Biological information measuring device

Abstract

To suppress displacement of a measuring part relative to the external auditory meatus and the auricle when a user wearing a biological information measuring device moves in comparison with a configuration in which a second housing is disposed outside a first housing.SOLUTION: A right earphone 20R includes: a first housing 40 including a first electrode part 24 and a second electrode part 26 which are disposed in an external auditory meatus of a user and at a prescribed position of a part of an auricle 67, respectively and measure biological information of the user; a second housing 50 which includes no measuring parts measuring the biological information of the user and is disposed on a reverse side of an ear; and a connecting arm 60 connecting the second housing 50 with the first housing 40. The connection arm being a connection member, includes a part composed of an elastic material, which elastically deforms the connecting arm 60 when the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 are worn by the user to measure the biological information of the user, arranges the second housing 50 on the reverse side of the ear 66, grips the first housing 40 and the ear 66, and arranges the first housing at the prescribed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a biological information measuring device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is a biological information measuring device that is worn on a user's ear and measures the user's biological information such as brain waves (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The biological information measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a housing to be placed on the front side of a user's ear, and electrodes provided on the housing and in contact with the ear canal to measure biological information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-186934 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The biological information measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in that the first electrode and the second electrode are easily displaced relative to the ear canal and the auricle as the user moves.

[0006] The technology disclosed in the present application aims to prevent the measuring unit from shifting in position relative to the ear canal and auricle when a user wearing the bio-information measuring device moves, compared to a configuration in which the second housing is arranged outside the first housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The bio-information measuring device of the first embodiment has a first housing having a measuring unit that is placed at a predetermined position in the user's external auditory canal and a part of the user's auricle and measures the user's bio-information, a second housing that does not have a measuring unit that measures the user's bio-information and is placed behind the user's ear, and a connecting member that connects the second housing and the first housing, wherein the connecting member includes a portion made of an elastic material, and when the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user to measure the user's bio-information, the connecting member is elastically deformed to place the second housing behind the ear and is positioned at the predetermined position with the first housing and the ear sandwiched between them.

[0008] The second aspect of the bio-information measuring device is the bio-information measuring device of the first aspect, in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged in contact or close proximity to each other in a state in which the connecting member is not elastically deformed by an external force before the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user.

[0009] A bioinformation measuring device according to a third aspect is the bioinformation measuring device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the connecting member has a curved portion that is convexly curved in a direction away from the user's body when the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user, and that is connected to the second housing by straddling an upper edge of the ear; The curved portion includes a portion made of the elastic material.

[0010] A biological information measuring device according to a fourth aspect is the biological information measuring device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the connection member is deformable by twisting.

[0011] A biological information measuring device according to a fifth aspect is the biological information measuring device according to the fourth aspect, in which a conducting wire extending between the first housing and the second housing is arranged inside the connection member.

[0012] The bio-information measuring device of the sixth aspect is a bio-information measuring device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the measuring unit has a first electrode portion arranged in the ear canal and a second electrode portion arranged at a predetermined position on a part of the auricle.

[0013] A biological information measuring device according to a seventh aspect is the biological information measuring device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are formed of an elastic body.

[0014] The bio-information measuring device of the eighth aspect is the bio-information measuring device of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein when the second housing is worn by the user, the center of gravity of the second housing is located behind the ear.

[0015] A biological information measuring device according to a ninth aspect is the biological information measuring device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the second housing contains at least one of a battery and a board.

[0016] The bio-information measuring device of the 10th aspect is a bio-information measuring device of any one of the 1st to 9th aspects, wherein when the second housing is worn by the user, the second housing is positioned inside the part of the ear that faces outward.

[0017] The bio-information measuring device of an eleventh aspect is a bio-information measuring device of any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein when the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user, the second housing is positioned in a position that does not overlap with the first housing in the insertion direction of the user's ear canal.

[0018] The bio-information measuring device of the 12th aspect is a bio-information measuring device of any one of the 1st to 11th aspects, wherein the first housing has a sound output unit, and an opening in the first housing through which sound emitted from the sound output unit passes is opened toward the insertion direction of the ear canal when worn by the user, and a part of the first housing positioned near the auricle of the user wearing it does not have an opening through which sound passes.

[0019] The bio-information measuring device of the 13th aspect is the bio-information measuring device of any one of the 1st to 12th aspects, wherein when the first housing is worn by the user, the first housing has at least one cavity toward the ear canal through which external sound passes. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the first aspect, compared to a configuration in which the second housing is arranged outside the first housing, it is possible to prevent the measuring unit from shifting in position relative to the ear canal and auricle when the user wearing the bio-information measuring device moves.

[0021] According to the second aspect, when the connecting member is not elastically deformed by an external force before the first and second housings are worn by the user, the force with which the first and second housings pinch the ear can be increased when the first and second housings are worn by the user, compared to a configuration in which the gap between the first and second housings is wider.

[0022] According to the third aspect, the distance between the first housing and the second housing can be easily increased compared to when the entire curved portion is made of a hard material, thereby improving the fit of the first housing and the second housing.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect, the measuring unit can be easily disposed at a predetermined position in the ear canal and part of the auricle, compared to a case in which the connecting member is not deformed by twisting.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect, breakage of the conductor can be suppressed, compared to a configuration in which the conductor is disposed outside the connection member.

[0025] According to the sixth aspect, by measuring the electric potential of a part of the user's ear canal and auricle using two electrode parts, the first electrode part and the second electrode part, respectively, the measurement accuracy of the electric potential of the user's ear is improved compared to a configuration in which the electric potential of the user's ear canal is measured using a single electrode part.

[0026] According to the seventh aspect, compared to a configuration in which the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are formed from a hard body, the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion can be closely attached to the ear canal and a predetermined position on a part of the auricle, respectively, thereby improving the accuracy of measuring the electric potential by the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion.

[0027] According to the eighth aspect, compared to a configuration in which the center of gravity of the second housing is located somewhere other than behind the ear, for example, when the head of a user wearing the bio-information measuring device moves, the second housing is prevented from shifting in position or falling off.

[0028] According to the ninth aspect, the first housing can be made smaller and lighter in weight than in a configuration in which at least one of the battery and the board is housed in the first housing.

[0029] According to the tenth aspect, the second housing can be made more stable than in a configuration in which the second housing is disposed outside a part of the ear facing outward of the user.

[0030] According to the eleventh aspect, compared to a configuration in which the second housing is arranged at a position that overlaps the first housing in the insertion direction of the user's ear canal, it is possible to reduce vibration of the first housing and the second housing when the user moves.

[0031] According to the 12th aspect, compared to a configuration in which a part of the first housing placed near the user's auricle has an opening through which sound passes, the sound emitted from the sound output unit can be appropriately transmitted toward the user's ear canal and biometric information can be measured with high accuracy.

[0032] According to the thirteenth aspect, when the first housing is worn by a user, external sound from the first housing heading toward the ear canal is blocked, whereas the measuring unit of the first housing can measure the user's biometric information while allowing external sound from the first housing to pass through the ear canal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a biological information system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the right and left earphones according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a right earphone and a left earphone according to an embodiment, seen from the rear left. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the right earphone and the left earphone according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of a right earphone according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a user's ear. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view illustrating a right earphone according to an embodiment in a state where the right earphone is placed in a user's ear. [Figure 8] 1 is a side view illustrating a right earphone according to an embodiment in a state where the right earphone is placed in a user's ear. [Figure 9] A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the earpiece and earpiece of a right earphone according to one embodiment placed in the user's ear canal and concha cavity, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the technology disclosed in the present application will be described.

[0035] (Biometrics Measurement System) 1 shows a biological information system 10 according to this embodiment. The biological information system 10 includes a biological information acquisition device 12 and a terminal device 14.

[0036] The biometric information acquiring device 12 and the terminal device 14 are capable of communicating with each other via a communication path. Wireless communication or wired communication is used for the communication between the biometric information acquiring device 12 and the terminal device 14. The biometric information system 10 may include a device such as a server.

[0037] In the following, first, an outline of the configuration of the biometric information acquisition device 12 and the terminal device 14 will be described, and then the details of the configuration of the biometric information acquisition device 12 will be described.

[0038] (Biometrics measuring device) 2 and 3, the bioinformation acquisition device 12 is a device that measures the bioinformation of a user while being worn on the ear of the user. In addition, the bioinformation acquisition device 12 is, as an example, an electroencephalogram measuring device that measures the user's electroencephalogram as bioinformation. In addition, the bioinformation acquisition device 12 has a function of inputting and outputting voice, and may be in the form of a wearable device that is used in close contact with the human body.

[0039] The biometric information acquisition device 12 measures the user's ear potential (skin potential) and outputs information indicating the measurement results (e.g., a signal indicating the measured potential, or an electroencephalogram signal generated by analyzing the measured potential) to an external device such as a terminal device 14 as information indicating the electroencephalogram measurement results.

[0040] The biometric information acquisition device 12 is also used as an earphone. Specifically, the biometric information acquisition device 12 is also used as a canal-type earphone, and measures the user's biometric information in a state where it is inserted (fitted) into the user's ear canal. As a function of the earphone, the biometric information acquisition device 12 has a function of converting a sound signal output from a playback device into a sound wave using a speaker.

[0041] The biometric information acquisition device 12 has, for example, a wireless communication function. The wireless communication method is, for example, short-distance wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth (registered trademark), RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier), etc.), infrared communication, visible light communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc.

[0042] The bioinformation acquiring device 12 receives, for example, a sound signal such as a voice from the terminal device 14 via wireless communication and generates a sound based on the received signal. The bioinformation acquiring device 12 also transmits information indicating the electroencephalogram measurement result to the terminal device 14 via wireless communication.

[0043] The biometric information acquiring device 12 may receive the sound signal from the terminal device 14 via wired communication, or may transmit information indicating the electroencephalogram measurement result to the terminal device 14 via wired communication.

[0044] (Terminal Device) 1, the terminal device 14 is, for example, a personal computer, a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, etc.), a music player, a video playback device, etc. The terminal device 14 is an example of an information processing device.

[0045] The terminal device 14 has, for example, a wireless communication function. The terminal device 14 has, for example, a function of receiving information indicating the electroencephalogram measurement result of the user from the biological information acquisition device 12 via wireless communication and evaluating the electroencephalogram state of the user by analyzing the received information indicating the electroencephalogram measurement result.

[0046] In addition, information indicating the user's electroencephalogram measurement results may be analyzed by the biometric information acquiring device 12, and information indicating the analysis results may be transmitted from the biometric information acquiring device 12 to the terminal device .

[0047] The terminal device 14 has a function as, for example, a playback device that plays back a sound signal, and transmits the played back sound signal to the biometric information acquisition device 12 by wireless communication.

[0048] The terminal device 14 may receive information indicating the electroencephalogram measurement result from the bioinformation acquiring device 12 by wired communication, or may transmit a sound signal to the bioinformation acquiring device 12 by wired communication. The terminal device 14 may also communicate with other devices via a communication path such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0049] (Biometric information acquisition device) Next, the configuration of the biometric information acquisition device will be described in detail.

[0050] 2 and 3, the bioinformation acquisition device 12 includes a right earphone 20R that is worn on the right ear of the user, a left earphone 20L that is worn on the left ear of the user, and a cable 16 that electrically connects the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L. Note that the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L as the left and right bioinformation measurement devices may not be connected by the cable 16, and each device (the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L) may operate independently. Similarly, instead of connecting the left and right bioinformation measurement devices by a wire like the cable 16, the left and right bioinformation measurement devices may be connected wirelessly and operated to synchronize information.

[0051] The right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L are an example of a biological information measuring device. An arrow X shown in each drawing indicates the front (front side) of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L. An arrow Y indicates the width direction (thickness direction) of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L. An arrow Z indicates the upper direction (upper side) of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L.

[0052] In addition, when the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L are attached to the user's ears, the front of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L (arrow X direction) coincides with the direction in which the user's face faces. In addition, when the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L are attached to the user's ears, the width direction of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L (arrow Y direction) coincides with the width direction (left-right direction) of the user's head. Furthermore, when the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L are attached to the user's ears, the upward direction of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L coincides with the direction in which the top of the user's head faces.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L each have a first housing 40, a second housing 50, and a connecting arm 60.

[0054] The first housing 40 is provided with an earpiece (ear canal piece) 42 and an auricle piece (concha piece) 44. The second housings 50 of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L are connected to each other via a cable 16 that is disposed behind the user's head. The connection arm 60 is an example of a connection member.

[0055] (Hardware configuration of the biometric information acquisition device) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the biometric information acquisition device 12. As shown in FIG.

[0056] 4, the right earphone 20R has a speaker 22, a first electrode unit 24, a second electrode unit 26, and a substrate 28. On the other hand, the left earphone 20L has a speaker 22, a third electrode unit 38, and a battery 39. The first electrode unit 24 and the second electrode unit 26 are examples of a measurement unit.

[0057] The speakers (drivers) 22 are housed in the first housings 40 (see FIG. 2) of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L, respectively, and emit sound based on a sound signal. The speakers 22 are an example of a sound output unit.

[0058] 2, the first electrode 24 is provided on the outer surface of the earpiece 42 of the right earphone 20R and measures the electric potential (skin potential) of the inner peripheral surface in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the user's ear canal. The second electrode 26 is provided on the outer surface of the auricle piece 44 of the right earphone 20R and measures the electric potential (skin potential) of the surface in contact with the surface of the user's concha.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the third electrode unit 38 is provided on the outer surface of the earpiece 42 of the left earphone 20L and measures the electric potential (skin potential) of the inner circumferential surface while in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the user's ear canal.

[0060] For ease of explanation, the electrode portion provided in the earpiece 42 of the right earphone 20R is referred to as the first electrode portion 24, and the electrode portion provided in the earpiece 42 of the left earphone 20L is referred to as the third electrode portion 38; however, the first electrode portion 24 and the third electrode portion 38 have the same configuration.

[0061] In this embodiment, no electrode portion is provided on the outer surface of the earpiece 44 of the left earphone 20L. However, an electrode portion (fourth electrode portion) may be provided on the outer surface of the earpiece 44 of the left earphone 20L.

[0062] Signals indicating the user's electrical potentials measured by the first electrode unit 24, the second electrode unit 26, and the third electrode unit 38 are output to the electroencephalogram calculation processing unit 36, which will be described later.

[0063] The battery 39 is, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery, and is housed, for example, in the second housing 50 (see FIG. 2) of the left earphone 20L. Power is supplied to each component of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L from the battery 39. Note that the battery 39 is not limited to a secondary battery, and may be a primary battery.

[0064] 5, the board 28 is housed in, for example, the second housing 50 of the right earphone 20R. On the board 28, a number of electronic components such as a CPU and memory are mounted.

[0065] The board 28 and the battery 39 can be provided in at least one of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L.

[0066] 4, the board 28 has, as its functions, a control unit 30, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 34, and an electroencephalogram calculation processing unit 36. The control unit 30 is realized, for example, by a CPU or the like mounted on the board 28. The control unit 30 controls the operation of each unit of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L.

[0067] The storage unit 32 is realized, for example, by a memory mounted on the substrate 28. This storage unit 32 stores, for example, signals indicating the potentials measured by the first electrode unit 24, the second electrode unit 26, and the third electrode unit 38, and signals indicating the brain waves calculated by the brain wave calculation processing unit 36 ​​described later.

[0068] The communication unit 34 is realized by a communication chip or the like mounted on the substrate 28. This communication unit 34 has the wireless communication function described above, and transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device 14. Specifically, the communication unit 34 receives, for example, a sound signal of a sound emitted from the speaker 22 from the terminal device 14 or another external device. In addition, the communication unit 34 transmits, for example, information indicating an electroencephalogram calculated by an electroencephalogram calculation processing unit 36 ​​described later to the terminal device 14 or another external device.

[0069] The electroencephalogram calculation processing unit 36 ​​is realized by an electronic circuit or the like mounted on the substrate 28. The electroencephalogram calculation processing unit 36 ​​calculates an electroencephalogram based on the potentials measured by the first electrode unit 24, the second electrode unit 26, and the third electrode unit 38, respectively.

[0070] Here, for example, the first electrode unit 24 is used as a sensor electrode for measuring brain waves, the second electrode unit 26 is used as a ground electrode for earthing, and the third electrode unit 38 is used as a reference electrode for measuring a reference signal for comparison with the measured brain waves.

[0071] The EEG calculation processing unit 36 ​​uses the potential measured by the second electrode unit 26, which is a ground electrode, as a reference potential (ground potential), and calculates the potential difference between the EEG potential measured by the first electrode unit 24, which is a sensor electrode, and the reference potential measured by the third electrode unit 38, which is a reference electrode, as the EEG measurement result.

[0072] The EEG calculation processing unit 36 ​​may calculate the EEG based on potentials measured by two electrode units selected from an electrode group including the first electrode unit 24, the second electrode unit 26, and the third electrode unit 38. The EEG calculation processing unit 36 ​​may also calculate the EEG based on potentials measured by the two electrode units, the first electrode unit 24 and the second electrode unit 26. Furthermore, the EEG calculation processing unit 36 ​​may calculate the EEG based on potentials measured by three or more electrode units.

[0073] (Earphone structure) Next, the structures of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L will be described.

[0074] 2 and 3, the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L are configured symmetrically with respect to the user's head. The right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L have the same basic structure. Therefore, the following describes the configuration of the right earphone 20R, and the description of the configuration of the left earphone 20L is omitted.

[0075] First, the user's ears will be described.

[0076] 6 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a user's ear (right ear) 66. As shown in FIG. 6, the ear (external ear) 66 has an external auditory canal 94 and an auricle 67. The auricle 67 has an external auditory canal 68 connected to the external auditory canal 94, and a concha cavity 70 which is a region surrounding the external auditory canal 68. The auricle 67 also has a helix 72, a concha 74, a triangular fossa 76, a navicular fossa 78, an antihelic crus 80, an antihelix 82, a helical crus 84, a tragus 86, an antitragus 88, an intertragic notch 90, and an earlobe 92.

[0077] FIG. 5 shows the right earphone 20R in a state before being worn on the user's ear 66 (hereinafter referred to as the "unworn state"). FIG. 7 shows, as an example, a state in which the right earphone 20R is worn on a large ear 66 (ear 66A) such as that of an adult male. Meanwhile, FIG. 8 shows, as an example, a state in which the right earphone 20R is worn on a small ear 66 (ear 66B) such as that of a child or an adult female (hereinafter referred to as the "worn state"). Furthermore, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the earpiece 42 and the auricle piece 44 are disposed in the user's external auditory canal 94 and concha cavity 70, respectively. Note that the ear 66 is simplified in FIGS. 7 and 8 compared to FIG. 6.

[0078] (First case) As shown in FIG. 5, the first housing 40 of the right earphone 20R is formed in a box shape that is smaller and lighter than the second housing 50, for example. When the right earphone 20R is worn, the first housing 40 is disposed on the front side of the ear 66. The first housing 40 also contains the above-mentioned speaker 22 (see FIG. 4). When a speaker unit equipped with a sound source that uses air vibration is used as the speaker 22, the speaker 22 is housed in the first housing 40. On the other hand, when a bone conduction type speaker unit is used as the speaker 22, the speaker 22 may be housed in the second housing 50, not limited to the first housing 40. In this case, a contact point with the user's head is provided on the second housing 50, and sound is delivered to the cochlea of ​​the ear 66 by vibrating the bones around the ear 66.

[0079] The first housing 40 has an auricle piece (concha piece) 44. The auricle piece 44 is provided with an earpiece (ear canal piece) 42. The earpiece 42 is formed into a semi-spherical shape from an elastic body.

[0080] The elastic body forming the earpiece 42 may be, for example, a resin such as rubber. More specifically, the elastic body may be, for example, a Si-based rubber (for example, S1734 manufactured by NOK) or a urethane-based rubber. The hardness of each of the earpiece 42 and the auricle piece 44 (for example, hardness according to the standard of durometer type A (instantaneous)) is, for example, 40 to 75. As an example, a resin with a hardness of 70 is used for the earpiece 42.

[0081] 9, the earpiece 42 is provided to the auricle piece 44 via a sound guide tube 41. The earpiece 42 is inserted (fitted) into the ear canal 94 of the user.

[0082] The earpiece 42 is detachably (replaceably) attached to the first housing 40. The first housing 40 is smaller than the ear 66 when viewed from the insertion direction of the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94 (the direction of the arrow Y).

[0083] An opening 42H that communicates with the sound conduit 41 is formed in the center of the earpiece 42. Sound emitted from the speaker 22 (see FIG. 4) in the first housing 40 flows into the ear canal 94 through this opening 42H and the sound conduit 41. The opening on the tip side of the sound conduit 41 is an example of an opening of the second housing 50 that opens in the insertion direction of the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94 when the earpiece 42 is inserted into the ear canal 94.

[0084] When the right earphone 20R is worn, the outer surface of the earpiece 42 comes into contact (close contact) with the inner circumferential surface of the ear canal 94. As described above, the first electrode 24 that measures the electric potential of the ear canal 94 is provided on at least a portion of the outer surface of the earpiece 42. The first electrode 24 is made of, for example, carbon conductive rubber.

[0085] A conductor 62 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, is electrically connected to the first electrode 24. As described above, the third electrode 38 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the outer surface of the earpiece 42 of the left earphone 20L.

[0086] The auricle piece 44 is formed into an elliptical sphere from, for example, elastic resin. This auricle piece 44 is disposed on the outside of the earpiece 42 (opposite the ear canal 94) when the right earphone 20R is attached. Also, when viewed from the direction in which the earpiece 42 is inserted into the ear canal 94, the auricle piece 44 is formed into an elliptical shape. The outer diameter of this auricle piece 44 is larger than the outer diameter of the earpiece 42. This auricle piece 44 is disposed (fitted) in the concha cavity 70 when the earpiece 42 is inserted into the ear canal 94.

[0087] Unlike an inner-ear type earphone, the earpiece 44 does not have an opening through which the sound emitted from the speaker 22 passes. In addition, the shape of the earpiece 44 is not limited to an elliptical sphere and can be changed as appropriate.

[0088] When the right earphone 20R is worn, the outer surface of the auricle piece 44 comes into contact (fits tightly) with the surface of the cavity of the concha 70. As described above, the second electrode 26 that measures the electric potential of the cavity of the concha 70 is provided on at least a portion of the outer surface of the auricle piece 44. Like the first electrode 24, the second electrode 26 is formed of, for example, carbon conductive rubber (containing a rubber material and one type of carbon black). Note that a conductor 62 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, is electrically connected to the second electrode 26.

[0089] The materials of the first electrode part, the second electrode part, and the third electrode part may be formed by mixing a conductive material with an elastic material, or by bonding, adhering, plating, or vapor-depositing a conductive material on an elastic body. Examples of the conductive material include carbon black, carbon nanotubes, gold (Au), platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu), stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316L), solder, iron (Fe), or silver-silver chloride (Ag / AgCl). Examples of the elastic material include rubber, gel, and carbon nanotube viscoelastic body. Silver-silver chloride (Ag / AgCl) as a conductive material has a small resting potential and polarization voltage, so it takes a short time for the impedance at the contact point with the human skin to stabilize, and it is a material that can improve usability because it can measure biological information soon after the biological information measuring device is attached to the user. The elastic material is advantageous in that if it is a gel material capable of containing moisture, it can solve the problem of the contact resistance at the contact point with the human skin increasing and becoming unstable due to drying of the human skin, etc.

[0090] (Second housing) 5, 7, and 8, the second housing 50 is formed in a flat box shape that is larger and heavier than the first housing 40. The second housing 50 is disposed behind the ear 66 with its thickness direction (width direction) being the lateral width direction (arrow Y direction) of the user's head. In other words, the second housing 50 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the first housing 40 in the insertion direction (arrow Y direction) of the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94. The above-mentioned board 28 (see FIG. 5) and the like are housed inside the second housing 50.

[0091] The front end 50F of the second housing 50 is gently curved backward (opposite to the arrow X) to concave along the back surface of the ear 66 when viewed from the insertion direction (arrow Y direction) of the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94. This increases the stability of the second housing 50 when the front end 50F of the second housing 50 is in contact with the back surface of the ear 66, and improves the fit of the second housing 50 against the back side of the ear 66.

[0092] When the right earphone 20R is worn, the center of gravity G (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of the second housing 50 is located behind the ear 66. Furthermore, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the second housing 50 is located inside the part 66S of the ear 66 facing outward (toward the temporal region of the user).

[0093] The position of the center of gravity G of the second housing 50 can be changed as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the weight ratio between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 is, for example, 1:9, with the second housing 50 being heavier. This ratio (weight ratio) may be changed as appropriate within a range in which the second housing 50 is heavier than the first housing 40. This can improve the comfort of each user with respect to the load on the ear 66.

[0094] (Connection parts) As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting arm 60, as an example, connects the first housing 40 and the second housing 50, and in an elastically deformed state, functions as a retaining member that holds the user's ear 66 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 by clamping them from both the front and back sides.

[0095] The connecting arm 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape from an elastic material such as silicone rubber, for example. The connecting arm 60 extends in an arm shape from the front surface at the upper end of the second housing 50, and is connected to the upper surface of the first housing 40. Note that the connecting arm 60 is not limited to a cylindrical shape (circular cross section), and may be, for example, a polygonal cross section.

[0096] A conductor 62 is disposed inside the connection arm 60, spanning the first housing 40 and the second housing 50. The conductor 62 electrically connects, for example, the speaker 22 (see FIG. 4), the first electrode portion 24, and the second electrode portion 26 of the first housing 40 to the substrate 28 of the second housing 50. Note that the conductor 62 is not limited to being disposed inside the connection arm 60, and may be disposed outside the connection arm 60, for example.

[0097] The connecting arm 60 has a straight portion 60A and a curved portion 60B. The straight portion 60A extends linearly forward and upward from the upper surface of the first housing 40. A curved portion 60B is provided at the tip (upper end) of the straight portion 60A.

[0098] The inclination angle θ of the linear part 60A with respect to the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the right earphone 20R is, for example, preferably 30° to 40°, and more preferably 34°.

[0099] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the curved portion 60B is curved in a convex shape in a direction away from the user's body (forward) when viewed from the insertion direction (arrow Y direction) of the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94. One end (lower end) of the curved portion 60B is connected to the upper end of the straight portion 60A. The other end (upper end) of the curved portion 60B straddles the upper edge portion 66U of the ear 66 and is connected to the front end portion 50F at the upper end of the second housing 50. The curvature of the curved portion 60B is set to about 100 to 500 (1 / m), for example. Note that the curvature of the curved portion 60B is not limited to the above range, and other curvatures may be selected.

[0100] In this embodiment, the entire connecting arm 60, i.e., the entire straight portion 60A and the entire curved portion 60B, are formed of an elastic material. As shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5, the connecting arm 60 is elastically deformable in a direction in which the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 move away from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0101] Furthermore, when the right earphone 20R is not worn and the connecting arm 60 is not elastically deformed by an external force, as an example, the rear end 40R of the first housing 40 and the front end 50F of the second housing 50 come into contact with each other. As a result, when the user wears the right earphone 20R and widens the gap between the rear end 40R of the first housing 40 and the front end 50F of the second housing 50, the connecting arm 60 elastically deforms. Then, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the ear 66 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) is sandwiched between the rear end 40R of the first housing 40 and the front end 50F of the second housing 50 from both the front and back sides (front-rear direction) by the restoring force (elastic force) of the elastically deformed connecting arm 60.

[0102] When the right earphone 20R is not worn, the connection arm 60 may be elastically deformed or may be in a natural state without being elastically deformed. When the right earphone 20R is not worn, the rear end 40R of the first housing 40 and the front end 50F of the second housing 50 may be close to each other without contacting each other. "Close to each other" here means that the gap between the rear end 40R of the first housing 40 and the front end 50F of the second housing 50 is equal to or smaller than the thickness of the user's ear 66 (pinna 67), for example.

[0103] The connecting arm 60 can be deformed by twisting as shown by the arrow P in Fig. 9. Note that, in this case, the connecting arm 60 can be deformed by twisting means elastic deformation. The restoring force (elastic force) of the connecting arm 60 is set so that the twisted state of the connecting arm 60 is maintained when the earpiece 42 is inserted into the ear canal 94.

[0104] (How to wear the right earphone) Next, there will be described an example of how to wear the right earphone 20R on the user's ear 66. The left earphone 20L is worn on the user's ear 66 in the same manner as the right earphone 20R.

[0105] 7 and 8, when the right earphone 20R is worn on the ear 66 and the user's biological information is measured, the user first elastically deforms the curved portion 60B of the connecting arm 60 to widen the gap between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50. In this state, the user inserts the ear 66 (auricle 67) between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50, and places the first housing 40 on the front side of the ear 66 and the second housing 50 on the back side of the ear 66. At this time, the user places the second housing 50 inside (toward the temporal region of the user) the portion 66S of the ear 66 facing outward.

[0106] 9, the user inserts the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94 and the auricle piece 44 into the cavity of the concha 70. At this time, the user deforms the curved portion 60B of the connection arm 60 by twisting it according to the angle of the ear canal 94, etc. This makes it possible to easily insert the earpiece 42 and the auricle piece 44 into the ear canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70, respectively.

[0107] Here, the earpiece 42 is formed of an elastic body. As a result, when the earpiece 42 is inserted into the ear canal 94, the shape of the earpiece 42 deforms to match the shape of the ear canal 94, and the outer surface of the earpiece 42 comes into close contact with the surface of the ear canal 94. As a result, the first electrode portion 24 provided on the outer surface of the earpiece 42 comes into close contact with the surface of the ear canal 94, improving the measurement accuracy of the electric potential (skin potential) of the ear canal 94 by the first electrode portion 24.

[0108] Like the earpiece 42, the auricle piece 44 is formed of an elastic material. As a result, when the auricle piece 44 is placed in the cavity of the concha 70, the shape of the auricle piece 44 deforms to conform to the shape of the cavity of the concha 70, and the outer surface of the auricle piece 44 comes into close contact with the surface of the cavity of the concha 70. As a result, the second electrode portion 26 provided on the outer surface of the auricle piece 44 comes into close contact with the surface of the cavity of the concha 70, improving the measurement accuracy of the electric potential (skin potential) of the cavity of the concha 70 by the second electrode portion 26.

[0109] Next, the user adjusts the position of the second housing 50 arranged behind the ear 66 so that the second housing 50 is stabilized on the back surface of the ear 66 .

[0110] Here, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the connecting arm 60, particularly the curved portion 60B of the connecting arm 60, is elastically deformed. As a result, the front end 50F of the second housing 50 comes into contact with (is pressed against) the back surface of the ear 66 due to the restoring force (elastic force) of the elastically deformed curved portion 60B. Therefore, the second housing 50 becomes more stable on the back surface of the ear 66.

[0111] In addition, the ear 66 is held in a state in which it is sandwiched from both the front and back surfaces (front-rear direction) between the rear end 40R of the first housing 40 and the front end 50F of the second housing 50 by the restoring force (elastic force) of the curved portion 60B. This makes the second housing 50 even more stable on the back surface of the ear 66.

[0112] (Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described. Note that, although the operation and effects of the right earphone 20R will be described below, the operation and effects of the left earphone 20L are the same as those of the right earphone 20R.

[0113] The first housing 40 of the right earphone 20R is provided with an earpiece 42. The earpiece 42 is provided with a first electrode portion 24. The first housing 40 also has an auricle piece 44. The auricle piece 44 is provided with a second electrode portion 26. The first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 measure the electric potentials (skin potentials) of the user's external auditory canal 94 and concha cavity 70, respectively.

[0114] In this manner, in this embodiment, the electric potentials (bioelectric potentials) of the user's ear canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70 are measured by two electrode parts, the first electrode part 24 and the second electrode part 26. Therefore, in this embodiment, the measurement accuracy of the electric potential of the user's ear 66 is improved compared to, for example, a configuration in which the electric potential of the user's ear canal 94 is measured by one electrode part.

[0115] Moreover, the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 are formed of an elastic body. As a result, in this embodiment, the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 can be brought into close contact with the external auditory canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70, respectively, compared to a configuration in which the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 are formed of a hard body. This improves the measurement accuracy of the electric potentials of the external auditory canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70 by the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26.

[0116] Here, when the user wearing the right earphone 20R moves, the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 26 may become misaligned with respect to the user's external auditory canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70, and noise may be introduced into the potential measured by the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 26. When noise is introduced into the potential measured by the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 26, the measurement accuracy of the user's brain waves, etc. may decrease.

[0117] In particular, when the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 vibrate in accordance with the movement of the user, the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 are likely to become misaligned with respect to the user's ear canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70. For this reason, there is a possibility that large noise will be introduced into the electric potentials measured by the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26.

[0118] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 are worn by a user to measure the user's biological information, the user elastically deforms the connecting arm 60, and places the first housing 40 on the front side of the ear 66 and places the second housing 50 on the back side of the ear 66. Then, with the user's ear 66 sandwiched between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50, the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 are placed in predetermined positions.

[0119] This stabilizes the first housing 40 and the second housing 50. Furthermore, when the user moves, vibrations of the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 are reduced. Furthermore, even if the second housing 50 vibrates when the user moves, the vibrations of the second housing 50 are reduced by the connecting arm 60.

[0120] Therefore, in this embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the second housing 50 is arranged outside the first housing 40, it is possible to prevent the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 from shifting position relative to the external auditory canal 94 and the concha cavity 70 when the user moves.

[0121] 5, when the right earphone 20R is not worn and the connecting arm 60 is not elastically deformed by an external force, the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 are arranged in contact with or in close proximity to each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the right earphone 20R is not worn and the connecting arm 60 is not elastically deformed by an external force, the elastic deformation of the connecting arm 60 is larger when the distance between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 is widened compared to a configuration in which the distance between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 is wide. Therefore, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the force of the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 that pinches the user's ear 66 (the restoring force of the connecting arm 60) can be made larger.

[0122] The connecting arm 60 also has a curved portion 60B. When the right earphone 20R is worn, the curved portion 60B curves convexly in a direction away from the user's body and connects to the second housing 50 across an upper edge 66U of the ear 66. This makes it possible to connect the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 while suppressing interference between the curved portion 60B and the upper edge 66U of the ear 66.

[0123] In addition, the connecting arm 60 is made of an elastic material. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 can be easily increased compared to when the entire curved portion 60B is made of a hard material. In particular, in this embodiment, the curved portion 60B of the connecting arm 60 is made of an elastic material. This allows the user to further easily increase the distance between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50. Therefore, the fit of the right earphone 20R to the ear 66 is improved.

[0124] A conductor 62 extending between the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 is disposed inside the connecting arm 60. As a result, in this embodiment, breakage of the conductor 62 can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the conductor 62 is disposed outside the connecting arm 60.

[0125] 7 and 8 show how the right earphone 20R is attached to ears 66 of different sizes (ears 66A, 66B). As shown in Fig. 7, when the right earphone 20R is attached to a large ear 66 (ear 66A), for example, the curved portion 60B of the connection arm 60 gets caught on the upper edge 66U of the ear 66 (pinna 67).

[0126] As a result, the front end 50F of the second housing 50 is lifted up by the connecting arm 60, and the front end 50F of the second housing 50 comes into contact with the upper part of the back surface of the ear 66. In this state, the front end 50F of the second housing 50 is pressed against the upper part of the back surface of the ear 66 by the restoring force of the elastically deformed connecting arm 60, so that the second housing 50 becomes stable.

[0127] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the right earphone 20R is attached to a small ear 66 (ear 66B), for example, the curved portion 60B of the connection arm 60 does not get caught on the upper edge 66U of the ear 66 (auricle 67), and a gap T is formed between the upper edge 66U of the ear 66 and the curved portion 60B of the connection arm 60.

[0128] Therefore, rather than when the curved portion 60B of the connecting arm 60 is caught on the upper edge 66U of the ear 66, the second housing 50 wraps around to the underside of the ear 66, and the front end 50F of the second housing 50 comes into contact with the lower part of the back surface of the ear 66. In this state, the restoring force of the elastically deformed connecting arm 60 presses the front end 50F of the second housing 50 against the lower part of the back surface of the ear 66, so that the second housing 50 is stabilized.

[0129] In this way, in this embodiment, regardless of the size of the user's ear 66, the second housing 50 can be stabilized on the back side of the ear 66. This improves the versatility of the right earphone 20R.

[0130] 9, the connection arm 60 can be deformed by twisting it. Therefore, when the user wears the right earphone 20R in the ear 66, the user can deform the connection arm 60 by twisting it in accordance with the angle of the ear canal 94, etc. In this embodiment, the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 can be easily inserted into the ear canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70, respectively, compared to a case in which the connection arm 60 does not deform by twisting.

[0131] Furthermore, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the second housing 50 is positioned inside the portion 66S facing outward of the user's ear 66. As a result, in this embodiment, the second housing 50 can be stabilized compared to a configuration in which the second housing 50 is positioned outside the portion 66S facing outward of the user's ear 66 when the right earphone 20R is worn.

[0132] Furthermore, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the second housing 50 is positioned so that it does not overlap with the first housing 40 in the insertion direction of the user's ear canal 94. As a result, in this embodiment, vibrations of the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 can be reduced when the user moves, compared to a configuration in which the second housing 50 is positioned so that it overlaps with the first housing 40 in the insertion direction of the user's ear canal 94 when the right earphone 20R is worn.

[0133] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first electrode portion 24 and the second electrode portion 26 are further prevented from shifting in position with respect to the external auditory canal 94 and the cavity of the concha 70 when the user moves.

[0134] 7 and 8, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the center of gravity G of the second housing 50 is located behind the ear 66. As a result, in this embodiment, when the right earphone 20R is worn, the second housing 50 is less likely to shift or fall off when the head of the user wearing the right earphone 20R moves, for example, compared to a configuration in which the center of gravity G of the second housing 50 is located somewhere other than behind the ear 66.

[0135] The second housing 50 of the right earphone 20R houses a board 28 (see FIG. 4). The second housing 50 of the left earphone 20L houses a battery 39 (see FIG. 4). As a result, in this embodiment, the first housing 40 can be made smaller and lighter than in a configuration in which the board 28 or battery 39 is housed in the first housing 40 of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L.

[0136] Furthermore, the auricle piece 44 disposed in the concha 70 and the support portion of the first housing 40 supporting the auricle piece 44 do not have an opening through which the sound emitted from the speaker 22 passes. As a result, in this embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the auricle piece 44 and the support portion of the first housing 40 have an opening, the sound emitted from the speaker 22 can be appropriately transmitted toward the user's ear canal 94 and biological information can be measured with high accuracy.

[0137] (Modification) Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0138] The first housing 40 (pinna piece 44) may be provided with at least one cavity (through hole) that passes sound outside the first housing 40 (external sound) toward the ear canal 94 when the right earphone 20R is worn. This allows the user's electric potential to be measured by the second electrode section 26 of the first housing 40 while passing the external sound of the first housing 40 through the ear canal 94, as compared to a configuration in which the external sound of the first housing 40 heading toward the ear canal 94 is blocked when the right earphone 20R is worn. Note that if it is difficult to accommodate a speaker unit that uses air vibration as a sound source in the first housing 40 due to the cavity (through hole) provided in the first housing 40, a bone conduction speaker unit may be accommodated in the second housing 50, and sound information may be delivered to the user from the bone conduction speaker unit.

[0139] The first housing 40 (the auricle piece 44) may be provided with a lid that opens and closes the cavity (through-hole). This allows the user to open and close the cavity as needed, improving the convenience of the right earphone 20R.

[0140] Furthermore, by providing a cavity (through hole) in the auricle piece 44, the auricle piece 44 becomes easily deformed. As a result, when the auricle piece 44 is fitted into the cavity of the concha 70, the shape of the auricle piece 44 deforms along the shape of the cavity of the concha 70, and the outer surface of the auricle piece 44 easily comes into close contact with the surface of the cavity of the concha 70. As a result, the second electrode portion 26 provided on the outer surface of the auricle piece 44 easily comes into close contact with the surface of the cavity of the concha 70, improving the measurement accuracy of the electric potential (skin potential) of the cavity of the concha 70 by the second electrode portion 26. The effect of improving the adhesion obtained by providing a cavity (through hole) in the auricle piece 44 can also be obtained by designing the first housing 40 (auricle piece 44) as a gently bending structure. For example, the same effect as above can be obtained by intentionally reducing the strength of the frame by providing a notch in a part of the circumferential direction of the frame of the first housing 40 or by thinning a part of the frame thickness in the circumferential direction of the frame so that the frame is easily deformed in the circumferential direction.

[0141] In addition, the shape of the auricle piece 44 changes shape to conform to the shape of the concha 70, thereby increasing the contact area of ​​the auricle piece 44 that comes into contact with the concha 70. As a result, stress concentration on the contact portion of the concha 70 with which the auricle piece 44 comes into contact is alleviated, improving the fit of the auricle piece 44.

[0142] When viewed from the insertion direction (arrow Y direction) of the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94, the shape of the earpiece 44 and the cavity (hole) may be elliptical, substantially circular, or a polygonal cavity such as a square or triangle. When viewed from the insertion direction (arrow Y direction) of the earpiece 42 into the ear canal 94, one of the earpiece 44 and the cavity (hole) may be elliptical, and the other of the earpiece 44 and the cavity (hole) may be substantially circular. The earpiece 44 is preferably made of a resin or the like that is more easily elastically deformed than metal.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the entire connecting arm 60 as the connecting member is made of an elastic material. However, at least a part of the connecting arm 60 may be made of an elastic material. That is, at least a part of the curved portion 60B may be made of an elastic material, and at least a part of the linear portion 60A may be made of an elastic material.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the connecting arm 60 has the straight portion 60A and the curved portion 60B. However, the shape of the connecting arm 60 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the corresponding portion of the straight portion 60A of the connecting arm 60 may be curved so as to be continuous with the curved portion 60B.

[0145] Also, in the above embodiment, the connecting member is the connecting arm 60. However, the connecting member is not limited to the connecting arm 60. The connecting member may be configured to include, for example, a conductive wire that connects the first housing 40 and the second housing 50, and a cover member that includes a portion made of an elastic material.

[0146] The cover member has, for example, a curved portion that extends from the second housing 50 and is hooked onto the upper part of the user's ear. Also, the cover member does not reach the first housing 40 and covers a part of the conductor. In this case, the cover member does not connect the first housing 40 and the second housing 50, and the conductor protruding from the end of the cover member on the first housing 40 side is connected to the first housing 40.

[0147] By hooking the curved portion of the cover member onto the upper part of the user's ear in this manner, the second housing 50 is stabilized and vibration of the second housing 50 is reduced. Furthermore, by connecting the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 not with a cover member but with a conductor, the earpiece 42 and the auricle piece 44 can be easily positioned relative to the user's ear canal 94 and concha cavity 70. Furthermore, by covering a part of the conductor with the cover member, breakage of the conductor is suppressed.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the connecting arm 60 is deformable by twisting. However, for example, the straight portion 60A and the curved portion 60B, which are separate bodies, may be rotatably connected. The connecting arm 60 may be configured not to deform by twisting.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the second electrode unit 26 as a measurement unit contacts the cavity of the concha 70 to measure the user's electric potential. However, the second electrode unit as a measurement unit may contact a predetermined position of a part of the auricle 67 other than the cavity of the concha 70 to measure the user's electric potential.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the measurement unit is an electrode unit such as the first electrode unit 24, the second electrode unit 26, and the third electrode unit 38. However, the measurement unit is not limited to an electrode unit and may be, for example, a sensor other than an electrode unit, such as an optical sensor. The measurement unit may also include an electrode unit and a sensor other than an electrode unit, such as an optical sensor.

[0151] The electrode portion and the sensor other than the electrode portion may measure the user's biological information by contacting the user, or may measure the user's biological information without contacting the user.

[0152] In the above embodiment, both the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L function as a biological information measuring device. However, at least one of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L may function as a biological information measuring device. Alternatively, one of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L may be omitted, and the other of the right earphone 20R and the left earphone 20L may be worn in one of the user's ears as a biological information measuring device.

[0153] Furthermore, the bioinformation measuring device is not limited to earphones, but may be, for example, a hearing aid, a piercing-type device, a clip-type device, a glasses-type device, or a device including a band or cable that is wrapped around the ear.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the right earphone 20R serving as the biological information measuring device measures the user's brain waves as biological information. However, the biological information measured by the biological information measuring device is not limited to the user's brain waves and may include various information emitted by the user.

[0155] Biometric information includes, for example, information indicating brain activity (e.g., brain waves, cerebral blood flow, brain magnetic field signals, etc.), information indicating pulse rate, electromyographic information such as electromyographic waveforms, information regarding saliva (e.g., information indicating saliva volume), information indicating pulse waves, information indicating blood pressure, information indicating blood flow, information indicating pulse rate, information indicating heart rate, information indicating electrocardiographic waveforms, information indicating eye movement, information indicating body temperature, information indicating the amount of sweat, information indicating gaze, voice information, information indicating human movement, or information obtained from bodily fluids (e.g., blood, etc.).

[0156] Furthermore, information specified by a biomarker may be used as bioinformation. The bioinformation may be information resulting from an electric potential detected from a user. For example, the bioinformation may be an electroencephalogram, which is a measurement result of a microcurrent generated with brain activity, an electrocardiogram, which is a measurement result of a microcurrent generated with heartbeat, an electromyogram, which is a measurement result of a microcurrent generated with muscle activity, or a skin potential, which is a measurement result of a microcurrent generated on the skin. These are merely examples of bioinformation, and other bioinformation may be used. The bioinformation measuring device measures one or more types of bioinformation.

[0157] In addition, in the bio-information system 10, for example, emotional information, mental information, or psychological information may be obtained by analyzing bio-information. In addition, in the bio-information system 10, for example, information indicating the emotion of the user, information indicating the mental state of the user, or information indicating the psychology of the user may be obtained by analyzing the bio-information of the user.

[0158] In addition, the above embodiments may be applied to devices that measure biological information using recording methods such as deep brain activity, cortical electroencephalograms, scalp electroencephalograms, intravascular electroencephalograms, functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalograms, or near-infrared spectroscopy.

[0159] The structure for attaching the first housing, the second housing, and the connecting member to the user in the above embodiment may be applied to a device that does not measure biological information. This structure may be widely used as a fixing mechanism for placing the device at a predetermined position on the ear. For example, this structure may be used as a fixing mechanism for accessories decorated with precious metals.

[0160] Although one embodiment of the technology disclosed in the present application has been described above, the technology disclosed in the present application is not limited to the above embodiment. In addition, the above embodiment and various modified examples may be used in appropriate combination, and the technology disclosed in the present application may be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the technology. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 20L Left earphone (biometric measuring device) 20R Right earphone (biometric measuring device) 22 Speaker (sound output unit) 24 First electrode section (measurement section) 26 Second electrode section (measurement section) 28 Substrate 39 Batteries 40 First Case 41 Sound guide tube (opening of first housing) 50 Second Case 60 Connecting arm (connecting member) 60B Curved section 62 Conductor 66 Ear 66S Part facing outward from the ear 66U Upper edge of ear 67 Auricle 94 External auditory canal G Center of gravity of second housing

Claims

1. A first housing having a measurement unit that is disposed in a user's ear canal and a predetermined position of a part of the user's auricle and that measures biological information of the user; A second housing that does not have a measurement unit that measures biological information of the user and is placed behind the ear of the user; a connection member that connects the second housing and the first housing, The connecting member includes a portion made of an elastic material, When the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user to measure the biological information of the user, the connecting member is elastically deformed, the second housing is disposed behind the ear, and the first housing and the ear are sandwiched between the second housing and the ear and disposed at the predetermined position. Biometric measuring device.

2. the first housing and the second housing are disposed in contact with or in close proximity to each other in a state in which the connection member is not elastically deformed by an external force before the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user; The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

3. the connecting member has a curved portion that is curved convexly in a direction away from the user's body when the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user, and that is connected to the second housing by straddling an upper edge of the ear, The curved portion includes a portion made of the elastic material. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

4. The connecting member is deformable by twisting. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

5. A conducting wire extending between the first housing and the second housing is disposed inside the connection member. The biological information measuring device according to claim 4.

6. The measurement unit is A first electrode portion disposed in the ear canal; A second electrode portion disposed at a predetermined position of a part of the auricle; having The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are formed of an elastic body. The biological information measuring device according to claim 6.

8. When the second housing is worn by the user, a center of gravity of the second housing is located behind the ear. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

9. The second housing accommodates at least one of a battery and a substrate. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

10. When the second housing is worn by the user, the second housing is disposed inside a portion of the ear that faces outward. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

11. When the first housing and the second housing are worn by the user, the second housing is disposed at a position where the second housing does not overlap with the first housing in an insertion direction of the user's ear canal. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

12. The first housing has a sound output unit, an opening of the first housing through which the sound emitted from the sound output unit passes is opened toward an insertion direction of the ear canal when worn by the user, A part of the first housing arranged near the auricle of the user wearing the earphones does not have an opening through which sound passes. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

13. When the first housing is worn by the user, the first housing has at least one cavity that passes external sound toward the ear canal. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 .

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