KR20130087944A - Sleep pattern detection device and alarm system of sleep disturbance thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A somnipathy alarm system capable of using a sleeping pattern detecting apparatus is provided to use an integrator, thereby speeding the processing speed. CONSTITUTION: A recording unit records a sound signal coming out from nose. A signal intensity measurement unit (3) measures the intensity of a snoring signal. A temperature detection unit detects the temperature of the inhalation and exhalation of a sleeper. A second comparison unit (5) compares the detected temperature and a second reference signal which is predetermined. A storage unit (6) stores a sleeping pattern of the sleeper. [Reference numerals] (11) Microphone; (12,43) Integrator; (2,5) Comparer; (3) Signal intensity measurer; (41) Temperature sensor; (42) Bridge circuit; (6) Storage unit

Description

Sleep pattern detection device and sleep disorder notification system using same {SLEEP PATTERN DETECTION DEVICE AND ALARM SYSTEM OF SLEEP DISTURBANCE THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a sleep pattern detecting apparatus and a sleep disorder notification system using the same. Specifically, by attaching a small detector under the nose of a sleeper in a home, a sleep pattern such as snoring or sleep apnea can be easily detected. In addition, the present invention relates to a sleep pattern detection device and a sleep disorder notification system using the same to deliver a breathing abnormality to a neighbor.

 If medical services in the past were made for medical purposes, current medical services are being developed with the aim of maintaining a healthy state. In addition, with the advent of the ubiquitous society that can access the network anytime and anywhere with the development of IT technology, ubiquitous healthcare technology that can measure and manage their health information anytime and anywhere is emerging.

 Ubiquitous healthcare research is rapidly growing in industrialized countries such as Europe, Japan, and the United States under the initiative of government-led projects linked with industry, academia, and research. Products such as morpheus are shown.

 Recently, as the association between sleep apnea syndrome and cardiovascular disease is known and the treatment methods have been developed, the demand for sleep polysomnography for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea syndrome has rapidly increased. Therefore, screening tests for patients with clinically suspected sleep apnea have increased interest in low cost and high accuracy mobile sleep tests, and snoring is easy at home without the need for high cost and long time sleep tests. Devices that can detect apnea have been developed.

Most patients with snoring and sleep apnea have anatomical abnormalities that narrow the space of the upper airway, a structure that begins in the nasal cavity and continues to the larynx. When obesity builds up fat in the neck, tissues such as the tongue or tonsils, problems with the function of the muscles around the pharynx cause problems with the pharyngeal airway dilatation force, which is unable to withstand the intracranial sound pressure caused by the diaphragm. Sleep apnea occurs.

 Symptoms of snoring sleep apnea may include nighttime urination, esophageal reflux, overdose, sleepwalking, and when oxygen saturation is lowered, your upper body may be half-seated and suddenly collapse while trying to breathe. Sleep apnea may exacerbate or cause cardiovascular disease, such as arrhythmia, high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, left ventricular failure, and lung diseases (pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary heart, respiratory failure).

The existing sleep apnea detector was worn on the chest and wrist to detect the pulse, blood oxygen saturation, and breathing signal to evaluate the degree of sleep breathing disorder. In addition, after applying the petrolatum at the entrance of both nostrils to measure the air flow of the breath, the airflow sensor was inserted, and a device for measuring the pulse and oxygen saturation was worn on the finger to detect sleep apnea. However, when the airflow sensor is inserted into both nostrils, the movement of the user is inevitably limited in consideration of the size of the airflow sensor.

Meanwhile, a sleep apnea detector, which detects a sound signal from the sleeper's nose with a microphone and performs a high-speed sampling of the sound signal and performs signal processing and signal analysis, has also been conventionally developed. The data must be acquired at a sampling rate of more than the frequency band of the signal, and for this purpose, there has been a problem that a certain level of system specification and data storage space must be secured.

The present invention outputs an analog signal proportional to the snoring signal through a miniaturized microphone attached to the sleeper's nose to perform signal processing / analysis to easily detect the sleep pattern of the sleeper at home, such as snoring or sleep apnea. In addition, the present invention provides a new type of sleep pattern detection device and a sleep disorder notification system using the same, which can discriminate the snoring signal and process the snoring signal quickly and reduce the size and power of the device.

In particular, the present invention can quickly detect the symptoms of respiratory failure of the sleeper through a device having a miniaturized and fast signal processing function, and at the same time can immediately notify the neighbors when respiratory failure occurs, which can respond quickly to the respiratory failure of the sleeper An object of the present invention is to provide a sleep pattern detecting apparatus and a sleep disorder notification system using the same.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention compares the recording unit for detecting and recording a sound signal from the nose of the sleeper, the sound signal and the first reference signal, the sound signal is compared If the crest is higher than the first reference signal, the first comparator for generating a snoring signal, a signal strength measuring unit for measuring the intensity of the snoring signal, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the inhalation and exhalation of the sleeper, the detected temperature And a second comparison unit comparing the preset second reference signal, wherein the second comparison unit generates an apnea signal when the temperature is lower than the second reference signal and the intensity of the snoring signal and the apnea signal. Sleep pattern detection apparatus including a storage unit for storing a sleep pattern.

In the sleep pattern detecting apparatus of the present invention, the recording unit includes a microphone for recording the sound signal; And an integrator for integrating the output of the microphone and outputting an analog signal corresponding to the sound signal in the form of a voltage.

In the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention, the reference signal serves as a criterion for determining whether the sound signal is a general breath sound or a snoring sound.

In the sleep pattern detecting apparatus of the present invention, the signal strength measuring unit measures the intensity of the snoring signal, and then causes some of the plurality of light sources to blink according to the intensity of the snoring signal.

In the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention as described above, the breath detection unit includes a temperature sensor and a bridge circuit for measuring the temperature of the inhalation and exhalation of the sleeper.

In the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention as described above, the storage unit stores that the sleeper is snoring when the snoring signal is input, and stores whether the breath is transmitted from the breath detection unit.

According to another feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention compares the recording unit for detecting and recording the sound signal from the nose of the sleeper, the sound signal and the first reference signal, but the sound signal Is a first comparison unit for generating a snoring signal when the crest is higher than the first reference signal, a signal strength measuring unit for generating a snoring intensity signal by measuring the intensity of the snoring signal, detecting the temperature of inhalation and exhalation of the sleeper A temperature detector configured to compare the detected temperature with a preset second reference signal, wherein the second comparison unit generates an apnea signal when the temperature is lower than the second reference signal, and the snoring intensity signal and the Sleep disorder using a sleep pattern detection device including an emergency signal generator for transmitting an emergency signal to a smartphone when one of the apnea signals is generated Provide a notification system.

In the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention as described above, the emergency signal may be transmitted to the smart phone via Bluetooth.

In the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention as described above, when the smart phone receives the emergency signal, the smart phone may transmit an emergency SMS to a designated place and transmit a call.

In the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention as described above, the emergency signal generation unit may generate an emergency signal and warn the neighbors through a beep sound and a warning lamp.

The sleep pattern detecting apparatus and sleep disorder notification system using the same of the present invention determine whether the sleeper's snoring through recording and detects the inhalation of the sleeper by detecting the temperature of inhalation and exhalation. At this time, the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention and the sleep disorder notification system using the same signal to perform the signal processing / analysis by outputting an analog signal proportional to the strength of the snoring signal using an integrator to process the recorded snoring signal The processing speed of is very fast, and the device can be miniaturized and reduced in power.

In addition, the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present invention and the sleep disorder notification system using the same can quickly deliver the breathing abnormality information of the sleeper to the surrounding people, it is possible to quickly cope with the emergency situation according to the breathing abnormality of the sleeper.

1 is a block diagram showing a sleep pattern detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a sleep failure notification system using a sleep pattern detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a sleep disorder notification system using a sleep pattern detection apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a repeated description, a known function that may obscure the gist of the present invention, and a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand the present invention. Accordingly, the shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings and the like can be exaggerated for clarity.

1 is a block diagram showing a sleep pattern detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sleep pattern detecting apparatus includes a recording unit 1, a first comparing unit 2, a signal strength measuring unit 3, a temperature detecting unit 4, a second comparing unit 5, and a storage unit. Part 6 is included.

The recording unit 1 detects and records a sound signal VS coming from the nose of the sleeper 7. That is, the recording unit 1 records the sound coming from the nose of the sleeper 7 to determine whether the sleeper 7 is snoring.

To this end, the recording unit 1 includes a microphone 11 and an integrator 12. The microphone 11 serves to record a sound signal from the nose of the sleeper 7, and the integrator 12 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the recorded sound signal in the form of a voltage.

In the present embodiment, since the integrator 12 is used without generating high-speed sampling in processing the sound signal VS, the processing speed is very fast.

The first comparator 2 generates the snoring signal MS by comparing the sound signal VS with the preset first reference signal.

In this case, the first comparator 2 generates the snoring signal MS when the sound signal VS has a higher crest than the first reference signal.

The higher the crest of the sound signal VS than the first reference signal means that the decibel of the sound signal VS is higher than the first reference signal, and that the decibel of the sound signal VS is higher than that of the sleeper 7. This means you are breathing loudly. That is, it means that the sleeper 7 is snoring.

The first reference signal is a reference for determining whether the sound signal is a general breath sound or snoring sound. To this end, the first comparator 2 may include a differential amplifier.

The signal strength measuring unit 3 measures the intensity of the snoring signal MS to generate the snoring intensity signal MSS. That is, when the snoring signal MS is generated, the signal intensity measuring unit 3 measures the intensity of the snoring signal MS to evaluate the snoring level of the sleeper 7. To this end, the signal strength measuring unit 3 may include an encode circuit or a decibel meter.

In addition, the signal strength measuring unit 3 may measure the intensity of the snoring signal MS and then blink some of the plurality of light sources according to the intensity of the snoring signal MS. This is to provide convenience for the person who observes the sleeper 7, for example, a doctor to check the snoring level of the sleeper 7 in real time.

The temperature detector 4 detects inhalation and exhalation of the sleeper 7 and generates a temperature detection signal TS. That is, the temperature detector 4 detects the temperature when the sleeper 7 inhales and spits while sleeping. To this end, the temperature detector 4 includes a temperature sensor 41, a bridge circuit 42, and an integrator 43.

The second comparator 5 compares the temperature detection signal TS with a preset second reference signal and generates an apnea signal NBS.

At this time, the second comparator 5 generates the apnea signal NBS when the level of the temperature detection signal TS is lower than the second reference signal, and the low duration continues. The level of the temperature detection signal TS is lower than that of the second reference signal, and the low duration of the temperature detection signal TS means that the sleeper 7 does not breathe. To this end, the second comparator 5 may include a differential amplifier.

The storage unit 6 stores the sleep pattern of the sleeper 7 in response to the snoring intensity signal MSS and the apnea signal NBS. That is, when the snoring intensity signal MSS is generated at a specific time, the storage unit 6 stores that the sleeper 7 is snoring with a specific time, and the apnea signal NBS is generated at the specific time. When the sleeper (7) is not breathing is stored with a specific time. The sleep pattern stored as described above is transmitted to the sleeper 7 or a doctor and used to treat snoring and apnea sleep of the sleeper 7.

The operation of the sleep pattern detection apparatus as described above is as follows.

When the sleeper sleeps, the sleep pattern detecting apparatus records the sound signal from the nose of the sleeper and detects the temperature of the inhalation and exhalation of the sleeper. Then, if the recorded sound signal is higher than the reference to generate a snoring signal to detect that the sleeper is snoring.

At the same time, the temperature of the inhaled breather is detected to detect whether the sleeper is performing normal breathing. The detected snoring and breathing information of the sleeping person is stored in the storage unit as a sleep pattern.

In summary, the sleep pattern detecting apparatus of the present embodiment determines whether the sleeper 7 is snoring through recording, and detects the inhalation of the sleeper 7 by detecting a temperature of inhalation and exhalation. To this end, the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present embodiment includes a microphone, an integrator and a temperature detector.

In addition, since the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present embodiment does not require high-speed sampling of the microphone because it uses an integrator, unlike the conventional apnea detection apparatus, a large snoring detector is a small size detector, which is attached to the bottom of the nose and sleeps during snoring. It is easy to detect this apnea.

The existing sleep apnea detector was worn on the chest and wrist to detect the pulse, blood oxygen saturation, and breathing signal to evaluate the degree of sleep breathing disorder.

In addition, to measure the air flow of breathing was applied to both the mouth of the petrolatum in the nostril inlet, air flow sensor was inserted and the device for measuring the pulse and oxygen saturation was worn on the finger to detect sleep apnea. At this time, when the airflow sensor is inserted into both nostrils and the size of the device is considered, the sleeper's movement is limited. However, since the sleep pattern detecting apparatus of the present embodiment does not use an airflow sensor, there is no drawback as described above.

2 is a block diagram showing a sleep failure notification system using a sleep pattern detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus includes a recording unit 1, a first comparison unit 2, a signal strength measurement unit 3, a temperature detector 4, and a second comparison. And an emergency signal generator 6 '.

Here, the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention replaces the storage unit 6 of the sleep pattern detection apparatus with an emergency signal generator 6 'to the neighbors when breathing abnormalities occur. Its technical features make it possible to communicate.

Here, the recording unit (1), the first comparison unit (2), the signal strength measuring unit (3), the temperature detector (4), the first to form a sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention Since the configuration of the comparison unit 5 is applied to the sleep pattern detecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The emergency signal generator 6 ′ stores the sleep pattern of the sleeper 7 in response to the snoring intensity signal MSS and the apnea signal NBS. That is, when the snoring intensity signal MSS is generated at a specific time, the emergency signal generator 6 'stores the sleeper 7 snoring with a specific time, and the apnea signal NBS at a specific time. ) Is generated and the sleeper 7 is not breathing and stores with a specific time.

In addition, the emergency signal generator 6 ′ generates an emergency signal ES when any one of the snoring intensity signal MSS and the apnea signal NBS is generated. That is, when the sleeper 7 is severely snoring or exhibits apnea symptoms, the emergency signal generator 6 ′ generates an emergency signal ES. Emergency signal (ES) is delivered to the smartphone of the sleeper (7), the smartphone in response to the emergency signal (ES) delivers an emergency SMS to the designated place, and make a phone call is abnormal in breathing of the sleeper (7) Announce that there is. Here, the emergency signal (ES) is transmitted to the smart phone by Bluetooth.

In addition, the emergency signal generator 6 'not only generates an emergency signal ES but also informs the neighbors that there is an abnormality in the breathing of the sleeper 7 through the beep sound and the warning lamp.

The operation of the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus as described above is as follows.

3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus determines whether the sleeper is snoring and apnea (S1). Specifically, when the sleeper sleeps, the nasal voice of the sleeper is recorded, and the temperature of the inhalation and exhalation of the sleeper is detected. Thereafter, if the recorded snorting is higher than the reference, the snoring signal is generated to detect that the sleeper is snoring. At the same time, the temperature of the inhaled breather is detected to detect whether the sleeper is performing normal breathing. The detected snoring and breathing information of the sleeping person is stored in the storage unit as a sleep pattern.

Subsequently, when one of the symptoms of sleep snoring and apnea occurs, the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection device generates an emergency signal (S2), and delivers it to the smartphone connected via Bluetooth (S3).

Receiving an emergency signal, the smartphone delivers an emergency SMS to a predetermined place, and makes a phone call to notify that there is a problem with the breathing of the sleeping person. At the same time, beeps and emergency lights are turned on to inform neighbors of breathing problems.

To sum up, the sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection apparatus of the present embodiment notifies the neighboring people and the hospital that the abnormality of the sleeper's breathing is transmitted to the smartphone when an abnormality occurs in the breathing of the sleeper. In this way, since the information on the breathing abnormality of the sleeper can be quickly delivered to the neighbors, the emergency situation due to the breathing abnormality of the sleeping person can be coped with quickly.

In addition, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible in the technical field of the present invention without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

1: Recording part 2: First comparison part
3: signal strength measurement unit 4: temperature detection unit
5: second comparison unit 6: storage unit
6 ': emergency signal generator

Claims (10)

Recording unit for detecting and recording the sound signal from the sleeper's nose;
A first comparison unit comparing the sound signal with a preset first reference signal and generating a snoring signal when the sound signal has a higher crest than the first reference signal;
A signal strength measuring unit measuring the strength of the snoring signal;
A temperature detector configured to detect inhalation and exhalation temperatures of the sleeper;
A second comparison unit which compares the detected temperature with a preset second reference signal and generates an apnea signal when a section in which the temperature is lower than the second reference signal continues; And
A storage unit for storing the sleep pattern of the sleeper in response to the intensity of the snoring signal and the apnea signal
Sleep pattern detection apparatus comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The recording unit microphone for recording the sound signal; And
And an integrator for integrating an output of the microphone and outputting an analog signal corresponding to the sound signal in the form of a voltage.
The method of claim 1,
The reference signal is a sleep pattern detection apparatus, characterized in that a reference for determining whether the sound signal is a normal breath or snoring sound.
The method of claim 1,
The signal strength measuring unit measures the intensity of the snoring signal, and according to the strength of the snoring signal, sleep pattern detection device, characterized in that for flashing some of the plurality of light sources.
The method of claim 1,
The breath detection unit sleep pattern detection device including a temperature sensor and a bridge circuit for measuring the temperature of the inhalation, exhalation of the sleeper.
The method of claim 1,
The storage unit stores the sleeper is snoring when the snoring signal is input, and sleep pattern detection device, characterized in that for storing whether the breath transmitted from the breathing detection unit.
Recording unit for detecting and recording the sound signal from the sleeper's nose;
A first comparison unit comparing the sound signal with a preset first reference signal and generating a snoring signal when the sound signal has a higher crest than the first reference signal;
A signal strength measuring unit configured to generate a snoring intensity signal by measuring the intensity of the snoring signal;
A temperature detector configured to detect inhalation and exhalation temperatures of the sleeper;
A second comparison unit which compares the detected temperature with a preset second reference signal and generates an apnea signal when a section in which the temperature is lower than the second reference signal continues; And
Emergency signal generation unit for transmitting an emergency signal to the smartphone when one of the snoring intensity signal and the apnea signal is generated
Sleep disorders notification system using a sleep pattern detection device comprising a.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The emergency signal is a sleep disorder notification system using a sleep pattern detection device, characterized in that transmitted to the smart phone via Bluetooth.
The method of claim 8,
The smart phone sleep emergency notification system using a sleep pattern detection device, characterized in that for transmitting an emergency SMS and a call to a designated place when the emergency signal is received.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The emergency signal generating unit sleep disorder notification system using the sleep pattern detection device, characterized in that for generating the emergency signal and at the same time to warn the neighbors through a beep and warning lamp.

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