JPS63205592A - Alarm clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit outputting of an alarm during a REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep period by mounting electrodes of two points on both sides of the heart and earth to the body and measuring a heart rate. CONSTITUTION:A sensor block 4 is constituted of the electrodes 1 mounted on the two points on both sides of the heart by means of a band, the earth electrode 3 and an amplifier 3'. The clock is constituted of microcomputer 9 consisting of a CPU 6, a memory 7, a counter 8, etc., and a clock block 13 consisting of an oscillating circuit 10, a clock circuit 11, an alarm circuit 12, etc. The data on the average value of the interval time of the heartbeat pulses measured by the sensor block 4 is stored together with the time from the clock circuit 11 into the memory 7. The CPU 6 decides the REM sleep period from the data inputted thereto. The CPU compares the information on the REM sleeve period and the data on the freshly and successively obtd. data on the heartbeat pulses and outputs an alarm signal when the REM sleep period just before the alarm time is detected. The alarm is outputted at the set alarm time when the REM sleep period just before the alarm time is not detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an electronic watch, and more particularly to an alarm clock that can detect a human's sleep rhythm and sound an alarm in accordance with the human's sleep rhythm.

(Summary of the Invention) The present invention provides an alarm clock that measures heartbeats from electrodes that are placed in close contact with the human body while sleeping, and by analyzing the interval time between heartbeats, it is possible to detect sleep rhythms, particularly REM sleep periods, By sounding a wake-up alarm during this REM sleep period, the person can wake up feeling refreshed.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, alarm clocks were controlled only by the time of day, and RE
Detection of M sleep becomes affl Special 1 @ [53-7767
There are detection methods using brain waves as in No. 6, and detection methods using eye movement as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-13955.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Alarm clocks that are controlled only by the time of day ignore biological sleep rhythms, so if you are woken up by an alarm while you are deep in sleep, you have to wake up in extreme discomfort. In addition, when detecting the rhythm of sleep (REM sleep@), the measurement equipment for electroencephalogram measurement is complicated and large, and when detecting eye movements, sensors are attached to the face, so it is difficult to sleep. However, it is expected to be extremely uncomfortable, and has the drawback of being impractical for ordinary households.

(Function) With the above-described configuration, the average value data of the heartbeat pulse interval time is calculated based on the heartbeat pulse obtained from the electrode through the amplifier circuit, and the time when the average value data changes significantly within a certain period of time is calculated. It is possible to detect the REM sleep period by checking two points: the time interval between each sleep period and the time when the average value data changes significantly within a certain period of time.

[Purpose of the invention]

The purpose of the present invention is to install a sensor and perform REMM! by measuring heartbeat. To provide an alarm clock that can easily detect Ill and output an alarm during the REM sleep period.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, when the sleeping state is divided into REM sleep and NONREM sleep, we focus on large fluctuations in heart rate among the changes in various phenomena that appear in the body in each sleep state, In order to capture changes in heart rate, a total of three electrodes are attached to the body, such as two electrodes sandwiching the heart and a ground electrode, on the chest or arm using a chest band or wrist band. Based on the pulse, the CPU (Central Process
Unit ) and ROM (Read Only Hemo
ry), RAM (Random Access
HelOrV), which made it possible to detect REM sleep state by software-based data analysis using a counter.
A means for determining REM sleep was provided.

〔Example〕

Sleep rhythm can be broadly divided into REMI! Sleep.

NONREMI! Sleep is divided into two types: the former is closer to a waking state, and the latter is a deeper sleep state, and it is known that when you wake up during the former sleep state, you wake up feeling very refreshed. During this REMI sleep, several characteristic phenomena appear in the body, and medically, several phenomena are measured and R
Evaluating EM sleep. Typical phenomena are listed as follows: ・Rapid eye movements ・Theta waves become more noticeable in the brain waves and alpha waves ・The electromyogram stabilizes ・The skin potential level in the area of thermal sweating decreases ・Body Phenomena such as increased movement, faster pulse, penile erection in men, and massive enucleation in women are known.

In the present invention, among the above phenomena, changes in pulse rate are observed, cardiac potential is measured from electrodes attached to the body, and intervals between heartbeats are memorized and analyzed to determine REM sleep.

A specific explanation will be given below using the drawings. Figure 8 shows REMI by brain wave detection! This is a graph showing the sleep period and heart rate per unit time, and when you look at it, you're like, “REMIIm!”
It can be seen that increases and decreases in heart rate are closely related to sleep periods. (Reference: “Science of Sleep” edited by Kasao Torii, Asa Nenfuten) In other words, during the REM sleep period, the heart rate increases significantly and R
There is no significant increase or decrease outside the EMlllf1 period. Furthermore, REM sleep periods occur 4 to 5 times per night, each time lasting about 5 to 10 minutes, and the interval being about 90 to 110 minutes.

Therefore, in the present invention, the cardiac potential is measured, amplified, and memory data analyzed using a device as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.
Detect EM sleep period. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the configuration, and as shown in Figure 5, the electrodes 1.
Band 2 for attaching electrode 1. Earth electrode 3. and a sensor block 4 consisting of the amplifier circuit 3 whose circuit example is shown in FIG. 6, and an interface circuit 5 for incorporating the output from the sensor block 4 into the CPU 6. Processing circuit (CPLJ) that performs calculations for data analysis 6゜Memory circuit that records programs for calculation processing and data obtained during measurement 71 Counter circuit that performs time counting and sample counting 8
a microcomputer block 9 consisting of a microcomputer block 9, and an oscillation circuit 10. Clock circuit 11° alarm circuit 129 time display mechanism 21. It is composed of a clock block 13 including a speaker 15, and a switch operation section 14 including a switch for setting an alarm time and instructing the start of REM detection operation. FIG. 6 shows an example of the amplifier circuit 3. In FIG. To briefly explain with reference to the schematic waveform diagram in FIG. 7, the cardiac potential obtained from the electrodes is input to the differential amplifier 16 to obtain a point A waveform. This is input to the frequency selection amplification section 17, amplified only around 20 years old (8 point waveform), and further amplified by the inversion amplification section 18 (C
Point waveform) When passing through the comparator section 19 to obtain a digital output, a rectangular pulse synchronized with the heartbeat (hereinafter referred to as a heartbeat pulse) can be obtained as shown in the waveform at point D.

Next, the analysis operation will be explained based on the operation flowcharts of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. First, the user sets 7:00 AM as the final alarm time (for example, 7:00 AM tomorrow morning and the current time is 10:00 PM). Zarani REMIlu
Turn on the sleep judgment switch and go to sleep. First, there is a non-measurement period of 30 minutes in which the device does not operate.This was set based on the assumption that the user would fall asleep, and is a time period that is hardly needed for subsequent data analysis. There is no adverse effect. Cardiac potential measurement starts 30 minutes after the SW is turned on. Heartbeat pulses, which are the output from the amplifier circuit 3, are counted. Here, for example, if the unit heart rate is set to 120, , every time a heartbeat pulse is counted 120 times, the time Tn at that time is memorized, and the difference tn (tn - T
n-Tr), 1) is calculated and stored as a set with Tn.

If this operation is repeated until 2 hours before the final alarm time set, that is, 5 a.m., the average heartbeat pulse obtained at a rate of about once every 2 minutes during 6 and a half hours from 10:30 PM to 5 AM. Value data (T (N), t
(N)) will be stored, and approximately 390 pieces (195 pairs) will be stored, and based on this data, the REM sleep cycle and heart rate changes will be determined. FIG. 9 shows a graph showing the possible changes in heart rate in terms of time per unit number of repetitions. If you compare it with Figure 8, you can see that when Tn regularly decreases by a large amount, RE M I! It will be the 111th period. Two hours before the final alarm time, first select several dozen points (for example, 30 points) from the accumulated data in descending order of tn, and
Check whether N is gathered at intervals of 90 to 110 minutes, which corresponds to the period of REMl[.

If they are collected, the time TN with the smallest value of tn in each collection is set as REMII@time RN. Also, the average value TJT (Tar - tn
-tRn) is calculated, and the average value TAB (TAR-RN-RN-1) of the interval time between each RN is calculated to complete the analysis. If the samples are not collected at intervals of 90 minutes to 110 minutes, the number of samples selected in descending order is increased, and each time it is checked whether they are collected at intervals of 90 minutes to 110 minutes. Even if the number of samples is 10 or less, if they are not collected at intervals of 90 to 110 minutes, the second analysis method is used and the operation shown in Figure 3 is performed.

Here, the determination is not made based on the absolute value of tn but based on the rate of change. This calculates Ml for all t ports by assuming that the difference between tn at a certain time and tn before that time (for example, 10 minutes before) is Ml. Next, select several points (for example, 10 points) in descending order of Mn of the rate of change of tn, and calculate the T of these points.
Check whether N is gathered at intervals of 90 to 110 minutes.

If they are gathered, RN, Tar as mentioned above.
.

Calculate TAB and complete the analysis. If not, calculate the degree of variation from the average value of the interval time of each point selected in descending order of Mn, and if it falls within 20%, set each point as RN and use tar, TA as described above.
Calculate R and complete the analysis.

If it is not within 20%, reduce the number of samples selected in descending order of Mn and check the time interval. If the time interval variation does not fall within 20% and the number of samples reaches a certain point number (for example, 3 points), it is assumed that the REM sleep period cannot be detected and an alarm is output at the final alarm time set. become. At the time the analysis is completed, the above R
Except when the EM sleep period cannot be detected, the REM sleep period data is the average cycle time TAB of REMI, the REM sleep time RN immediately before the current time, and the REM sleep time and NON.
Difference in time per unit heart rate from REMII starvation tar
(rate of change in heart rate) has been obtained. Next, based on these analysis results, compare the tn and TN measured from the current time (approximately 2 hours before the final alarm time) onwards to determine the REMII.
The operation of determining whether the I chewing period is over again at the 1st t! ! ! 1
．． This will be explained based on FIG. FIG. 10 shows, for example, the timing at which the alarm sounds when the average cycle TAB of REMII sleep is 110 minutes. First, a non-measurement time is established based on the analysis results. The non-measurement time T* is RE M I! l [This was provided to avoid detecting the state twice, and the REM sleep average cycle T in the analysis results
TN-12O-TAB+5 (sin,) calculated using the following formula based on AR: REMI! as shown in Figure 10. If the average sleep cycle TAR is 110 minutes, the heat measurement time interval will be 15 minutes.

After this period of no measurement [TNK has passed, heart rate measurement is started again and the obtained data tn and TN are checked as needed using the following items.

・As a check of the REMI sleep cycle, the current time is REMI from the previous REM sleep time RN! Whether it is within 10 minutes before or after the time when the sleep cycle TAB time has elapsed.As a check for changes in heart rate per unit time, the difference between tn at the current time and tn 10 minutes ago is the REM obtained from the data. Sleeping and NONREMI! Is the difference in tn from when you sleep more than 60% of the average tar? Based on the above two items, REMI for both cycle and heart rate changes! 1lli period will be detected.

When the measured values for both items are obtained, the REM sleep period is determined and an alarm is immediately sounded to wake up the user. If the measurement is repeated and a measurement value that passes both items is not obtained even at the final alarm time, the REM
As the sleep period cannot be detected, an alarm is sounded at the final alarm time to wake up the user. With the above operation, RE
Unless the M sleep period cannot be detected, an alarm can be sounded during the REM sleep period to wake the user. The amplifier circuit shown in this example is just one
This is just an example, and other circuits may be used, and the values used in this example (number of 3! selection samples, unit heart rate during counting, etc.) are just examples. So this is actually not the case.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, by measuring the heartbeat by simply attaching electrodes and analyzing the obtained heartbeat data, it is possible to detect the REM sleep state, and furthermore, it is possible to detect the REM sleep state immediately before the final alarm time. By detecting the REM sleep of
Depending on the cycle and timing of REM sleep, you may wake up earlier (about 1 hour and 40 minutes in the worst case), but it is possible to wake up in time with the rhythm of your eyes.
As a result, you can wake up feeling very refreshed. In addition, since the device uses a band to attach the electrodes and a microcomputer to analyze the data, the sensor can be easily set up, and the entire device is compact, making it fully practical for ordinary homes.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1, 2, and 3 are operational flowcharts of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the present invention. Example Figure 7 shows the schematic waveform of the cardiac potential amplification circuit. Figure 8 shows the correlation between REM III stage 1 and heart rate per unit time based on electroencephalogram detection. Figure 9 shows the time change per unit number of heartbeat pulses after falling asleep. Figure 10 is an alarm timing diagram for TAB-110 minutes.
ing Unit) 7...Memory 9...Microcomputer block 10...Oscillation circuit 11...Timekeeping circuit 12...Alarm circuit 21...Time display mechanism・Applicant: Seiko Electronic Industries Co., Ltd. First fT70-+Yard 1 Fig. 1 9/7 of Honsakumei (乍Flow 10τ-t 2 Fig. 2 Mokhiro e Month's operation flow 13 Fig. 3 111--・・−１――−−−・−−−−−−Noun−−・
---- To mshiwn ( - meeting ( "(゛Mechanical liquid form of potential amplification circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) At least an oscillation circuit, a clock circuit, a time display mechanism, an alarm sounding circuit, an electrode for sensing cardiac potential for measuring heartbeat, and amplifying the cardiac potential signal obtained from the electrode and converting it into a rectangular pulse. An electronic watch consisting of an amplifier circuit that outputs heartbeat pulses synchronized with heartbeats includes a data storage means for storing the average interval time of the heartbeat pulses as data together with the clocked time, and an REM for analyzing the data.
(Rapid Eve Hovement) A REM sleep period determining means for determining the sleep period compares the REM sleep period information with the data of the average interval time of heartbeat pulses newly obtained sequentially, and detects the REM sleep period immediately before the alarm time. If the alarm signal is output or the previous R
An alarm clock characterized by comprising an alarm signal output determination means for outputting an alarm signal at a set alarm time when an EM sleep period cannot be detected. (2) The REM sleep determining means compares the magnitude of the average value data of heartbeat pulse intervals at regular intervals, and determines the interval between the time when the average value data changes significantly and the time when the next large change occurs; The REM sleep period is determined based on two pieces of information: a peak value of the average value data when the average value data changes significantly and a difference between the values of the average value data when the average value data does not change significantly. An alarm clock according to claim 1.