KR20040100159A - Method and Apparatus for measuring a stress degree automatically by using mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and an apparatus for automatically measuring a stress by using a mobile terminal are provided to allow a user to accurately recognize his/her physical state by numerically determining a stress level based on measurement signals. CONSTITUTION: A sensor unit(10) is mounted at one side of a mobile terminal. A signal processor(15) processes a signal outputted from the sensor unit(10). A signal interpreting unit(20) interprets the signal and determines a stress level. An output unit(25) outputs the determining result. A graph output unit(30) processes measurement signals and outputs a heart pulse distribution graph, arrhythmia RR50 Trend data, Lorentz graph or a histogram. A data transmitter(35) transmits an interpretation result with respect to the measurement signals or the graph data to a designated manager computer(50) by way of a wireless station(40) and a network(45) through the mobile terminal. The manager computer(50) processes and interprets the received measurement signals and transmits result data to the mobile terminal. A server unit(55) receives the measurement signals, the interpretation result and the graph data from the mobile terminal, stores them by days, weeks, months and/or years, and systematically manages them.

Description

Method and apparatus for automatic stress measurement using a mobile terminal {Method and Apparatus for measuring a stress degree automatically by using mobile terminal}

The present invention relates to an automatic stress measurement method and apparatus, and in particular, the measurement of the biological rhythm through the mobile terminal, and the analysis of the measurement signal is automatically performed so that the automatic measurement of the stress can be conveniently performed regardless of the place It relates to a stress measurement method and apparatus.

As the society becomes more complex and diverse, the stress of human beings is very diverse and frequent, and this is becoming the root cause of various modern diseases.

To the best of our knowledge, when faced with a particular situation, the human body develops stress immediately and quickly, and this stress occurs even in the absence of an external stimulus. .

This stress, above all, becomes a problem when the response to it is not properly controlled, so it is easier to establish countermeasures to relieve stress when numerically identifying how much stress has occurred.

However, it is impossible for humans to quantify their own level of stress, but it remains only to recognize and judge the degree of chronic fatigue, headache, insomnia, myalgia, hostility, impatience, anger, anxiety and fear.

When stressed, the human body develops three general symptoms of symptoms, as follows: The first stage is a warning reactor, and the living body is in a strong shock state (decreased heart function, skeletal muscle tension, temperature and blood pressure, hypoglycemia, blood concentration, etc.). The hypothalamus of the brain reacts immediately, releasing chemicals, and the body's reaction mechanisms begin to act. Subsequently, the second stage becomes a resistor which organically reconstructs various functions of the living body to stress and adapts to stress, and if it is continuously stressed, enters the third stage, which is a waste machine, Destruction is caused, and various organs of the living body do not cooperate cooperatively, and thus, the antibiotic loss of the living body is lost, and the resistance to external diseases is lost (or diseased).

As such, although stress may seriously affect the human body, stress cannot be measured numerically by using a device, although consultation, investigation, consultation, etc. by an expert (doctor or psychoanalyst) is required. Even if this is done, the accuracy is different depending on expert knowledge.

On the other hand, it is known that when the external stimulation or stress is the most sensitive response of the human organs can be called the heart. The heart repeats contraction and relaxation with its own constant rhythm even when the nerve is cut. This is called automatic heartbeat. In other words, the heart has an internal control function that repeats the rhythm with an automatic rhythm, and externally, the rhythm is limited by receiving a command from the hypothalamus of the brain, which is a control organ. It is affecting.

When an external stimulus causes stress, the brain's hypothalamus commands the body into an 'emergency state', and the body concentrates all the energy it can mobilize to respond. That is, in order to respond to the challenge, chemicals such as the highly toxic adrenalin-like noradrenalin (a neurotransmitter that acts as a powerful blood pressure booster) are over secreted, blood pressure rises, and the heart rate rises faster. You lose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an automatic stress measuring method and apparatus for measuring the generation of stress numerically by conveniently measuring a biological signal of a human body regardless of a place. have.

The following drawings attached to this specification are illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention to serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention, the present invention is a matter described in such drawings It should not be construed as limited to

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stress measuring apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the operation of the sensor unit of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram illustrating analysis waveforms of signals output from the sensor unit of FIG. 1 in correspondence with waveforms of an electrocardiogram and a pulse; FIG.

4 is a table showing coefficients and points determined through the coefficient determination unit of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of the signal analysis means of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a stress state corresponding to the result of FIG. 5. FIG.

7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the operation of the present invention.

<Description of main reference numerals in the drawings>

100.Mobile terminal 10.Sensor

15 ... signal processing unit 20 ... signal analysis means

25 Output unit 30 Graph output unit

35 Data transmission 50 Administrator computer

55.Server means

In order to achieve the above object, the automatic stress measuring method according to the present invention comprises a first step of measuring a biological signal from a finger of a human body using a sensor unit provided on one side of a mobile terminal; A second step of receiving, amplifying and filtering the measurement signal output from the sensor unit; A third step of classifying the degree of stress by level by analyzing the measurement signal; And a fourth step of outputting the degree of stress to the outside according to the analyzed result.

Preferably, the second, third and fourth steps are performed in the mobile terminal.

Preferably, the present invention may further include transmitting the analysis result and / or graph data to a designated manager computer via a network.

In addition, the present invention may further include a step in which the measurement signal, analysis results and / or graph data is transmitted to a designated server means via a network, stored and managed.

In the third step, a coefficient determination step of separating the measurement signal by a predetermined conversion equation and defining it as a coefficient having a specific meaning, a coefficient analysis step of analyzing the determined coefficients, and a degree of stress according to the analysis result It is preferable that an inference step of inferring is included.

The coefficient determining step includes determining the autonomic control coefficient of the heart according to the heart rate, determining the autonomic motor coefficient of the cardiomyocytes for cardiac operation, determining the control coefficient of the brain autonomic nervous system, and determining the environmental adaptation coefficient of the human being. And determining a control function coefficient of the control function center of the brain hypothalamus.

The coefficient analyzing step may include taking an absolute value of each coefficient determined through the coefficient determining step and summing an absolute value of each coefficient.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sensor unit is mounted on one side of the mobile terminal to measure the bio-signal from the finger of the human body; A signal processor which receives and transmits the measurement signal output from the sensor unit and amplifies and filters the measured signal; Signal analysis means for analyzing the measurement signal passed through the signal processor to classify the degree of stress by level; And an output unit for indicating the degree of stress to the outside according to the analyzed result.

The signal processor, signal analysis means and output unit is preferably embedded in the mobile terminal.

The present invention may further include a graph output means for outputting a heart pulse distribution graph, arrhythmia RR50 Trend, Lorentz graph or histogram according to the measurement signal.

The present invention may further include a data transmission unit for transmitting the analysis result and / or graph data to a designated administrator computer.

The present invention may further include server means for receiving, storing, and managing measurement signals, analysis results, and / or graph data from the mobile terminal.

The signal analysis means includes: a coefficient determination unit for separating the measurement signal by a predetermined conversion equation and defining the coefficient as a coefficient having a specific meaning, a coefficient analysis unit for analyzing and processing the coefficients determined by the coefficient determination unit, and an analysis result. It is preferable to include an inference part for inferring the degree of stress.

Preferably, the coefficient determination unit includes an autonomic control coefficient determination unit of the heart according to the heart pulse rate, an autonomous motion coefficient determination unit of the cardiomyocytes for cardiac operation, a control coefficient determination unit of the brain autonomic nervous system, human adaptation to the environment The coefficient determining unit and the control function coefficient determining unit of the control function center of the brain hypothalamus may be included.

The coefficient analyzing unit may include an absolute value generating unit that takes an absolute value for each coefficient determined by the coefficient determining unit, and a summation unit that adds up the absolute values.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as having a conventional or dictionary meaning, and the inventors should properly explain the concept of terms in order to best explain their own invention. Based on the principle that can be defined, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification and the drawings shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, various modifications that can be replaced at the time of the present application It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

First, Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stress measuring apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a sensor unit 10 mounted on one side of the mobile terminal 100, a signal processor 15 processing a signal output from the sensor unit 10, and analyzing the signal. And a signal analysis means 20 for determining the degree of stress, and an output portion 25 for outputting the determination result. Although, the signal analysis means 20 and the output unit 25 is shown as being embedded in the mobile terminal 100 in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this configuration is separated from the mobile terminal 100 Of course, it may be modified to have.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a mobile phone, a variety of terminal devices capable of data communication with a mobile such as a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The sensor unit 10 is mounted on one side of the mobile terminal 100 to measure a biosignal from a user's finger. The sensor unit 10 may be formed integrally with any button provided in the mobile terminal 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 10 includes an infrared LED 11 for irradiating infrared rays to the user's fingertip 105 and a light receiver for detecting infrared rays reflected from the fingertip 105. It is preferable that the element 12 is included. Here, of course, the sensor unit 10 is not limited to this configuration.

As is well known, the blood rapidly pushed out by the heart movement of the human body expands the artery wall, the expanded artery wall vibrates because of its elasticity, and the wave propagates to the periphery of the arterial system, causing a pulse. The closer it is to the fingertips, the faster. At this time, since the propagation speed is very fast and the heartbeat and the pulse are felt at the same time, it is possible to detect the state of the heart with high reliability by installing the sensor unit 10 on the fingertip 105 and measuring the biosignal.

The measurement signal output from the sensor unit 10 is input to the signal processor 15 to undergo amplification, filtering, and digital conversion. To this end, the signal processor 15 includes an amplifier 16 for amplifying the weak measurement signal to a predetermined level, a filter unit 17 for filtering out unnecessary signals, and the measurement signal in analog form as a digital signal. An A / D converter 18 for converting is included. In addition, the signal processor 15 may further include a clock generator (not shown) for controlling a time period during which signal processing is performed.

On the other hand, the measurement signal may be analyzed as shown in, for example, the waveform ③ shown in FIG. In the figure, waveforms 1 and 2 represent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a pulse related REO signal, respectively.

The ECG is a graph of the temporal change of the action potential according to the contraction of the heart, the myocardium, when excited, the membrane depolarization, and continues to repolarize for 200 ~ 300ms and then back to the original stop potential. This is an action potential, and the heartbeat (excitement) that occurs in the freezing node (orbital node) between the vena cava and the right heart is gradually transmitted to the atrial-ventricular septal-ventricular with the stimulation delivery system in between. At this time, a potential difference occurs between the excitement site and the unexcited site and current flows, and the waveform ① is recorded. In the waveform ①, P wave is generated by excitation of the atrium, QRS wave is generated by excitation of the ventricles, and T wave is generated by excitation of the ventricles.

The REO signal is a waveform related to the above-described pulse, wherein the pulse propagation speed is 5 to 9 m / s, which is very fast and almost simultaneously felt with the heartbeat, thereby directly measuring the pulse signal using the sensor unit 10 to flow blood. It is possible to analyze the concentration and each signal by time, and by accurately calculating the time difference, for example, an analysis waveform such as waveform ③ can be obtained.

The signal analysis means 20 deduces the degree of stress after determining the mathematical coefficient by a predetermined conversion formula based on data such as the time difference between the R-R of the heartbeat, the concentration of blood flow, and the like obtained by analyzing the measurement signal.

To this end, the signal analysis means 20 preferably includes a coefficient determination unit 21, coefficient analysis unit 22 and reasoning unit 23.

The coefficient determination unit 21 separates the measurement signal by a predetermined conversion formula to determine coefficients having a specific meaning. To this end, the coefficient determination unit 21, the autonomic control coefficient (M) determination of the heart according to the heart rate, the autonomic coefficient of motion (σ) of the cardiomyocytes for cardiac operation, the control of the brain autonomic nervous system Preferably, the coefficient (lnd) determination unit, the human environmental adaptation coefficient (V) determination unit, and the control function coefficient (So) determination unit of the control function center of the brain hypothalamus are included. 4 shows examples of the coefficient elements determined by the coefficient determination unit 21 and coefficient values (points) that can be given to each coefficient element.

The coefficient analyzing unit 22 is a part which analyzes the signal whose coefficient is determined by the coefficient determining unit 21, and includes an absolute value generating unit that takes an absolute value for each coefficient value and a summing unit that adds up the absolute values, respectively. desirable.

The inference unit 23 performs logical inference about the degree of stress in accordance with the analysis result of the coefficient analyzer 22. To this end, the inference unit 23 is set in advance by dividing the stress state corresponding to the analysis result by level, for example, as shown in FIG.

6 shows a process of the signal analysis means 20 having the above configuration.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, a process of analyzing measurement waveforms by, for example, separating them by a transformation formula such as a Fourier transform is performed (step S100), and accordingly, as shown in step S110, a heart is performed. Autonomous control coefficient (M) of the heart according to the pulse rate, autonomic movement coefficient (σ) of the cardiomyocytes for cardiac operation, control coefficient (lnd) of the brain autonomic nervous system, human environmental adaptation coefficient (V), The process of determining the coefficient value for the control function coefficient (So) of the control function center of the hypothalamus is performed.

After the coefficient value is determined, the absolute value is given by the coefficient analysis unit 22 and then summed (step S120). Then, the sum value is compared with the reference level as shown in FIG. 5 to determine the current stress state. This is done.

Accordingly, when the sum is less than 3, for example, it is determined to be in a normal state (NORMAL) (step S130), and when less than 7, it is determined to be a slight stress state (STRAIN) (step S140). In addition, when smaller than 9, it is determined as an excessive stress state (OVER-STRESS) (step S150), and when the remaining 9 or more, it is determined as a serious stress state (EXHAUSTION).

The stress state determined by the signal analysis means 20 is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the mobile terminal 100 by the output unit 25 or externally through various other visual or audio output means. In this case, the output unit 25 may include a function of outputting an alarm signal when the stress state corresponds to a very serious level.

In addition, the present invention may further include a graph output means 30. The graph output means 30 processes the measurement signal to output a heart pulse distribution graph, arrhythmia RR50 Trend data, Lorentz graph or histogram.

In addition, the present invention may further include a data transmission unit 35 and server means 55.

The data transmission unit 35 controls the analysis result or the graph data on the measurement signal to be transmitted to the designated manager computer 50 via the mobile station 100 and the network 45 via the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the manager computer 50 may be a computer of the operator that provides a stress-related health care service, and may correspond to a user designated hospital-side computer. Preferably, the data transmission unit 35 receives an IP address, which can identify the administrator computer 50 from a user, and transmits the analysis result or graph data to the address.

On the other hand, when the measurement signal, the analysis result and the graph data is wirelessly transmitted to the manager computer 50 through the data transmission unit 35, more detailed and accurate analysis and diagnosis of the expert is performed, and the result data is again It is desirable to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 100 to allow the user to more accurately recognize his or her stress state.

Alternatively, the signal analysis means 20, the output unit 25 and the graph output means 30 is provided on the manager computer 50 side, the mobile terminal 100 is configured to perform only the detection function of the measurement signal In this case, the measurement signal is wirelessly transmitted to the manager computer 50 through the data transmission unit 35, and a process such as signal analysis is performed on the manager computer 50, and as a result, the data is transferred to the mobile computer. It may be transmitted to the terminal 100.

The present invention further includes a server means 55 to receive measurement signals, analysis results, graph data, and the like transmitted from the mobile terminal 100, and store them daily, weekly, monthly and / or yearly and systematically manage them. Done. Therefore, it is possible for the user to access the server means 55, or the medical website associated with the database of the server means 55, and periodically receive a service related to his / her stress related health condition or prescription.

Then, the operation of the present invention having the configuration as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, according to the present invention, for example, the sensor unit 100 is provided on one side of the mobile terminal 100 corresponding to a mobile phone or a PD. Therefore, when the user approaches the finger to the sensor unit 100, the sensor unit 100 measures the bio-signals related to heart activity (step S200).

The measurement signal output from the sensor unit 100 is subjected to amplification, filtering, and digital conversion processing by the signal processing unit 15 (step S210), and the measurement signal is interpreted by the signal analysis means 20 (step S220).

At this time, the signal analysis means 20 in the cardiac autonomic control coefficient (M) according to the heart rate, cardiomyocyte autonomic movement coefficient (σ), the control coefficient of the brain autonomic nervous system (lnd) and The process of determining the human environmental adaptation coefficient (V) and the coefficient value for the control function coefficient (So) of the control function center of the brain hypothalamus is performed (step S221), and after the coefficient value is determined, an absolute value for each coefficient is determined. The coefficient analysis process of adding and then adding is performed (step S222). Subsequently, an inference process of comparing the sum value with a preset reference level is performed to determine a current stress state (step S223).

The stress determination result is displayed on the liquid crystal display window of the mobile terminal 100 through, for example, the output unit 25 or the graph output unit 30, and the user's designated hospital or website through the data transmission unit 35. The data is transmitted and used as diagnosis and health care data (step S230).

Although the present invention has been described above by means of limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto and will be described below by the person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the claims.

According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that measurement and analysis of a biosignal are performed regardless of time and place using a mobile terminal as a means.

In addition, since the degree of stress is numerically determined based on the measurement signal, the user can more clearly recognize his or her health state and establish a countermeasure.

Claims (18)

A first step of measuring a biosignal from a finger of a human body using a sensor unit provided at one side of the mobile terminal; A second step of receiving, amplifying and filtering the measurement signal output from the sensor unit; A third step of classifying the degree of stress by level by analyzing the measurement signal; And Automatic stress measurement method comprising; a fourth step of outputting the degree of stress to the outside according to the analyzed results. The method of claim 1, And the second, third and fourth steps are performed in a mobile terminal. The method of claim 2, And outputting the measured signal as a heartbeat distribution graph, arrhythmia RR50 Trend, Lorentz graph, or histogram. The method of claim 3, wherein And transmitting the analysis result and / or the graph data to a designated administrator computer via a network. The method of claim 3, wherein And transmitting, storing, and managing the measurement signal, analysis result, and / or graph data to a designated server means via a network. The method of claim 1, In the second step, further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting a measurement signal from the mobile terminal to the manager computer, And the third and fourth steps are performed in the manager computer, and the analysis result or the graph data is received by the mobile terminal via a network. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fourth step, A coefficient determination step of separating the measurement signal by a predetermined conversion equation and defining the measurement signal as a coefficient having a specific meaning; A coefficient analysis step of analyzing the determined coefficients; Automatic stress measurement method characterized in that it comprises an inference step of inferring the degree of stress in accordance with the analysis results. The method of claim 7, wherein the coefficient determination step, Determining the autonomic control coefficient of the heart according to the heart rate, Determining the autonomic motion coefficient of the cardiomyocytes for heart operation, Determining the control coefficient of the brain autonomic nervous system, Determining the environmental adaptation coefficient of the human brain, Automatic stress measurement method comprising the step of determining the control function coefficient of the control function center. The method of claim 7, wherein the coefficient analysis step, And taking an absolute value into each coefficient determined through the coefficient determination step, and adding up the absolute values of the respective coefficients. A sensor unit mounted on one side of the mobile terminal to measure a biological signal from a finger of a human body; A signal processing unit receiving a measurement signal output from the sensor unit and amplifying and filtering the signal; Signal analysis means for analyzing the measurement signal passed through the signal processor to classify the degree of stress by level; And Automatic stress measuring apparatus comprising a; output unit for indicating the external level of the stress in accordance with the analyzed results. The method of claim 10, Automatic signal measuring device, characterized in that the signal processor, the signal analysis means and the output unit is built in the mobile terminal. The method of claim 11, And a graph output means for outputting a heart pulse distribution graph, an arrhythmia RR50 Trend, a Lorentz graph, or a histogram according to the measurement signal. The method of claim 12, And a data transmission unit for transmitting the analysis result and / or the graph data to a designated administrator computer. The method of claim 12, Automatic stress measuring apparatus further comprises; server means for receiving and storing and managing the measurement signal, analysis results and / or graph data from the mobile terminal. The method of claim 10, Automatic signal measuring apparatus characterized in that the signal analysis means and the output unit is provided on the manager computer side. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the signal analysis means, A coefficient determination unit that separates the measurement signal by a predetermined conversion equation and defines it as coefficients having a specific meaning, a coefficient analysis unit that analyzes the coefficients determined by the coefficient determination unit, and an inference to deduce the degree of stress according to the analysis result. Automatic stress measuring device comprising a part. The method of claim 16, wherein the coefficient determination unit, Determination of the autonomic control coefficient of the heart according to the heart rate, Determination of the autonomic motion coefficient of the cardiomyocytes for cardiac operation, Determination of the control coefficient of the brain autonomic nervous system, Determination of the environmental adaptation coefficient of the human brain, Automatic stress measuring apparatus, characterized in that the control function coefficient determination unit of the control function center is included. The method of claim 16, wherein the coefficient analysis unit, And an absolute value generating unit which takes an absolute value to each coefficient determined by the coefficient determining unit, and a summation unit that adds up the absolute values.