Biological information acquisition device

Abstract

To provide a biological information acquisition device that can reduce power consumption.SOLUTION: A biological information acquisition device includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring first information based on a quantity of red light received by a first light-receiving element, second information based on a quantity of infrared light received by a second light-receiving element and third information based on a quantity of green light received by a third light-receiving element; and a drive control unit for controlling driving and stop of each of a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element and a third light-emitting element. The biological information acquisition device measures first biological information based on the first information and the second information, and second biological information based on the third information. The drive control unit executes at least one of first processing for stopping light emission of the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element when a measurement period in which the first biological information is measured has reached a first period T1 and second processing for stopping light emission of the third light-emitting element when a measurement period in which the second biological information is measured has reached a second period T2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological information acquiring device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various types of wearable devices have been used to monitor biological information. These wearable devices have a light source and a light receiving element, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example. Light emitted from the light source passes through the living body, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving element. The wearable device shown in Patent Document 1 acquires biological information such as pulse waves and blood oxygen saturation concentration based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element. In order to obtain accurate data on such biological information, it is preferable to continue emitting light from the light source and receiving the light by the light receiving element for a predetermined period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-153480 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional configuration, the light source continues to emit light and the light receiving element continues to receive light even after the predetermined period has elapsed, which causes a problem of increased power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The biological information acquisition device of the present invention includes a light-emitting unit having a first light-emitting element that emits red light toward a biological body, a second light-emitting element that emits infrared light toward the biological body, and a third light-emitting element that emits green light toward the biological body; a light receiving unit including a first light receiving element that receives the red light that has passed through the living body, a second light receiving element that receives the infrared light that has passed through the living body, and a third light receiving element that receives the green light that has passed through the living body; an acquisition unit that acquires first information based on the amount of the red light received by the first light receiving element, second information based on the amount of the infrared light received by the second light receiving element, and third information based on the amount of the green light received by the third light receiving element; a drive control unit that controls driving and stopping of each of the first light emitting element, the second light emitting element, and the third light emitting element, measuring first biological information based on the first information and the second information, and second biological information based on the third information; The drive control unit executes at least one of a first process of stopping the emission of light from the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element when the measurement period for measuring the first bioinformation reaches a first period T1, and a second process of stopping the emission of light from the third light-emitting element when the measurement period for measuring the second bioinformation reaches a second period T2. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a biological information acquiring device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the biometric information acquiring device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining the first period T1 and the second period T2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a biometric information acquiring device of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0008] <Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a biometric information acquiring device of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the biometric information acquiring device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a time chart for explaining a first period T1 and a second period T2.

[0009] 1 is a wearable device that acquires biometric information of a user while being worn on the user's body. The user is the operator or wearer of the biometric information acquisition device 2, and is also the subject of the biometric information.

[0010] The biometric information acquisition device 2 acquires, that is, measures, first biometric information based on first information and second information described below, and second biometric information based on third information described below.

[0011] The first biometric information and the second biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 2 are transmitted from the biometric information acquisition device 2 to a gateway terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a server, via a wireless communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi.

[0012] However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the biometric information acquisition device 2 may store the biometric information without communicating with a gateway terminal or a server. In this case, it is preferable that the biometric information acquisition device 2 has a display device that displays the biometric information.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the biological information acquisition device 2 includes a wearing belt 3 to be worn on a living body, and a device main body 4.

[0014] The target part to which the attachment belt 3 is attached is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include fingers, wrists, arms, toes, ankles, neck, ears, head, abdomen, chest, and other biological surfaces.

[0015] The device main body 4 is provided inside the attachment belt 3 and faces the living body when the attachment belt 3 is attached to the living body. At this time, the device main body 4 may be in contact with the living body or close to but not in contact with the living body.

[0016] 2, the device main body 4 includes a light-emitting unit 41, a light-receiving unit 42, a driver IC 43, a control unit 5, a body movement sensor 44, and a housing 40 that houses these components. Although not shown, the housing 40 has a window that transmits light emitted by the light-emitting unit 41. This window can be formed, for example, by an opening provided in the housing 40, or a transparent plate having optical transparency.

[0017] The light emitting unit 41 has a first light emitting element 411, a second light emitting element 412, and a third light emitting element 413. The first light emitting element 411 emits red light L1 toward the living body. The second light emitting element 412 emits infrared light L2 toward the living body. The third light emitting element 413 emits green light L3 toward the living body.

[0018] As the first light emitting element 411, the second light emitting element 412, and the third light emitting element 413, for example, a laser light source, an LED light emitting element, or the like can be used.

[0019] The light receiving unit 42 has a first light receiving element 421, a second light receiving element 422, and a third light receiving element 423.

[0020] The first light receiving element 421 receives the red light L1 emitted by the first light emitting element 411 and reflected by the living body. That is, the first light receiving element 421 receives the red light L1 that has passed through the living body. Here, "passed through the living body" means "transmitted through the living body" or "reflected by the living body." In other words, the first light receiving element 421 receives the red light L1 that has been emitted by the first light emitting element 411, irradiated to the living body, and passed through the body of the living body.

[0021] The second light receiving element 422 receives reflected light that is generated when the infrared light L2 emitted by the second light emitting element 412 is reflected by the living body. That is, the second light receiving element 422 receives the infrared light L2 that has passed through the living body.

[0022] The third light receiving element 423 receives reflected light that is generated when the green light L3 emitted by the third light emitting element 413 is reflected by the living body. That is, the third light receiving element 423 receives the green light L3 that has passed through the living body.

[0023] The first light receiving element 421, the second light receiving element 422, and the third light receiving element 423 may be, for example, a phototransistor, a photodiode, or the like.

[0024] The first light receiving element 421, the second light receiving element 422, and the third light receiving element 423 each output an electrical signal (light receiving information) having an intensity corresponding to the amount of light received in a specific wavelength range, i.e., the amount of light received. More specifically, the first light receiving element 421 outputs an electrical signal having an intensity corresponding to the amount of red light L1 received through the living body, the second light receiving element 422 outputs an electrical signal having an intensity corresponding to the amount of infrared light L2 received through the living body, and the third light receiving element 423 outputs an electrical signal having an intensity corresponding to the amount of green light L3 received through the living body.

[0025] An electrical signal (light reception information) corresponding to the amount of received light of each light acquired by the light receiving unit 42 is transmitted to the control unit 5, where a predetermined process is performed to associate the signal with the desired first biometric information and second biometric information.

[0026] In this way, the light-emitting unit 41 and the light-receiving unit 42 constitute a reflective optical sensor. However, without being limited to this configuration, the light-emitting unit 41 and the light-receiving unit 42 may constitute a transmissive optical sensor. In this case, the light-emitting unit 41 and the light-receiving unit 42 face each other across the living body and are configured to receive light that has passed through the living body, i.e., transmitted through the living body.

[0027] The body movement sensor 44 detects the user's movements and is composed of, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, an air pressure sensor, a capacitance sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, etc. The body movement information acquired by the body movement sensor 44 is transmitted to the control unit 5.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 5 includes a drive control unit 51, an acquisition unit 52, a processing unit 53, a storage unit 54, and a communication unit 55.

[0029] The drive control unit 51 generates a control signal for driving the driver IC 43 based on a program stored in the storage unit 54, and outputs the control signal to the driver IC 43. The driver IC 43 generates drive signals, i.e., power signals, for independently driving the first light-emitting element 411, the second light-emitting element 412, and the third light-emitting element 413, based on the control signal input from the drive control unit 51. This allows the first light-emitting element 411, the second light-emitting element 412, and the third light-emitting element 413 to be driven under desired conditions.

[0030] The acquisition unit 52 acquires first information based on the amount of red light L1 received by the first light receiving element 421, second information based on the amount of infrared light L2 received by the second light receiving element 422, and third information based on the amount of green light L3 received by the third light receiving element 423.

[0031] The first information is information over time about the amount of red light L1 received by the first light receiving element 421. The second information is information over time about the amount of red light L1 received by the second light receiving element 422. The third information is information over time about the amount of green light L3 received by the third light receiving element 423.

[0032] The first information, the second information, and the third information acquired by the acquisition unit 52 are stored in the storage unit 54.

[0033] The processing unit 53 obtains the first biometric information and the second biometric information based on the program stored in the storage unit .

[0034] The processing unit 53 performs a process of obtaining information on blood oxygen saturation level, i.e., first biological information, based on the first information and the second information. Specifically, the processing unit 53 performs a process of obtaining the redness of the user's blood from the amount of received red light L1 and the amount of received infrared light L2, and estimating the ratio of hemoglobin bound to oxygen. This allows the processing unit 53 to obtain information on blood oxygen saturation level.

[0035] Furthermore, the processing unit 53 performs processing to obtain information on the pulse wave, i.e., the second biological information, based on the third information. Specifically, the processing unit 53 obtains information on the blood flow rate that changes with the pulsation of the user's heart, i.e., information on the pulse wave, based on the amount of received green light L3.

[0036] The first biometric information and the second biometric information obtained by the processing unit 53 are stored in the storage unit . Furthermore, the processing unit 53 determines whether the user is sleeping or not based on the body movement information acquired by the body movement sensor 44. In response to this determination result, the drive control unit 51 generates a control signal for driving the driver IC 43.

[0037] The storage unit 54 stores various programs such as a program executed by the drive control unit 51, a program executed by the acquisition unit 52, and a program executed by the processing unit 53. The storage unit 54 also stores the first biometric information and the second biometric information obtained by the processing unit 53.

[0038] The communication unit 55 has a function of communicating with other devices, such as a gateway terminal or a server, using various networks, and transmitting the first biometric information and the second biometric information.

[0039] Examples of the drive control unit 51, the acquisition unit 52, and the processing unit 53 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. Instead of these processors executing software, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0040] The storage unit 54 serves as a work area for the drive control unit 51, the acquisition unit 52, the processing unit 53, etc., and its functions can be realized by memories such as RAM and ROM, HDD (hard disk drive), etc. The processes in the drive control unit 51, the acquisition unit 52, and the processing unit 53 may involve reading and writing information stored in the storage unit 54. Each process performed by the drive control unit 51, the acquisition unit 52, and the processing unit 53 is executed based on various data and programs stored in the storage unit 54.

[0041] The communication unit 55 is configured, for example, by an I / O interface. The communication standard adopted by the I / O interface is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a personal area network (PAN) such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) network, a local area network (LAN) such as a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network, and the like.

[0042] Such a biometric information acquisition device 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is a terminal having the above-mentioned functions, but examples include wearable watches, wearable rings, wearable displays, smart glasses, wearable cameras, wearable speakers, earphones, headphones, smart wear, etc.

[0043] Although a configuration has been described in which the biological information acquisition device 2 acquires the first biological information (information related to blood oxygen saturation) and the second biological information (information related to pulse wave) as the biological information to be acquired, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0044] That is, the biometric information acquiring device 2 of this embodiment may have a function of acquiring (measuring) third biometric information other than the first biometric information and the second biometric information. Examples of the third biometric information include body temperature, pulse rate, electrocardiogram, blood oxygen concentration, blood glucose level, blood pressure, sweating rate, respiratory rate, exhaled breath components, bone density, sleep time, urination time, urination frequency, number of steps, eye movement, weight, muscle mass, body fat percentage, BMI value, etc. The biometric information acquiring device 2 may be capable of measuring one or more of these items.

[0045] In general, in order to accurately obtain the first biological information, which is information related to blood oxygen saturation, it is preferable to drive the first light-emitting element 411 and the second light-emitting element 412 for several days and obtain information for several days. In order to accurately obtain the second biological information, which is information related to pulse waves, it is preferable to drive the third light-emitting element 413 for several days and obtain information for several days. In the past, the light-emitting unit corresponding to the light-emitting unit 41 was configured to continue to be driven even after obtaining information for several days, which caused a problem of unnecessarily increasing power consumption.

[0046] In contrast, in the biometric information acquisition device 2, the drive control unit 51 executes at least one of a first process and a second process described below, thereby making it possible to reduce power consumption as compared to the conventional case.

[0047] 3, the first process is a process of stopping the emission of the first light-emitting element 411 and the second light-emitting element 412 when the measurement period for measuring the first biological information reaches the first period T1. The first period T1 is a period sufficient for accurately determining the first biological information, and is preferably, for example, 2 to 5 days, more preferably 3 to 4 days. In particular, by setting the first period T1 to 3 days or more, the first biological information can be accurately determined.

[0048] It is preferable to measure the first biological information while the user is sleeping. This allows the first biological information to be measured accurately. The user's sleep can be detected based on the detection value of the body movement sensor 44.

[0049] For example, if the body movement sensor 44 detects that the biometric information acquisition device 2 is stationary for a predetermined period of time or longer, the drive control unit 51 determines that the user is sleeping and measures the first biometric information. On the other hand, if the drive control unit 51 determines that the user is not sleeping, it stops the emission of light from the first light-emitting element 411 and the second light-emitting element 412. This allows the first biometric information to be measured more accurately and contributes to further reducing power consumption.

[0050] The second process is a process of stopping the emission of the third light-emitting element 413 when the measurement period for measuring the second biological information reaches the second period T2. The second period T2 is a period sufficient to accurately obtain the second biological information, and is preferably, for example, 3 days or more and 9 days or less, and more preferably 5 days or more and 7 days or less. In particular, by setting the second period T2 to 4 days or more, the second biological information can be accurately obtained.

[0051] The magnitude relationship between the first period T1 and the second period T2 is not particularly limited, but preferably T1 ≦ T2, more preferably T1 < T2, still more preferably 1.25T1 ≦ T2, and particularly preferably 1.5T1 ≦ T2 ≦ 10T1. When such conditions are satisfied, the effects of the present invention described later can be exhibited more significantly and more reliably.

[0052] The measurement of the second period T2 is preferably performed continuously, that is, regardless of day or night. Thereby, the second biological information can be measured more accurately, and the second period T2 can be set as short as possible, contributing to further reduction of power consumption.

[0053] As described above, the biological information acquisition device 2 includes a light-emitting unit 41 having a first light-emitting element 411 that emits red light L1 toward a living body, a second light-emitting element 412 that emits infrared light L2 toward the living body, and a third light-emitting element 413 that emits green light L3 toward the living body, a light-receiving unit 42 having a first light-receiving element 421 that receives the red light L1 that has passed through the living body, a second light-receiving element 422 that receives the infrared light L2 that has passed through the living body, and a third light-receiving element 423 that receives the green light L3 that has passed through the living body, and a first light-receiving element 423 that receives the infrared light L2 that has passed through the living body. The biometric information acquisition device 2 includes an acquisition unit 52 that acquires first information based on the amount of red light L1 received by the first light receiving element 421, second information based on the amount of infrared light L2 received by the second light receiving element 422, and third information based on the amount of green light L3 received by the third light receiving element 423, and a drive control unit 51 that controls driving and stopping of the first light emitting element 411, the second light emitting element 412, and the third light emitting element 413, and measures first biometric information based on the first information and the second information and second biometric information based on the third information. The drive control unit 51 executes at least one of a first process of stopping the emission of the first light emitting element 411 and the second light emitting element 412 when the measurement period for measuring the first biometric information reaches the first period T1, and a second process of stopping the emission of the third light emitting element 413 when the measurement period for measuring the second biometric information reaches the second period T2. This allows the power consumption of the biometric information acquisition device 2 to be reduced.

[0054] Of the first and second processes, the drive control unit 51 may be configured to perform only the first process, may be configured to perform only the second process, or may be configured to perform both the first and second processes. In any case, power consumption can be reduced compared to the conventional method.

[0055] The drive control unit 51 may have a first mode in which only the first processing is performed, a second mode in which only the second processing is performed, and a third mode in which both the first processing and the second processing are performed, and the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode may be selectable by a mode selection unit (not shown) included in the biometric information acquisition device 2. In this case as well, power consumption can be reduced compared to the conventional case.

[0056] The first biometric information is information regarding blood oxygen saturation, and the second biometric information is information regarding a pulse wave. The information regarding blood oxygen saturation and the information regarding a pulse wave are information with relatively high measurement needs or measurement frequencies and relatively high importance for knowing the health condition. Therefore, when the biometric information acquisition device 2 is configured to acquire the information regarding blood oxygen saturation and the information regarding a pulse wave, the effects of the present invention can be more significantly exhibited, and also the applicable range of the biometric information acquisition device 2 capable of obtaining the effects of the present invention becomes wider.

[0057] Also, the second period T2 is longer than the first period T1. That is, T1 < T2. Thereby, each of the information regarding blood oxygen saturation and the information regarding a pulse wave can be measured more accurately, and it also contributes to reduction of power consumption. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the second period T2 may be the same as the first period T1, or may be shorter than the first period T1. Also, the preferable magnitude relationship between T1 and T2 described above is not limited to the first case where the first biometric information is information regarding blood oxygen saturation and the second biometric information is information regarding a pulse wave. For example, it can be applied to any of a second case where the first biometric information is information regarding blood oxygen saturation and the second biometric information is information regarding an item other than a pulse wave, a third case where the first biometric information is information regarding an item other than blood oxygen saturation and the second biometric information is information regarding a pulse wave, and a fourth case where the first biometric information is information regarding an item other than blood oxygen saturation and the second biometric information is information regarding an item other than a pulse wave.

[0058] Also, the first period T1 preferably includes a sleep period of at least three days. Thereby, more accurate first biometric information can be obtained.

[0059] Note that this configuration can be applied not only to the first case, but also to the second case, the third case, and the fourth case.

[0060] Furthermore, the biometric information acquisition device 2 has a body movement sensor 44 as a sensor for detecting sleep of the wearer, and the drive control unit 51 drives the first light-emitting element 411 and the second light-emitting element 412 during a sleep period in the first period T1 and stops the light emission of the first light-emitting element 411 and the second light-emitting element 412 during periods other than the sleep period in the first period T1. This allows the first biometric information to be measured more accurately and contributes to further reducing power consumption.

[0061] This configuration is of course applicable to the first case, but can also be applied to the second, third and fourth cases.

[0062] Moreover, the second period T2 is at least four consecutive days, which makes it possible to obtain more accurate second biological information.

[0063] This configuration is of course applicable to the first case, but can also be applied to the second, third and fourth cases.

[0064] In addition, it is preferable that the first period T1 and the second period T2 are configurable. In other words, it is preferable that the first period T1 and the second period T2 are appropriately changeable by the wearer. This makes it possible to obtain more appropriate first biometric information and second biometric information.

[0065] The first period T1 and the second period T2 are set, for example, by a touch operation or the like on a setting input screen (not shown) of the biometric information acquiring device 2. Note that the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured such that the first period T1 and the second period T2 are set via a device with which the biometric information acquiring device 2 communicates.

[0066] Although the biometric information acquisition device of the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, and each part of the biometric information acquisition device of the present invention can be replaced with any other component that can perform the same function. In addition, any other component may be added to the biometric information acquisition device of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 2...biometric information acquisition device, 3...attachment belt, 4...device body, 5...control unit, 40...housing, 41...light emitting unit, 42...light receiving unit, 43...driver IC, 44...body movement sensor, 51...drive control unit, 52...acquisition unit, 53...processing unit, 54...storage unit, 55...communication unit, 411...first light emitting element, 412...second light emitting element, 413...third light emitting element, 421...first light receiving element, 422...second light receiving element, 423...third light receiving element, L1...red light, L2...infrared light, L3...green light, T1...first period, T2...second period

Claims

1. a light-emitting unit having a first light-emitting element that emits red light toward a living body, a second light-emitting element that emits infrared light toward the living body, and a third light-emitting element that emits green light toward the living body; a light receiving unit including a first light receiving element that receives the red light that has passed through the living body, a second light receiving element that receives the infrared light that has passed through the living body, and a third light receiving element that receives the green light that has passed through the living body; an acquisition unit that acquires first information based on the amount of the red light received by the first light receiving element, second information based on the amount of the infrared light received by the second light receiving element, and third information based on the amount of the green light received by the third light receiving element; a drive control unit that controls driving and stopping of each of the first light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element, and the third light-emitting element, measuring first biological information based on the first information and the second information, and second biological information based on the third information; The bioinformation acquisition device is characterized in that the drive control unit executes at least one of a first process of stopping the emission of light from the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element when the measurement period for measuring the first bioinformation reaches a first period T1, and a second process of stopping the emission of light from the third light-emitting element when the measurement period for measuring the second bioinformation reaches a second period T2.

2. The first biological information is information related to blood oxygen saturation, The biological information acquiring device according to claim 1 , wherein the second biological information is information related to a pulse wave.

3. The biometric information acquiring device according to claim 2 , wherein the second period T2 is longer than the first period T1 .

4. The biological information acquiring device according to claim 2 , wherein the first period T1 includes a sleeping period of at least three days.

5. A sensor is provided to detect the wearer's sleep, The bioinformation acquisition device of claim 4, wherein the drive control unit drives the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element during a sleep period in the first period T1, and stops the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element from emitting light other than during the sleep period in the first period T1.

6. The biometric information acquiring device according to claim 2 , wherein the second period T2 is at least four consecutive days.

7. The biometric information acquiring device according to claim 1 , wherein the first period T1 and the second period T2 are configurable.

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