KR101453778B1 - Apparatus and method for somatosensory stimulation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensory stimulation device, and more particularly, to a sensory stimulation device having an air mat capable of expanding in volume by the inflow of air; A coil capable of generating or oscillating heat in accordance with the supplied current; And a magnetic pole control unit for controlling the air flowing into the air mat or the current flowing in the coil, wherein the magnetic pole control unit controls the air flowing into the air mat at the time of pushing and pressing, And controls a current flowing in the coil.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SOMATOSENSORY STIMULATION [0002]

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for sensory stimulation, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for sensory stimulation using air pads and coils to measure pressure, vibrotactile, and heat in a single actuator, The present invention relates to a sensory stimulation apparatus and method capable of simultaneously stimulating the sensory stimulation.

Previous studies have been conducted to identify characteristics of perception and cognition of senses by stimulating the senses such as vibration and pressure and observing changes in the brain function of the subjects using electroencephalogram (EEG) It is progressing.

In order to identify the perception and cognitive characteristics of human senses, a sensory stimulation technique capable of presenting various senses is required. Specifically, in order to present various sensory stimuli such as pressure, warmth, and vibration, pressure, heat, vibration And a sensory stimulation technique capable of changing the strength of a stimulus to be presented and the like are needed.

However, the conventional sensory stimulation technique has a separate device for each type of stimulus to be presented. Specifically, an individual device such as an air-puff device, a diaphragm, and a von frey filament was provided to present a pressure stimulus, and a light bulb ) And a Peltier element, and a separate vibration generating device such as a vibration motor or a piezo element is provided to present a vibration stimulus.

Therefore, when two or more sensory stimuli are to be presented on the same region, it is difficult to precisely match the target objects of a plurality of apparatuses, and it is difficult to secure spatial reliability (reliability regarding coincidence of operation targets) .

In addition, since the conventional sensory stimulation technique can not simultaneously present two or more sensory stimuli using one apparatus, it is necessary to provide temporal reliability (two or more sensory stimuli are simultaneously presented It is difficult to secure the reliability of the system.

Therefore, there is no research on complex sensory stimulation of two or more because of the above-mentioned problems. Accordingly, development of a new sensory stimulation device capable of solving these problems is required.

The present invention has been made in order to satisfy the above-mentioned technical requirements, and it is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a technique which can not be easily developed by those skilled in the art.

KR 2010-0080998 A

The present invention is directed to providing a sensory stimulation technique capable of presenting pressure stimulation, Vibrotactile stimulation and Heat stimulation individually or simultaneously in one actuator.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensory stimulation apparatus comprising: an air mat capable of expanding in volume by inflow of air; A coil capable of generating or oscillating heat in accordance with the supplied current; And a magnetic pole control unit for controlling the air flowing into the air mat or the current flowing in the coil, wherein the magnetic pole control unit controls the air flowing into the air mat at the time of pushing and pressing, And controls a current flowing in the coil.

Further, the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a mode for individually stimulating a pressure sensation, a feeling of vibration or warmth; And a mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of a pressure sensation, an emotion sensation, and a warm sensation.

Also, in the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the stimulation control section operates in a mode for stimulating only depression, air is introduced into the air mat, And ii) controlling the air current to flow into the coil, the AC current from which the DC component is removed, and the magnetic field to be applied to the coil, iii) In the case of operating in a mode for only stimulating warmth, air is not introduced into the air mat, a DC current from which an AC component is removed flows to the coil, and a magnetic field is not applied to the coil.

Further, the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field to the coil to allow the coil to vibrate.

Further, in the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the stimulation control section operates in a mode for simultaneously stimulating pressure sensation and warm sensation, air is introduced into the air mat, and a DC component The air current does not flow into the air mat, and the AC and DC components are supplied to the coil when the coil is operated in a mode in which a current flows and a magnetic field is not applied to the coil, and ii) The air current flows into the air mat when the current flows and the coil is controlled to apply a magnetic field to the coil, and iii) when the mode is operated to simultaneously stimulate the pressure sensing and the vibration sensing, air flows into the air mat, And controls the magnetic field to be applied to the coil.

In addition, when the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention operates in a mode for simultaneously stimulating pressure, warmth, and vibration, air is introduced into the air mat, and a current And a magnetic field is applied to the coil.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensory stimulation apparatus, wherein the air mat is provided with a pressure sensor, and the stimulation control unit controls air introduced into the air mat based on an output signal of the pressure sensor .

Also, in the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the coil is provided with a temperature sensor or a three-axis acceleration sensor, and the stimulation control unit controls the coil, based on the output signal of the temperature sensor or the three- And the current flowing through the resistor is controlled.

In the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air mat and the coil are integrally formed, and are formed to be able to wrap a finger or a toe.

Further, in the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the coil is formed of a solenoid, and a space in which a finger or a toe can be inserted is formed in a body in which the coil and the air mat are integrally formed .

Further, in the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air mat is formed of a cuff, and the coil is formed of a planar coil coupled to a surface of the cuff, And can be deformed into a dried form.

In addition, the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the air mat and the coil are integrally formed to form a single fingertip stimulating portion, and the finger fingertip stimulating portions are formed in plural.

Further, the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of finger joint stimulation units implement different sensory stimulation.

Also, in the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air mat and the coil are formed in a vertically arranged state, and are formed to stimulate pressure in a vertical direction.

Also, the sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an air mat driving unit, which includes a rolling pump, and supplies air to the air mat according to a control signal transmitted from the stimulation control unit; And a coil driving unit for supplying a current to the coil according to a control signal transmitted from the stimulation control unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensory stimulation system, comprising: a stimulus selection unit configured to select a stimulus selected from among a plurality of stimuli including pressure, An air mat capable of being expanded in volume by the air, and a coil capable of generating heat or vibration when an electric current flows; And a body reaction detecting device for detecting a body reaction that may occur when a pressure sensation, a vibration sensation, or a warm sensation stimulus is presented by the sensory stimulation device.

In addition, the sensory stimulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a mode in which the sensory stimulation apparatus separately stimulates a pressure sensation, a feeling or a feeling of warmth; And a mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of a pressure sensation, an emotion sensation, and a warm sensation.

In addition, the sensory stimulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the body reaction sensing device is an electroencephalography (EEG) device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sensory stimulation method comprising: (a) selecting an operation mode of a sensory stimulation apparatus and selecting a type of a stimulus to be presented according to a selection of an operation mode; step; (b) flowing air into the air mat included in the sensory stimulation device or flowing current to a coil included in the sensing device; And (c) a step in which the air mat generates pressure through an expansion operation, the coil generates heat, or the coil vibrates, wherein a stimulus that the sensory stimulating apparatus can present is , A pushing stimulus, a warm stimulus, and a vibrating stimulus.

Further, the sensory stimulation method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a mode in which the operation mode of the step (a) individually stimulates a pressure sensation, an emotion sensation or a warm sensation; And a mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of a pressure sensation, an emotion sensation, and a warm sensation.

The present invention can provide a pushing stimulus, a warm stimulus, and a vibration stimulus through a single sensory stimulation device.

In addition, the present invention may simultaneously present two or more sensory stimuli selected from a pressure stimulus, a warm sensation stimulus, and a vibrating sensation stimulus. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for i) simultaneous presentation of pressure and warm stimulation, ii) simultaneous indication of warmth and feeling stimulus, iii) simultaneous presentation of feeling and pressure stimulation, or iii) Can be presented simultaneously.

In addition, the present invention can secure spatial reliability when presenting two or more senses. Specifically, since the present invention can present two or more senses using a single device, it is possible to secure spatial reliability (reliability regarding the coincidence of the operation sites) when two or more sensory stimuli are to be presented to the same site.

In addition, the present invention can secure temporal reliability when presenting two or more senses. More specifically, the present invention can present two or more senses by using a single device. Therefore, when two or more stimuli are to be presented at the same time, time reliability (reliability regarding whether two or more stimuli are simultaneously applied) have.

In addition, since the present invention uses the air mat to show the pressure, it is possible to ensure the sustainability of the pressure feeling, and the intensity of the pressure feeling can be easily adjusted by adjusting the amount of air to be introduced. Conventionally, since the method using an air-puff or a diaphragm is used for presenting a push-pull stimulus, it is difficult to control the strength of the push-pull stimulus or present a continuous push-pull stimulus. These problems can be overcome by presenting a pushing stimulus using a mat.

Further, since the present invention uses a coil to show warmth, it is possible to control the area of the warm-up stimulus and control the strength of the warm-up stimulus precisely. The conventional method using the incandescent bulb has difficulty in controlling the area of the warm stimulus or controlling the intensity of the warm stimulus precisely and the conventional method using the Peltier element has a problem in that the degree of freedom of the warm stimulus area is lowered However, the present invention can overcome this problem by providing a warm-feeling stimulus using a coil.

Further, since the present invention uses a coil to present a sense of vibration, it is possible to control the area of the vibration stimulus, precisely control the intensity of the stimulus, and broaden the frequency range of the stimulus. Conventional vibration stimulation devices use vibration motors and piezo elements for vibration stimulus presentation. However, it is difficult to control the area of the stimulation, the intensity of the stimulus is weak, and the intensity of the stimulus changes according to the stimulation frequency. Since the present invention uses a coil for stimulus stimulation, it is possible to overcome these problems, and it is advantageous in that it is easy to manufacture.

Further, the present invention can precisely control the intensity of the sensory stimulus presented in accordance with the original intention through feedback control using a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a three-axis acceleration sensor. Specifically, the present invention can use the sensors to sense a pressure stimulus, a thermal stimulus or a vibration stimulus actually presented by an air mat or a coil, and when the strength of the sensed stimulus is different from the originally intended intensity, The air injected into the air mat or the current flowing through the coil can be controlled again to change to the originally intended intensity.

In addition, the present invention can also be utilized as an application for presenting a sensory stimulus to a finger or a toe. Specifically, the present invention can be configured in such a manner that a finger or a toe can be inserted or dried in a body formed by an air mat or a coil, so that it is possible to present a sensation to the entire finger or toe, It can be used for presenting. (For reference, conventional sensory stimulation devices have presented sensory stimulation by using air injection, pressure plate, incandescent lamp, etc., so it was difficult to present sensory stimulation to human body parts such as fingers and toes, It was even more difficult to implement stimulation.)

In addition, the present invention can also be utilized as an application for presenting sensory stimulation by each node of a finger. In this case, the present invention may present different types of sensory stimuli for each of the nodes or may provide stimuli of different intensities even for the same type of sensory stimuli.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a sensory stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a sensory stimulation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing that the air mat included in the present invention implements a push-pull stimulus.
4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of a coil that may be included in the present invention.
5 to 7 are illustrations showing examples in which an air mat and a coil that can be included in the present invention are integrally formed.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sensory stimulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a sensory stimulation apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are provided so that those skilled in the art can easily understand the technical spirit of the present invention, and thus the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the matters described in the attached drawings may be different from those actually implemented by the schematic drawings to easily describe the embodiments of the present invention.

In the meantime, each functional unit expressed below is only an example for implementing the present invention. Therefore, other functional units may be used in other embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, each functional unit may be implemented solely in hardware or software configuration, but may be implemented in combination of various hardware and software configurations that perform the same function.

Also, the expression " comprising " is intended to be merely an expression of the presence of that element as an " open representation ", and should not be understood as excluding any additional elements.

Hereinafter, a sensory stimulation apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air mat 110 that can be expanded in volume by the inflow of air, An air mat driving unit 112 for adjusting air supplied to the air mat, a coil driving unit 122 for adjusting a current supplied to the coils, an air mat driving unit 122, And a magnetic pole control unit 130 for controlling the operation of the coil driving unit.

The sensory stimulation apparatus 100 may further include a magnetic field generation unit 190 that generates a magnetic field necessary for the coil to vibrate. The sensory stimulation apparatus 100 includes an input unit 140 for receiving information such as parameters from a user, And a display unit 150 for displaying an operation state or an operation result of the apparatus.

The air mat 110 can be expanded in volume by the inflow of air, and is capable of presenting a pressure sensitive stimulus to a target region through such volume expansion. The air mat 110 may be formed of various materials such as vinyl, cloth rubber, and the like. The air mat 110 may include at least one air cell capable of expanding in volume due to inflow of air. Also, the air mat 110 may be formed of a cuff, preferably including an air cell, wherein the cuff is generally in the medical field between a tube and an organ Is used to close the tube end of the tube with a thin rubber bag is attached to the air is meant to be configured to inflate.

Meanwhile, the air mat 110 may be connected to the air mat driving unit 112 through a tube, and the degree of expansion of the volume may be changed according to changes in the air supplied through the tube. Therefore, a pressure-sensitive stimulus can be presented to the target site using the change in air pressure inside the air mat 110, which is represented by the volumetric expansion.

The air mat driving unit 112 adjusts the air supplied to the air mat 110. The air mat driving unit 112 may include a rolling pump or an air compressor for supplying air. The air mat 110 may be driven by a rolling pump or an air compressor and a supply tube. ). ≪ / RTI > The air mat driving unit 112 may include an outlet for discharging air. The outlet may be easily opened or closed by using a switch such as a solenoid switch. By opening and closing the outlet, It is possible to remove the pressure sensitive stimulus presented.

The operation of the air mat driving unit 112 may be controlled by the stimulation control unit 130. For example, the air mat driving unit 112 may adjust the pumping stimulus (pressure intensity, action time, etc.) by adjusting the pumping time or intensity of the rolling pump according to the control signal of the stimulation controller 130, And may open or close the discharge port according to the control signal of the stimulation controller 130 to remove the pressure sensitive stimulus.

The coil 120 is configured to generate heat or oscillate according to the magnitude and shape of the supplied current. Specifically, the coil 120 generates heat when a current including a DC component is supplied, and can generate vibration when an AC current is supplied in a state where a magnetic field is applied.

First, the coil 120 can generate heat by the resistance component R constituting the coil 120 when the DC component is included in the supplied current. Specifically, when the DC component of the current supplied to the coil 120 is I, heat proportional to the power P calculated by P = VI = I ² R can be generated. Therefore, the warming stimulus can be presented by utilizing the generated heat.

In addition, the coil 120 can generate vibration when an AC current is supplied in a state where a magnetic field is applied to the coil 120. Specifically, when a current i is supplied to the coil 120 in a state where an external magnetic field B is applied to the coil 120, a Lorentz force such as iL x B (L is the length of the conductor) is applied to the conductors constituting the coil 120 In this case, the Lorentz force generated when the current i is supplied in the form of an AC current varies with time, so that the coil 120 can vibrate. Therefore, it is possible to present the stimulus stimulus by utilizing the generated vibration.

On the other hand, the vibration of the coil can be controlled by controlling the length L of the conductor or the external magnetic field B. However, it is also possible to control the vibration of the coil based on the relatively easy current i (for example, Control).

The coil driver 122 adjusts a current supplied to the coil 120. [ The coil driver 122 may include a power source device such as a current source circuit, and may supply an AC current for generating a vibration stimulus or a DC current for generating a warm stimulus to the coil 120 .

Meanwhile, the operation of the coil driver 122 may be controlled by the stimulus controller 130. For example, the coil driver 122 may adjust an AC component and a DC component of a current generated according to a control signal of the stimulus controller 130, and may adjust the amplitude, frequency, The supply time can also be adjusted.

The magnetic field generator 190 is a structure for generating a magnetic field necessary for the coil 120 to vibrate. The magnetic field can be implemented in various ways, for example, by using a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or a superconductor.

The magnetic field generator 190 is preferably configured to apply a magnetic field to the coil 120 selectively. Specifically, the magnetic field generating unit 190 controls the current supplied to the electromagnets to excite or demagnetize the electromagnets, or controls the magnetic shielding film provided on the permanent magnets to selectively apply a magnetic field to the coils 120 (Magnetic field on / magnetic field off). Accordingly, the vibration of the coil 120 can also be selectively implemented through this selective operation.

Meanwhile, the operation of the magnetic field generator 190 may be controlled by the stimulus controller 130. Specifically, when the magnetic field generator 190 is implemented as an electromagnet, the current flowing in the electromagnet or the operation of the blocking layer that blocks the magnetic field of the permanent magnet when the magnetic field generator 190 is implemented as a permanent magnet And the like can be controlled by the stimulation control unit 130. Therefore, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator 190 can be controlled through the control operation.

The input unit 140 is a unit for receiving information necessary for the operation of the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 from a user. The input unit 140 may receive information on the number of sensory stimuli to be simultaneously presented, type information of sensory stimuli to be presented, and parameter information for each stimulus. The input unit 140 may receive input information from the stimulus control unit 130 So that it can be utilized as basic information for controlling the operation of the air mat driving unit 112, the coil driving unit 122 and the magnetic field generating unit 190.

The input unit 140 may be formed as a variety of input devices such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen, and the like. The input unit 140 may include a plurality of input keys for receiving numeric or character information and setting various functions and may include various function keys necessary for the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 to operate.

The display unit 150 displays an operation state and an operation result of the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 or provides predetermined information to a user. The display unit 150 may display various types of menus as well as information input by the user and information provided to the user. The display unit 150 may display various outputs including a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) May be formed in the form of devices.

The stimulation control unit 130 may control the operation of the sensory stimulation apparatus including the air mat drive unit 112, the coil drive unit 122, the magnetic field generation unit 190, the input unit 140, 0.0 > 100). ≪ / RTI >

The stimulation control unit 130 may include at least one computing unit and a storage unit, which may be a universal central processing unit (CPU), but may be a programmable device unit (CPLDs, FPGAs) or custom ASICs or microcontroller chips. Also, the storage means may be a volatile memory element, a non-volatile memory or a non-volatile electromagnetic storage element, or a memory within the computing means.

Meanwhile, the stimulation control unit 130 may include a mode for individually stimulating a pressure sensation, an emotion sensation or a warm sensation, and a mode for simultaneously stimulating sensory stimulation of at least two senses among pressure sensation, And can selectively operate among a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, the stimulation control unit 130 includes a mode for presenting only the pressure-sensitive stimulus, a mode for presenting only the stimulus stimulus, a mode for presenting only the warm-sense stimulus, and a mode for presenting the pressure and the stimulus stimulus at the same time Mode, 5) a mode for simultaneously showing a feeling of vibration and warmth, 6) a mode for simultaneously instructing pressure and warm stimulation, and 7) a mode for simultaneously presenting pressure, can do.

First, the stimulation control unit 130 controls the air mat driving unit 112 to allow air to flow into the air mat 110 when the mode is operated to stimulate only the depression, So that current does not flow through the coil 120. [ Accordingly, only the pushing stimulus by the air mat 110 can be presented through the control operation.

The stimulation control unit 130 controls the air mat driving unit 112 to prevent air from flowing into the air mat 110 when the mode control unit 130 operates in a mode to stimulate vibration only, So that an AC current from which the DC component has been removed flows through the coil 120 and controls the magnetic field generator 190 to apply a magnetic field to the coil 120. [ Accordingly, only the vibration sense stimulus due to the vibration of the coil 120 can be presented through the control operation.

The air conditioner control unit 130 controls the air mat driving unit 112 to prevent air from flowing into the air mat 110 when the air conditioner 130 operates in a mode for only stimulating warm feeling, So that a current including a DC component flows through the coil 120. The magnetic field generator 190 is controlled to prevent a magnetic field from being applied to the coil 120. [ Accordingly, only the warm stimulus by the heat of the coil 120 can be presented through such a control operation.

The air conditioner control unit 130 controls the air mat driving unit 112 to allow air to flow into the air mat 110 when the air conditioner 130 operates in a mode for simultaneously stimulating pressure and warming, 122 so that a current including a DC component flows through the coil 120 and controls the magnetic field generator 190 to prevent a magnetic field from being applied to the coil 120. [ Therefore, the pressure sensitive stimulation by the air mat 110 and the warm stimulation by the coil 120 can be simultaneously presented through the control operation.

The air conditioner control unit 130 may control the air mat driving unit 112 to prevent air from flowing into the air mat 110 when the mode control unit 130 operates in a mode for simultaneously stimulating sensation of warmth and vibration, And controls the magnetic field generating unit 190 to apply a magnetic field to the coil 120 by controlling an AC current flowing through the coil 120. [ Accordingly, the vibrating stimulation stimulation and the warm stimulation stimulation by the coil 120 can be simultaneously presented through the control operation.

The stimulation control unit 130 controls the air mat driving unit 112 to allow air to flow into the air mat 110 when the mode control unit 130 operates in a mode for simultaneously stimulating the vibration and the pressure, And controls the magnetic field generator 190 so that a magnetic field is applied to the coil 120. The magnetic field generator 190 generates a magnetic field by applying a magnetic field to the coil 120, Accordingly, the pushing stimulus by the air mat 110 and the stimulus stimulation by the coil 120 can be simultaneously presented through the control operation.

The stimulation control unit 130 may control the air mat driving unit 112 to allow air to flow into the air mat 110 when the mode control unit 130 operates in a mode for simultaneously stimulating pressure, The coil driving unit 122 is controlled so that an AC current including a DC component flows through the coil 120 and a magnetic field is applied to the coil 120 by controlling the magnetic field generating unit 190. Accordingly, the pressure sensitive stimulation by the air mat 110, the vibration stimulation by the coil 120, and the warm stimulation can be simultaneously presented through the control operation.

2, another sensory stimulation apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a pressure sensor 160 for measuring a pressure applied by the air mat 110, A temperature sensor 170 for measuring the generated heat and a three-axis acceleration sensor 180 for measuring the vibration of the coil 120. The three-

Here, the pressure sensor 160 measures a pressure of the air mat 110. The pressure sensor 160 measures the direct pressure applied to the surface of the air mat 110, or measures the air pressure inside the air mat 110 to quantitatively calculate the pressure applied to the object. . ≪ / RTI >

The temperature sensor 170 is a sensor device for measuring the heat generated by the coil 120. The temperature sensor 170 may be implemented by various sensor devices for measuring the amount of heat generated by the coil 120.

The three-axis acceleration sensor 180 senses the acceleration of the coil 120 caused by the vibration stimulus and quantitatively analyzes the vibration stimulus. The information generated by the three-axis acceleration sensor 180 may be used to detect the magnitude of the vibration stimulus, the frequency of the vibration stimulus, and the time of the vibration stimulus.

The sensory stimulation apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention uses the information generated by the pressure sensor 160, the temperature sensor 170, and the three-axis acceleration sensor 180, The operation of the apparatus 100 can be feedback-controlled, thereby improving the reliability of the stimulus presented by the sensory stimulation apparatus 100. [ For example, the stimulation controller 130 can sense the magnitude of the actual pressure, the magnitude of the temperature, the frequency of the vibration, the magnitude of the vibration, etc. using the information generated by the sensor devices. If the analysis result does not match with the parameters, the air mat driving unit 112, the coil driving unit 122, or the magnetic field generating unit 122, So that the operation of the unit 190 can be regulated. Accordingly, it is possible to monitor, in real time, whether the originally intended sensory stimuli are actually displayed through these sensor devices, and to control the air mat driving unit 112, the coil driving unit 122, or the magnetic field generating unit 190 ) So that the original intended sensory stimuli can be presented.

Meanwhile, the air mat 110, which may be included in the present invention, may be formed in a shape that can cover a stimulation object such as a finger or a toe. Specifically, the air mat 110 may be formed in the form of a cylinder, a ring, or the like in which a space into which a finger or a toe can be inserted is formed, or may be formed in a curled form in which a finger or a toe may be wrapped. Accordingly, at the time of sensory stimulation, a stimulation target such as a finger or a toe can be covered as shown in FIG. 3, and a pressure sensitive stimulus can be presented in a state of surrounding the stimulation target.

In addition, the coil 120, which may be included in the present invention, may also be formed in a shape that can cover a stimulation object such as a finger or a toe. Specifically, the coil 120 may be formed in the form of a solenoid coil 120 into which a finger or a toe can be inserted, or may be formed in the form of a plane coil 120 that can be wound around a finger or a toe . Therefore, at the time of sensory stimulation, a stimulation object such as a finger or a toe can be covered as shown in FIG. 4, and a warmth or a feeling stimulus stimulus can be presented in a state of wrapping the stimulation object.

In addition, the air mat 110 and the coil 120 are preferably integrally formed. Specifically, the coil 120 may be inserted and fixed in the air mat 110, or the coil 120 may be coupled to the inner surface of the air mat 110. Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment in which a solenoid-type coil 120 and an air mat 110 having a shape similar to a hearth or a cylinder are integrally formed. 6, an air mat (not shown) of a coil 120 in the form of one or more planar coils and a cuff in the form of a curled air dryer (which may be fixed by a fixing member, such as a velcro, 110 are integrally formed. Therefore, since pressure, vibration, and warming stimulation can be presented by using the air mat 110 and the coil 120 integrally formed, the spatial reliability and the temporal reliability can be improved when two or more sensory stimuli are presented. Can be guaranteed.

Meanwhile, the air mat 110 and the coil 120 may be integrally formed, and may be formed so as to cover a 'node' of a finger. In addition, the body in which the air mat 110 and the coil 120 are integrally combined may be formed in a plurality of fingers so as to present sensory stimuli to the plurality of fingers. 5, the air mat 110 and the coil 120 are integrally formed to form a single fingertip stimulating portion, and it is confirmed that the finger fingertip stimulating portion is formed of a plurality of (A, B, C) . Accordingly, the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 can also be used to present sensory stimuli to the nodes of each finger through such an embodiment.

In this case, different sensory stimuli may be presented to the plurality of fingertip stimulating units, or stimuli of different intensities may be presented even if they are the same sensory stimuli. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, only the pressure sensation and the vibration sensation stimulus are displayed simultaneously on the A finger joint stimulus part, and only the warm sensation stimulus is displayed on the B finger joint stimulus part, And only the warm feeling stimulus of pressure, vibration, and high temperature can be presented to the finger joint stimulus part. Therefore, it can be used to study body changes such as brain reaction while presenting different stimuli for each finger segment.

Meanwhile, the air mats 110 and the coils 120, which may be included in the present invention, may be integrally formed in a state that they are vertically arranged. For example, the air mat 110 and the coil 120 may be integrally formed in a state that they are vertically disposed as shown in FIG.

7, the air mat 110 and the coil 120 are vertically coupled to each other, and the air mat 110 and the coil 120 are coupled to each other vertically And a wire extending from the coil 120 is installed inside the sensory presentation configuration. In this state, the sensory presentation configuration presents pressure, vibration, and warmth by the operation of the air mat 110 or the coil 120. Specifically, the sensory presentation configuration includes 1) volume expansion of the air mat 110 2) the coil 120 is vibrated together to vibrate together to present a vibration sense stimulus; and 3) the coil 120 is moved in the vertical direction to present a pushing stimulus in the vertical direction, The heat generated from the wire extending from the heat conduction pathway provides a warming stimulus. Accordingly, through this operation, a pressure sensation, a vibration sensation, and a warm sensation stimulus are individually or simultaneously presented to a stimulation target (a finger in the drawing) in contact with the sensation presentation configuration.

Hereinafter, a sensory stimulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 9, the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 described above may operate in conjunction with the body reaction sensing apparatus 200, and the sensory stimulation system may be implemented through such interlocking.

Here, the body reaction detecting device 200 is a device for detecting a body reaction in a state in which a sensory stimulus is being presented, and may be composed of various devices such as an EEG (electroencephalography) device.

Accordingly, the sensory stimulation system can be utilized to study the body response to various sensory stimuli through interlocking of the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 and the body reaction sensing apparatus 200. Specifically, the sensory stimulation system can be a perception or cognition of the body that appears when acting on pressure, vibra- tion, and warm stimulation individually or in a 'simultaneous' It can be used to study characteristics.

Hereinafter, a sensory stimulation method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The sensory stimulation method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a step (a) in which an operation mode of the sensory stimulation apparatus is selected and a type of a stimulus to be presented is selected according to a selection of an operation mode.

Here, the stimulus that can be presented by the sensory stimulation apparatus may be a stimulus selected from among a plurality of stimuli including a pushing stimulus, a warm stimulus, and a vibration stimulus.

In addition, the operation mode may include a mode for individually stimulating pressure, a feeling or warmth, and a plurality of operation modes including a mode for simultaneously stimulating a sense of at least two of pressure, (mode).

Further, after the step a), the sensory stimulation method may include a step (step b) in which air flows into an air mat included in the sensory stimulation device, or a current flows in a coil included in the sensory device have.

Further, after the step (b), the sensory stimulation method includes a step (c) in which the air mat generates pressure through an expansion operation, the coil generates heat, or the coil vibrates can do.

The sensory stimulation method according to the present invention may include substantially the same features as the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 according to the present invention, although the categories are different. Therefore, although not described in detail in order to prevent redundant description, the above-described features relating to the sensory stimulation apparatus 100 can be readily applied to the sensory stimulation method invention.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of illustration, , Changes and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims of this patent.

100: sensory stimulation device 110: air mattress
112: air mat drive unit 120: coil
122: coil drive unit 130:
140: input unit 150:
160: Pressure sensor 170: Temperature sensor
180: triaxial acceleration sensor 190: magnetic field generator
200: Body reaction detection device

Claims (20)

An air mat which can be expanded in volume by the inflow of air;
A coil which generates heat when a current including a DC component flows and which vibrates when a current including an AC component flows in a state where an external magnetic field is applied;
A magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field to the coil to allow the coil to vibrate; And
A stimulation control unit for controlling the air flowing into the air mat at the time of pushing stimulation and controlling a current flowing through the coil when the stimulation stimulus or the warm stimulus is stimulated;
, ≪ / RTI &
The magnetic-
A mode for separately stimulating pressure, feeling or warmth; And
A mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of pressure, vibration, and warm feeling;
A plurality of operating modes including a plurality of operating modes,
Air is flowed into the air mat, and when the mode is operated in a mode of stimulating only pressure reduction,
The air mat does not flow into the air mat, the DC current is removed from the coil, and a magnetic field is applied to the coil,
Wherein air is not flowed into the air mat when the operation mode is a stimulation only mode, and a DC current from which an AC component is removed flows into the coil, and a magnetic field is not applied to the coil. .
delete delete delete An air mat which can be expanded in volume by the inflow of air;
A coil which generates heat when a current including a DC component flows and which vibrates when a current including an AC component flows in a state where an external magnetic field is applied;
A magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field to the coil to allow the coil to vibrate; And
A stimulation control unit for controlling the air flowing into the air mat at the time of pushing stimulation and controlling a current flowing through the coil when the stimulation stimulus or the warm stimulus is stimulated;
, ≪ / RTI &
The magnetic-
A mode for separately stimulating pressure, feeling or warmth; And
A mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of pressure, vibration, and warm feeling;
A plurality of operating modes including a plurality of operating modes,
Air is introduced into the air mat, a current including a DC component flows through the coil, and a magnetic field is not applied to the coil,
The air mat does not flow into the air mat, a current including AC and DC components flows through the coil, and controls a magnetic field to be applied to the coil,
Wherein air is introduced into the air mat, an AC current from which DC components are removed flows through the coil, and a magnetic field is applied to the coil when the mode is operated in a mode for simultaneously stimulating pressure and vibration. Device.
An air mat which can be expanded in volume by the inflow of air;
A coil which generates heat when a current including a DC component flows and which vibrates when a current including an AC component flows in a state where an external magnetic field is applied;
A magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field to the coil to allow the coil to vibrate; And
A stimulation control unit for controlling the air flowing into the air mat at the time of pushing stimulation and controlling a current flowing through the coil when the stimulation stimulus or the warm stimulus is stimulated;
, ≪ / RTI &
The magnetic-
A mode for separately stimulating pressure, feeling or warmth; And
A mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of pressure, vibration, and warm feeling;
A plurality of operating modes including a plurality of operating modes,
When operating in a mode that simultaneously stimulates pressure, warmth, and vibration,
Wherein air is introduced into the air mat, a current including AC and DC components flows through the coil, and a magnetic field is applied to the coil.
The method according to claim 1, 5, or 6,
The air mat is provided with a pressure sensor,
Wherein the stimulation control unit controls air flowing into the air mat based on an output signal of the pressure sensor.
8. The method of claim 7,
A temperature sensor or a three-axis acceleration sensor is installed in the coil,
Wherein the stimulation control unit controls a current flowing in the coil based on an output signal of the temperature sensor or the three-axis acceleration sensor.
The method according to claim 1, 5, or 6,
Wherein the air mat and the coil are integrally formed, and the air mat and the coil are wrapped around the finger or the toe.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the coil is formed of a solenoid and a space in which a finger or a toe can be inserted is formed in a body in which the coil and the air mat are integrally formed.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the air mat is formed of a cuff, the coil being formed of a planar coil coupled to a surface of the cuff, and the cuff being deformable in a curled state.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the air mat and the coil are integrally formed to form a single finger mound magnetic pole part, and the finger mound magnetic pole part is formed in a plurality of parts.
13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the stimulation control unit controls the plurality of finger section stimulation units to implement different sensory stimuli.
The method according to claim 1, 5, or 6,
Wherein the air mat and the coil are formed in a vertically arranged state, and are formed to stimulate pressure in a vertical direction.
The method according to claim 1, 5, or 6,
An air mat driving unit including a rolling pump and supplying air to the air mat according to a control signal transmitted from the stimulation control unit; And
A coil driver for supplying a current to the coil according to a control signal transmitted from the stimulation controller;
Wherein the sensory stimulation apparatus further comprises:
An air mat capable of exhibiting a stimulus selected from among a plurality of stimuli including a pressure sensation, a feeling of vibration and a warm stimulus and capable of expanding its volume by the inflow of air; A sensory stimulation device including a coil that vibrates when an electric current including an AC component flows in a state where an external magnetic field is applied; And
A body reaction detection device for detecting a body reaction that may occur when the sensory stimulation device presents pressure, vibration, or warm stimulation;
, ≪ / RTI &
And a magnetic field generating unit for applying a magnetic field to the coil so that the coil can vibrate,
The sensory stimulation apparatus
A mode for separately stimulating pressure, feeling or warmth; And
A mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of pressure, vibration, and warm feeling;
A plurality of operating modes including a plurality of operating modes,
Air is flowed into the air mat, and when the mode is operated in a mode of stimulating only pressure reduction,
The air mat does not flow into the air mat, the DC current is removed from the coil, and a magnetic field is applied to the coil,
Wherein the air mat does not flow into the air mat when the mode is operated in a mode that only stimulates warmth, and a DC current from which the AC component is removed flows into the coil, and controls the magnetic field not to be applied to the coil.
An air mat capable of exhibiting a stimulus selected from among a plurality of stimuli including a pressure sensation, a feeling of vibration and a warm stimulus and capable of expanding its volume by the inflow of air; A sensory stimulation device including a coil that vibrates when an electric current including an AC component flows in a state where an external magnetic field is applied; And
A body reaction detection device for detecting a body reaction that may occur when the sensory stimulation device presents pressure, vibration, or warm stimulation;
, ≪ / RTI &
And a magnetic field generating unit for applying a magnetic field to the coil so that the coil can vibrate,
The sensory stimulation apparatus
A mode for separately stimulating pressure, feeling or warmth; And
A mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of pressure, vibration, and warm feeling;
A plurality of operating modes including a plurality of operating modes,
Air is introduced into the air mat, a current including a DC component flows through the coil, and a magnetic field is not applied to the coil,
The air mat does not flow into the air mat, a current including AC and DC components flows through the coil, and a magnetic field is applied to the coil,
Wherein when the air conditioner operates in a mode for simultaneously stimulating pressure and vibration, air is introduced into the air mat, an AC current from which the DC component is removed flows into the coil, and a magnetic field is applied to the coil.
An air mat capable of exhibiting a stimulus selected from among a plurality of stimuli including a pressure sensation, a feeling of vibration and a warm stimulus and capable of expanding its volume by the inflow of air; A sensory stimulation device including a coil that vibrates when an electric current including an AC component flows in a state where an external magnetic field is applied; And
A body reaction detection device for detecting a body reaction that may occur when the sensory stimulation device presents pressure, vibration, or warm stimulation;
, ≪ / RTI &
The sensory stimulation device
And a magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field to the coil to allow the coil to vibrate,
The sensory stimulation apparatus
A mode for separately stimulating pressure, feeling or warmth; And
A mode for simultaneously stimulating a sensation of at least two of pressure, vibration, and warm feeling;
A plurality of operating modes including a plurality of operating modes,
When operating in a mode that simultaneously stimulates pressure, warmth, and vibration,
Wherein air is introduced into the air mat, a current including AC and DC components flows through the coil, and a magnetic field is applied to the coil.
19. The method according to claim 16, 17 or 18,
Wherein the body reaction sensing device is an EEG (electroencephalography) device.
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