KR100734624B1 - Apparatus and method for helping safe walking using bio signal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal, and in particular, an operation measurement for determining a fall state and a movement state of a user using a method of measuring the position and acceleration of a safety walking assistance device having a stick shape to assist a person's walking. sensor; A plurality of biosignal measuring sensors attached to a portion where the user's hand contacts in the safety walking assistance device, and configured to measure a biosignal from the user's hand; A sensor signal measuring unit for converting the analog signal measured from the plurality of measuring sensors into a digital signal; A sensor signal determination unit configured to determine a state of the user by using the measurement signal converted by the sensor signal measurement unit; And result notification means for informing the result determined from the sensor signal determination unit.

Gait Assist, Biological Signal, Body Temperature, Pulse, Motion Sensor

Description

Safety walking assistance device using bio-signals and its method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HELPING SAFE WALKING USING BIO SIGNAL}

1 is a view showing the type and location of the bio-signals measured in the hand applied in the first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a view showing the type and location of the bio-signals measured in the wrist applied to the second embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view showing the structure of a cane in a safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view showing the structure of a cane in a safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view showing the structure of a safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flow chart illustrating a safety walking assistance procedure using a bio-signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side view showing the state when holding the cane in the safety walking aid device using a bio-signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a side view showing the state when holding the cane in the safety walking aid device using a biological signal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100, 210, 700, 801: pulse measuring site

110, 200, 220, 701, 800, 802: body temperature measurement site

300, 400: walk aids 301, 401, 403: body temperature measuring sensor

302, 402: pulse measuring sensor 303, 404, 501: motion measuring sensor

304, 408, 502: sensor signal measuring unit 305, 407, 503: sensor signal determining unit

306, 408, 809: Input unit 307, 409, 504: Measurement result display unit

308, 410, 508: Speakers 309, 411, 506: Location tracking unit

310, 412, 507: wireless communication unit 405: wrist ring

406: connecting line 500: biological signal measuring sensor

505: control unit

The present invention relates to a walking assistance device and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a safety walking assistance device using a biosignal for assisting a pedestrian's safe walking by including a device for measuring a biosignal in a walking assistance device and a method thereof. will be.

In general, the elderly or disabled people who are uncomfortable walking use a walking aid device for smooth walking. In addition, even when the leg is injured due to an accident, such a walking assistance device is used. There are various types of walk assistance devices. For example, there are crutches, walking stands, walking frames, wheelchairs used by patients in hospitals, including canes used by the elderly, and the types thereof are also variously manufactured to suit the user's convenience.

On the other hand, the walking aid device may be considered important to determine the health status of the user and whether or not smooth assistance as an auxiliary means used by people who are uncomfortable to walk. In other words, there is a demand for a method of notifying and promptly responding to an emergency situation due to a fall of a user using a walking assistance device or a sudden physical abnormality.

However, the current walk assistance devices merely have a walk assistance function for movement, and there is no device for identifying a user's state. Also, in general, devices for measuring a health condition include a device in the form of a shoulder strap and a device in the form of a computer mouse. However, the shoulder strap-type device has a lot of inconvenience because it must be worn in the body, the computer mouse-type device has a problem that the mobility is limited.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a safety walking assistance device and method that can monitor a health condition and emergency using a bio-signal.

Safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the safety walking aid device of the bar-shaped to assist the human walking, the position and acceleration measurement of the safety walking assistance device A motion measuring sensor for determining a fall state and a movement state of a user using a method; A plurality of biosignal measuring sensors attached to a portion where the user's hand contacts in the safety walking assistance device, and configured to measure a biosignal from the user's hand; A sensor signal measuring unit for converting the analog signal measured from the plurality of measuring sensors into a digital signal; A sensor signal determination unit configured to determine a state of the user by using the measurement signal converted by the sensor signal measurement unit; And a result notifying means for informing the result determined by the sensor signal determining unit.

In addition, the safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal according to another embodiment of the present invention, in the safety walking aid device of the bar shape to assist the human walking, the user using the method of measuring the position and acceleration of the safety walking assistance device A motion measuring sensor for determining a falling state and a moving state of the; A wrist ring to which a plurality of biosignal measuring sensors are attached to measure a biosignal from the wrist of the user; A connection line connecting the biosignal measuring sensor attached to the wrist ring and the information processing part of the safety walking aid; A sensor signal measuring unit configured to convert analog signals measured by the plurality of biosignal measuring sensors into digital signals; A sensor signal determination unit configured to determine a state of the user by using the measurement signal converted by the sensor signal measurement unit; And a result notifying means for informing the result determined by the sensor signal determining unit.

In addition, the safety walking assistance method using a bio-signal according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the user falls down using the method of measuring the position and acceleration of the safety walking assistance device in the form of a stick to assist the human walking. A first step of determining a state and a moving situation; A second step of measuring the bio-signal of the user through a sensor provided in the safety walking assistance device to measure the bio-signal from the hand or wrist of the user; Converting the analog signal measured by the sensor into a digital signal; A fourth step of determining a user's health condition and an emergency situation using the determination result of the first step and the converted signal of the third step, and notifying the result of the determination through a result notification means; And a fifth step of outputting an emergency message through a speaker when the determination result is an emergency state of the user.

The present invention proposes a device for assisting a pedestrian's walking safely by detecting a change in a pedestrian's biosignal by providing a biosignal measuring device capable of measuring a biosignal at a location where the pedestrian's safety walking assistance device contacts a pedestrian. .

Examples of the safety walking aid device to which the present invention is applied include a cane, crutches, walking stand, walking frame, wheelchair, and the like. The sensor for measuring the physiological signal is provided at a portion where the walking assistance device and the pedestrian's hand or wrist are connected to facilitate the measurement. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to various types of walking assistance devices. In the following description, the case is applied to the most commonly used cane will be described as an example.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the application to the cane and can be applied to crutches, walking stand, walking frame, wheelchair and the like in the same way. In particular, in the case of a cane or crutches, the user is standing perpendicular to the ground when standing, but when the user falls down momentarily, the state is converted to a lying state together. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively determine the fall state of the user by using the location information of the cane or crutches and the status information of the user.

In addition, the present invention uses the information measured from the sensor for measuring the bio-signal as information to determine the state of the pedestrian, and also determine whether the pedestrian is safe walking by determining the movement of the pedestrian.

In addition, in the present invention, the health status and emergency of the pedestrian are determined from the measured information, and the result is notified to the pedestrian or a predetermined remote location. In particular, when an emergency situation in which a pedestrian falls down or a pedestrian's health condition suddenly deteriorates, a rescue signal is output by a speaker provided separately, and a remote location can be notified quickly. do.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same reference numerals and the same elements among the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating types and positions of bio signals measured in a hand or a wrist applied to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a biosignal measurement site that can be measured in a hand, and measures body temperature by measuring SKT at the body temperature measurement site 110, and measures a pulse and the like by measuring PPG at the pulse measurement site 100. On the other hand, Figure 2 shows a measurement site of the bio-signal measurable from the wrist, as in the hand of Figure 1 measures the body temperature by measuring the SKT at the body temperature measurement site (200, 220), pulse measurement site 210 Measure the pulse, etc. by measuring PPG.

On the other hand, Figures 1 and 2 are shown only for the bio-signals measured on the hand or wrist, but as the type of walking aid device is changed (for example, crutches, walking stand, walking frame, wheelchair, etc., not a cane), the human body The site for measuring the bio-signal may vary. That is, when the present invention is applied to a wheelchair, the biosignal measuring apparatus may be attached to the chest or the back of the pedestrian.

3 and 4 are safety walking aids (eg, walking sticks) 300 and 400 having a biosignal measuring apparatus for detecting the state information of a pedestrian from sensor signals measured from the biosignal measuring portions of FIGS. 1 and 2. ). 3 illustrates an example of a safety walking assistance device capable of acquiring biometric information from a hand according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the biometric information is read from the wrist according to the second embodiment of the present invention. An example of the safety walking assistance apparatus which can be acquired is demonstrated. Meanwhile, FIGS. 3 and 4 to be described later show the case where the present invention is applied to the cane among the safety walking aids, but various other walking aids (for example, crutches, walking stand, walking frame, wheelchair, etc.). The same method can be applied. For example, there may be a method of installing a biosignal measuring apparatus that grasps state information in a portion where a body (a hand or a wrist, etc.) comes into contact with each walk assistance device, and the biosignal is located in a specific portion of each walk assistance device. A measuring device may be installed and implemented to exchange signals with specific body parts of the pedestrian.

First, referring to FIG. 3, a biosignal measuring apparatus for acquiring biometric information from a hand to grasp state information may be located around a portion of a hand held by a safety walking assistance device (eg, a cane) 300 as shown. Will be located.

The biosignal measuring apparatus includes a sensor signal measuring unit 304 including a body temperature measuring sensor 301, a pulse measuring sensor 302, an operation measuring sensor 303, a sensor signal determining unit 305, and an input unit 306. The measurement result display unit 307, the speaker 308, the location tracking unit 309, and the wireless communication unit 310 may be configured. On the other hand, the bio-signal measuring apparatus may be attached to the wand by distributing various functional units or implementing some or all of them in one configuration as shown in FIG.

Information such as pulse, body temperature, motion, etc. measured by each sensor of the sensor signal measuring unit 304 is converted into a digital signal and transmitted to the sensor signal determining unit 305. The sensor signal determination unit 305 detects a pedestrian state or an emergency state from the received sensor information. The input unit 306 may be implemented in the form of a button or a touch screen as an input means that allows a user to change a mode for a device or input information for smooth operation of the device in order to determine a state of health of the user. .

The measurement result in the sensor signal determination unit 305 is displayed on the measurement result display unit 307 to notify the user, the measurement result display unit 307 may be implemented by various forms of display means such as LCD, LED, etc. Can be. The speaker 308 outputs the user's health information or emergency information according to the measurement result as sound. In particular, when an emergency occurs, it is possible to output a sound or signal informing of an emergency state.

The location tracking unit 309 performs a function of identifying the location of the user and may use a means such as GPS. The wireless communication unit 310 serves to notify the predetermined place (home or hospital, etc.) together with the location of the user tracked by the location tracking unit 309 of the measured health information or emergency information when an emergency occurs. Perform. The wireless communication unit 310 may be implemented by any type of wireless communication means.

That is, the biometric signal and the motion of the user of the safety walking assist device are measured through the motion measurement sensor 303 including a biosignal sensor such as the body temperature sensor 301 and the pulse sensor 302 and an acceleration sensor. The analog signal measured by the sensors is converted into a digital signal through filtering and A / D conversion by the sensor signal measuring unit 304.

Using the signal measured by the sensor signal measuring unit 304, the sensor signal determining unit 305 determines the health state and emergency of the user. The result determined by the sensor signal determination unit 305 is known to the user through a result notification device such as a measurement result display unit 307 or a speaker 308. When the health condition determined by the sensor signal determination unit 305 is an emergency, a sound for requesting help from the speaker 308 is periodically output, and the location tracking unit 309 determines a user's location and wirelessly. The communication unit 310 informs that the emergency situation has occurred and the user's location to a predetermined place.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the biosignal measuring apparatus for acquiring the biometric information from the wrist and identifying the status information may include a safety walking assistance device (eg, a cane) and a wrist ring connected to the safety walking assistance device. In 405 the position is in contact with the corresponding portion of the wrist.

The biosignal measuring apparatus includes a sensor signal measuring unit 405 including a body temperature measuring sensor 401, 403, a pulse measuring sensor 402, a motion measuring sensor 404, a connection line 406, a sensor signal determining unit ( 407, an input unit 408, a measurement result display unit 409, a speaker 410, a location tracking unit 411, a wireless communication unit 412, and the like. On the other hand, the bio-signal measuring apparatus may be attached to the wand by distributing various functional units or implementing some or all of them in one configuration as shown in FIG.

Information such as pulse, body temperature, motion, etc. measured from each sensor of the sensor signal measuring unit 405 is converted into a digital signal to the sensor signal determining unit 407 through the connecting line 406 connected to the wand body. Is sent. The sensor signal determination unit 407 may detect a health state or an emergency state of a pedestrian from the received sensor information. The input unit 408 may be implemented as a button, a touch pad, or a touch screen as an input means that allows a user to change a mode for a device or input information for smooth operation of the device in order to determine his or her health state. Can be.

The measurement result of the sensor signal determining unit 407 is displayed on the measurement result display unit 409 to notify the user, and the measurement result display unit 409 may be implemented by various forms of display means such as LCD, LED, and the like. Can be. The speaker 410 outputs the user's health information or emergency information as a sound according to the measurement result. In particular, when an emergency occurs, it is possible to output a sound or signal informing of an emergency state.

The location tracking unit 411 performs a function of identifying the location of the user and may use a means such as GPS. The wireless communication unit 412 serves to notify the predetermined place (home or hospital, etc.) together with the user's location tracked by the location tracking unit 411, such as the measured health information or emergency information when an emergency occurs. Perform. The wireless communication unit 412 can be implemented by any form of wireless communication means.

That is, the biometric signal and the motion of the user of the safety walking assist device are measured through the motion measurement sensor 404 including the biosignal sensors such as the body temperature sensors 401 and 403 and the pulse sensor 402 and the acceleration sensor. The analog signal measured by the sensors is converted into a digital signal through filtering and A / D conversion by the sensor signal measuring unit 405.

Using the signal measured by the sensor signal measuring unit 405, the sensor signal determination unit 407 determines the health state and emergency of the user. The result determined by the sensor signal determination unit 407 is known to the user through a result notification device such as the measurement result display unit 409 or the speaker 410. When the health condition determined by the sensor signal determining unit 407 is an emergency, a sound for requesting help from the speaker 410 is periodically output, and the location tracking unit 411 determines the location of the user and wirelessly. The communication unit 412 informs that the emergency situation has occurred and the user's location to a predetermined place.

5 is a view showing the configuration of a safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the safety walking assistance apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a biosignal measuring sensor 500 including a body temperature measuring sensor 301 and a pulse measuring sensor 302 of FIG. 3 or 4. Motion measurement sensor 501, sensor signal measurement unit 502, sensor signal determination unit 503, measurement result display unit 504, control unit 505, position tracking unit 506, wireless communication unit, etc. 507, a speaker 508, an input unit 509, and the like.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each component of the safety walking assistance device may be attached to a cane by distributing various functional parts or implementing some or all of them in one configuration according to the appearance of the device. have.

The bio-signal measuring sensor 500 measures the user's pulse (PPG), body temperature (SKT), etc. according to the position and characteristics of each sensor, the motion measuring sensor 501 measures the user's operating state of the sensor The signal measuring unit 502 continues to transmit in real time. The sensor signal measuring unit 502 converts the analog signal information received from the sensors into a digital signal through signal processing such as filtering and analog-to-digital conversion (A / D converting).

 The controller 505 provides the sensor signals that are digitally converted from the sensor signal measuring unit 502 to the sensor signal determining unit 503. The controller 505 performs the same role as a CPU in a general system. The sensor signal determination unit 503 analyzes the digital signal from the sensor signal measurement unit 502 to determine a current health state or emergency situation of the user and generate a result.

The result analyzed by the sensor signal determination unit 503 is displayed on the measurement result display unit 504, and the speaker 509 can be notified of the measurement result. In addition, the measurement result is notified to a predetermined place (for example, home or hospital) through the wireless communication unit 507 to quickly inform the family or doctor.

On the other hand, when it is determined that an emergency situation as a result of the analysis of the sensor signal determination unit 503, the emergency situation information is output through the measurement result display unit 504 or the speaker 508, and the position tracking unit 506 In addition to the user's location information measured by the wireless communication unit 507 to promptly notify the predetermined place (for example, home or hospital).

Therefore, by quickly transmitting the user's status information to the family or doctor of the user in real time, it is possible to ensure safe walking of the safety walking assistance device user.

As described above, the input unit 509 is a portion to which a signal such as various information input or setting change is input by the user.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a safety walking assistance procedure using a biosignal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, first, as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the biosignal and the motion of the user are measured through a sensor provided in the safety walking assistance device in order to measure the biosignal from the user's hand or wrist. S601). Then, the analog signal measured by the sensor is converted into a digital signal (S602).

The health state and the emergency situation are determined using the measured signal (S603), and the determination result is notified through the display device or the speaker (S604).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the user's state is an emergency state as a result of the measurement (S605), the emergency message is output through the speaker (S606), and as described above, the user's location information is obtained through the location tracking unit ( S607) and transmits the emergency situation and location information to a predetermined place (S608).

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are side views illustrating a state in which the safety walking aid wand using the bio signals according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention is held by a hand and a wrist.

Referring to FIG. 7, when using the safety walking assistance device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the inside of the thumb 700 and the body temperature sensor 301 of the safety walking aid contact with each other to measure SKT. , The detection end 701 and the pulse measuring sensor 302 portion of the safety walking aid device contact and measure the PPG.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the case of using the safety walking assistance device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, SKT may contact each of the wrists 800 and 802 and the body temperature measuring sensors 401 and 403 of the safety walking assistance device, respectively. In the wrist, the middle 801 of the wrist and the pulse measuring sensor 402 of the safety walking assistance device contact each other to measure the PPG.

The above shows an example of a walking aid device in the form of a cane using one hand, and in the case of a walking aid device in the form of a cane or wheelchair using two hands, as described above, not only pulse and blood but also EEG and ECG. Additional biosignals can be measured such as (ECG), blood flow, sympathetic, parasympathetic response.

The safe walking assistance method using the biosignal according to the present invention may be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also include those implemented in the form of carrier waves such as transmission over the Internet. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the claims below, but also by those equivalent to the claims.

According to the present invention as described above, in the case of using the walking aid device due to inconvenient behavior, or in the case of using the walking aid device in outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, a safe movement is provided by using the biosignal. In addition, by providing easy wearing and mobility and services for emergencies, it is possible to implement a safety walking aid device that can be moved conveniently and safely to those who need a walking aid device.

Claims (8)

In the walking safety device in the form of a stick to assist human walking, A motion measuring sensor for determining a fall state and a moving state of a user by using a position and acceleration measuring method of the safety walking assistance device; A plurality of biosignal measuring sensors attached to a portion where the user's hand contacts in the safety walking assistance device, and configured to measure a biosignal from the user's hand; A sensor signal measuring unit for converting the analog signal measured from the plurality of measuring sensors into a digital signal; A sensor signal determination unit configured to determine a state of the user by using the measurement signal converted by the sensor signal measurement unit; And Result notification means for reporting a result determined from the sensor signal determination unit; Safe walking assistance device using a biological signal comprising a. In the walking safety device in the form of a stick to assist human walking, A motion measuring sensor for determining a fall state and a moving state of a user by using a position and acceleration measuring method of the safety walking assistance device; A wrist ring to which a plurality of biosignal measuring sensors are attached to measure a biosignal from the wrist of the user; A connection line connecting the biosignal measuring sensor attached to the wrist ring and the information processing part of the safety walking aid; A sensor signal measuring unit configured to convert analog signals measured by the plurality of biosignal measuring sensors into digital signals; A sensor signal determination unit configured to determine a state of the user by using the measurement signal converted by the sensor signal measurement unit; And Result notification means for reporting a result determined from the sensor signal determination unit; Safe walking assistance device using a biological signal comprising a. delete The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bio-signal, Safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal, characterized in that any one or more selected from the pulse, body temperature, electrocardiogram and blood flow. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the result notification means, Safety walking assistance device using a bio-signal, characterized in that implemented as a display means for visually expressing the result or a speaker for aurally expressing the result. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus comprises: A location tracking unit for tracking the location of the device by location tracking means; And And a wireless communication unit capable of transmitting the information collected by the device to a predetermined location. A first step of determining a fall state and a movement state of the user by using a position and acceleration measuring method of a safety walking aid device in the form of a stick to assist a person walking; A second step of measuring the bio-signal of the user through a sensor provided in the safety walking assistance device to measure the bio-signal from the hand or wrist of the user; Converting the analog signal measured by the sensor into a digital signal; A fourth step of determining a user's health condition and an emergency situation using the determination result of the first step and the converted signal of the third step, and notifying the result of the determination through a result notification means; And A fifth step of outputting an emergency message through a speaker when the determination result is an emergency state of a user; Safe walking assistance method using a biological signal comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein after the fifth step, Obtaining location information of the safety walking assistance device user through a location tracking means; And Transmitting emergency information and location information to a predetermined place; Safe walk assistance method using a bio-signal further comprising a.

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