Blood component concentration detection device

Abstract

To provide a blood component concentration detection device for detecting concentration of a predetermined component in blood with a high degree of precision.SOLUTION: A blood component concentration detection device 1 includes: a position detection sensor 30 for detecting a position of a measurement object part F of an object person; a first optical sensor 10 for detecting concentration of a predetermined component in blood of the measurement object part F whose position is detected by the position detection sensor 30; a second optical sensor 20 for detecting the concentration of the predetermined component in blood of the measurement object part F whose position is detected by the position detection sensor 30, which is arranged at a position different from the position of the first optical sensor 10; and a determination unit 53 that adopts a result of the detection of the optical sensor closer to the measurement object part F of the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blood constituent concentration detection device that detects the concentration of a predetermined constituent in blood. [Background technology]

[0002] To prevent drunk driving, there is known a technology that detects the driver's drinking level and prohibits the start of the vehicle engine if the detected drinking level is above a predetermined level. One drinking level detector includes a group of light-emitting elements that irradiate the fingertip with two lights of different wavelengths, and a light-receiving element that detects the pulse wave by receiving a portion of the light that is irradiated onto the fingertip and reflected and scattered by biological tissue, and calculates an index of the blood alcohol concentration based on the pulse wave (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-36799 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the light receiving element described in Patent Document 1 is configured to receive light reflected by the tip of the finger, if the position of the finger is shifted, there is a risk that the accuracy of calculating the blood alcohol concentration index will decrease.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure relates to providing a blood constituent concentration detecting device capable of detecting the concentration of a predetermined constituent in blood with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A blood component concentration detection device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a position detection sensor that detects the position of a measurement target area of ​​a subject, a first optical sensor that detects the concentration of a predetermined component in the blood of the measurement target area whose position is detected by the position detection sensor, a second optical sensor that detects the concentration of the predetermined component in the blood of the measurement target area whose position is detected by the position detection sensor, the second optical sensor being positioned at a different position from the first optical sensor, and a determination unit that adopts the detection result of the optical sensor, either the first or second optical sensor, that is closer to the measurement target area.

[0007] According to the blood component concentration detection device relating to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the detection result of the optical sensor that is closer to the measurement target site and detects the concentration of the specified component is adopted, thereby making it possible to detect the concentration of the specified component with high accuracy.

[0008] Furthermore, a blood constituent concentration detecting device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the blood constituent concentration detecting device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the position detection sensor also serves as an authentication sensor for authenticating the subject.

[0009] According to the blood constituent concentration detecting device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a system can be constructed in which only authenticated subjects are permitted to operate the device thereafter.

[0010] Furthermore, a blood component concentration detection device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a blood component concentration detection device according to the first or second aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the measurement target site is a finger, and the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the finger whose position is detected by the position detection sensor.

[0011] According to the blood component concentration detection device relating to the third aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to detect the concentration of a specified component in the relatively large blood vessels generally located on both sides of a finger, and the concentration of the specified component can be detected with high accuracy.

[0012] Furthermore, a blood component concentration detection device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a blood component concentration detection device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are respectively arranged in positions facing each other on the outer periphery of the position detection sensor.

[0013] According to the blood component concentration detecting device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to arrange the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor at positions sandwiching the measurement target site whose position is detected by the position detection sensor.

[0014] Furthermore, a blood component concentration detection device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a blood component concentration detection device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present disclosure, wherein at least one of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor adjusts the emission intensity according to the distance to the measurement target site whose position is detected by the position detection sensor.

[0015] According to the blood component concentration detecting device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the emission intensity can be adjusted depending on the position where the measurement target site is placed, and the appropriate concentration of a predetermined component can be detected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present disclosure, the detection result of the optical sensor that is closer to the measurement target site and detects the concentration of a predetermined component is adopted, so that the concentration of the predetermined component can be detected with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1A is a schematic diagram of a blood constituent concentration detecting device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the sensor and its surroundings of the blood constituent concentration detecting device. [Figure 2] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of a measurement target portion and the amount of light reflected by the measurement target portion. [Figure 3]2 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of a control device provided in a blood constituent concentration detection device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the blood constituent concentration detecting device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals are used to designate identical or corresponding components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0019] First, with reference to FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), a blood constituent concentration detection device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "detection device 1") according to one embodiment will be described. FIG. 1(A) is a schematic diagram of the detection device 1, and FIG. 1(B) is a rear view of the sensor and its surroundings. In FIG. 1(A), a portion of the case 41 is cut away to show the internal configuration. In this embodiment, the detection device 1 is described as a device that is mounted in an automobile and detects the alcohol concentration (corresponding to the concentration of a predetermined constituent) in the blood of the driver's finger before the driver starts driving. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driver corresponds to the subject, and the driver's finger corresponds to the measurement target site. The detection device 1 includes a first optical sensor 10, a second optical sensor 20, a position sensor 30, and a control device 50.

[0020] The first optical sensor 10 is a sensor that detects the blood alcohol concentration of the driver's finger F, and corresponds to the first optical sensor. A spectroscopic sensor can typically be applied to the first optical sensor 10. The first optical sensor 10 has a light source 11 and a detector 13.

[0021] The light source 11 emits light of a wavelength that is easily absorbed by alcohol. In this embodiment, the light source 11 is provided at a position where it emits light toward the driver's finger F. The light source 11 may include a light-emitting element such as an LED that emits light including light of wavelengths of 910 nm and 1190 nm. The light source 11 is configured to separate the light emitted from the light-emitting element into light of desired wavelengths in a spectroscopic section configured by a diffraction grating, a prism, or the like. The light source 11 is configured to adjust the intensity of the light it emits (light emission intensity).

[0022] In this embodiment, the detector 13 receives light emitted by the light source 11 and reflected by the finger F. The detector 13 may include a light-receiving element such as a photodiode that receives light. As described above, the light emitted from the light source 11 and received by the detector 13 has a wavelength that is easily absorbed by alcohol. Therefore, the higher the blood alcohol concentration of the finger F, the less light the detector 13 receives. In other words, the blood alcohol concentration of the finger F can be estimated based on the amount of light received by the detector 13. The amount of light received by the detector 13 may be expressed as a ratio to the amount of light emitted by the light source 11. The detector 13 is configured to output the intensity of the received light for each wavelength. The detector 13 is connected to the control device 50 via a control signal line (wired or wireless; the same applies below) and is configured to transmit output data of the intensity of the received light for each wavelength as a signal to the control device 50. In this embodiment, the detector 13 is disposed adjacent to the light source 11 and is housed together with the light source 11 in a container.

[0023] The second optical sensor 20, like the first optical sensor 10, is a sensor that detects the blood alcohol concentration of the driver's finger F. The second optical sensor 20 is disposed at a different position from the first optical sensor 10 and corresponds to a second optical sensor. The second optical sensor 20 is typically the same as the first optical sensor 10. Therefore, a spectroscopic sensor can typically be used for the second optical sensor 20. The second optical sensor 20 has a light source 21 and a detector 23, which have the same functions and effects as the light source 11 and the detector 13 of the first optical sensor 10, respectively. The second optical sensor 20 has the same configuration as the first optical sensor 10, but exists independently from the first optical sensor 10, and is therefore distinguished by being given a different reference number from the first optical sensor 10. The first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 operate independently, and their detection results are not affected by each other.

[0024] The position sensor 30 detects the position of the driver's finger F and corresponds to a position detection sensor. In this embodiment, the position sensor 30 also serves as an authentication sensor that authenticates that the driver whose position of the finger F is detected is authorized to drive the automobile in which the detection device 1 is implemented. An ultrasonic sensor for fingerprint authentication is typically used as the position sensor 30. The ultrasonic sensor applies ultrasonic waves to the fingerprint and detects the fingerprint based on differences in the strength and angle of the returned ultrasonic waves. At this time, the position of the finger F within the range of the position sensor 30 can be determined by determining the position from which the ultrasonic waves are returned. The position sensor 30 is connected to the control device 50 by a control signal line and is configured to be able to transmit the detected position of the finger F and fingerprint data to the control device 50 as a signal.

[0025] The position sensor 30 is typically disposed at a mark (e.g., a circle with a diameter slightly larger than the tip of the finger F) that prompts contact with the finger F. The position sensor 30 is preferably configured to have a width equal to or larger than the width of the widest finger F among the expected physique of the driver, since it can be adapted to almost all drivers. In this embodiment, the position sensor 30 is formed in a circular shape with the above-mentioned width as a diameter in a plan view as shown in FIG. 1(A). However, the position sensor 30 may be formed in an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape such as a square or a hexagon. To guide the direction of the finger F to be placed, the position sensor 30 may be curved so that the center of the width of the finger F at the designed placement position of the finger F (e.g., the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1(A)) is recessed (see FIG. 1(B)). This recess at the center of the width of the finger F typically extends along the longitudinal direction of the finger F placed at the designed placement position in a plan view (see FIG. 1(A)).

[0026] In this embodiment, the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 are disposed on the left and right sides of the designed placement position of the finger F. Here, "disposed on the left and right sides of the finger F" typically refers to being disposed on the left and right sides of the portion of the finger F between the first joint (DIP joint) and the fingertip (the portion where the fingerprint is located) at the designed placement position. The first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 are typically disposed adjacent to the position sensor 30, facing each other across the position sensor 30, on the outside of the position sensor 30. Here, assuming the back of the hand is "up" and the palm is "down" as shown in FIG. 1(B), it is known that the finger F generally has relatively thick blood vessels running on both sides of the flexor tendons located under the bones. Placing the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 close to the relatively thick blood vessels on both sides of the flexor tendons improves the accuracy of detecting the alcohol concentration in the blood vessels, which is preferable. 1(B), on both sides of the position sensor 30, the cases 41 housing the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 are raised upward (toward the back of the hand) so that the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 are positioned close to relatively thick blood vessels. The first optical sensor 10, the second optical sensor 20 and the position sensor 30 may be positioned on the back of the steering wheel of the automobile, or on the engine start button of the automobile.

[0027] The control device 50 is a device that controls the operation of the detection device 1. In this embodiment, the control device 50 has a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, a determination unit 53, and a correction unit 54. In this embodiment, these units are distinguished by their functions for the sake of convenience, but they are typically configured as an integrated unit within the control device 50, or one or more of these units may be physically separated. The communication unit 51, the storage unit 52, the determination unit 53, and the correction unit 54 are typically connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other and exchange data with each other.

[0028] The communication unit 51 communicates with the first optical sensor 10, the second optical sensor 20, and the position sensor 30. The communication unit 51 is individually connected to the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 via control signal lines, and is configured to adjust the intensity of light emitted from each light source 11, 21 by transmitting a control signal. The communication unit 51 is also configured to receive, as a signal, data on the output intensity of each wavelength of light received by each detector 13, 23 via the control signal line. The communication unit 51 is also connected to the position sensor 30 via a control signal line, and is configured to receive fingerprint data detected by the position sensor 30 as a signal. The fingerprint data received by the communication unit 51 from the position sensor 30 includes not only the fingerprint pattern but also information on the position of the finger F on the position sensor 30. The communication unit 51 is also connected to the ignition switch (not shown) of the automobile in which the detection device 1 is implemented via a control signal line, and is configured to control the activation of the ignition switch by transmitting a control signal.

[0029] The memory unit 52 is a section in which fingerprint data for authentication is stored in advance. The memory unit 52 stores fingerprint pattern data of a person who has been permitted to drive a vehicle in which the detection device 1 is implemented. The memory unit 52 also stores a reference value for blood alcohol concentration to determine whether or not the driver is permitted to drive based on whether or not the driver has drunk alcohol. In addition to blood alcohol concentration, for example, when a drug component is to be detected in cases where the drug has an adverse effect on driving a vehicle, the memory unit 52 may also store a reference value for the concentration of the component. The memory unit 52 also stores a program for a sequence that operates the detection device 1.

[0030] The determination unit 53 determines whether the driver is fit to drive based on the output data of the intensity of light for each wavelength received by the detectors 13 and 23 received by the communication unit 51 and by referring to the blood alcohol concentration reference value stored in the memory unit 52. Furthermore, based on the position information of the finger F in the position sensor 30 received by the communication unit 51, the determination unit 53 uses the intensity data for each wavelength of light output from either the first optical sensor 10 or the second optical sensor 20, whichever is closer to the finger F, and compares this data with the reference value. This is because the closer the first optical sensor 10 or the second optical sensor 20 is to the finger F, which is the measurement target part, the shorter the time from when the light source 11 and 21 emit light to when the detectors 13 and 23 receive light, thereby enabling faster results to be obtained. Furthermore, the closer the first optical sensor 10 or the second optical sensor 20 is to the measurement target part, the finger F, the greater the amount of light reflected from the finger F and the greater the amount of information obtained, enabling more accurate alcohol concentration detection. The determination unit 53 determines whether to permit driving if the output data of the intensity for each wavelength of light received by the detector (13, 23) of the first optical sensor 10 or the second optical sensor 20 that is used is smaller than the reference value for blood alcohol concentration, and determines not to permit driving if the output data is equal to or greater than the reference value. The determination unit 53 also compares the fingerprint data received by the communication unit 51 from the position sensor 30 with the fingerprint data stored in the memory unit 52 to determine whether to authenticate the driver whose fingerprint received the data. Note that the determination of whether to permit driving based on the blood alcohol concentration and the determination of whether to authenticate the driver may be performed by, for example, a determination unit other than the determination unit 53 that determines which of the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 to use for its detection results.

[0031] The correction unit 54 is a part that determines the appropriate intensity of light emitted from each light source 11, 21 based on information about the position of the finger F in the position sensor 30 received by the communication unit 51. The correction unit 54 is provided in this embodiment for the following reason. In the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20, the amount of light emitted from the light sources 11, 21, reflected by the finger F, and received by the detectors 13, 23 increases the closer the light sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 is to the finger F (measurement target site), and decreases the farther the light sensor 10 and the detectors 13, 23 are from the measurement target site. In other words, the amount of light received by the detectors 13, 23 changes as the distance from the finger F changes. Since the absorption rate of light of a specific wavelength for the blood alcohol content of the finger F does not change even if the amount of irradiated light changes, if the amount of reflected light changes depending on the distance from the finger F, the amount of light received by the detectors 13, 23 changes. In other words, even if the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 irradiate light of the same intensity to the finger F in the same state, if the amount of light received by the detectors 13, 23 changes depending on the position of the finger F, the stability of the detection results may be reduced. Therefore, in the detection device 1 according to this embodiment, a correction unit 54 is provided to adjust the light emission intensity so that the same result can be obtained for a finger F in the same state even if the distance between the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 and the finger F changes.

[0032] 2 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the position (center) of the finger F and the intensity of light emitted from each of the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 and reflected by the finger F. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the position of the finger F, and the vertical axis represents the amount of light reflected by the finger (emission intensity). In the figure, a solid line V10 represents the amount of light emitted from the light source 11 of the first optical sensor 10, reflected by the finger F, and received by the detector 13, and a dashed line V20 represents the amount of light emitted from the light source 21 of the second optical sensor 20, reflected by the finger F, and received by the detector 23. In the illustrated example, the solid line V10 and the dashed line V20 are shown as straight lines to show a rough outline of the relationship.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, when a finger F is placed halfway between the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20, the amount of light received by the detector 13 and the amount of light received by the detector 23 are the same. The value of the amount of light received by the detectors 13 and 23 when the finger F is placed halfway between the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 is set as a reference value S. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the closer the finger F is placed to the first optical sensor 10 (the closer the finger F is to the first optical sensor 10), the more light the detector 13 receives and the less light the detector 23 receives. Conversely, the closer the finger F is placed to the second optical sensor 20 (the closer the finger F is to the second optical sensor 20), the less light the detector 13 receives and the more light the detector 23 receives.

[0034] The correction unit 54 stores a relationship between the position of the finger F detected by the position sensor 30 and the amount of light (emission intensity) reflected by the finger F at that position and received by each detector 13, 23, as shown in FIG. 2. This relationship may be stored as a function as shown in FIG. 2 or as a table. In this embodiment, when the position of the finger F detected by the position sensor 30 is shifted from the midpoint between the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20, the correction unit 54 adjusts the intensity of light emitted from the light sources 11, 21 by referring to the relationship as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, even when the position of the finger F is shifted from the midpoint between the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20, the correction unit 54 adjusts the emission intensity of the light sources 11, 21 so that the amount of light received by the detectors 13, 23 becomes the reference value S (so that the amount of light received by the detectors 13, 23 becomes the same as when the finger F is located midpoint). For example, the closer the position of the finger F detected by the position sensor 30 is to the first optical sensor 10, the weaker the intensity of the light emitted from the light source 11 and the stronger the intensity of the light emitted from the light source 21, so that the amounts of light received by the detectors 13, 23 correspond to when the finger F is located halfway between the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20. On the other hand, the closer the position of the finger F detected by the position sensor 30 is to the second optical sensor 20, the stronger the intensity of the light emitted from the light source 11 and the weaker the intensity of the light emitted from the light source 21, so that the amounts of light received by the detectors 13, 23 correspond to when the finger F is located halfway between the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20. In the description herein, for ease of understanding, an example has been shown in which the amounts of light emitted by both the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 are adjusted according to the position of the finger F detected by the position sensor 30. However, if the data on the intensity of light for each wavelength output from the first optical sensor 10 or the second optical sensor 20, whichever is closer to the finger F, is used and the data from the other is not used, it is also possible to adjust only the amount of light emitted from the sensor closer to the finger F.

[0035] Here, the hardware configuration of the control device 50 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in Fig. 3. The block diagram shown in Fig. 3 shows a concept of the physical configuration of the control device 50, and is therefore different from the control device 50 in Fig. 1(A), which shows a concept of the configuration from the functional perspective, but the two are the same control device 50. The control device 50 has a processor 55, a memory 56, a storage 57, and a communication interface 58.

[0036] The processor 55 processes various types of information in the control device 50. The various types of information processed by the processor 55 include sending and receiving data to and from the first optical sensor 10, the second optical sensor 20, and the position sensor 30, determining which of the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 is closer to the finger F in the determination unit 53, determining whether the driver is permitted to drive based on the blood alcohol concentration, authenticating the driver, etc. The processor 55 may be a single processor or two or more processors. The processor 55 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a circuit board, or other electrical circuitry. The processor 55 can execute programs and manipulate data to perform operations of the control device 50, including operations using any algorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures described in this disclosure.

[0037] The memory 56 temporarily or permanently stores programs and / or data used for information processing in the control device 50. The memory 56 may store data on the intensity output of each wavelength of light received by the detectors 13 and 23 and / or fingerprint data detected by the position sensor 30, which data is received by the communication unit 51, and / or may store a program used by the determination unit 53 to make the above-mentioned determination or judgment. This program can be added or changed after the fact (i.e., after the control device 50 is manufactured). The memory 56 may be a single memory or two or more memories. The memory 56 may include volatile memory such as RAM or cache, and non-volatile memory such as ROM.

[0038] The storage 57 stores fingerprint pattern data of persons permitted to drive, reference values ​​for blood alcohol concentrations, and the like, which are stored in the memory unit 52. The storage 57 may also store a program used by the determination unit 53 to make the above-mentioned determinations and judgments. The storage 57 may also hold other programs, including an operating system, that can be executed by the control device 50 or other devices. In this way, at least a part of the storage 57 can function as the memory unit 52. The storage 57 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and / or a flash memory, etc.

[0039] The communication interface 58 communicates with the first optical sensor 10, the second optical sensor 20, and the position sensor 30. The communication interface 58 can transmit control signals related to the intensity of light emitted from each light source 11, 21 to the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20. The communication interface 58 can receive data on the output intensity for each wavelength of light received by each detector 13, 23 from the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20, and can receive fingerprint data from the position sensor 30. In this way, at least a part of the communication interface 58 can function as the communication unit 51.

[0040] The components of the control device 50 (including the processor 55, memory 56, storage 57, and communication interface 58) are connected to one another by buses such as a system bus or a control bus, and can communicate with one another. The control device 50 also has a power supply 59. The power supply 59 typically includes a power plug that draws in power from a commercial power source or other power source. The power supply 59 may include a replaceable or non-replaceable battery, and the battery may be capable of being charged by receiving power from the commercial power source or other power source.

[0041] Next, the operation of the detection device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation procedure of the detection device 1. In this description, the operation of the detection device 1 when starting an automobile engine will be illustrated. In the following description, when referring to the configuration of the detection device 1, Figs. 1(A) to 3 will be referenced as appropriate. In the following description, the operation of the detection device 1 is controlled by the control device 50 unless otherwise noted.

[0042] When a driver intending to drive a vehicle equipped with the detection device 1 places a finger F on the position sensor 30, the position sensor 30 starts measuring the position of the finger F (S1). After starting to measure the position of the finger F, the position sensor 30 determines whether the finger F is in a normal position relative to the position sensor 30 (S2). Here, the normal position is typically a position where the fingerprint pattern of the finger F can be read to an extent that allows an individual to be identified. If the finger F cannot be detected as being in a normal position, the process returns to step S1 in which the position sensor 30 starts measuring the position of the finger F. At this time, the process may wait for the driver to voluntarily realize that the finger F is not in a normal position relative to the position sensor 30, or the driver may be notified that the finger F is not in a normal position by, for example, emitting a warning sound or displaying a message or icon on the instrument panel.

[0043] If it is detected that the finger F is in the normal position in the step (S2) of determining whether or not it is in the normal position with respect to the position sensor 30, fingerprint authentication of the driver is initiated (S3). The control device 50 compares the fingerprint data received from the position sensor 30 with the fingerprint data stored in the memory unit 52 and determines whether or not to authenticate the driver (S4). If the received fingerprint data does not match the stored fingerprint data, the process returns to the step (S3) of starting fingerprint authentication of the driver. At this time, the driver may be informed by voice that authentication was not possible, or a message or icon may be displayed on the instrument panel.

[0044] If the driver is authenticated in the step (S4) of determining whether to authenticate the driver, measurement of the blood alcohol concentration using the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 is started (S5). At this time, based on the position information of the finger F received from the position sensor 30 together with the fingerprint data, the determination unit 53 identifies the first optical sensor 10 or the second optical sensor 20 that is closer to the finger F and adopts the output data of the identified closer sensor. In this way, output data of the intensity for each wavelength of light reflected by the finger F is used to measure the blood alcohol concentration, thereby enabling highly accurate detection of the blood alcohol concentration. Furthermore, when measuring the blood alcohol concentration, the emitted light intensity is adjusted (corrected) depending on the distance between the selected one of the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 and the finger F. In this way, the detection result of the detector 13 or the detector 23 is stabilized, thereby reducing errors in the detection result.

[0045] Once the blood alcohol concentration has been detected, it is determined whether the detected alcohol concentration is a normal value (S6). This determination is typically made by the determination unit 53 by comparing the detected alcohol concentration with a reference value stored in the memory unit 52. If the detected alcohol concentration is equal to or greater than the stored reference value, it is determined that the alcohol concentration is not normal, and the process returns to step S5, in which blood alcohol concentration measurement is started again. If the driver's blood alcohol concentration is actually equal to or greater than the reference value, even if blood alcohol concentration measurement is started again to determine whether the alcohol concentration is normal, it usually does not reach a normal value, so this measurement (S5) and determination (S6) are repeated. Generally, it takes a considerable amount of time for the blood alcohol concentration to fall below the reference value, so at this point, it is highly likely that the vehicle will not be able to start until the driver is changed.

[0046] In the step (S6) of determining whether the detected alcohol concentration is a normal value, if it is determined that the detected alcohol concentration is below the reference value and is a normal value, the automobile engine is started (S7). This engine starting is typically performed by the communication unit 51 sending a signal to an ignition switch (not shown) indicating that the engine is to be started. This completes the series of operations of the detection device 1 when starting the engine. Note that in any of the above-mentioned steps (S2, S4, S6) involving a determination, if the process is unable to proceed to the next step within a predetermined time, the process may be interrupted and the process may return to a standby state.

[0047] As described above, according to the detection device 1 of this embodiment, the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 are arranged on either side of the finger F placed on the position sensor 30, and the detection result of the sensor closer to the finger F is adopted, thereby enabling highly accurate detection of the blood alcohol concentration. Furthermore, the first optical sensor 10 and / or the second optical sensor 20 adjusts the amount of emitted light depending on the distance from the finger F, thereby reducing errors in the detection result.

[0048] In the above description, the detection device 1 is mounted on an automobile as an example. However, the detection device 1 can also be applied to vehicles other than automobiles, such as buses, forklifts, and railroad cars, or to equipment that requires operation by an operator according to the situation, such as cranes and remote-controlled equipment.

[0049] In the above explanation, the concentration of a specific component in the blood detected by the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 is the alcohol concentration, but depending on the purpose or application, it may also be the concentration of a component other than alcohol, such as the oxygen concentration.

[0050] In the above description, the measurement target part is a finger, but it may be a part of the subject's body other than a finger, such as the neck. When the measurement target part is the neck and the device is mounted in a vehicle, a position detection sensor and first and second optical sensors may be installed on or near the headrest of the driver's seat. In this case, a face authentication device may be installed separately from the position detection sensor to authenticate the driver. Thus, the authentication method using the authentication sensor is not limited to fingerprint authentication, and may be an authentication method other than fingerprint authentication, such as face authentication. The authentication sensor may be installed separately from the position sensor 30, rather than being used as the position sensor 30. Note that if the detection device 1 does not require authentication of the subject, the authentication sensor itself need not be installed. In this case, the position sensor 30 does not have an authentication function and only needs to be able to grasp the position of the finger F to be detected.

[0051] In the above description, the position sensor 30 is an ultrasonic sensor, but it may be a capacitance sensor or an optical sensor.

[0052] In the above description, the position detection sensor is provided as the position sensor 30 separately from the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20. However, even if the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 cannot grasp the accurate distance to the finger F, if it is possible to determine which is closer to the finger F by receiving light reflected by the finger F, the first optical sensor 10 and the second optical sensor 20 may also function as the position detection sensor.

[0053] In addition, the present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist thereof, and all such modifications are included in the technical concept of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Detection device (blood component concentration detection device) 10 First optical sensor (first optical sensor) 20 Second optical sensor (second optical sensor) 30 Position sensors (position detection sensors, authentication sensors) 53 Judgment section F Finger (measurement area)

Claims

1. a position detection sensor for detecting the position of a measurement target part of a subject; a first optical sensor for detecting a concentration of a predetermined component in the blood at the measurement site whose position is detected by the position detection sensor; a second optical sensor that detects the concentration of the predetermined component in the blood at the measurement site whose position is detected by the position detection sensor, the second optical sensor being disposed at a position different from that of the first optical sensor; and a determination unit that adopts a detection result of one of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor that is closer to the measurement target site. Blood component concentration detection device.

2. The position detection sensor also serves as an authentication sensor for authenticating the subject. The blood constituent concentration detection device according to claim 1 .

3. The measurement target site is a finger, the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are disposed on the left and right of the finger whose position is detected by the position detection sensor, respectively; The blood constituent concentration detection device according to claim 1 .

4. the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are disposed at positions facing each other on an outer periphery of the position detection sensor, The blood constituent concentration detection device according to claim 1 .

5. At least one of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor adjusts a light emission intensity in accordance with a distance to the measurement target portion whose position is detected by the position detection sensor. The blood constituent concentration detection device according to claim 1 .

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