WO2019058740A1

WO2019058740A1 - Biological information measurement device

Info

Publication number: WO2019058740A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/027395
Authority: WO
Inventors: 小林　浩紀; 敏和河村
Original assignee: アルプスアルパイン株式会社
Priority date: 2017-09-20
Filing date: 2018-07-20
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Also published as: JP2021006071A

Abstract

Provided is a biological information measurement device which includes: a biosensor that measures predetermined biological information of a user; a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the user; and a control unit that controls operation of the biosensor on the basis of changes in the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Description

Biological information measuring device

The present disclosure relates to a biological information measurement device.

There is known a technique of acquiring data at predetermined intervals by various biometric sensors to generate biological information.

International Publication WO 2005/34742 Pamphlet

However, with the above-described conventional techniques, it is difficult to save power of the biological information measurement device. For example, in the case of a system for monitoring an abnormality of a worker, a long time measurement is required to be able to cope with a long time work. Increasing the size of the battery enables measurement for a long time, but causes negative effects such as increasing the size of the device.

Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention aims to save power of a biological information measurement device.

In one aspect, a biometric sensor that measures predetermined biometric information of a user;
A temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the user;
There is provided a biological information measurement apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls an operation of the biological sensor based on a change in the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

In one aspect, according to the present invention, it is possible to save power of the biological information measurement device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a biological information measurement device according to a first embodiment. An example of a state of a living body information measuring device at the time of measurement is shown. It is a schematic flowchart which shows an example of the process performed by a biometric information measuring apparatus. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a biological information measurement device according to a second embodiment. 7 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the biological information measurement device according to the second embodiment. It is an explanatory view of a living body information measuring device provided with a mounting tool.

Hereinafter, each example will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a biological information measuring device 1 according to an embodiment.

The biological information measuring device 1 includes an optical head 10 (an example of a biological sensor), an infrared sensor 12 (denoted as "IR sensor" in FIG. 1) (an example of a temperature sensor), and an AD converter 13 ("ADC in FIG. “Indicated), a microcomputer 14 (indicated as“ MCU ”in FIG. 1) (an example of a control unit), a battery 16, and a memory 18.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the optical head 10, the microcomputer 14, the battery 16, and the memory 18 form the optical sensor unit 2, and the infrared sensor 12 and the AD converter 13 form the infrared sensor unit 3. . The optical sensor unit 2 and the infrared sensor unit 3 may be electrically connected to each other by a wire such as a harness or a flexible printed circuit (FPC). However, in the modification, the optical sensor unit 2 and the infrared sensor unit 3 may be formed as an integral unit.

The optical head 10 measures predetermined biometric information of the user. The predetermined biological information is, for example, a pulse wave or hemoglobin concentration. The optical head 10 includes a light emitting unit 20 and a light receiving unit 30.

The light emitting unit 20 is provided in a housing (not shown), and emits light toward the outside through a sensing window (not shown). The light emitting unit 20 is formed of, for example, an LED (Light-Emitting Diode).

The light receiving unit 30 is provided in the same housing (not shown) as the light emitting unit 20, and receives light through a sensing window (not shown). The light receiving unit 30 is formed of, for example, a photodiode.

At the time of measurement, the optical head 10 contacts the living body (for example, the forehead of the user) to the sensing window. In this contact state, when the light emitting unit 20 emits light to the outside, part of the light passes through the living body toward the light receiving unit 30 side. Then, part of the light passing through the living body enters the light receiving unit 30. The light receiving unit 30 generates an electrical signal according to the light reception result. This electrical signal includes information inside the living body (for example, a pulse wave). The electrical signal from the light receiving unit 30 is given to the microcomputer 14. Thus, biometric information of the user is provided to the microcomputer 14.

The infrared sensor 12 is a non-contact temperature sensor that measures temperature based on infrared rays incident from a sensing unit (not shown). In addition, temperature measurement can be performed at high speed and in a non-contact manner by using infrared rays.

The AD converter 13 converts the electrical signal (analog signal) from the infrared sensor 12 into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the microcomputer 14. Thus, temperature information of the user is given to the microcomputer 14.

The microcomputer 14 controls the optical head 10 and the infrared sensor 12. Further, the microcomputer 14 determines the presence or absence of abnormality of the user based on the biological information obtained from the optical head 10.

In the present embodiment, the microcomputer 14 controls the operation of the optical head 10 based on the temperature information of the user obtained from the infrared sensor 12. For example, the microcomputer 14 determines whether or not there is a change in temperature that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Th. The predetermined value Th is arbitrary, but corresponds to the value of the temperature change that occurs when the user has a possibility of abnormality. The difference in temperature may be a difference in temperature between relatively short time points, for example, a change in temperature between about 1 minute and 5 minutes. Hereinafter, an event in which the microcomputer 14 determines that there is a change in temperature that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Th is referred to as a “temperature change detection event”. The microcomputer 14 starts the operation of the optical head 10 based on the temperature change detection event.

The battery 16 supplies power to the infrared sensor 12, the AD converter 13, and the microcomputer 14. The battery 16 may supply power directly to the optical head 10 or may supply power via the microcomputer 14 or the like. Thus, in the present embodiment, as one example, one common battery 16 is used as a power source of the infrared sensor 12 and the optical head 10.

The memory 18 stores various data and programs used for processing in the microcomputer 14.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the state of the biological information measuring device 1 at the time of measurement.

At the time of measurement, the biological information measurement device 1 is attached or attached to the user S so as to sense the head (forehead) of the user S, as shown in FIG. At this time, the optical head 10 of the optical sensor unit 2 may be in contact with the forehead of the user S (for example, pressed), and the infrared sensor 12 of the infrared sensor unit 3 may face the forehead of the user S without contact. . In this case, the optical sensor unit 2 can measure a pulse wave or the like on the forehead of the user S. Further, in this case, the infrared sensor unit 3 can measure the temperature at the amount of the user S. Since the temperature at the forehead of the user S correlates to the temperature of the user S, it can be effectively used to evaluate the temperature of the user S.

A preferred mounting method of the biological information measuring device 1 to the user S will be described later with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the user S is a worker. Since power saving can be achieved as described later, the biological information measuring device 1 is preferably used in a system that monitors an abnormality of a worker. In such a system, long-time measurement is required to be able to cope with long-time work.

According to the present embodiment, the microcomputer 14 starts the operation of the optical head 10 based on the temperature change detection event, so that compared with the case where the operation of the optical head 10 is always continued, the microcomputer 14 Power saving can be achieved. In addition, since the optical head 10 operates when there is a change in temperature above the predetermined value Th, there is a high possibility that the optical head 10 operates only in a situation where it is highly necessary to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality of the user. Become. This is because, for example, an abnormality such as heat stroke often involves a rapid change in body temperature. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, power saving of the biological information measuring device 1 can be achieved without substantially inhibiting the monitoring capability of the optical sensor unit 2.

Next, an operation example of the biological information measuring device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the biological information measurement device 1. The process shown in FIG. 3 is repeatedly performed for each operation clock (described later) in the power-on state of the biological information measuring device 1.

In step S300, the microcomputer 14 determines whether it is the first process after the biological information measuring device 1 is turned on. If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S302. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S302, the microcomputer 14 sets the operation clock to the first clock.

In step S304, the microcomputer 14 sets an operation clock according to the state of the under-monitoring flag F. The under-monitoring flag F is a flag that indicates whether the user is being monitored by the optical sensor unit 2, and when it is “1”, it represents “under monitoring”. The initial value of the monitoring flag F (value at power on) is "0". When the monitoring flag F is "0", the microcomputer 14 sets or maintains the operation clock as the first clock, and when the monitoring flag F is "1", the operation clock is the second clock. Set or maintain. The second clock has a cycle shorter than that of the first clock.

In step S306, the microcomputer 14 operates the infrared sensor unit 3 to acquire the current value of the temperature information. The microcomputer 14 stores the acquired temperature information in the memory 18. The memory 18 may hold a predetermined number of temperature information in a FIFO (first-in, first-out) format.

In step S308, the microcomputer 14 determines whether the monitoring flag F is "0". If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S310; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S320.

In step S310, the microcomputer 14 determines, based on the temperature information in the memory 18, whether or not there is a change in temperature that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Th. For example, when the absolute value of the difference between the previous value and the current value of the temperature information is a predetermined value Th, the microcomputer 14 may determine that there is a change in temperature that is equal to or higher than the predetermined value Th. Alternatively, when the absolute value of the difference between the average value of the temperature information and the previous value of the temperature information for a predetermined period of time before the present from the present is the predetermined value Th, the microcomputer 14 It may be determined that there has been a change. If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S312. On the other hand, when the determination result is "NO", the processing of the current cycle ends as it is. In this case, after the operation clock set in step S302 or step S304, the processing of the next cycle is performed from step S300 (the same applies to the part leading to "return" in FIG. 3).

In step S312, the microcomputer 14 sets the monitoring flag F to "1".

In step S314, the microcomputer 14 activates the optical head 10 in a state in which the optical head 10 can be supplied with power from the battery 16. That is, the microcomputer 14 shifts the optical head 10 from, for example, the sleep mode to the active mode.

At step S316, the microcomputer 14 starts the timer Tm. The timer Tm times out in a predetermined time. The predetermined time corresponds to one measurement time by the optical sensor unit 2.

In step S320, the microcomputer 14 operates the optical head 10 to acquire the current value of the biological information. The microcomputer 14 stores the acquired biological information in the memory 18. The memory 18 may hold a predetermined number of biological information in a FIFO format. The predetermined number is equal to or more than the number of biological information obtained in one measurement time by the optical sensor unit 2. The biometric information in the memory 18 may be cleared when the monitoring flag F becomes "0".

In step S322, the microcomputer 14 determines whether the timer Tm has timed out. If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S324. Otherwise, the process of the current cycle ends as it is.

In step S324, the microcomputer 14 determines the presence or absence of an abnormality of the user based on the biological information in the memory 18. For example, when the pulse wave is an abnormal value, the microcomputer 14 determines that there is an abnormality. If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S326. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S328.

At step S326, the microcomputer 14 outputs an alarm for notifying the user of an abnormality. The alarm may be output as voice or display. Alternatively, the alert may be sent to another peripheral terminal or server (not shown). When an alarm is output, the process of FIG. 3 may be exited and the process may be shifted to another process (process at the time of abnormality).

In step S328, the microcomputer 14 releases the power supply state from the battery 16 to the optical head 10, and stops the optical head 10. That is, the microcomputer 14 shifts the optical head 10 from, for example, the active mode to the sleep mode.

In step S330, the microcomputer 14 sets (resets) the in-monitoring flag F to "0". When step S330 ends, the process of the current cycle ends.

According to the process shown in FIG. 3, since the operation of the optical head 10 is started based on the temperature change detection event, the power saving of the biological information measuring device 1 is compared to the case where the operation of the optical head 10 is always continued. Can be implemented. In addition, since the infrared sensor unit 3 operates at the first clock before the temperature change detection event occurs, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the infrared sensor unit 3 operates at the second clock. Thereby, power saving of the biological information measuring device 1 can be further achieved. However, in the modification, there is no use of the first clock and the second clock, and the same clock may be used.

In the process shown in FIG. 3, while the monitoring flag F is "1", the infrared sensor unit 3 operates at the second clock, but the infrared sensor unit 3 continues the operation at the first clock. The operation may be stopped. If the infrared sensor unit 3 operates while the monitoring flag F is "1", it is also possible to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality of the user in consideration of the temperature information after the temperature change detection event.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures, another embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as “second embodiment”) replacing the above-described embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as “first embodiment”) will be described. With regard to the description of the second embodiment, components that may be the same as those of the first embodiment described above may be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a biological information measurement device 1A according to a second embodiment.

The biological information measuring apparatus 1A is a microcomputer 19 in addition to the microcomputer 14A (denoted as "MCU" in FIG. 4) (an example of the second control unit) of the biological information measuring apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The difference is that (in FIG. 4, it is written as "MCU") (an example of the first control unit) is added. Therefore, the infrared sensor unit 3A according to the second embodiment is different from the infrared sensor unit 3 according to the first embodiment described above in that the microcomputer 19 is provided. Hereinafter, for the sake of distinction, the microcomputer 14A is referred to as "optical sensor computer 14A", and the microcomputer 19 is referred to as "infrared sensor computer 19".

The AD converter 13 converts the electrical signal (analog signal) from the infrared sensor 12 into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the infrared sensor computer 19. Thus, the temperature information of the user is given to the infrared sensor computer 19.

The infrared sensor computer 19 controls the operation of the infrared sensor 12. Further, the infrared sensor computer 19 determines whether or not there is a change in temperature that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Th. The infrared sensor computer 19 provides a trigger signal for activating the optical head 10 to the optical sensor computer 14A based on a temperature change detection event.

The optical sensor computer 14A controls the optical head 10. The optical sensor computer 14A starts the operation of the optical head 10 based on the reception event of the trigger signal. When the optical sensor computer 14A starts the operation of the optical head 10, the optical sensor computer 14A similarly determines the presence or absence of an abnormality of the user based on the biological information obtained from the optical head 10.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the biological information measurement apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a temperature change detection event occurs on the infrared sensor computer 19 (step S500), a trigger signal is transmitted to the optical sensor computer 14A (step S502). When the optical sensor computer 14A receives the trigger signal (step S510), the optical sensor computer 14A starts the operation of the optical head 10 (step S512). Then, the optical sensor computer 14A determines the presence / absence of abnormality of the user based on the biological information obtained from the optical head 10 (step S514).

Also in the second embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment described above can be obtained. Further, according to the second embodiment, each of the optical head 10 and the infrared sensor 12 can be separately controlled by using two microcomputers (the optical sensor computer 14A and the infrared sensor computer 19). Thus, the optical sensor computer 14A itself can be stopped before the optical head 10 is activated, and power saving of the biological information measuring device 1A can be achieved.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the mounting method (mounting tool) of the biological information measuring device 1 will be described. Here, although the biological information measurement device 1 according to the above-described first embodiment will be described, the same applies to the biological information measurement device 1A according to the above-described second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the biological information measuring device 1 provided with a mounting tool, and is a schematic view seen in the vertical direction. In FIG. 6, the X1 direction is a front direction, the X2 direction is a rear direction, the Z1 direction is an upper direction, and Y1 and Y2 are horizontal directions. The amount of user S is located in the X2 direction. The outline of the head of the user S (the outline at the height of the forehead) is schematically shown by a dotted line 800 in FIG.

The biological information measuring device 1 may include a mounting tool 600 as shown in FIG. The mounting tool 600 has a main body portion 602. The mounting tool 600 can be mounted on the head of the user S in such a manner that the main body portion 602 comes to the forehead of the user S. The main body 602 holds the optical sensor unit 2 and the infrared sensor unit 3 on the side facing the forehead of the user S. The optical sensor unit 2 and the infrared sensor unit 3 may be fixed to the main body portion 602 with a fixing tool such as a screw, or may be fixed to the main body portion 602 by another method. In the mounted state, the optical sensor unit 2 abuts on the forehead, and the infrared sensor unit 3 faces the forehead at a predetermined distance. A mounting band 604 is provided on the main body portion 602. The mounting band 604 is a band hung around the head. The mounting band 604 may be a rubber-like elastic body so as to cope with individual differences in the size of the head, and may have a length adjustment unit (not shown). The mounting tool 600 may be configured integrally with a tool mounted on the head of the user S, such as a helmet.

According to the biological information measuring device 1 including such a mounting tool 600, the distance between the forehead of the user S and the infrared sensor 12 (the distance in the X2 direction) can be kept substantially constant during the measurement. Thereby, even when the user S can not maintain a stable posture during measurement, stable measurement is possible.

As mentioned above, although each Example was explained in full detail, it is not limited to a specific example, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range described in the claim. In addition, it is also possible to combine all or a plurality of the components of the above-described embodiment.

For example, although the infrared sensor unit 3 is separate from the optical sensor unit 2 in the embodiment described above, the infrared sensor 12 may be incorporated in the optical sensor unit 2.

Moreover, although the infrared sensor 12 is used in the Example mentioned above, a contact-type temperature sensor may be used. In this case, the contact-type temperature sensor is arranged to contact the user's forehead at the time of measurement.

This patent application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-180615 filed on Sep. 20, 2017, and the entire content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-180615 is incorporated herein by reference. Do.

Reference Signs List 1 biological information measuring apparatus 1A biological information measuring apparatus 2 optical sensor unit 3 infrared sensor unit 3A infrared sensor unit 10 optical head 12 infrared sensor 13 converter 14A optical sensor computer 16 battery 18 memory 19 infrared sensor computer 20 light emitting unit 30 light receiving unit 600 mounting tools

Claims

A biometric sensor that measures user's predetermined biometric information;
A temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the user;
And a control unit configured to control an operation of the living body sensor based on a change in the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.
The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the operation of the biological sensor based on a detection event of the change of the temperature which is equal to or more than a predetermined value.
The control unit includes a first control unit that controls the temperature sensor, and a second control unit that controls the biological sensor.
The biological information measurement device according to claim 2, wherein the first control unit provides the second control unit with a signal for starting the operation of the biological sensor based on the detection event.
The control unit operates the temperature sensor based on a first clock before the detection event, and operates the living body sensor based on a second clock whose cycle is shorter than the first clock after the detection event. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2.
The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature sensor is an infrared sensor.
The living body information measurement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the living body sensor and the temperature sensor can be mounted on the head of the user in a mode in which the living body sensor and the temperature sensor contact or face the forehead of the user apparatus.
The living body information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the living body sensor applies light to a site of the user, and generates living body information of the user based on a result of light reception of the light. .
The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the biological sensor and the temperature sensor operate based on power from one common battery.