Vibration transmission system

Abstract

This facilitates the transmission of vibrations at a predetermined frequency to a predetermined vibration transmission site. [Solution] The vibration transmission system comprises a vibration transmission device, a database showing the relationship between "body parts" of a person to whom vibrations are transmitted from the vibration transmission device, the vibration transmission parts, and vibration frequencies, and a terminal having an input unit and an output unit. The vibration transmission parts are the parts of the person to whom vibrations are transmitted that are in contact with the vibration transmission device. The output unit outputs information relating to the vibration transmission parts corresponding to the "body parts" input via the input unit, which are identified from the vibration transmission parts for each "body part" in the database. The terminal vibrates the vibration transmission device at the vibration frequencies corresponding to the "body parts" input via the input unit, which are identified from the vibration frequencies for each "body part" in the database.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration transmission system and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there has been disclosed an apparatus that contacts a vibration transmission target and transmits vibration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, it has not been easy to transmit vibration at an appropriate vibration frequency to an appropriate vibration transmission site.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to facilitate transmitting vibration at a predetermined vibration frequency to a predetermined vibration transmission site.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vibration transmission system according to the present invention includes a vibration transmission device, a database showing a relationship between at least a "body part", a vibration transmission site, and a vibration frequency in a vibration transmission target who receives vibration from the vibration transmission device, and a terminal having an input unit and an output unit. The vibration transmission site is a site of the vibration transmission target that contacts the vibration transmission device. The output unit outputs information regarding the vibration transmission site corresponding to the at least "body part" input via the input unit, which is specified from among the vibration transmission sites for each of the at least "body parts" in the database. The terminal vibrates the vibration transmission device at a vibration frequency corresponding to at least one "body part" input via the input unit, which is identified from the vibration frequencies for at least one "body part" in the database.

[0007] The user (practitioner) of the vibration transmission device looks at the screen displayed on the user-side output unit, visually identifies the "vibration transmission area" corresponding to the "body part," and brings the vibration transmission device into contact with that "vibration transmission area" on the person receiving the vibration (the person being treated). This makes it easy to transmit vibrations to the "vibration transmission area" corresponding to the "body part" on the person receiving the vibration, at a "vibration frequency" corresponding to that "body part."

[0008] Preferably, the vibration transmission device includes a vibration generating unit and a transmission unit that transmits vibrations from the vibration generating unit. The transmission section includes a front end and a rear end. The aforementioned tip portion is the part that comes into contact with the person to whom vibration is transmitted, and is composed of a rod-shaped member, which is attached to the rear end portion in a detachable manner.

[0009] The part (tip) that touches the "vibration-receiving area" of the person being vibrated in the vibration transmission measure is made replaceable to facilitate cleaning and other maintenance.

[0010] More preferably, the region of the tip closest to the rear end has a larger coefficient of friction than the region of the tip that is in contact with the person to whom the vibration is transmitted.

[0011] The tip can be attached and detached by gripping the area near the rear end of the tip without touching the area of ​​the tip that comes into contact with the person receiving the vibration.

[0012] Preferably, the vibration transmission device has a light-emitting unit that emits light when the vibration generating unit is turned on and vibrating. The light-emitting portion is positioned such that its optical axis is parallel to the direction in which the rod-shaped member constituting the tip extends.

[0013] Irradiate the area including the "vibration transmission site" in the vibration transmission target person, so that the "vibration transmission site" can be easily visually recognized.

[0014] Also, preferably, the vibration transmission device has an operation unit used for the on / off operation of the vibration generation unit. The housing holding the vibration generation unit includes a pistol-shaped handle. The operation unit is provided on the pistol-shaped handle.

[0015] It becomes easy to hold the vibration transmission device and easy to maintain the state where the tip is abutted against the "vibration transmission site".

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily transmit vibration at a predetermined vibration frequency to a predetermined vibration transmission site.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a configuration diagram of the vibration transmission system of the present embodiment [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the content of the database. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the instruction screen. [Figure 5] It is a configuration diagram of a vibration transmission system including a housing of a vibration generation unit of another shape.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments are not limited to the following embodiments. In principle, the content described in one embodiment is also applied to other embodiments. Also, each embodiment and each modification can be combined as appropriate.

[0019] (Vibration transmission system 1) The vibration transmission system 1 in this embodiment comprises an information server 10, a user terminal 30, and a vibration transmission device 50 (see Figure 1).

[0020] (Information Server 10) The information server 10 includes a server communication unit 11, a server recording unit 13, and a server control unit 15.

[0021] (Server communication section 11) The server communication unit 11 communicates with the user-side communication unit 31 of the user terminal 30 via the network.

[0022] (Server recording section 13) The server recording unit 13 records the database D1.

[0023] (Server control unit 13) The server control unit 15 controls each part of the information server 10.

[0024] (Database D1) The contents of database D1 are entered via an input device (not shown) provided on the information server 10, or via an input device (not shown) on an administrator terminal connected to the information server 10. When database D1 is updated, the server control unit 15 sends information regarding the update of database D1 to the user terminal 30.

[0025] Database D1 shows the relationship between "body part," "type of pain or disease," "vibration transmission site," and "vibration frequency" (see Figure 2). "Body part" refers to the body part of the person receiving the vibration (the person being treated). "Type of pain or illness" refers to the type of pain or illness occurring in a "body part" of the person receiving the vibration transmission. The "vibration transmission area" is the part of the person to whom vibration is transmitted, to which the tip 55a of the transmission section 55 of the vibration transmission device 50 comes into contact. The "vibration frequency" is the frequency at which the vibration generating section 54 of the vibration transmission device 50 is vibrated.

[0026] In database D1, the "vibration transmission site" and "vibration frequency" are set for each "body part" and for each "type of pain or disease." The "vibration transmission points" are defined as reflex zones or similar areas that correspond to at least one of the "body parts" and the "type of pain or disease." The "vibration frequency" is set based on the natural vibration frequency of an organ corresponding to at least one of the "body part" and the "type of pain or disease." The content of database D1, namely the "vibration transmission site" and "vibration frequency" corresponding to at least one of "body part" and "type of pain or disease," may be set differently depending on race, sex, age, physique, etc.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an example where the "body part" is the "heart," the "type of pain or disease" is "tachycardia," the "vibration transmission site" is set to the "root of the gum of the second molar," and the "vibration frequency" is set to "60 Hz." Figure 2 also shows an example where the "body part" is the "liver," the "type of pain or disease" is "inflammation," the "vibration transmission site" is set to the "root of the canine tooth gum," and the "vibration frequency" is set to "75 Hz." Figure 2 also shows an example where the "body part" is the "kidney," the "type of pain or disease" is "inflammation," the "vibration transmission site" is set to the "root of the gums of the central incisor," and the "vibration frequency" is set to "85 Hz." Note that the "vibration transmission site" and "vibration frequency" shown in Figure 2 are examples only and may not match those actually used in operation. In this embodiment, we show an example where the "body part" and the "vibration transmission site" are different, but the "body part" and the "vibration transmission site" may be the same.

[0028] (User terminal 30) The user terminal 30 includes a user-side communication unit 31, a user-side recording unit 33, a user-side control unit 35, a user-side input unit 36, and a user-side output unit 37. The user terminal 30 vibrates the vibration transmission device 50 at a vibration frequency corresponding to at least one "body part" that is input via the user-side input unit 36, which is identified from the vibration frequencies for each "body part" in the database D1.

[0029] (User side communication department 31) The user-side communication unit 31 communicates with the server communication unit 11 of the information server 10 via the network, either by wired or wireless means. The user-side communication unit 31 communicates with the communication unit 51 of the vibration transmission device 50 via short-range wireless communication. Possible short-range wireless communication technologies include IEEE 802.15.1 (Bluetooth®) and IEEE 802.11 (Wireless LAN).

[0030] (User-side recording unit 33) The user-side recording unit 33 records data in database D1. Furthermore, the vibration transmission program of this embodiment is installed in the user-side recording unit 33.

[0031] (User-side control unit 35) The user-side control unit 35 controls each part of the user terminal 30. The user-side control unit 35 executes the vibration transmission program.

[0032] (User-side input section 36) The user-side input unit 36 ​​is used to set the "body part" and "type of pain or illness" of the person to whom vibration is transmitted. The user-side input unit 36 ​​may consist of a touch panel provided on the user-side output unit 37, or it may consist of physical keys separate from the user-side output unit 37. This setting may be selected from the candidates displayed on the user-side output unit 37, or it may be entered by specifically inputting the content.

[0033] (User-side output unit 37) The user-side output unit 37 displays a setting screen P1 (see Figure 3) for the "body part" and "type of pain or illness" of the person to whom vibration is transmitted, and an instruction screen P2 (see Figure 4) which includes the vibration transmission site. In other words, the user-side output unit 37 outputs, as an instruction screen P2, information regarding vibration transmission parts corresponding to at least one "body part" that has been identified from among the vibration transmission parts for each "body part" in the database D1, and which has been input via the user-side input unit 36.

[0034] (Settings screen P1) The settings screen P1 includes a first display area 37a and a second display area 37b. The first display area 37a includes information regarding the "body part" of the person to whom vibration is transmitted. The second display area 37b includes information regarding the "type of pain or illness" of the person receiving vibrations. The first display area 37a and the second display area 37b may be contained within a single screen display, or the first display area 37a may be displayed, the selection of a "body part" may be completed, and after the first confirmation button 37a1 in the first display area 37a is operated, the display may be switched to the second display area 37b. When the second confirmation button 37b1 in the second display area 37b is pressed, the display switches from the settings screen P1 to the instruction screen P2.

[0035] (Instruction screen P2) The instruction screen P2 includes the third display area 37c. The third display area 37c includes information about the body part of the person to whom vibration is transmitted, to which the tip 55a of the transmission part 55 of the vibration transmission device 50 comes into contact.

[0036] (Vibration transmission device 50) The vibration transmission device 50 includes a communication unit 51, a vibration controller 52, a power amplification unit 53, a vibration generation unit 54, a transmission unit 55, an operation unit 56, a light-emitting unit 57, and an AC adapter 59.

[0037] (Communications Section 51) The communication unit 51 communicates with the user-side communication unit 31 via short-range wireless communication.

[0038] (Vibration controller 52) The vibration controller 52 generates a signal based on information about the "vibration frequency" transmitted from the user terminal 30.

[0039] (Power amplification section 53) The power amplification unit 53 amplifies the signal from the vibration controller 52 and drives the vibration generating unit 54 based on the amplified vibration.

[0040] (Vibration generating section 54) The vibration generating unit 54 is composed of a bone conduction device or the like, and vibrates at a vibration frequency transmitted from the user terminal 30. The housing that holds the vibration generating unit 54 includes a pistol-shaped handle.

[0041] (Transmission section 55) The transmission section 55 includes a front end 55a and a rear end 55b, and vibrates together with the vibration generating section 54. The tip portion 55a is the part that comes into contact with the person to whom vibration is transmitted, and is composed of a rod-shaped member. The rear end portion 55b is connected to the vibration generating unit 54 and fixed to the housing of the vibration generating unit 54 via a vibration isolation member such as rubber. The tip portion 55a is attached to the rear end portion 55b in a detachable manner by screwing or the like. The first region 55a1, which is close to the rear end 55b of the tip portion 55a, has a larger coefficient of friction than the second region 55a2, which is the side of the tip portion 55a that comes into contact with the person to whom vibration is transmitted.

[0042] (Operation unit 56) The control unit 56 is used to turn the vibration generating unit 54 on and off. The operating section 56 is provided on the side (trigger portion) where the tip 55a of the pistol-shaped handle of the housing that holds the vibration generating section 54 is located.

[0043] (Light-emitting part 57) The light-emitting unit 57 emits light when the vibration generating unit 54 is turned on and vibrating. The light-emitting unit 57 is mounted near the area where the tip 55a is attached, as the housing holding the vibration generating unit 54, such that the optical axis LX of the light-emitting unit 57 is parallel to the direction in which the rod-shaped member constituting the tip 55a extends. In this embodiment, the operating section 56 and the light-emitting section 57 are positioned such that, when viewed from the side, the operating section 56 and the light-emitting section 57 are positioned on either side of the area to which the tip section 55a is attached.

[0044] The light-emitting unit 57 lights up when the vibration generating unit 54 is ON, and turns off when the vibration generating unit 54 is OFF. However, a separate operating switch (not shown) may be provided for turning the light-emitting unit 57 on and off. In this case, the on / off operation of the light-emitting unit 57 is not linked to the on / off operation of the vibration-generating unit 54.

[0045] (AC adapter 59) The AC adapter 59 connects to the commercial power supply and provides power to each part of the vibration transmission device 50.

[0046] (Operating Procedure) Next, I will explain the operating procedure. Database D1 is already recorded in the server recording unit 13 of the information server 10, and the same content of database D1 is also recorded in the user-side recording unit 33 of the user terminal 30.

[0047] When the database D1 recorded in the server recording unit 13 is updated, the updated content of the database D1 is transmitted from the server communication unit 11 of the information server 10 to the user-side communication unit 31 of the user terminal 30. When the user-side communication unit 31 receives the latest database D1 content from the information server 10, the database D1 in the user-side recording unit 33 is updated.

[0048] With the settings screen P1, which includes the first display area 37a, displayed on the user-side output unit 37, the user (practitioner) of the user terminal 30 uses the user-side input unit 36 ​​to select the "body part" of the person to whom vibration is transmitted. With the settings screen P1, which includes the second display area 37b, displayed on the user-side output unit 37, the user of the user terminal 30 uses the user-side input unit 36 ​​to select the "type of pain or illness" of the person to whom vibration is transmitted. Once the "body part" and "type of pain or illness" are set, the user-side control unit 35 identifies the "vibration transmission site" and "vibration frequency" from the "vibration transmission site" and "vibration frequency" in database D1 that correspond to the "body part" and "type of pain or illness" selected on the setting screen P1.

[0049] For example, if "heart" is selected as the "body part" and "tachycardia" is selected as the "type of pain or illness" on the settings screen P1, the user-side control unit 35 will determine that the corresponding "vibration transmission site" is the "root of the gum of the second molar" and the "vibration frequency" is "60Hz".

[0050] The user-side control unit 35 causes the user-side output unit 37 to display information regarding the identified "vibration transmission area". The user-side control unit 35 causes the user-side communication unit 31 to transmit information regarding vibration instructions at the specified "vibration frequency" to the vibration transmission device 50.

[0051] For example, if "heart" is selected as the "body part" and "tachycardia" is selected as the "type of pain or illness" on the settings screen P1, the user-side control unit 35 displays an instruction screen P2 on the user-side output unit 37, which includes that the identified "vibration transmission site" is the "root of the gum of the second molar" and that the identified "vibration frequency" is "60Hz," and transmits that the identified "vibration frequency" is "60Hz" to the user-side communication unit 31.

[0052] When the communication unit 51 of the vibration transmission device 50 receives information regarding the vibration instruction, and the user of the vibration transmission device 50 operates the control unit 56 to turn on the vibration generating unit 54, the vibration generating unit 54 vibrates at the "vibration frequency" included in the vibration instruction. The user of the vibration transmission device 50 brings the tip 55a of the transmission unit 55 into contact with the "vibration transmission area" of the person to whom the vibration is transmitted.

[0053] (The effect of outputting information about "vibration transmission sites" corresponding to "body parts," etc., and vibrating them at the "vibration frequency" corresponding to those "body parts," etc.) The user (practitioner) of the vibration transmission device 50 looks at the instruction screen P2 displayed on the user-side output unit 37, visually identifies the "vibration transmission area" corresponding to the "body part," and brings the vibration transmission device 50 into contact with the "vibration transmission area" on the person receiving the vibration (the person being treated). This makes it easy to transmit vibrations to the "vibration transmission area" corresponding to the "body part," etc., on the person receiving the vibration, at a "vibration frequency" corresponding to that "body part."

[0054] (The effect of attaching the tip portion 55a to the rear portion 55b in a detachable manner) The part of the vibration transmission device 50 that touches the "vibration transmission area" of the person receiving the vibration (tip 55a) is made replaceable to facilitate cleaning and other maintenance.

[0055] (Effect of increasing the coefficient of friction in the first region 55a1) The tip 55a can be attached and detached by gripping the area of ​​the tip 55a closest to the rear end 55b (first area 55a1) without touching the area of ​​the tip 55a that comes into contact with the person receiving the vibration (second area 55a2).

[0056] (Effects of providing the light-emitting section 57) By irradiating the area containing the "vibration transmission site" in the person being subjected to vibration, the "vibration transmission site" can be made easier to visualize.

[0057] (Effects of providing an operating part 56 on the pistol-type handle) The vibration transmission device 50 is made easier to grip, and it is easier to maintain the state in which the tip 55a is in contact with the "vibration transmission part".

[0058] (Example of communication application between user terminal 30 and vibration transmission device 50) In this embodiment, an example was described in which the user terminal 30 communicates with the vibration transmission device 50 via short-range wireless communication. However, communication between the user terminal 30 and the vibration transmission device 50 is not limited to short-range wireless communication; for example, it may be conducted via a wired connection. Alternatively, the user terminal 30 and the vibration transmission device 50 may be integrated into a single unit.

[0059] (Instead of recording database D1 in the user-side recording unit 33, the database D1 in the server recording unit 13 may be used.) In this embodiment, a method was described in which a database D1 recorded in the user-side recording unit 33 is used to identify the "vibration transmission site" and "vibration frequency" corresponding to the "body part," etc. However, the user terminal 30 may communicate with the information server 10 and use the database D1 recorded in the server recording unit 13 of the information server 10 to identify the "vibration transmission site" and "vibration frequency" corresponding to the "body part," etc.

[0060] (Examples of applications of the output means by the user-side output unit 37) In this embodiment, an example was described in which the user-side output unit 37 outputs information regarding "vibration transmission parts" corresponding to "body parts" by displaying an instruction screen P2 or the like. However, the output of information regarding the "vibration transmission part" may also be in the form of audio.

[0061] (Application example with operation unit 56 omitted) In this embodiment, an example was described in which an operating unit 56 is provided for turning the vibration generating unit 54 and the light-emitting unit 57 on and off. However, the operating section 56 may be omitted. In this case, the vibration generating unit 54 and the light emitting unit 57 are turned on for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 minutes) from the time the communication unit 51 receives information regarding the "vibration frequency" transmitted from the user terminal 30.

[0062] (Examples of applications for the housing that holds the vibration generating unit 54) In this embodiment, an example was described in which the housing holding the vibration generating unit 54 includes a pistol-type handle. However, the enclosure may have other shapes. For example, the enclosure may include a cylindrical shape (see Figure 5).

[0063] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1. Vibration transmission system 10 Information Server 11 Server Communications Section 13 Server Recording Section 15 Server Control Unit 30 User terminals 31 User side communication department 33 User-side recording section 35 User-side control unit 36 User-side input section 37 User-side output section 37a 1st display area 37a1 First Confirmation Button 37b 2nd display area 37b1 Second Confirmation Button 37c 3rd display area 50 Vibration transmission device 51 Communications Department 52 Vibration Controller 53 Power Amplifier 54 Vibration generating part 55 Transmission section 55a Tip 55a1 1st area 55a2 2nd area 55b Rear end 56 Operation section 57 Light-emitting part 59 AC adapter D1 Database LX Light-emitting section optical axis P1 Settings Screen P2 instruction screen

Claims

1. Vibration transmission device, A database showing the relationship between at least "body parts," vibration transmission sites, and vibration frequencies in a person to whom vibrations are transmitted from the vibration transmission device, A terminal having an input section and an output section, The vibration transmission area is the part of the person to whom vibration is transmitted that is in contact with the vibration transmission device. The output unit outputs information relating to the vibration transmission parts corresponding to the at least "body parts" input via the input unit, which are identified from the vibration transmission parts for each of the at least "body parts" in the database. The terminal is a vibration transmission system that vibrates the vibration transmission device at a vibration frequency corresponding to at least one "body part" input via the input unit, which is identified from the vibration frequencies for at least one "body part" in the database.

2. The vibration transmission device comprises a vibration generating unit and a transmission unit that transmits vibrations from the vibration generating unit. The transmission section includes a front end and a rear end, The vibration transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion is the part that contacts the person to whom vibration is transmitted, is composed of a rod-shaped member, and is attached to the rear end portion in a detachable manner.

3. The vibration transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the region of the tip closest to the rear end has a larger coefficient of friction than the region of the tip that is in contact with the person to whom the vibration is transmitted.

4. The vibration transmission device has a light-emitting part that emits light when the vibration generating part is turned on and vibrating, The vibration transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting portion is arranged such that the optical axis of the light-emitting portion is parallel to the direction in which the rod-shaped member constituting the tip portion extends.

5. The vibration transmission device has an operating unit used for turning the vibration generating unit on and off, The housing that holds the vibration generating unit includes a pistol-shaped handle, The vibration transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the operating unit is provided on the pistol-type handle.

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