Biological information processing device and motion information processing device

Abstract

To reduce discontinuity of signals that occurs when connecting a plurality of signals of a short period used for the measurement of desired information.SOLUTION: A biological information processing device includes a transmission / reception unit for repeatedly transmitting a first signal used for the measurement of biological information of a person to the person for each predetermined period, and receiving a plurality of reflection signals for the first signal; a connection unit for acquiring a biological information signal related to the biological information from the plurality of reflection signals received in each predetermined period, connecting the biological information signals acquired in each predetermined period, and generating a second signal of a period longer than the predetermined period; and a generation unit for generating the biological information on the person on the basis of the second signal. The connection unit selects a second biological information signal in a second predetermined period adjacent to a first predetermined period connected to a first biological information signal in the first predetermined period on the basis of a feature of a waveform of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired in the second predetermined period and a feature of a waveform of the first biological information signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a biometric information processing device and a motion information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques for acquiring biometric information of a person to be measured using various sensors and non-contact sensors such as radar are in practical use. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for estimating a respiratory waveform from time-series information accumulated within a predetermined observation period. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 220701 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To understand changes in health and sleep status, it is preferable to measure biological information over a period of several minutes or more. When measuring the waveform of a signal related to biological information using a non-contact sensor, an observation interval of several seconds to several tens of seconds is set, and the signal waveform is often measured within the set observation interval. Therefore, to obtain a waveform lasting several minutes or more, the signals measured for each observation interval must be connected. However, if the signals measured for each observation interval are connected as is, the signal connections may become discontinuous, which may hinder the acquisition of biological information using the signal waveform.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed technology aims to provide a biometric information processing device and a motion information processing device that can reduce signal discontinuity that can occur when connecting multiple short-term signals used to measure desired information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the disclosed technology is exemplified by the following biometric information processing device. The biometric information processing device includes: a transceiver unit that repeatedly transmits a first signal used to measure biometric information of a person at predetermined intervals and receives a plurality of reflected signals corresponding to the first signal; a connection unit that acquires a biometric information signal related to biometric information from the plurality of reflected signals received during each of the predetermined intervals and connects the biometric information signals acquired during each of the predetermined intervals to generate a second signal having a duration longer than the predetermined interval; and a generation unit that generates the biometric information of the person based on the second signal. The connection unit selects the second biometric information signal during a second predetermined interval adjacent to the first predetermined interval to be connected to the first biometric information signal during the first predetermined interval, based on waveform characteristics of each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined interval and waveform characteristics of the first biometric information signal.

[0007] According to the present biological information processing device, the second biological information signal is selected based on waveform characteristics, so that discontinuity in the second signal obtained by connecting the first biological information signal and the second biological information signal can be reduced, and as a result, the biological information processing device can generate the biological information using the second signal with higher accuracy.

[0008] The biometric information processing device may further include the following feature: the connection unit calculates a first value of a first end portion of the first biometric information signal on the second predetermined period side, calculates a second value of a second end portion of the second biometric information signal on the first predetermined period side of each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, and calculates a second value of a second end portion of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period. Among the body information signals, the bio-information signal having the smallest difference between the first value and the second value is selected as the second bio-information signal. By selecting the bio-information signal having the smallest difference between the first value and the second value as the second bio-information signal, the difference in value at the boundary between the first bio-information signal and the second bio-information signal becomes as small as possible. Therefore, in the second signal, a sudden change in value at the boundary between the connected bio-information signals is suppressed.

[0009] The biometric information processing device may further include the following feature: the connection unit calculates a first value of a first end portion of each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the first predetermined period on the side of the second predetermined period, calculates a first average of the first values ​​calculated for each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the first predetermined period, calculates a second value of a second end portion of each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period on the side of the first predetermined period, and selects, from the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biometric information signal having the smallest difference between the first average value and the second value as the second biometric information signal. By adopting the average value, the biometric information processing device can suppress influence of the biometric information signal having a different characteristic from other biometric information signals on the second signal, even if the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the first predetermined period include a biometric information signal having the different characteristic.

[0010] The biometric information processing device may further include the following feature: the connection unit calculates a first slope of the first biometric information signal at a first end portion on the second predetermined period side, calculates a second slope of each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period at a second end portion on the first predetermined period side, and selects, from the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biometric information signal having the smallest difference between the first slope and the second slope as the second biometric information signal. The biometric information processing device smooths the change in slope at the boundary portion of the connected biometric information signals as much as possible. Therefore, the second signal has a smooth slope at the boundary portion of the connected biometric information signals.

[0011] The biometric information processing device may further include the following feature: the connection unit calculates a first slope at a first end on a side of the second predetermined period for each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the first predetermined period, calculates a second average value of the first slopes calculated for each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the first predetermined period, calculates a second slope at a second end on a side of the first predetermined period for each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, and selects, from the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biometric information signal having the smallest difference between the second average value and the second slope as the second biometric information signal. By adopting the average value, even if the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the first predetermined period include a biometric information signal having a different characteristic from other biometric information signals, the biometric information processing device suppresses influence of the biometric information signal having the different characteristic on the second signal.

[0012] The biometric information processing device may further include the following feature: the connection unit acquires a first starting point of the first biometric information signal, acquires a second starting point of each of the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, and selects, as the second biometric information signal, the biometric information signal having the smallest difference between the position of the first starting point and the position of the second starting point from among the plurality of biometric information signals acquired during the second predetermined period. The biometric information processing device selects a biometric information signal having a closer starting point, i.e., a signal reflected from a nearby region of the person's body surface, to generate the second signal. Therefore, the second signal can be generated by excluding, as much as possible, biometric information signals reflected from different locations.

[0013] The biometric information processing device may further include the following feature: and acquiring a first starting point for each of the plurality of bioinformation signals acquired during a predetermined period, calculating a third average value of the first starting points calculated for each of the plurality of bioinformation signals acquired during the first predetermined period, acquiring a second starting point for each of the plurality of bioinformation signals acquired during the second predetermined period, and selecting, as the second bioinformation signal, the bioinformation signal having the smallest difference between the third average value and the position of the second starting point from among the plurality of bioinformation signals acquired during the second predetermined period. By adopting the average value, the bioinformation processing device can suppress the influence of the bioinformation signal having the different characteristic on the second signal, even if the plurality of bioinformation signals acquired during the first predetermined period include a bioinformation signal having the different characteristic.

[0014] The disclosed technology is not limited to measuring the biometric information of the person, but can also be understood from the aspect of a motion information processing device that measures motion information of a device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The disclosed technology can reduce signal discontinuities that can occur when connecting multiple short-duration signals used to measure desired information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a biological information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram comparing a waveform that is originally desired to be acquired with a discontinuous continuous waveform. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a waveform related to biological information including discontinuities. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the biological information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing block of the biological information processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a waveform related to biological information acquired from a reflected signal stored in a storage unit by a reflected signal storage unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing selection of a waveform related to biological information based on a difference criterion in the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing selection of a waveform related to biological information based on a slope criterion in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of selection of a waveform related to biological information based on bin criteria in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of the biological information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a process of sequentially selecting waveforms related to biological information used to generate a continuous waveform in the first modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monitoring device according to a second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <Application example> An application example of the present invention will be described. A biometric information processing device 1 according to this application example is placed in a room 50, as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a person 31 is lying on a bed 52 placed in the room 50.

[0018] The biometric information processing device 1 acquires biometric information from a person 31 as a measurement target. The biometric information processing device 1 repeatedly transmits a signal that continues for an observation period of several seconds to several tens of seconds. The biometric information processing device 1 then receives a reflected signal reflected by the person 31.

[0019] To understand changes in the health and sleep state of the person 31, it is effective to observe the reflected signals over a period of several minutes or more. Therefore, the biometric information processing device 1 connects waveforms related to biometric information acquired from reflected signals of repeatedly transmitted signals to generate a continuous waveform over an analysis interval (for example, several minutes or more) longer than the observation interval. The biometric information processing device 1 generates biometric information of the person 31 using the continuous waveform.

[0020] Here, since the signal reflection from the body surface of the person 31 can occur at various parts of the human body, multiple waveforms related to biometric information are superimposed on one reflected signal. The waveform related to biometric information is a time-series change in the value related to the biometric information obtained from the reflected signal. Furthermore, discontinuities may occur when multiple waveforms of biometric information in such a reflected signal are connected to waveforms in adjacent observation intervals. Examples of discontinuities include a large difference in value at the boundary between connected waveforms, a large difference in slope, or when reflected signals from different people are connected.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a diagram comparing a waveform that is originally desired to be acquired with a discontinuous continuous waveform. In Fig. 2, the waveform W1 that is originally desired to be acquired is measured, for example, by a belt-type respiration sensor wrapped around the chest of person 31. The example of Fig. 2 illustrates a waveform W1 related to biological information observed from time J1 to time J4, and a continuous waveform W2 connecting a waveform related to biological information acquired from a reflected signal from time J1 to time J2, a waveform related to biological information acquired from a reflected signal from time J2 to time J3, and a waveform related to biological information acquired from a reflected signal from time J3 to time J4.

[0022] Because the continuous waveform W2 was generated without considering discontinuities in the waveforms related to the biological information, there are discontinuities in the waveform at times J2 and J3, which are boundaries between the connected waveforms related to the biological information. If such discontinuities occur in the continuous waveform, there is a risk that the generation of biological information using the continuous waveform will be hindered.

[0023] Furthermore, discontinuities may occur at locations other than the boundary between waveforms related to connected biological information. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating waveforms related to biological information including discontinuities. In Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C, the upper row illustrates a waveform related to ideal biological information, and the lower row illustrates a waveform related to biological information with discontinuities. Figure 3A illustrates a discontinuity R1 caused by a spike response. A spike response is a phenomenon in which a value indicating biological information obtained from a reflected signal differs from its original value due to the influence of disturbances such as radio wave interference.

[0024] FIG. 3B illustrates a discontinuity R2 due to a waveform offset. The waveform offset is a phenomenon in which the phase of the waveform shifts due to a change in the position of the person 31 or a change in the environment around the biometric information processing device 1 and the person 31. For example, when the biometric information processing device 1 employs a radio wave sensor, changes in the position of surrounding stationary objects or the installation or removal of stationary objects can change the DC signal component of the reflected signal, as well as the DC offset and distortion components superimposed on the waveform of the reflected signal, resulting in a waveform offset. Furthermore, even when the same person 31 is breathing, the part that reflects the signal from the biometric information processing device 1 can change depending on the person's 31's movements (for example, one of the chest and abdomen may expand first, and the other may expand later), changing the waveform related to the biometric information and resulting in a waveform offset.

[0025] 3C illustrates a discontinuity R3 due to a phase inversion. A phase inversion is a phenomenon in which the phase of a value related to biometric information acquired from a reflected signal is inverted due to a change in the position of the person 31 or the breathing of the person 31. A phase inversion can occur when the chest and abdomen are displaced in opposite directions due to the breathing of the person 31. A phase inversion can also occur for the same reason as an offset position shift.

[0026] If waveforms relating to biological information containing such discontinuities are connected to generate a continuous waveform, there is a risk that the generation of biological information using the continuous waveform will be hindered.

[0027] Therefore, the biometric information processing device 1 selects a waveform related to biometric information in the second observation period (hereinafter also referred to as a "waveform related to second biometric information" in this specification) to be connected to a waveform related to multiple biometric information obtained from a reflected signal received in the first observation period (hereinafter also referred to as a "waveform related to first biometric information" in this specification), based on the characteristics of the waveform related to the first biometric information and the characteristics of each of the waveforms related to multiple biometric information obtained from a reflected signal received in the second observation period.

[0028] According to the biological information processing device 1 of this application example, a waveform related to the second biological information is selected based on the characteristics of the waveforms, so that discontinuity in a signal connecting the waveform related to the first biological information and the waveform related to the second biological information can be reduced. As a result, the biological information processing device 1 can generate biological information using continuous waveforms with higher accuracy.

[0029] <Embodiment> The embodiment will be further described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a biometric information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As described in the application example, the biometric information processing device 1 is installed in a room 50.

[0030] The biometric information processing device 1 is a device that acquires biometric information from a person 31 as a measurement target. The biometric information processing device 1 transmits a signal used to acquire the biometric information. The biometric information processing device 1 then receives the signal reflected by the person 31 to acquire the biometric information of the person 31. The biometric information processing device 1 is placed on a platform 51 so that its height is approximately the same as that of the person 31 lying on a bed 52. Examples of the biometric information include information indicating breathing, information indicating heart rate, and information indicating body movement.

[0031] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the biometric information processing device 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the biometric information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. The biometric information processing device 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 101, a control unit 102, a storage unit 103, and an output unit 104. The transmission / reception unit 101, the control unit 102, the storage unit 103, and the output unit 104 are connected by a connection bus B1.

[0032] The transmitting / receiving unit 101 includes a transmitting unit 111 and a receiving unit 112. The transmitting unit 111 transmits a signal used to measure the biological information of a person. The receiving unit 112 receives the signal reflected from the person 31.

[0033] The transmitter 111 transmits signals using, for example, radio waves, light waves, sound waves, ultrasonic waves, etc. The transmitter 111 may transmit, for example, signals using a frequency modulated continuous wave radar (FMCW) system that sweeps radio waves with a frequency of 60 to 64 GHz and a bandwidth of 4 GHz every 100 microseconds. When transmitting radio waves, the transmitter 111 may have a signal generator that generates an unmodulated or frequency / phase / amplitude modulated signal, and a transmitting antenna that radiates the signal generated by the signal generator into space. Here, the signal generator may be configured as a single oscillator such as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), or may be configured as a combination of a VCO and a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, or may be configured to input a baseband signal sent from the controller 102 to a modulator. The signal generator may also include a D / A converter that converts a digital signal into an analog signal, or may be a direct digital synthesizer (DDS).

[0034] The receiving unit 112 also includes, for example, a receiving antenna that receives a reflected signal from the person 31, a mixer as a multiplication circuit that demodulates the reflected signal and outputs an analog baseband signal or an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, and an A / D conversion unit that converts the analog baseband signal or the IF signal into a digital signal.

[0035] The control unit 102 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The control unit 102 executes a program stored in the storage unit 103 to control each unit in the biometric information processing device 1 and perform various information processing. The control unit 102 generates biometric information of the person 31, for example, by using a signal received from the person 31. The biometric information generation process executed by the control unit 102 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The storage unit 103 stores programs executed by the control unit 102 and various data used in the processes executed by the control unit 102. For example, the storage unit 103 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like.

[0037] The output unit 104 notifies the user of the results of the processing executed by the control unit 102, and outputs data related to the results to an external device. The output unit 104 may be configured to output data related to the biometric information of the person being measured to an external device by various communication methods such as various wireless communications and wired communications. Examples of the output unit 104 include a display, a speaker, and a printer.

[0038] <Processing blocks of the biometric information processing device 1> 5 is a diagram showing an example of a processing block of the biometric information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. The biometric information processing device 1 includes a transmission control unit 11, a reflected signal storage unit 12, a connection unit 13, a generation unit 14, and a notification unit 15. The control unit 102 executes a computer program deployed in an executable manner in the storage unit 103, thereby causing the biometric information processing device 1 to perform processing as each unit of the biometric information processing device 1, such as the transmission control unit 11, the reflected signal storage unit 12, the connection unit 13, the generation unit 14, and the notification unit 15.

[0039] The transmission control unit 11 controls the transmission and reception of signals by the transmission unit 111. For example, the transmission control unit 11 controls the transmission unit 111 to repeatedly transmit a signal that continues during an observation period of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[0040] The reflected signal storage unit 12 stores the reflected signal received by the receiving unit 112 in the storage unit 103. As described above, the signal is repeatedly transmitted at predetermined intervals by the transmission control unit 11. Therefore, the reflected signal storage unit 12 stores each reflected signal received at predetermined intervals in the storage unit 103. The reflected signal storage unit 12 stores the reflected signal in the storage unit 103, for example, in association with the time at which the reflected signal was received.

[0041] The connection unit 13 acquires waveforms related to biological information from the multiple reflected signals stored in the storage unit 103 by the reflected signal storage unit 12, and connects the acquired waveforms related to the biological information to generate a continuous waveform. Details of the connection of the waveforms related to biological information by the connection unit 13 will be described later. The continuous waveform is an example of a "second signal."

[0042] The generating unit 14 generates biometric information using the continuous waveform generated by the connecting unit 13. The generating unit 14 generates biometric information indicating a respiratory waveform from, for example, changes over time in the amplitude or phase of the continuous waveform.

[0043] The notification unit 15 outputs the biometric information generated by the generation unit 14. The notification unit 15 outputs, for example, For example, it outputs the respiratory waveform of the person 31. The notification unit 15 may, for example, cause the output unit 104 as a display to display the biological information.

[0044] <Connection of waveforms related to biological information by the connection unit 13> Here, the connection of waveforms related to biological information by the connection unit 13 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating waveforms related to biological information acquired from reflected signals stored in the storage unit 103 by the reflected signal storage unit 12. FIG. 6 illustrates waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information acquired from reflected signals received by the receiving unit 112 in observation interval 1, which is equal to or greater than time T1 but less than time T2; waveforms W21 and W22 related to biological information acquired from reflected signals received by the receiving unit 112 in observation interval 2, which is equal to or greater than time T2 but less than time T3; and waveforms W31, W32, and W33 related to biological information acquired from reflected signals received by the receiving unit 112 in observation interval 3, which is equal to or greater than time T3 but less than time T4. The connection unit 13 then connects the waveforms related to biological information selected from observation interval 1, observation interval 2, and observation interval 3 to generate a continuous waveform for an analysis interval longer than the observation interval. Observation interval 1, observation interval 2, and observation interval 3 are examples of a "predetermined period." The analysis period is an example of a “period longer than the predetermined period.” The waveform related to the selected biological information is an example of a “second biological information signal.”

[0045] The connection unit 13 selects one or more waveforms related to biological information from each observation section while taking into consideration the characteristics of the waveforms related to biological information, and connects the connected waveforms related to biological information to generate a continuous waveform. Examples of criteria for considering waveform characteristics include "difference criteria," "slope criteria," and "bin criteria." The connection unit 13 selects reflected signals based on these criteria to generate a continuous waveform.

[0046] (Standard of difference) When the difference criterion is adopted, the connection unit 13 selects and connects waveforms related to biological information that minimize the difference in values ​​at the boundary portions of the waveforms related to the biological information to be connected. Here, an example will be described in which waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information are selected in observation interval 1, and a waveform related to biological information selected from observation interval 2 is connected to waveform W11 related to biological information. Observation interval 1 is an example of a "first predetermined period." Waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information are an example of a "first biological information signal." Observation interval 2 is an example of a "second predetermined period."

[0047] 7 is a diagram illustrating selection of waveforms related to biological information based on a difference criterion in an embodiment. The connection unit 13 calculates an average value A1 of values ​​V11, V12, and V13 at the boundary on the time T2 side (boundary on the observation interval 2 side) of waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information in observation interval 1.

[0048] The connection unit 13 calculates the difference D1 from the average value A1 for each of the values ​​V21 and V22 at the boundary on the time T2 side (boundary on the observation interval 1 side) of the waveforms W21 and W22 related to the biological information in the observation interval 2. The connection unit 13 selects the waveform related to the biological information with the smallest value of difference D1 as the waveform related to the biological information to be connected to the waveform in the observation interval 1. Note that the selection is not limited to the waveform with the smallest value of difference D1, and one or more waveforms related to the biological information with difference D1 equal to or less than a predetermined threshold may be selected.

[0049] When adopting the difference criterion, the median of the values ​​V11, V12, and V13 may be adopted instead of the average value A1. Also, instead of the average value A1, any of the values ​​V11, V12, and V13 at the boundary on the time T2 side of the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the selected biological information may be adopted. Also, the waveform in observation section 1 connected to the waveform selected in observation section 2 is not the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information, but the waveform W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information. Among W11, W12, and W13, the waveform whose value at the boundary on the time T2 side is closest to the average value A1 may be used.

[0050] (Slope standard) When the slope criterion is adopted, the connection unit 13 selects and connects waveforms related to biological information that reduce the difference in slope at the boundary portions of the waveforms related to the biological information to be connected. Here, an example will be described in which waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information are selected in observation section 1, and a waveform related to biological information selected from observation section 2 is connected to the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information.

[0051] 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating selection of waveforms related to biological information based on a slope criterion in an embodiment. The connection unit 13 calculates an average value A2 of the slopes at the boundary on the time T2 side of waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information in observation interval 1. The connection unit 13 calculates a slope K1 at the boundary on the time T2 side (boundary on the observation interval 1 side) of waveforms W21 and W22 related to biological information in observation interval 2.

[0052] The connection unit 13 calculates the difference D2 between the slope K1 and the average value A2 at the boundary on the side of time T2 (the boundary on the side of observation interval 1) for each of the waveforms W21 and W22 related to the biological information in observation interval 2. The connection unit 13 selects the waveform related to the biological information for which the difference D2 is the smallest as the waveform related to the biological information to be connected to the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information. Note that the waveforms selected are not limited to those with the smallest value of the difference D2, and one or more waveforms related to the biological information for which the difference D2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold may be selected.

[0053] When adopting a slope criterion, the median of the slopes at the boundary on the time T2 side of the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information may be adopted instead of the average slope A2. Also, the slopes at the boundary on the time T2 side of the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the selected biological information may be adopted instead of the average slope A2. Also, although the example has been described where the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information are selected in the observation interval 1, the waveforms related to the biological information selected in the observation interval 1 may not be the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information, but may be the waveforms related to the biological information whose slopes at the boundary on the time T2 side are closest to the average slope A2.

[0054] (Bin standard) Each point in space obtained by discretely sampling the space measured by the signal transmitted by the transmitter 111 in distance and direction is called a bin. When the bin reference is adopted, the transmitter 111 transmits a signal that can acquire the spatial coordinates of the point where the signal is reflected. For example, the spatial coordinates can be acquired by performing signal processing on the received reflected signal to obtain a spatial reflection response. An example of a device that transmits such a signal is a radar device. When the bin reference is adopted, the connection unit 13 determines a reference bin as a reference, and selects and connects waveforms that are close to the reference bin.

[0055] 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating selection of a waveform related to biological information based on a bin criterion in an embodiment. The connection unit 13 acquires spatial coordinates P11, P12, and P13 of the starting points (points where signals are reflected) of waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information in an observation section 1. The connection unit 13 calculates an average coordinate A3 by averaging the spatial coordinates P11, P12, and P13. The connection unit 13 calculates the difference between each of the spatial coordinates P11, P12, and P13 and the average coordinate A3, and selects the waveform related to biological information corresponding to the spatial coordinate with the smallest calculated difference as the waveform related to biological information in the observation section 1. Here, it is assumed that waveform W11 related to biological information has been selected.

[0056] The connection unit 13 acquires spatial coordinates P21 and P22 of the points where waveforms W21 and W22 related to biological information in the observation section 2 are reflected. The connection unit 13 calculates the difference D3 between each of the spatial coordinates P21 and P22 and the average coordinate A3. The connection unit 13 selects the waveform related to biological information with the smallest value of difference D3 as the waveform related to biological information connected to the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information. Note that the waveforms selected are not limited to those with the smallest value of difference D3, and one or more waveforms related to biological information with difference D3 equal to or less than a predetermined threshold may be selected.

[0057] When the bin criterion is used, the median of the spatial coordinates P11, P12, and P13 may be used instead of the average coordinate A3. Furthermore, although the three criteria of the difference criterion, the slope criterion, and the bin criterion have been described, these criteria may be used alone or in combination.

[0058] <Processing flow> 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the biometric information processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of a processing flow of the biometric information processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] In step S1, the transmission control unit 11 controls the transmitting unit 111 to transmit a signal. Then, the reflected signal storage unit 12 receives a reflected signal of the transmitted signal from the person 31 via the receiving unit 112, and stores the received reflected signal in the storage unit 103.

[0060] In step S2, the connection unit 13 extracts reflected signals in each observation interval from the storage unit 103. The connection unit 13 acquires a waveform related to biological information from each of the extracted reflected signals. In step S3, the connection unit 13 selects a waveform related to biological information to be used to generate a continuous waveform. The connection unit 13 selects a waveform related to biological information to be used to generate a continuous waveform using at least one of the above-described "difference criterion," "slope criterion," and "bin criterion."

[0061] In step S4, the connection unit 13 generates a continuous waveform using the waveform related to the biometric information selected in step S3. In step S5, the generation unit 14 generates biometric information of the person 31 using the continuous waveform generated in step S4. In step S6, the notification unit 15 outputs the biometric information generated in step S5. The notification unit 15 displays the biometric information on the output unit 104, which serves as a display, for example.

[0062] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, a continuous waveform is generated by connecting waveforms related to biological information selected based on waveform characteristics using at least one of the criteria of "difference criteria," "slope criteria," and "bin criteria." Therefore, compared to connecting waveforms related to biological information without using such criteria, the occurrence of discontinuous portions that occur at times J2 and J3 in Figure 2 is reduced. Therefore, according to this embodiment, biological information can be generated using continuous waveforms with higher accuracy.

[0063] By adopting the "difference criterion" for selecting waveforms related to biological information, waveforms related to biological information that minimize the difference in values ​​at the boundary portions of the waveforms related to biological information are selected and connected, thereby suppressing sudden value changes at the boundary portions of the connected waveforms related to biological information in a continuous waveform.

[0064] In the embodiment, when the "difference standard" is adopted, an average value A1 of values ​​V11, V12, and V13 at the boundary on the observation section 2 side of waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information is calculated, and the waveform related to biological information in which the difference D1 between values ​​V21 and V22 at the boundary on the observation section 1 side of waveforms W21 and W22 related to biological information in observation section 2 and the average value A1 is the smallest value. The shape is selected as the waveform related to biological information that connects to the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to biological information. By adopting the average value A1, the influence of the waveform related to biological information that has characteristics different from the waveforms related to other biological information on the continuous waveform is suppressed.

[0065] By adopting the "slope criterion" in selecting waveforms related to biological information, waveforms related to biological information that have as smooth a change in slope as possible at the boundary portions of the waveforms related to biological information are selected and connected. Therefore, in a continuous waveform, the slope at the boundary portions of the connected waveforms related to biological information becomes smooth.

[0066] Furthermore, in the embodiment, when the "slope criterion" is adopted, an average value A2 of the slopes of the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information at the boundary on the observation section 2 side is calculated, and the waveform related to the biological information having the smallest difference D2 between the average value A2 and the slope K1 at the boundary on the observation section 1 side of the waveforms W21 and W22 related to the biological information in the observation section 2 is selected as the waveform related to the biological information connecting to the waveforms W11, W12, and W13 related to the biological information. By adopting the average value A2, the influence of the waveform related to the biological information having characteristics different from those of other waveforms related to the biological information on the continuous waveform is suppressed.

[0067] By adopting the "bin criterion" for selecting waveforms related to biometric information, waveforms related to biometric information with origins closer to each other are selected. That is, waveforms related to biometric information originating from nearby areas on the body surface of the person 31 are selected and connected. Therefore, it is possible to generate a continuous waveform by excluding waveforms related to biometric information reflected from different locations as much as possible. Furthermore, by selecting waveforms related to biometric information at nearby spatial coordinates, it is thought that the waveform will have a shape similar to the waveform related to biometric information from the reference spatial coordinates. Therefore, by adopting the "bin criterion", it is possible to prevent waveforms related to biometric information including discontinuities from being selected for generating a continuous waveform.

[0068] <First Modification> In the embodiment described above, the selection of the waveform related to the biological information is performed after the reflected signals for the analysis interval are stored in the storage unit 103. However, the selection of the waveform related to the biological information may be performed before the reflected signals for the analysis interval are stored in the storage unit 103. In other words, the selection of the waveform related to the biological information to be used for generating the continuous waveform may be performed sequentially each time the reflected signals for a new analysis interval are stored in the storage unit 103.

[0069] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a process in which waveforms related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform are sequentially selected in the first modified example. FIG. 11 includes information indicating whether a reflected signal has been received in each observation interval and whether a waveform related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform has already been selected. "Received" indicates that a reflected signal has been received in the observation interval. "Not received" indicates that a reflected signal has not been received in the observation interval. "Selected" indicates that a waveform related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform has been selected. "Not selected" indicates that a waveform related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform has not been selected. Below, the process in which waveforms related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform are sequentially selected will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0070] (1st step) In the first step, in observation section 1, a reflected signal has been received and a waveform related to the biological information to be used for generating the continuous waveform has been selected. In observation section 2, a reflected signal has been received, but a waveform related to the biological information to be used for generating the continuous waveform has not yet been selected. In observation section 3, a reflected signal has not yet been received, and a waveform related to the biological information to be used for generating the continuous waveform has not yet been selected. Here, when selecting a waveform related to the biological information in observation section 1, for example, a waveform related to the biological information whose values ​​V11, V12, and V13 at the boundary on the time T2 side are closest to the average value A1 may be selected.

[0071] The connection unit 13 selects a waveform related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform from the waveforms related to biological information in the observation section 2. In this selection, at least one of the "difference criterion," "slope criterion," and "bin criterion" described above may be used.

[0072] (Second step) In the second step, reflected signals have been received and waveforms related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform have been selected in observation sections 1 and 2. In observation section 3, reflected signals have been received, but waveforms related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform have not yet been selected.

[0073] The connection unit 13 selects a waveform related to biological information to be used for generating a continuous waveform from the reflected signals in the observation section 3. In this selection, at least one of the "difference criterion," "slope criterion," and "bin criterion" described above may be used.

[0074] (Third Step) In the third step, reflected signals have been received and waveforms related to the biological information to be used for generating the continuous waveform have been selected in the observation intervals 1, 2, and 3. The generator 14 generates the continuous waveform using the waveforms related to the biological information selected in the observation intervals 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

[0075] According to the first modification, waveforms related to biological information used to generate a continuous waveform can be selected sequentially before all reflected signals for the analysis section are stored in the storage unit 103. Therefore, the storage capacity of the storage unit 103 used to generate a continuous waveform can be reduced.

[0076] <Second Modification> In the embodiment described above, an example in which biological information is acquired by the biological information processing device 1 has been described, but the disclosed technology is not limited to the acquisition of biological information. In the second modification, an example in which a motor device is monitored will be described.

[0077] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a monitoring device 1A according to a second modified example. Monitoring device 1A is placed in a factory 50A and monitors motor devices 40 placed in factory 50A.

[0078] The motor device 40 is a device that drives other equipment by rotating its output shaft. The motor device 40 may generate regular or irregular vibrations as the output shaft rotates. It is believed that the vibration characteristics (e.g., frequency, amplitude, period, etc.) of the motor device 40 vary from device to device due to differences in operating state, load, and individual differences between devices.

[0079] The monitoring device 1A repeatedly transmits a measurement signal used to measure a characteristic amount related to vibration of the motor device 40. The monitoring device 1A then receives a reflected signal from the motor device 40 of the repeatedly transmitted measurement signal.

[0080] The monitoring device 1A acquires, from the reflected signal, a vibration waveform that is a time-series change in information indicating the vibration of the motor device 40. The vibration waveform is an example of "operation information."

[0081] The monitoring device 1A stores the received reflected signals in the storage unit 103. Then, the monitoring device 1A extracts the reflected signals in each observation section from the storage unit 103. The monitoring device 1A acquires a vibration waveform from each of the extracted reflected signals. The monitoring device 1A selects a vibration waveform to be used for generating a continuous waveform. The monitoring device 1A selects a vibration waveform to be used for generating a continuous waveform using at least one of the "difference criterion," "slope criterion," and "bin criterion" described in the embodiment. Select the dynamic waveform.

[0082] Monitoring device 1A then generates a continuous waveform using the selected vibration waveform, and generates information related to monitoring motor device 40 based on the continuous waveform. By generating a continuous waveform in this manner, it is possible to generate information related to monitoring motor device 40 using the continuous waveform with higher accuracy. Note that examples of information related to monitoring motor device 40 include time-series changes in the frequency of vibration of motor device 40, time-series changes in the amplitude of vibration of motor device 40, etc.

[0083] The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other.

[0084] <Appendix 1> a transmitting / receiving unit (101) that repeatedly transmits a first signal used to measure biometric information of a person (31) to the person (31) at predetermined intervals and receives a plurality of reflected signals in response to the first signal; a connection unit (13) that acquires a biological information signal related to biological information from the plurality of reflected signals received during each of the predetermined periods, and connects the biological information signals acquired during each of the predetermined periods to generate a second signal having a period longer than the predetermined period; a generation unit (14) that generates the biometric information of the person based on the second signal, The connection portion (13) is selecting a second biological information signal in a second predetermined period adjacent to the first predetermined period, which is connected to a first biological information signal in the first predetermined period, based on waveform characteristics of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired in the second predetermined period and waveform characteristics of the first biological information; Biometric information processing device (1). <Appendix 2> The connection portion (13) is calculating first values ​​(V11, V12, V13) of a first end portion of the first biological information signal on the second predetermined period side; calculating second values ​​(V21, V22) of second ends of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period on the first predetermined period side; selecting, from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biological information signal having the smallest difference (D1) between the first value (V11, V12, V13) and the second value (V21, V22) as the second biological information signal; A biometric information processing device (1) according to appendix 1. <Appendix 3> The connection portion (13) is calculating first values ​​(V11, V12, V13) of first ends of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period on the second predetermined period side; calculating a first average value (A1) of the first values ​​(V11, V12, V13) calculated for each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period; calculating second values ​​(V21, V22) of second ends of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period on the first predetermined period side; selecting, from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biological information signal having the smallest difference (D1) between the first average value (A1) and the second values ​​(V21, V22), as the second biological information signal; A biometric information processing device (1) according to appendix 1. <Appendix 4> The connection portion (13) is calculating a first slope (A2) at a first end of the first biological information signal on the second predetermined period side; calculating a second slope (K1) at a second end on the first predetermined period side of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biological information signal having the smallest difference (D2) between the first slope (A2) and the second slope (K1), as the second biological information signal; A biometric information processing device (1) according to appendix 1. <Appendix 5> The connection portion (13) is calculating a first slope at a first end portion of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period on the second predetermined period side; calculating a second average value (A2) of the first slopes calculated for each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period; calculating a second slope (K1) at a second end on the first predetermined period side of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biological information signal having the smallest difference (D2) between the second average value (A2) and the second slope (K1), as the second biological information signal; 2. The biometric information processing device according to claim 1. <Appendix 6> The connection portion is acquiring a first starting point (P11) of the first biological information signal; acquiring second starting points (P21, P22) of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biological information signal having the smallest difference between the position of the first starting point (P11) and the position of the second starting point (P21, P22), as the second biological information signal; 6. A biometric information processing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5. <Appendix 7> The connection portion (13) is acquiring first starting points (P11, P12, P13) of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period; calculating a third average value (A3) of the first starting point calculated for each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period; acquiring second starting points (P21, P22) of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period, the biological information signal having the smallest difference (D3) between the third average value (A3) and the position of the second starting point (P21, P22), as the second biological information signal; 6. A biometric information processing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5. <Appendix 8> a transmitting / receiving unit (101) that repeatedly transmits a first signal used to measure operational information of a device (40) at predetermined intervals to the device (40) and receives a plurality of reflected signals corresponding to the first signal; a connection unit (101) that acquires a motion information signal related to the motion information from the plurality of reflected signals received during each of the predetermined periods, and connects the motion information signals acquired during each of the predetermined periods to generate a second signal having a period longer than the predetermined period; a generation unit (14) that generates the operation information of the device based on the second signal, The connection portion (13) is A second motion information signal in a second predetermined period adjacent to the first predetermined period, which is connected to a first motion information signal in the first predetermined period, is obtained from a plurality of motion information signals acquired in the second predetermined period. and selecting the first motion information signal based on waveform characteristics of the first motion information signal and waveform characteristics of the second motion information signal. Motion information processing device (1A). [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Biometric information processing device 1A··Monitoring device 11 Transmission control section 12...Reflected signal storage section 13 Connection 14...Generation part 15·Notification Department 31·person 40 Motor device 50 rooms 50A··Factory 51 units 52 Bed 53 Wall 101 Transmitter / Receiver 102 Control unit 103...Storage section 104 Output section 111··Transmitter 112 Receiving unit B1 Connecting bus

Claims

1. a transceiver that repeatedly transmits a first signal used to measure biometric information of a person at predetermined intervals to the person and receives a plurality of reflected signals in response to the first signal; a connection unit that acquires a biological information signal related to the biological information from the plurality of reflected signals received during each of the predetermined periods, and connects the biological information signals acquired during each of the predetermined periods to generate a second signal having a period longer than the predetermined period; a generation unit that generates the biometric information of the person based on the second signal, The connection portion is selecting a second biological information signal in a second predetermined period adjacent to the first predetermined period, which is connected to a first biological information signal in the first predetermined period, based on waveform characteristics of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired in the second predetermined period and waveform characteristics of the first biological information signal; Biometric information processing device.

2. The connection portion is calculating a first value of a first end of the first biological information signal on the second predetermined period side; calculating second values ​​of second ends of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period on the first predetermined period side; selecting, as the second biological information signal, the biological information signal having the smallest difference between the first value and the second value from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; The biometric information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The connection portion is calculating a first value of a first end portion of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period, the first end portion being located on the second predetermined period side; calculating a first average value of the first values ​​calculated for each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period; calculating second values ​​of second ends of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period on the first predetermined period side; selecting, as the second biological information signal, the reflected signal having the smallest difference between the first average value and the second value from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; The biometric information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The connection portion is calculating a first slope at a first end of the first biological information signal on the second predetermined period side; calculating a second slope at a second end on the first predetermined period side of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, as the second biological information signal, the biological information signal having the smallest difference between the first slope and the second slope from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; The biometric information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The connection portion is calculating a first slope at a first end portion of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period on the second predetermined period side; Calculated for each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period. calculating a second average value of the first slope; calculating a second slope at a second end on the first predetermined period side of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, as the second biological information signal, the biological information signal having the smallest difference between the second average value and the second slope from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; The biometric information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The connection portion is acquiring a first starting point of the first biological information signal; acquiring second starting points of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, as the second biological information signal, the biological information signal having the smallest difference between the position of the first origin and the position of the second origin from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; The biometric information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The connection portion is acquiring a first starting point of each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period; calculating a third average value of the first starting point calculated for each of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the first predetermined period; acquiring second starting points of the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; selecting, as the second biological information signal, the biological information signal having the smallest difference between the third average value and the position of the second starting point from among the plurality of biological information signals acquired during the second predetermined period; The biometric information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. a transceiver that repeatedly transmits a first signal used to measure operational information of the device to the device at predetermined intervals and receives a plurality of reflected signals in response to the first signal; a connection unit that acquires a motion information signal related to the motion information from the plurality of reflected signals received during each of the predetermined periods, and connects the motion information signals acquired during each of the predetermined periods to generate a second signal having a period longer than the predetermined period; a generating unit that generates the operation information of the device based on the second signal, The connection portion is selecting a second motion information signal in a second predetermined period adjacent to the first predetermined period, which is connected to a first motion information signal in the first predetermined period, based on waveform characteristics of each of the plurality of motion information signals acquired in the second predetermined period and waveform characteristics of the first motion information signal; Motion information processing device.

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