Biological information origination apparatus

The present invention relates to a biological information transmitting device that transmits a biological signal including biological information.

As a safety management system for on-site workers, etc., there is one described in Patent Document 1. In this safety management system, a worker or the like confirms the safety of the worker or the like by transmitting motion information to a predetermined external device at a predetermined time by a mobile terminal or the like.

<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-33334</text></patcit></p>

<p> If a worker or the like is working and cannot send movement information at a predetermined time, another worker or the like must confirm the safety of the worker or the like, which hinders the smooth execution of on-site work.</p><p> Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a biological information transmitting device capable of confirming the safety of a worker or the like even while the worker or the like is working.</p>

<p> The biometric information transmitting device according to the present invention receives a biometric information detection unit that detects biometric information, a transmission unit that communicates with an external device, and a biometric signal representing the biometric information from the biometric information detection unit, and the living body thereof. The transmission unit is made to transmit a determination signal capable of determining whether or not the signal is in the normal range, or the transmission is performed only when the biological signal is in the normal range or in the abnormal range. It includes a control unit that causes the unit to transmit a signal.</p><p> According to the present invention, even when a worker or the like (user) is working, the safety of the worker or the like can be confirmed based on the determination signal received by the external device, or the external device receives the signal. Whether or not the worker or the like is in a normal state can be determined by whether or not the worker or the like is in a normal state.</p><p> Further, in the present invention, an arm attachment portion for detachably attaching to a person's arm is provided, and the biological information detection unit is at least one of the person's pulse, the person's body temperature, and the movement of the arm. May be detected.</p><p> According to the above configuration, the biological information transmitting device can be attached to and detached from a person's arm, and a worker or the like can easily attach the biological information transmitting device. In addition, the movement of the worker can be accurately determined based on at least one of the pulse of the worker, the body temperature of the worker, and the movement of the arm of the worker, and the safety of the worker can be accurately determined. Can be judged.</p><p> Further, in the present invention, a time specifying unit for specifying a time is provided, and when the control unit determines that a predetermined time has come based on a signal from the time specifying unit, the determination signal is sent to the transmitting unit by the external device. The signal may be transmitted to the transmitting unit only when the biological signal is in the normal range or in the abnormal range.</p><p> It should be noted that the predetermined time may be set to only one or a plurality of the predetermined times.</p><p> According to the above configuration, the movement of the worker or the like can be accurately determined at one or more predetermined times, and the safety of the worker or the like can be determined.</p><p> Further, in the present invention, a position specifying unit for specifying an existing position may be provided.</p><p> According to the above configuration, it is possible to identify the location of a worker or the like who is wearing the biological information transmitting device. Therefore, when the worker or the like is in an abnormal state, the worker or the like can be rescued quickly.</p><p> Further, in the present invention, the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a transmission request signal requesting transmission of a signal from an external device, and when the receiving unit receives the transmission request signal, even if the determination signal is transmitted from the transmitting unit. Good.</p><p> According to the above configuration, the safety of workers and the like can be confirmed at any time by transmitting a transmission request signal from an external device to the transmission unit when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs.</p>

<p> According to the biological information transmitting device according to the present invention, the safety of the worker or the like can be confirmed even while the worker or the like is working.</p>

<figref num="1">It is a schematic diagram which shows the biological information transmission device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows the relationship of each function in the said biometric information transmitting apparatus.</figref><figref num="3">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure which a control part executes when confirming the safety of a worker or the like.</figref>

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When a plurality of embodiments and modifications are included in the following, it is assumed from the beginning that a new embodiment is constructed by appropriately combining the characteristic portions thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a biological information transmitting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The biological information transmitting device 1 is a wristwatch-type device having a time display function, and is detachably attached to a human arm. As shown in FIG. 1, the biological information transmitting device 1 includes a main body 2 and bands 3 and 4 attached to the side surfaces of the main body 2 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side.

The main body 2 is provided with a case 5 made of a hard synthetic resin such as metal or ABS resin, and glass or transparent plastic is attached to the upper surface thereof, and a back cover made of a metal such as stainless steel is attached to the lower surface of the case 5. (Not shown) is attached with screws or the like via waterproof packing. Inside the case 5, electronic parts necessary for displaying time information in analog form, electronic parts for exerting GPS function, electronic parts for measuring acceleration of arm movement, and electronic parts for measuring body temperature , And electronic components for measuring pulse are installed. The case may be equipped with electronic components necessary for digitally displaying the time information. The detailed function and configuration of the biological information transmitting device 1 will be described in detail later.

Band mounting portions 8 are provided on each side surface of the case 5 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side. One end of the bands 3 and 4 is attached to the band attachment portion 8 of the case 5 with a mounting pin (not shown). Band 3 on the 12 o'clock side has a buckle 6 on the tip side. The buckle 6 is made of a hard synthetic resin such as ABS resin or a metal, and the bands 3 and 4 are connected to each other by engaging and disengaging the tip side of the band 4 on the 6 o'clock side.

In the middle of the band 3 on the 12 o'clock side, a free ring 7 into which the tip of the band 4 on the 6 o'clock side is removably inserted is slidably attached. The free ring 7 is made of a soft synthetic resin such as a polyurethane resin, and the band 4 on the 6 o'clock side is entirely made of a soft synthetic resin such as a polyurethane resin. Locking holes 9 are provided in the band 4 from the intermediate portion to the tip side at equal intervals. The locking hole 9 is provided for inserting the buckle rod 6a of the buckle 6. The bands 3, 4, the buckle 6, the free ring 7, the band mounting portion 8, and the mounting pin constitute the arm mounting portion.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between each function of the biological information transmitting device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the biological information transmitting device 1 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 10, a body temperature measuring unit 20, an acceleration measuring unit 30, a pulse measuring unit 40, a storage unit 50, a transmitting unit 60, and a time display unit. It includes 70 and a control unit 80. The GPS receiving unit 10 is an example of an existing position specifying unit and also an example of a time specifying unit. Further, the body temperature measuring unit 20, the acceleration measuring unit 30, and the pulse measuring unit 40 constitute a biological information detecting unit.

The GPS receiver 10 includes a GPS antenna. The GPS antenna receives microwaves in which time information and orbit information transmitted by artificial satellites (GPS satellites) orbiting the earth are superimposed. It is preferable that the GPS antenna is arranged on the back side of the dial because it is more decorative and wearable, but it is not limited to this. In addition, the dial is preferably non-metal in order to transmit microwaves.

GPS satellites are equipped with an atomic clock, and the satellite signal contains extremely accurate time information measured by the atomic clock. In addition, the control segment on the ground measures a slight time error of the atomic clock mounted on the GPS satellite, and the satellite signal also includes a time correction parameter for correcting the time error. The GPS receiver 10 receives a satellite signal transmitted from a GPS satellite via a GPS antenna, and corrects the internal time to an accurate time by using the GPS time information and the time correction parameter included in the satellite signal.

The satellite signal also includes orbit information indicating the position of the GPS satellite in orbit. The GPS receiver 10 also performs positioning calculation to identify the existence position using GPS time information and orbit information. The positioning calculation is performed on the premise that the internal time of the GPS receiver 10 includes an error. Specifically, there are four unknowns, and the four unknowns are composed of x, y, z parameters for specifying the three-dimensional position of the GPS receiver 10 and a time error. The GPS receiver 10 receives satellite signals from four or more GPS satellites, performs positioning calculations using the GPS time information and orbit information contained in the satellite signals, and accurately locates the location where the GPS receiver 10 exists. Identify. The GPS receiving unit 10 outputs a signal indicating the time and a signal indicating the existing position to the control unit 80.

The body temperature measuring unit 20 is composed of, for example, a known small and lightweight semiconductor sensor. The temperature detection unit of the body temperature measurement unit 20 is exposed on the back surface of the case 5, and when a worker or the like (user) wears it on the arm, it comes into contact with the arm. The body temperature measuring unit 20 detects the body temperature of a worker or the like based on the information detected by the temperature detecting unit. It is preferable that the material and thickness of the case 5 are those having good thermal conductivity and easily changing in temperature in response to the presence or absence of contact with the arm of a worker or the like and the temperature change outside the casing. The body temperature measuring unit 20 outputs a signal indicating the body temperature of a worker or the like to the control unit 80. A signal representing the body temperature of the worker or the like is included in the biological signal.

The accelerometer 30 includes an accelerometer element manufactured using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology. The accelerometer element may be configured by a piezo method, in which a weight is supported by a spring formed by a beam beam, and the displacement of the spring is detected by a piezo resistance attached to the surface of the spring. Alternatively, the acceleration sensor element may be configured by a capacitance method, a capacitance may be formed by a movable electrode integrated with a weight and a fixed electrode, and a displacement due to acceleration may be detected by a change in the capacitance value. The acceleration sensor element is configured to be able to detect acceleration in, for example, three axes (for example, X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) orthogonal to each other. The acceleration sensor element may be composed of one element piece capable of detecting acceleration in the three axial directions, or may be composed of three element pieces divided for each axis. The acceleration measurement unit 30 outputs a signal representing acceleration to the control unit 80. The signal representing the acceleration is included in the biological signal.

The pulse measuring unit 40 includes an LED (light emitting diode) chip that emits green light and a light receiving element. The LED chip and the light receiving element are mounted in the case 5. The back surface of the case 5 includes a portion capable of transmitting light, for example, a portion made of a transparent resin. The light emitted from the LED chip and the light emitted from the LED chip and reflected by the arm of a worker or the like pass through a portion capable of transmitting this light. The pulse measuring unit 40 measures the pulse rate by utilizing the property that hemoglobin in blood absorbs light. Specifically, the pulse measuring unit 40 measures the pulse by irradiating the blood vessels in the skin with green light, capturing the light reflected without being absorbed by hemoglobin with a light receiving element, and monitoring a minute change in the amount of light. To do. The pulse measuring unit may measure the pulse based on another principle. For example, the pulse measuring unit has a load detecting element, and the load detecting element measures the pulse by detecting the tension fluctuation caused by the pulsation near the wrist transmitted via the band as the load fluctuation acting on the main body. You may. The pulse measuring unit 40 outputs a signal representing the pulse to the control unit 80. The signal representing the pulse is included in the biological signal.

The storage unit 50 is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and exchanges with the control unit 80. RAM has a function of temporarily storing read programs and processing data. In addition, the ROM has a function of storing a control program, a predetermined threshold value, and the like in advance. The storage unit 50 may be configured by using a flash memory or the like, or may store data or a program in the flash memory or the like. The data stored in the storage unit 50 will be described later. The transmission unit 60 is composed of a transmission antenna. It is preferable that the transmitting antenna is arranged on the back surface side of the dial or the like because the decorativeness and the wearability are improved, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the time display unit 70 includes an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand. The control unit 80 causes the time display unit 70 to display the time based on the signal indicating the time from the GPS reception unit 10.

The control unit 80 is preferably configured by, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU has a function of reading and executing a program or the like stored in advance in the storage unit 50. The control unit 80 can be realized by software executed by a microcomputer, for example, but a part thereof may be configured by hardware.

Hereinafter, the control capable of confirming the safety of the workers, etc. even while the workers, etc. are working will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the control unit 80 when confirming the safety of a worker or the like.

With reference to FIG. 3, the control starts when a worker or the like wraps the wristwatch-type biological information transmitting device 1 around his / her arm. The attachment of the biological information transmitting device 1 by a worker or the like is determined when, for example, the body temperature measuring unit 20 detects the body temperature. When the control starts, in step S1, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the predetermined time has come based on the signal from the GPS receiving unit 10. The predetermined time is composed of one or more specific times, and the data at the predetermined time is stored in advance in the storage unit 50. If a negative judgment is made in step S1, the process proceeds to step S5. The process of step S5 will be described later. On the other hand, if an affirmative judgment is made in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the control unit 80 determines whether or not an abnormality is found in at least one of body temperature, arm movement, and pulse. Specifically, in step S2, whether or not the body temperature of the worker or the like specified by the control unit 80 based on the signal from the body temperature measuring unit 20 is included in the normal body temperature range stored in the storage unit 50 in advance. Is determined. The control unit 80 determines that the body temperature is normal when the body temperature of the specified worker or the like is included in the normal body temperature range, and determines that the body temperature is abnormal otherwise.

Further, the control unit 80 determines whether or not an acceleration difference of a predetermined size or more is detected during a predetermined time based on the signal from the acceleration measurement unit 30. The data for a predetermined time and the data for the magnitude of acceleration serving as a threshold value are stored in advance in the storage unit 50. When the control unit 80 determines that an acceleration difference of a predetermined size or more is detected within a predetermined time, it determines that the movement of the arm is normal, and if not, determines that the movement of the arm is abnormal. ..

Further, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the pulse rate specified based on the signal from the pulse measurement unit 40 is included in the range of the normal pulse rate stored in the storage unit 50 in advance. The control unit 80 determines that the pulse rate is normal when the pulse rate of the specified worker or the like is included in the normal pulse rate range, and determines that the pulse rate is abnormal otherwise. The control unit 80 determines whether or not an abnormality is observed in at least one of the body temperature, the movement of the arm, and the pulse by performing these three determinations.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and the control unit 80 causes the external device to transmit a signal indicating that the state of the worker or the like is abnormal to the transmission unit 60. The external device is composed of, for example, a mobile phone such as a worker. This transmission is executed, for example, from the biological information transmitting device 1 to a mobile phone such as a worker using Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)). Bluetooth is a microwave (radio wave) having a specified frequency. This Bluetooth signal is an example of a determination signal.

Bluetooth includes device authentication information for determining whether a mobile phone is a device permitted to communicate with the biometric information transmitting device 1, and information indicating that the mobile phone is an abnormal signal or a normal signal. Anomalous and normal signals differ in at least one of phase and amplitude, for example, in a region representing anomaly or normality in Bluetooth. By making at least one of the phase and amplitude different, it is possible to distinguish between the two signals.

When the mobile phone receives an abnormal signal from the biological information transmitting device 1, the mobile phone transmits a signal indicating an abnormality of the worker or the like to a movement management device that manages the movement of each worker or the like by an application. When the motion management device receives an abnormal signal from a mobile phone, it transmits a signal indicating an abnormality of a specific worker or the like to a predetermined mobile terminal or the like. As a result, the owner of the predetermined mobile terminal or the like can recognize an abnormality of a specific worker or the like. The biological information transmitting device may directly transmit a signal indicating an abnormality of a worker or the like to the motion management device using radio waves, and in this case, the motion management device constitutes an external device. When step S3 is completed, the process proceeds to step S5.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the control unit 80 causes the transmission unit 60 to transmit a signal indicating that the state of the worker or the like is normal to the mobile phone or the like of the worker or the like, and the mobile phone or the like of the worker or the like performs a specific operation. A signal indicating the normality of a member or the like is transmitted to the movement management device. When step S4 is completed, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the biometric information transmitting device 1 has been removed from the arm of the worker or the like. This determination is made, for example, by the control unit 80 based on a signal from the body temperature measuring unit 20 or the pulse measuring unit 40. If a negative determination is made in step S5, step S1 and subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, if a positive decision is made in step S5, the control ends.

According to the above embodiment, even if a worker or the like is working, at a predetermined time, the control unit determines whether or not the worker or the like is in a normal state based on a signal from the biological information detection unit. A judgment signal that can be judged is transmitted to the movement management device via the mobile phone of the worker or the like. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the worker or the like is in a normal state, and the on-site work can be executed more smoothly.

Further, since the biological information transmitting device 1 can be attached to and detached from a person's arm, a worker or the like can easily attach the biological information transmitting device. In addition, since the biological information detection unit detects the pulse of a person, the body temperature of a person, and the movement of the arm, which makes it easy to accurately determine the movement of the worker, the movement of the worker can be accurately determined. You can accurately judge the safety of such things.

Further, when the biometric information transmitting device 1 includes the GPS receiving unit 10 and the control unit 80 determines that the predetermined time has come based on the signal from the GPS receiving unit 10, the biometric information transmitting device 1 transmits the determination signal. Therefore, at a predetermined time, the movement of the worker or the like can be accurately determined, and the safety of the worker or the like can be determined.

Further, the biological information transmitting device 1 includes a GPS receiving unit 10 for identifying an existing position. Therefore, the location of the worker or the like wearing the biological information transmitting device 1 can be specified, and when the worker or the like is in an abnormal state, the worker or the like can be quickly rescued.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various improvements and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims of the present application and the equivalent scope thereof.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the biological information transmitting device 1 transmits a determination signal capable of determining whether or not the biological signal is within the normal range at a predetermined time to an external device via the transmitting unit 60 has been described. However, the biological information transmitting device may include a receiving unit that receives a transmission request signal requesting transmission of a signal from an external device, and when the receiving unit receives the transmission request signal, the transmitting unit may transmit the determination signal. In this way, in addition to the transmitting unit transmitting the determination signal to the external device at the predetermined time, when the receiving unit receives the transmission request signal even at a time other than the predetermined time, the transmitting unit transmits the determination signal. It may be transmitted to an external device. Alternatively, the transmitting unit may transmit the determination signal to the external device only when the receiving unit receives the transmission request signal, and the transmitting unit may not transmit the determination signal to the external device at a predetermined time. Further, in this case, the biological information transmitting device does not have to have a time specifying unit for specifying the time.

For example, when the biometric information transmitting device receives a transmission request signal from the first external device via the receiving unit at a time other than a predetermined time, the transmitting unit transmits a signal indicating the time and a signal indicating the existence position to the second external device. You may. Further, when the biological information transmitting device receives the transmission request signal from the first external device via the receiving unit at a time other than the predetermined time, the transmitting unit transmits a signal indicating the body temperature of the worker or the like to the second external device. May be good.

Further, when the biological information transmitting device receives a transmission request signal from the first external device via the receiving unit at a time other than a predetermined time, the transmitting unit may transmit a signal indicating acceleration to the second external device. Further, when the biological information transmitting device receives the transmission request signal from the first external device via the receiving unit at a time other than the predetermined time, the transmitting unit transmits a signal representing the pulse of the worker or the like to the second external device. May be good.

Here, the first external device and the second external device may be the same external device or different external devices. According to this modification, the safety of workers and the like can be confirmed at any time by transmitting a transmission request signal from an external device to the transmission unit when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs.

Further, while the biological information transmitting device outputs a signal indicating the normal state of the worker or the like to the external device when the normal state of the worker or the like is determined, the external device is notified when the abnormal state of the worker or the like is judged. The case of outputting a signal indicating an abnormal state of a worker or the like has been described. However, the biological information transmitting device may transmit the signal to the transmitting unit only when the biological signal is in the normal range or in the abnormal range, and when the normal state of the worker or the like is determined and the worker A signal may be transmitted to an external device only when an abnormal state such as is determined. In this way, it may be determined whether or not the worker or the like is in a normal state.

In addition, when only one of the biological signals measured by the body temperature measuring unit 20, the acceleration measuring unit 30, and the pulse measuring unit 40 deviates from the normal range, but the abnormality of the worker or the like is determined. Was explained. However, the abnormality of the worker or the like may be determined only when two or more of the biological signals measured by the body temperature measuring unit 20, the acceleration measuring unit 30, and the pulse measuring unit 40 deviate from the normal range. .. That is, when the biological information detection unit includes a plurality of detection units, even if only the biological signal of one detection unit deviates from the normal range, the normality of the worker or the like may be determined, and two or more. When the biological signal of the detection unit deviates from the normal range, an abnormality of a worker or the like may be determined.

Further, the case where the biological information detection unit includes the body temperature measurement unit 20, the acceleration measurement unit 30, and the pulse measurement unit 40 has been described. However, the biological information detection unit may be composed of only one of the body temperature measurement unit, the acceleration measurement unit, and the pulse measurement unit, or the body temperature measurement unit, the acceleration measurement unit, and the pulse measurement unit. It may be composed of two. Further, the biological information detection unit may be composed of only the blood pressure measurement unit, or may include the blood pressure measurement unit. In this configuration, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-116132, an optical pulse rate monitor sensor and an electrocardiogram electrode are incorporated in a wrist-worn wrist-worn biometric information transmitter, and a pulse rate monitor sensor is used for pulse rate. It can be realized by measuring the heart rate. Since the propagation time of the pulse is proportional to the blood pressure, the blood pressure can be measured from the propagation time of the pulse.

In addition, standard biological signals such as standard pulse, standard body temperature, and standard blood pressure differ from person to person. Therefore, the biological information transmitting device may include one or more biological signal input units, for example, one or more input units of a pulse input unit, a body temperature input unit, and a blood pressure input unit. Then, the biological signal input unit of 1 or more may be able to input biological information that is a threshold value for abnormality determination. More specifically, when the pulse input unit is used as an example, the control unit may determine that the pulse is a predetermined pulse away from the input pulse to determine an abnormality in the health of the worker or the like.

Further, the determination signal may be the biological signal itself representing the biological information. Further, the biological information transmitting device does not have to have a position specifying unit for specifying the existence position. Further, the biological information transmitting device does not have to have a wristwatch-type mounting portion, for example, it may have a mounting portion in a form of being attached to the skin, and any other form of wearing that can acquire biological information. It may have a part.

1 Biological information transmitter, 10 GPS receiver, 20 Body temperature measurement unit, 30 Acceleration measurement unit, 40 Pulse measurement unit, 60 Transmitter unit, 80 Control unit.