Small biometric information measurement device

Abstract

This relates to a small biometric information measurement device that is highly durable and can operate for extended periods without charging. [Solution] A compact biological information measurement device comprising a power supply unit having a power generation unit that generates electricity, a primary battery, a comparator, and a primary battery supply switching unit, a biological sensor that acquires information related to biological activity, and a transmitting unit that transmits information acquired by the biological sensor, and a biological information acquisition transmitting unit that is driven by power from the power supply unit, wherein the comparator switches the supply and stop of power from the power generation unit to the biological information acquisition transmitting unit according to the supply voltage and outputs a signal from a first terminal regarding the power supply status from the power generation unit to the biological information acquisition transmitting unit, and the primary battery supply switching unit receives a signal from the first terminal and switches the supply and stop of power from the primary battery to the biological information acquisition transmitting unit according to the signal from the first terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a small biological information measurement device to be worn on a living body.

Background Art

[0002] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[0006] The compact biological information measurement device according to the present invention is A power supply unit comprising: a power generation unit that generates electricity using light, heat, or vibration; a primary battery; a comparator to which the supply voltage of the power generation unit is input; and a primary battery supply switching unit that switches the power supply of the primary battery, The system includes a biosensor that acquires information about biological activity, a transmitting unit that transmits the information acquired by the biosensor, and a biological information acquisition and transmission unit that is driven by power from the power supply unit. The comparator switches the supply of power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit according to the supply voltage, and outputs a signal from the first terminal regarding the power supply status from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit by the comparator. The primary battery supply switching unit receives a signal from the first terminal and switches the supply of power from the primary battery to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit in accordance with the signal from the first terminal.

[0007] The compact bio-information measurement device according to the present invention can be realized as a compact bio-information measurement device that can operate for a long time without charging by using a power generation unit and a primary battery in combination. Since such a compact bio-information measurement device does not need a secondary battery that can be charged from an external source, it can be realized as a simple structure and is advantageous for miniaturization. Furthermore, the compact bio-information measurement device according to the present invention can switch the power supply and stop of power to the power generation unit and the primary battery using a simple electronic circuit without using a switch that involves mechanical operation, by using a comparator having a first terminal and a primary battery supply switching unit. In addition, the electronic circuit having a comparator having a first terminal and a primary battery supply switching unit that uses the output of the first terminal has good durability and can suppress power consumption.

[0008] Furthermore, the power generation unit includes a photovoltaic panel that generates electricity by receiving light.

[0009] Because the power generation unit has a photovoltaic panel, the small biometric information measurement device can operate without consuming power from the primary battery if the device is placed in an environment where it can receive a predetermined amount of light. Therefore, such a small biometric information measurement device can operate for a long time without charging. Furthermore, even after the primary battery voltage drops, the device can continue to operate if it is placed in an environment where it can receive a predetermined amount of light, so depending on the application, it can be used for extremely long periods without charging.

[0010] Furthermore, for example, the biosensor may include any of the following: a temperature sensor, a body movement sensor, an SpO2 sensor, a heart rate sensor, or a blood pressure sensor.

[0011] The sensors in a small bio-information measurement device are not particularly limited, but examples include temperature sensors for measuring body temperature, motion sensors for measuring the movement of the wearer based on acceleration and angular velocity, SpO2 sensors for measuring light absorption by blood, heart rate sensors for measuring blood vessel or blood flow pulsation or electrocardiogram, and blood pressure sensors for measuring pressure acting on blood vessels.

[0012] Furthermore, for example, the comparator may start supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit when the supply voltage rises to a first predetermined value or higher, and stop supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit when the supply voltage falls to a second predetermined value or lower. The primary battery supply switching unit may, when it receives a signal from the output of the first terminal for a predetermined time indicating that the power supply from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit has stopped, supply power from the primary battery to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit, and when it receives a signal from the output of the first terminal indicating that power is being supplied from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit, it may stop supplying power from the primary battery to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit.

[0013] Such a small bio-information measurement device can operate continuously even if there are fluctuations in power generation, by using a first and second predetermined voltage as a reference. When the power generation of the power generation unit is high, power is supplied by the power generation unit, and when the power generation of the power generation unit is low, power is supplied by the primary battery.

[0014] Furthermore, for example, the first terminal of the comparator is a PGOOD terminal that outputs a "High" signal when the comparator is supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit, and outputs a "Low" signal when the comparator has stopped supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit. The system further includes a logic inverter that logically inverts the output of the PGOOD terminal. The primary battery supply switching unit may be positioned between the primary battery and the biological information acquisition and transmission unit and may have a DC-DC converter that switches ON / OFF when the output of the PGOOD terminal, which has been logically inverted by the logic inverter, is input to it.

[0015] A small bio-information measurement device having such a primary battery supply switching unit, when combined with a comparator, can achieve a low-power and highly reliable switching circuit, even though the individual parts themselves are simple and use general-purpose components.

[0016] Furthermore, for example, the small bio-information measuring device according to the present invention may have a housing portion comprising an opaque main body portion having a housing portion with an opening formed therein, and a transparent lid portion fixed to the main body portion so as to seal the opening. The power supply unit and the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit may be housed in the housing unit.

[0017] Such a housing allows light to reach the interior through a light-transmitting lid, while the main body is opaque, ensuring strength and functionality for the sensor. Furthermore, by creating a sealed structure inside the housing, a highly waterproof, compact biometric information measurement device can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of a small biological information measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the small biological information measurement device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the small biological information measurement device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a usage state diagram showing the usage state of the small biological information measurement device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an external view of a small biological information measurement device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the small biological information measurement device shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a small biological information measurement device according to a modified example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] FIG. 1 is an external view of a small biological information measurement device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the small biological information measurement device 10 has a disk-shaped (coin-shaped) outer shape of about the size of a 1-yen coin. The size of the small biological information measurement device 10 can be about 15 to 25 mm in diameter and 2.0 to 4.0 mm in thickness, and for example, as shown in FIG. 4, it can be worn and used on a person's wrist or the like.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the small biometric information measurement device 10 shown in Figure 1. The small biometric information measurement device 10 has a housing portion 50 that houses a circuit board 12 and the like inside. The housing portion 50 has an opaque main body portion 52 having a housing portion 52a with an opening 52b formed therein, and a transparent lid portion 54 fixed to the main body portion 52 so as to seal the opening 52b. As will be described later, a power supply unit 20 and a biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 (see Figure 3) are mounted on the circuit board 12, and the power supply unit 20 and the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 are housed in the housing portion 52a.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the small bio-information measurement device 10 has a photoelectric panel 22 as a power generation unit that generates electricity using light. The photoelectric panel 22 is a power generation element known as a solar panel or solar cell, and examples include amorphous silicon solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, organic thin-film solar cells, and perovskite solar cells. The power generation unit of the small bio-information measurement device 10 is not limited to the photoelectric panel 22, and may also have a thermoelectric element that generates electricity using heat (a thermoelectric element that uses thermally excited charges of semiconductors (also called "semiconductor-sensitized thermal power generation")) or a piezoelectric element that generates electricity using vibration, either in place of the photoelectric panel 22 or in combination with the photoelectric panel 22.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the photovoltaic panel 22 is positioned on the side of the opening 52b in the housing 52a, more specifically, directly beneath the lid 54 that seals the opening 52b. Since the lid 54 is transparent and transmits light, light from outside the housing 50 enters the photovoltaic panel 22 inside the housing 52a through the lid 54. Therefore, the power generation unit having the photovoltaic panel 22 can generate power when the small biometric information measurement device 10 receives light from the side of the lid 54.

[0023] The method of fixing the lid 54 to the main body 52 is not particularly limited, and the lid 54 can be fixed to the main body 52 by means of adhesive, welding, screwing, etc. However, it is preferable that the lid 54 seals the opening 52b of the main body 52 so that the housing 52a becomes a sealed space. As will be described later, in conjunction with the fact that there is no need to provide externally exposed terminals such as charging terminals on the surface of the housing 50, the small biometric information measurement device 10 can prevent moisture from entering the housing 52a which houses the photovoltaic panel 22, circuit board 12, etc., and the small biometric information measurement device 10 can be given high waterproof performance. Furthermore, by giving the small biometric information measurement device 10 high waterproof performance, it becomes possible to bathe or swim while wearing the small biometric information measurement device 10, and the small biometric information measurement device 10 can be washed thoroughly, and ultraviolet sterilization or alcohol disinfection becomes easy.

[0024] The material of the lid 54 is not particularly limited, but examples include glass and transparent resin. The material of the outer part 52 is also not particularly limited, but examples include opaque resin and metal. Depending on the type of biosensor 42 mounted on the circuit board 12, light-transmitting materials such as glass and transparent resin may be partially used in combination with opaque materials such as opaque resin and metal.

[0025] Furthermore, the diameter of the opening 52b of the main body 52 is preferably 80-99.9% of the outer diameter of the main body 52, and more preferably 90-99.8%. By setting the ratio of the diameter of the opening 52b of the main body 52 to the outer diameter of the main body 52 within this range, it is possible to ensure a wide light-receiving area for the photovoltaic panel 22 that can be placed in the housing 52a while ensuring the strength of the main body 52.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the photovoltaic panel 22 is directly mounted on the side of the circuit board 12 facing the cover portion 54. In addition, multiple chips included in the small bio-information measurement device 10, such as the antenna 48 and the biosensor 42, are mounted on the side of the circuit board 12 facing the cover portion 54, the side opposite to the cover portion 54, or inside the circuit board 12. The circuit board 12 is made of, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) or a rigid circuit board. The thickness of the circuit board 12 can be, for example, about 1.0 to 3.0 mm, but is not particularly limited.

[0027] The outer diameter of the photovoltaic panel 22 is preferably approximately equal to the diameter of the opening 52b of the main body 52, or slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 52b of the main body 52. ​​The thickness of the photovoltaic panel 22 is preferably about 0.1 to 0.3 mm from the viewpoint of miniaturization, but is not particularly limited. Furthermore, by directly mounting the photovoltaic panel 22 on the lid 54 side of the circuit board 12, the circuit board 12 supports and reinforces the photovoltaic panel 22, and contributes to the thinning of the miniature bio-information measurement device 10.

[0028] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the small bio-information measurement device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3, the small bio-information measurement device 10 includes a bio-information acquisition and transmission unit 40 having a biosensor 22 and a transmission unit 44, and a power supply unit 20 that supplies power to the bio-information acquisition and transmission unit 40.

[0029] The power supply unit 20 includes a photovoltaic panel 22 as a power generation unit, a primary battery 24, a comparator 26 to which the supply voltage of the power generation unit having the photovoltaic panel 22 is input, a primary battery supply switching unit 30 for switching the power supply of the primary battery 24, a capacitor, a diode, etc.

[0030] The comparator 26 shown in Figure 3 switches the power supply from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 on and off according to the supply voltage from the photovoltaic panel 22. The comparator 26 also has a first terminal 26a that outputs a signal regarding the power supply status from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40. The signal regarding the power supply status from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 output by the first terminal 26a via the comparator 26 is input to the terminal that receives the signal for switching the ON / OFF of the DC-DC converter in the primary battery supply switching unit 30.

[0031] The first terminal 26a of the comparator 26 is not particularly limited, as long as it outputs different signals depending on whether power is being supplied from the power generation panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 by the comparator 26 or whether the power supply from the power generation panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 by the comparator 26 is stopped, such as by inverting the output signal. The terminal of the primary battery supply switching unit 30 to which the output from the first terminal 26a is input is not particularly limited, as long as it recognizes the difference in output signals due to power supply / stoppage by the comparator 26.

[0032] Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of a small biometric information measurement device 210 according to the first modified example. As shown in Figure 7, the comparator 226 of the power supply unit 220 is composed of, for example, an IC that has a power good output function that indicates when the output voltage of the comparator 26 has reached a certain level. The comparator 226 starts supplying power from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 when the supply voltage from the photovoltaic panel 22 rises to a first predetermined value or higher, and stops supplying power from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 when the supply voltage from the photovoltaic panel 22 falls to a second predetermined value or lower. In addition, the first terminal of the comparator 226 is composed of a PGOOD terminal 226a, and the output of the PGOOD terminal 226a differs depending on whether power is being supplied from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 via the comparator 226 or whether the power supply from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 via the comparator 226 has stopped. For example, when power is being supplied from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40, the output of the PGOOD terminal 226a is "High", and when the power supply from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 is stopped, the output of the PGOOD terminal 226a is "Low".

[0033] The first and second predetermined values ​​of the supply voltage at which comparators 26 and 226 switch between supplying and stopping power to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 vary depending on the capacity of the photovoltaic panel 22 and the power consumption of the biosensor 42, but can be, for example, around 1.5 to 6.0V. By linking comparators 26 and 226 with the primary battery supply switching unit 30 described later, power can be continuously supplied to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 even if the amount of power generated by the power generation unit having the photovoltaic panel 22 fluctuates.

[0034] The first predetermined value of the supply voltage at which comparators 26 and 226 start supplying power and the second predetermined value of the supply voltage at which comparators 26 and 226 stop supplying power may be the same value, but the second predetermined value may be 5 to 30% lower than the first predetermined value. By setting the second predetermined value to a value lower than the first predetermined value within a predetermined range, such a comparator 26 can prevent the switching of power supply and stoppage from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 from occurring frequently in a short period of time.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the electricity generated by the photovoltaic panel 22 is sent to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 via comparators 26 and 226 and diodes.

[0036] Examples of the primary battery 24 shown in Figure 3 include commercially available button batteries, cylindrical batteries, pin-type batteries, and dry cell batteries of special shapes that are not commercially available. The primary battery 24 may be replaceable by the user, replaceable by the supplier's service, or not replaceable.

[0037] The primary battery supply switching unit 30 shown in Figure 3 receives a signal from the first terminal 26a and switches the supply of power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 in accordance with the signal from the first terminal 26a.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, a logic inverter 232 may be placed between the comparator 226 and the primary battery supply switching unit 30. The logic inverter 232 logically inverts the output of the PGOOD terminal 226a.

[0039] In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 7, the primary battery supply switching unit 30 supplies power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 when it receives a signal from the output of the first terminal 26a for a predetermined period of time indicating that the power supply from the photovoltaic panel 22, which is the power generation unit, to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 has stopped. For example, if the power supply from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 stops for approximately 5 to 15 seconds, the primary battery supply switching unit 30 starts supplying power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40. On the other hand, when the primary battery supply switching unit 30 receives a signal from the output of the first terminal 26a indicating that power is being supplied from the photovoltaic panel 22, which is the power generation unit, to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40, it stops supplying power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40. Furthermore, it is effective from the standpoint of circuit protection to start supplying power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 only when the power supply from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 has been continuously stopped for a predetermined period of time.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the primary battery supply switching unit 30 is located between the primary battery 24 and the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 and has a DC-DC converter 34 to which the voltage from the primary battery 24 is input. The DC-DC converter 34 has an enable terminal 34a that switches the DC-DC converter 34 ON / OFF, and when a "High" signal is continuously input to the enable terminal 34a for a predetermined time, the DC-DC converter 34 turns ON. In other words, the DC-DC converter 34 is composed of an IC or the like that has an enable control circuit.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 7, the primary battery supply switching unit 30 switches the power supply from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 by inputting the output of the PGOOD terminal 226a, which has been logically inverted, to the enable terminal 34a of the DCDC converter 34. For example, when power is being supplied to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 from the photovoltaic panel 22, the output of the PGOOD terminal 226a is "High," and the logic inverter 32 logically inverts its output to "Low" and inputs it to the enable terminal 34a of the DCDC converter 34, causing the primary battery supply switching unit 30 to stop the power supply from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40. On the other hand, if the power supply from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 is stopped, the output of the PGOOD terminal 226a is "Low," and the logic inverter 32 logically inverts its output to "High" and inputs it to the enable terminal 34a of the DC-DC converter 34, causing the primary battery supply switching unit 30 to supply power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the electricity stored in the primary battery 24 is sent to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 via the DC-DC converter 34 and diode of the primary battery supply switching unit 30.

[0043] The power supply units 20 and 220, when the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic panel 22, which is the power generation unit, is sufficient to operate the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40, supply power from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 and stop supplying power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40. Also, when the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic panel 22, which is the power generation unit, is insufficient to operate the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40, the power supply unit 20 stops supplying power from the photovoltaic panel 22 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 and supplies power from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40. Note that the power supply unit 220 of the small biometric information measurement device 210 shown in Figure 7 differs from the power supply unit 20 shown in Figure 3 in that the first terminal of the comparator 226 is a PGOOD terminal 226a and a logic inverter 32 is added between the DCDC converter 34 and the comparator 226, but is otherwise the same as the power supply unit 20.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the bio-information acquisition and transmission unit 40 includes a biosensor 42 that acquires information about biological activity and a transmission unit 44 that transmits the information acquired by the biosensor 42. The bio-information acquisition and transmission unit 40 also includes a control unit 46 that controls the operation of the biosensor 42 and the transmission unit 44, an LED 49 that indicates the driving status of the bio-information acquisition and transmission unit 40, and an antenna 48. The bio-information acquisition and transmission unit 40 is driven by power from the power supply unit 20.

[0045] The biosensor 42 operates under the control of the control unit 46 and acquires information about the wearer's physical activity from the small biometric information measurement device 10. The control unit 46 can, for example, operate the biosensor 42 by supplying power to it, and prevent the biosensor 42 from operating by stopping the power supply to it.

[0046] The small bio-information measurement device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 has a body temperature sensor as a biosensor 42 that measures the wearer's body temperature. Examples of body temperature sensors include those with a thermistor that detects the surface temperature of the skin by a change in resistance, and those that detect temperature by collecting infrared rays emitted from the skin surface. When powered by the control unit 46, the biosensor 42 acquires information about the wearer's body temperature and transmits the acquired information to the transmission unit 44 either directly or via the control unit 46.

[0047] The biosensor 42 of the small biometric information measurement device 10 is not limited to the body temperature sensor described above, but can also employ sensors capable of acquiring various types of information about the wearer's physical activity, such as a body movement sensor to measure body movement, an SpO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen saturation, a heart rate sensor to measure heart rate, and a blood pressure sensor to measure blood pressure. Furthermore, the biosensor 42 may acquire only one type of information about the wearer's physical activity, or it may be possible to acquire multiple types of information about the wearer's physical activity by combining multiple sensor units.

[0048] The transmitting unit 44 shown in Figure 3 operates under control from the control unit 46 and transmits information acquired by the biosensor 42 to the outside via an antenna 48 such as a chip antenna. The transmitting unit 44 is composed of, for example, a BLE module. The control unit 46 can, for example, operate the transmitting unit 44 by supplying power to it, and prevent the transmitting unit 44 from operating by stopping the power supply to it.

[0049] The transmitting unit 44 establishes a predetermined communication protocol with an external device to which the information acquired by the biosensor 42 is to be transmitted, converts the information acquired by the biosensor 42 into a signal in a predetermined frequency band, and transmits the information to the external device. Examples of external devices to which the small bio-information measurement device 10 transmits information include, but are not limited to, portable information terminals such as smartphones, personal computers, and dedicated receiving terminals for smart rings. Furthermore, the transmitting unit 44 is not limited to, but is not limited to, for example, those that transmit information in the 2.4GHz band standardized as Bluetooth®, or those that transmit information in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 60GHz bands standardized as Wi-Fi®.

[0050] Furthermore, it is preferable that the transmitting unit 44 only transmits information, and that the transmitting unit 44 and the other parts of the small bio-information measurement device 10 do not receive information via wireless communication, from the viewpoint of reducing the power consumption of the small bio-information measurement device 10 and enabling continuous operation for a long period of time. However, the transmitting unit 44 may also have information transmission and reception functions. The control unit 46, the transmitting unit 44, and the biosensor 42 may be modularized.

[0051] The control unit 46 shown in Figure 3 uses electricity stored in the power supply unit 20 to control the biosensor 42 and the transmitter 44, etc. The control unit 46 is composed of a control circuit such as a microcontroller. For example, when power is continuously supplied from the power supply unit 20, the control unit 46 can operate the biosensor 42 and the transmitter 44 at predetermined intervals to acquire biological information and transmit it externally.

[0052] Furthermore, the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40 will automatically stop operating due to a voltage drop if it is not supplied with power from the power supply unit 20, and will automatically resume operation due to a voltage rise when power supply from the power supply unit 20 is restored. This repeated stopping and restarting of operation may occur when the amount of charge stored in the primary battery 24 of the power supply unit 20 falls below a predetermined amount.

[0053] The control unit 46 can illuminate the LED 49 when power is being supplied from the power supply unit 20, thereby informing the wearer of the operating status of the small biometric information measurement device 10. Alternatively, the control unit 46 may illuminate the LED 49 when electricity is being supplied from the photovoltaic panel 22, which is the power generation unit, to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40, and turn off the LED 49 when electricity is being supplied from the primary battery 24 to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 40. Such a small biometric information measurement device 10 can extend the lifespan of the primary battery 24 while informing the wearer of the operating status of the small biometric information measurement device 10.

[0054] As described above, the compact biometric information measurement device 10 can be realized as a compact biometric information measurement device 10 that can operate for a long time without charging by using the photovoltaic panel 22 and the primary battery 24 in combination. The compact biometric information measurement device 10 does not need to have a secondary battery that can be charged from an external source, so it can be made simple in structure and is advantageous for miniaturization. Furthermore, the compact biometric information measurement device 10 can switch the power supply / stop of the photovoltaic panel 22 and the primary battery 24 using a simple electronic circuit without using a switch that involves mechanical operation, by using comparators 26, 226 having a first terminal 26a such as a PGOOD terminal 226a and a primary battery supply switching unit 30. In addition, the electronic circuit having the primary battery supply switching unit 30 that uses the output of the comparator 26 and the first terminal 26a has good durability and can also suppress power consumption.

[0055] Furthermore, the small biometric information measurement device 10 can continue to operate even after the voltage of the primary battery 24 drops, as long as the device is placed in an environment where it can receive a predetermined amount of light. Therefore, depending on the application, it can be used for extremely long periods without charging.

[0056] Furthermore, the compact biological information measurement device 10 operates continuously even if the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic panel 22 fluctuates due to changes in the amount of light in the environment in which the compact biological information measurement device 10 is placed. This is achieved by using the first and second predetermined voltages of the comparator 26 as a reference. When the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic panel 22 is high, power is supplied by the photovoltaic panel 22. When the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic panel 22 is low, power is supplied by the primary battery 24. In addition, the compact biological information measurement device 10 has a simple configuration consisting of a comparator 26 having a first terminal 26a and a DC-DC converter 34 having an enable terminal 34a, enabling a low-power and highly reliable switching circuit.

[0057] Although the compact biological information measurement device according to the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, it goes without saying that the compact biological information measurement device according to the present invention is not limited to the compact biological information measurement device 10 described above, and that many other embodiments and modifications exist. For example, Figures 5 and 6 are a plan view (Figure 5) and a cross-sectional view (Figure 6) of the compact biological information measurement device 110 according to the second embodiment.

[0058] The small bio-information measurement device 110 shown in Figures 5 and 6 differs from the small bio-information measurement device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 in that an adhesive member 156 is provided on the side of the housing 150 opposite to the lid 154 side, allowing it to be attached to the skin or other surface to be used. However, the circuit configuration of the power supply unit 20 and the bio-information acquisition and transmission unit 40 shown in Figure 3 is the same as that of the small bio-information measurement device 10 according to the first embodiment. In describing the small bio-information measurement device 110, the differences from the small bio-information measurement device 10 will be the focus, and the similarities with the small bio-information measurement device 10 will be omitted.

[0059] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the housing portion 150 of the small bio-information measurement device 110 has a roughly rectangular flat external shape, and the main body portion 152 of the housing portion 150 has a planar viewing area that is 20% or more larger than that of the lid portion 154 and the photovoltaic panel 122. It is preferable that the main body portion 152 be made of a flexible material such as silicone resin or urethane resin, so that when the small bio-information measurement device 110 is attached to the skin, the shape of the main body portion 152 can conform to the surface of the skin, making it difficult for the small bio-information measurement device 110 to peel off the skin. The adhesive member 156 has an adhesive layer formed thereon for attaching the housing portion 150 to the skin or other surface to be attached.

[0060] In the compact biometric information measurement device 110, by selecting highly flexible materials such as AS resin, perovskite solar cells, and flexible printed circuit boards for the lid 154, photovoltaic panel 122, and circuit board 112, in addition to the main body 152, the compact biometric information measurement device 110 can be made less likely to peel off the object to which it is attached. Direct mounting of the photovoltaic panel 122 to the circuit board 112 is also preferable from the viewpoint of miniaturization.

[0061] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, an LED 149 (see LED 49 in Figure 3 for its function), whose illumination state changes according to the power supply status from the power supply unit 20, is positioned in the center of the photovoltaic panel 122, which is the power generation unit, directly below the cover 154. With the LED 149 positioned in this way, the wearer of the small biometric information measurement device 110 can easily recognize the power supply status of the small biometric information measurement device 110.

[0062] Furthermore, the small biometric information measurement device 110 has the same effects as the small biometric information measurement device 10 in terms of its common features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10, 110, 210... Small biometric information measurement devices 12, 112… Circuit board 20, 220...Power supply section 22…Solar power generation panel (power generation unit) 24…Primary battery 26, 226... Comparators 26...1st terminal 226a...PGOOD terminal 30...Primary battery supply switching section 232...Logic Inverter 34…DC-DC converter 34a... Enable terminal 40…Biometric information acquisition and transmission unit 42…Biosensors 44...Transmitter 46... Control Unit 48… Antenna 49, 149…LED 50, 150... Enclosure 52, 152... Main body 52a... Containment section 52b…Aperture 54, 154...Lid part 156…Adhesive member

Claims

1. A power supply unit comprising: a power generation unit that generates electricity using light, heat, or vibration; a primary battery; a comparator to which the supply voltage of the power generation unit is input; and a primary battery supply switching unit that switches the power supply of the primary battery, The system includes a biosensor that acquires information about biological activity, a transmitting unit that transmits the information acquired by the biosensor, and a biological information acquisition and transmission unit that is driven by power from the power supply unit. The comparator switches the supply of power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit according to the supply voltage, and outputs a signal from the first terminal regarding the power supply status from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit by the comparator. The primary battery supply switching unit is a small biometric information measurement device that receives a signal from the first terminal and switches the supply of power from the primary battery to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit in accordance with the signal from the first terminal.

2. The compact biological information measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation unit has a photoelectric power generation panel that generates electricity by receiving light.

3. The aforementioned biosensor includes a temperature sensor, a body movement sensor, and SpO2. ２ A compact biometric information measurement device according to claim 1, having any of a sensor, a heart rate sensor, or a blood pressure sensor.

4. The comparator starts supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit when the supply voltage rises to or above a first predetermined value, and stops supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit when the supply voltage falls to or below a second predetermined value. The miniature biological information measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the primary battery supply switching unit supplies power from the primary battery to the biological information acquisition and transmission unit when it receives a signal from the output of the first terminal for a predetermined time indicating that the supply of power from the power generation unit to the biological information acquisition and transmission unit has stopped, and stops the supply of power from the primary battery to the biological information acquisition and transmission unit when it receives a signal from the output of the first terminal indicating that power is being supplied from the power generation unit to the biological information acquisition and transmission unit.

5. The first terminal of the comparator is a PGOOD terminal that outputs a "High" signal when the comparator is supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit, and outputs a "Low" signal when the comparator has stopped supplying power from the power generation unit to the biometric information acquisition and transmission unit. The system further includes a logic inverter that logically inverts the output of the PGOOD terminal. The miniature biological information measurement device according to claim 4, wherein the primary battery supply switching unit is disposed between the primary battery and the biological information acquisition and transmission unit, and has a DC-DC converter that switches ON / OFF when the output of the PGOOD terminal, which has been logically inverted by the logic inverter, is input.

6. The housing has an opaque main body having a housing section with an opening, and a transparent lid fixed to the main body so as to seal the opening. The compact biological information measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit and the biological information acquisition and transmission unit are housed in the housing unit.

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