In response to the instruction, the sound generation unit 311 sets the D / A
Pulse waveform data is continuously read from a preset address (an address on the temporary storage memory 307) at a timing according to the operating frequency of the converter 3113, and D / D
The A converter 3113 converts the signal into an analog signal in an audible frequency band, and a speaker 3115 emits a sound corresponding to the analog signal. That is, a sound corresponding to the pulsation of the user is produced with a one-beat delay.

<6-2-2. Operation of storing current pulse wave waveform of user> In the above-described operation, when the user or the diagnostician performs a specific operation using the operation unit 310,
The CPU 305 reads out the content stored in the temporary storage memory 307 and stores it in the free space of the data memory 308 as sample waveform data. At this time, the CPU 305
Assigns a sample number for uniquely specifying the sample waveform data and a comment indicating the content of the sample waveform data to the sample waveform data and stores the sample waveform data in the data memory 308. In the example shown in FIG. 11, each sample waveform data has sample numbers 1, 2,.
The numerical value increasing by one is information indicating the date and time stored as a comment (“September 5, 1997
3:32 "," 1997/9/7 9:31 ", ...).

By providing such identification information (sample number, comment), there is an advantage that each sample waveform data can be reliably identified. Of course, not limited to the information indicating the date and time, character string information indicating the state of the user may be added as a comment. Further, the sample number and information other than the comment may be associated with the sample waveform data, or a mode in which only the sample waveform data is stored without any additional information is considered.

The next available sample number is CP
It is stored in a specific register (not shown) inside the U305 or a specific area of the data memory 308, and
5 reads and uses the sample number when storing the sample waveform data, and after storing the sample waveform data,
The next available sample number is obtained by adding a predetermined number (1 in the example of FIG. 11) to the sample number, and this is stored in the register or the specific area.

<6-2-3. Reproduction operation of pulse wave waveform stored in data memory 308> (a) When sound and image do not match On the other hand, in the reproduction operation of the current pulse wave waveform of the user, the user or the diagnostician uses the operation unit 310. By performing a specific operation, the CPU 305 determines the supply source of the pulse wave waveform data processed by the sound generation unit 311 in the data memory 308.
The start address of the sample waveform data specified from the operation content is supplied to the sound generator 311. As a result, a sound corresponding to the sample waveform data is generated in the sound generator 311.

However, in other respects, the same processing as that of the current pulse wave waveform reproducing operation is performed, so that the dot display area 313-D stores the pulse wave waveform data output from the A / D converter 303 in the dot display area 313-D. A corresponding image (a graph representing the current pulse waveform of the user) is displayed almost simultaneously with the actual pulsation. Further, since the sound generation timing supplied from the CPU 305 to the sound generation unit 311 is a timing corresponding to the current pulsation of the user, the sound generation unit 311 stores the data in the data memory 308 at a timing corresponding to the current pulsation of the user. Will sound according to the sampled waveform data.

(B) When the sound matches the image In the above operation, the user or the diagnostician operates the operation unit 310
By performing a specific operation using
Represents the source of the pulse waveform data processed by the display unit 313 as the sample waveform data in the data memory 308,
The start address of the sample waveform data specified from the operation content is supplied to the display unit 313. As a result, an image corresponding to the sample waveform data is displayed in the dot display area 313-D. The sounding timing in the sounding unit 311 is synchronized with the sample waveform data.

In the above description of the operation, it is assumed that, based on the operation of reproducing the current pulse wave waveform of the user, another operation is performed by performing a predetermined operation during this operation. The transition order of the operation modes is arbitrary and is not limited to the above-described example. In addition, the above-described normal operation and the above-described operation related to the pulse waveform may be performed in parallel. Even when the operation related to the above-described pulse waveform is not performed, the pulse wave detection unit 301 and the A / The D converter 303 may be operated.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 30
5 sequentially informs the sounding unit 311 of the sounding timing. However, if the CPU 305 can determine the pulse rate (or pulsation cycle), the CPU 305 notifies the sounding unit 311 of only the first sounding timing and pulse rate. Even in this case, a sound generation operation similar to that of the above-described embodiment is performed.
However, in this case, deviation occurs if the pulse rate is not stable.

Further, a jack may be provided in the sound generator 311 so that an earphone or a headphone or the like can be connected thereto, so that a user or a diagnostician can listen to the sound using the earphone or the headphone. The data memory 30
8 may be data corresponding to a disease obtained statistically, as shown in FIG. 12, or sample waveform data shown in FIG. 11 and data shown in FIG. Sample waveform data may be mixed.

<7. Application Example> Next, an application example in which the above-described pulse diagnosis support device is combined with a computer system will be described with reference to FIG. 13, a personal computer includes a main body 401 and a display 40.
2, a keyboard 403, a printer 404, and the like, and since it is composed of a normal personal computer except for the following points, details of the internal configuration will be omitted.

That is, the main body 401 has a built-in transmission control unit and reception control unit (not shown) for transmitting and receiving data based on an optical signal. The transmission control unit and the reception control unit each transmit an optical signal. LED 405 and a phototransistor 406 for receiving an optical signal. Each of the LED 405 and the phototransistor 406 is for near infrared rays (for example, the center wavelength is 940 nm).
The optical communication is performed from an optical communication communication window 408 provided on the front surface of the main body 401 via a visible light cut filter 407 for blocking visible light.

On the other hand, the device connected to the personal computer has the following configuration. Here, the wristwatch form shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 will be described as an example, but there is no problem in the form of a necklace or glasses described later. As described above, the connector unit 325 is configured to be detachable in the main body 300 of the wristwatch. Therefore, instead of the connector cover, the communication connector 409 may be attached to the connector portion from which the connector portion 325 has been removed, as shown in FIG. The communication connector 409 incorporates an LED, a phototransistor, and an interface for optical communication as in the personal computer. An optical interface unit (not shown) for optical communication is provided inside the main body 300 of the wristwatch.

To transfer information such as sample waveform data stored in the RAM or hard disk of the personal computer from the personal computer to the watch, a transfer command is input from the keyboard 403, for example. As a result, information on the personal computer side is output as near-infrared light via the LED 405 and the communication window 408. On the other hand, on the wristwatch side, this near-infrared light is sent to the optical interface unit of the wristwatch via the communication connector 409.

On the other hand, when transferring information such as sample waveform data from the wristwatch to the personal computer,
The communication direction is reversed. That is, the user of the portable device sets the portable device to a data transfer mode by operating a button switch provided on the wristwatch or the like. As a result, the CPU 305 reads information to be transferred from the data memory 308 or the like and sends them to the optical interface unit. As a result, the measured value is converted into an optical signal and transmitted from the communication connector 409, and the communication window 4
08 and the phototransistor 406 to the personal computer. The pulse diagnosis support device transmits or receives information using identification information (information unique to each device) indicating which device has transmitted the information. Even if each patient uses the pulse diagnosis support device individually, data collection processing from each pulse diagnosis support device to the personal computer side and data setting processing from the personal computer side to each pulse diagnosis support device are arranged. Can be easily and accurately performed.

As described above, by enabling communication with an external device, information such as sample waveform data can be transferred between the pulse diagnosis support apparatus and the external device. As described above, when the external device is configured by a personal computer, a large amount of sample waveform data can be stored, and information associated with each sample waveform data can be easily created. It is possible to manage information such as sample waveform data very easily as compared with the case where the information such as sample waveform data is managed by using.

Further, the external apparatus creates a database of sample waveform data corresponding to the disease, searches the sample database for sample waveform data similar to the sample waveform data transferred from the pulse diagnosis support apparatus, and displays the search results. Then, information such as sample waveform data selected by the diagnostician according to the search result may be returned to the pulse diagnosis support apparatus. Note that the similarity / dissimilarity determination method is arbitrary. For example, the sample waveform data is converted into a two-dimensional image,
The determination may be made by a known method such as pattern matching.

In the data transfer, it is needless to say that existing data compression / decompression techniques can be applied, and that the communication means may be wireless communication other than optical communication or wired communication using a public line. No.

<8. Modification> Next, a modification of the pulse diagnosis support apparatus according to the above-described embodiment will be described. <8-1. Modification 1> FIG. 14 is a view showing an embodiment in which the pulse diagnosis support device is realized as a necklace instead of a wristwatch. In this figure, 501 is a sensor pad,
For example, it is made of a sponge-like cushioning material. In the sensor pad 501, the above-mentioned photoelectric pulse wave sensor 502 is attached so as to be in contact with the skin surface. Thus, when the necklace is put on the neck, the photoelectric pulse wave sensor 502 can contact the skin on the back side of the neck to measure the pulse wave and the temperature of the contacting skin.

The main part of the apparatus, such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and various detectors, is incorporated in the hollow portion of the main body 503. The main body 503 is a case shaped like a broach, and is provided with, for example, a graphic display unit and buttons on the front surface thereof. The photoelectric pulse wave sensor 502 and the main body 503 are attached to a chain 504, respectively, and are electrically connected to each other via a lead wire (not shown) embedded in the chain 504. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to realize functions equivalent to those of the pulse diagnosis support apparatus described above.

<8-2. Modification 2> FIG. 15 is a view showing an embodiment in which a pulse diagnosis support apparatus is realized as eyeglasses. As shown in this figure, the main body of the apparatus is divided into a main body 601a and a main body 601b, each of which is separately attached to the vine 602 of the eyeglasses. These main bodies are electrically connected to each other via lead wires embedded inside the vine 602.

The main body 601a has a built-in display control circuit. A liquid crystal panel 604 is mounted on the entire surface of the main body 601a on the side of the lens 603, and a mirror 605 is provided at one end of the side surface at a predetermined angle. Fixed. Further, the main body 601a includes a liquid crystal panel 6 including a light source (not shown).
A drive circuit 04 and a circuit for generating display data are incorporated. Light emitted from this light source is reflected by a mirror 605 via a liquid crystal panel 604, and is projected on a lens 603 of eyeglasses. The main part of the apparatus is incorporated in the main body 601b, and various buttons are provided on the upper surface thereof.

On the other hand, the infrared light emitting diode emitting blue light and the optical sensor constituting the photoelectric pulse wave sensor are built in the pads 606 and 607, and
07 to the earlobe. These pads 606 and 607 are electrically connected to the main body 601b by lead wires 608 and 608. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to realize functions equivalent to those of the pulse diagnosis support apparatus described above.

<9. Others> In addition, not only the above-described portable mode but also a mode in which portability is difficult or a stationary mode may be adopted. For example, installing a pulse diagnosis support device in a medical facility,
The diagnostician and the patient may go to the installation position of the pulse diagnosis support device and use it. Further, although an example has been described in which the frequency after conversion is fixedly within the audible frequency range, the range of the conversion destination may be specified by a diagnostician or a user. That is, the diagnostician or the user may be able to specify the scale of the frequency conversion. Thereby, the diagnostician or the user can hear the sound in the sound range that is easy to hear. Of course, the diagnostician or user
It is also possible to change the scale according to the degree of its own pressing.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, the sound according to the current pulse wave waveform of the user (patient) is generated in synchronization with the pulsation, so that the diagnosing person who performs a pulse diagnosis can The user can directly sense the pulsation not only by touch but also by hearing. Therefore, the diagnosing person or the user can quickly and accurately specify the pulse wave waveform, and can support pulse diagnosis, physical condition determination, learning of pulse diagnosis, and the like (claim 1). Furthermore, the range (scale) of the sound according to the pulse waveform
Can be specified, so that the user can set the sound range so that the user can easily understand it.

Further, since a sample of a pulse waveform is stored, it is possible to determine which of the pulse waveforms (including the current pulse waveform) the sound corresponding to is to be produced in accordance with an instruction of a diagnostician or a user. Thus, it is possible to deepen the user's understanding of the pulse wave waveform (claim 3). Furthermore, since the present pulse wave waveform can be stored, the accuracy of the pulse diagnosis by the diagnostician can be improved, and the user's physical condition and pulse wave waveform can be deepened. Items 4, 6). Further, since the pulse wave waveform can be inputted and stored from the outside, the user can select the stored pulse wave waveform and sound the corresponding sound. This is helpful in deepening the user's understanding of his / her physical condition and pulse waveform (claims 5 and 6).

Further, by appealing not only to the sense of hearing but also to the sense of touch or the sense of sight, it is possible to further deepen the user's understanding of the pulse wave waveform (claims 7 to 9). Also,
Since the frequency conversion is performed on the digital signal, simplification and downsizing of the device can be promoted (claim 10).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a main part of a pulse diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a conversion unit 203 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a synchronization processing unit 202 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example that can be added to the conversion means 203 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration that can be added to the configuration shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an application configuration obtained by adding an application configuration to the additional configuration shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pulse diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an external view of the same device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sound generator 311 of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of a device main body 300 of the device with a cable 321 and a wristband 323 removed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure inside a data memory 308 of the device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the data structure inside the data memory 308 of the same device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing an application example in which the device is combined with a computer system.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a device corresponding to the device is realized as a necklace.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a device corresponding to the device is realized as glasses.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing typical pulse waveforms according to classifications of Chinese medicine and Indian medicine, where (a) shows a flat pulse,
(B) shows a smooth pulse, and (c) shows a chord.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 201: sensor, 202: synchronization processing means, 203: conversion means, 204: sound generation means, 2031: A / D converter, 2
032: Waveform memory, 2033: D / A converter, 205
... input means (instruction input means, waveform input means), 206,
210: control means, 207: sample waveform storage means, 2
08: display means, 209: pressing means

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sensor that detects a pulsation and outputs a pulse wave signal representing a pulse waveform, a synchronization processing unit that outputs a synchronization signal representing a timing corresponding to the pulsation, and a pulse represented by the pulse wave signal. A conversion unit that outputs a sound wave signal representing a sound wave waveform obtained by converting the frequency of the wave waveform so as to fall within an audible frequency range in accordance with timing represented by the synchronization signal; and a sound wave signal output from the conversion unit. A pulse diagnosis support device comprising: a sound generation unit that emits a sound corresponding to the sound. 2. A scale setting means for setting a frequency range within the audible frequency range, wherein the converting means sets a frequency of the sound wave waveform after the conversion within the frequency range set by the scale setting means. The pulse diagnosis support device according to claim 1, wherein the pulse wave signal is converted. 3. A sample waveform storage means for storing a pulse wave signal representing a pulse wave waveform; an instruction input means having an operator for inputting an instruction; and a pulse wave signal converted by the conversion means. Control means for selecting from a pulse wave signal output from the sensor and a pulse wave signal stored in the sample waveform storage means in accordance with an instruction input by the instruction input means. 3. The pulse diagnosis support device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The control means stores a pulse wave signal output from the sensor in the sample waveform storage means when a predetermined instruction is input by the instruction input means. The pulse diagnosis support device according to the above. 5. A pulse wave input unit for inputting a pulse wave signal, wherein the control unit stores the pulse wave signal input by the pulse wave input unit in the sample waveform storage unit. The pulse diagnosis support device according to claim 3, wherein 6. A pulse wave input unit for inputting a pulse wave signal, wherein the control unit is configured to output a pulse wave signal or the pulse wave output from the sensor according to an instruction input by the instruction input unit. 4. The pulse diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of the pulse wave signals input by the input unit is stored in the sample waveform storage unit. 7. A display device according to claim 1, further comprising a display surface for displaying an image, and display means for displaying an image corresponding to the pulse wave signal output from said sensor on said display surface.
7. The pulse diagnosis support device according to any one of claims 6 to 6. 8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: a movable portion that comes into contact with the human epidermis; and pressing means that drives the movable portion so as to press the epidermis with a pressure corresponding to a pulse wave signal output from the sensor. The pulse diagnosis support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 9. A pressing means, comprising: a movable portion that comes into contact with the human epidermis; and a driving unit that drives the movable portion to press the epidermis with a pressure corresponding to a pulse wave signal output from the sensor; and displaying an image. The pulse diagnosis support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a display surface, and display means for displaying an image corresponding to the pulse wave signal output from the sensor on the display surface. . 10. An analog / digital conversion means for converting a pulse wave signal output from the sensor into a digital signal, and a digital / analog conversion means for converting a digital signal into an analog signal, wherein the conversion means is a former stage. 10. The pulse diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the analog / digital conversion means and the digital / analog conversion means at a subsequent stage.