Pulse wave variation analysis system

Abstract

This system provides a pulse wave variability analysis system that allows the measurement subject to analyze pulse wave fluctuations while in a natural state during work. [Solution] A pulse wave fluctuation analysis system is provided, which includes a biometric information detection unit that detects the user's biometric information, a biometric information analysis unit that analyzes the biometric information, and a control data generation unit that generates control data for the biometric information detection unit. Depending on the user's operating posture, the detection state of biometric information in the biometric information detection unit changes, the biometric information analysis unit determines whether the signal intensity of the biometric information is lower than a predetermined threshold, and when the control data generation unit determines that the signal intensity is lower than the threshold, it generates control data to increase the signal intensity for the biometric information detection unit and notifies the biometric information detection unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for analyzing pulse wave fluctuations that serve as an indicator of the health condition of a subject while the subject is performing work in daily work. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been disclosed a technique capable of supporting appropriate health management according to a user's purpose in an apparatus that acquires a user's biological information and manages and supports the user's health condition (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2025-020673 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a device capable of measuring pulse waves is used to acquire an indicator indicating a health condition. In this case, in order to perform measurement for the purpose of managing a user's health condition, preparation according to the mode of the measurement device is required. Therefore, for example, when measuring the health condition of a subject (user) engaged in office work, it is necessary to temporarily interrupt work to perform the measurement, rather than performing the measurement within the natural flow of work. That is, in the conventional technology, there is a problem in measurement and analysis for the purpose of managing health condition in a natural state during working hours.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pulse wave fluctuation analysis system capable of analyzing pulse wave fluctuations while a subject remains in a natural state during work. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] (Claim 1) To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a pulse wave fluctuation analysis system comprising: a biometric information detection unit for detecting a user's biometric information; a biometric information analysis unit for analyzing the biometric information; and a control data generation unit for generating control data for the biometric information detection unit, wherein the detection state of the biometric information in the biometric information detection unit changes depending on the user's operating posture; the biometric information analysis unit determines whether the signal intensity of the biometric information is lower than a predetermined threshold; and when the control data generation unit determines that the signal intensity is lower than the threshold, it generates the control data for increasing the signal intensity and notifies the biometric information detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the fluctuations in pulse waves can be analyzed while the subject is in a natural state during work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the pulse wave measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the pulse wave measuring device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] A functional configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the pulse wave measurement system described above. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating an example of an HID protocol endpoint applicable to the above embodiment. [Figure 5] A sequence diagram illustrating the flow of control processing performed in the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes an embodiment of the pulse wave fluctuation analysis system according to the present invention. In describing this embodiment, "biological information" does not refer to general information about an individual's physical characteristics such as face, fingerprints, or voiceprints, but rather to information that quantifies the fluctuations of pulse waves, which are said to change depending on an individual's physical condition (health status). Hereinafter, when "biological information" is used, it mainly refers to information showing the fluctuations of pulse waves as a result of analyzing pulse wave information.

[0010] (Figure 1) Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of a bio-information analysis system 1, which is an embodiment of the pulse wave variation analysis system according to the present invention. Figure 1(b) is a schematic diagram of a mouse 10, which is an embodiment of a pulse wave measuring device applicable to the pulse wave variation analysis system according to the present invention. The bio-information analysis system 1 uses the mouse 10 as a pointing device for giving operation instructions to a personal computer (PC 20) as an information processing device, and also functions as a pulse wave measuring device that measures the pulse wave of a user (subject to measurement) who operates the PC 20 using the mouse 10. The bio-information analysis system 1 analyzes the bio-information notified from the mouse 10 as a pulse wave measuring device, makes a judgment based on an index indicating the health status of the subject to measurement using the analysis results, and functions as a health status determination device that notifies the determination results to an external party as necessary.

[0011] PC20 is an example of a general-purpose device used by a user, such as an employee engaged in corporate work, during their work. It is a well-known fact that a mouse 10 is commonly used when using PC20. Therefore, by measuring biometric information using a device that the user uses naturally during work, such as a mouse 10, and analyzing this biometric information, the user's health status can be managed easily and with high reliability.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1(b), the mouse 10 is an example of an input device that provides input instructions to various applications running on the PC 20, and is equipped with a left-click button 101, a right-click button 102, a click wheel 103, side buttons 104, and other operating parts for providing input instructions.

[0013] (Figure 2, User's operating posture) [Mouse 10] Figure 2 shows an example of the user's operating posture, i.e., the mouse 10 being held by the user's hand H. As will be described later, the mouse 10 is equipped with a pulse wave sensor 110 (see Figure 3) internally. The pulse wave sensor 110 is a sensor that emits light from an LED, shines it onto the fingertips of the hand H, and outputs a pulse wave detection signal generated by receiving the light reflected within the body. Therefore, in order to measure the pulse wave using the pulse wave sensor 110, it is necessary to provide a biometric measurement window 105 that allows the LED light to be shone outwards from the exterior of the mouse 10. As shown in Figure 2, the biometric measurement window 105 is provided at the position where the fingertips of the hand H are placed when the user holds the mouse 10 in an operating state (when held in an operating posture). In other words, the detection state of the pulse wave signal, which is biological information, changes depending on the user's operating posture.

[0014] (There may be multiple biometric measurement windows 105.) Note that the position of the biometric measurement window 105 shown in Figure 2 is just an example, and is not limited to this position, as long as it is a position where light from the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110 is emitted when the user holds the mouse 10, and a pulse wave detection signal can be output. In addition, multiple biometric measurement windows 105 may be provided. Furthermore, a corresponding pulse wave sensor 110 may be placed at each of the multiple positions corresponding to the biometric measurement window 105.

[0015] [Functional Blocks] (Figure 3: Functional Configuration of the Biological Information Analysis System 1) Figure 3 illustrates the functional configuration of the biological information analysis system 1. As illustrated in Figure 3, the mouse 10 is configured to include a pulse wave sensor 110 as a biological information detection unit, a pulse wave signal processing unit 120, a mouse input control unit 130, and a pulse wave input unit 140. The mouse 10 may also be further equipped with a biological abnormality notification unit 150.

[0016] PC20 includes a mouse control signal input unit 201, a mouse control signal analysis unit 202, a pulse wave signal analysis unit 203 serving as a biological information analysis unit, an LED control data generation unit 204, a mouse control processing unit 205, a health condition determination unit 206, a health condition notification unit 207, and a health condition recording unit 208.

[0017] The pulse wave sensor 110 is a device that measures changes in blood flow (pulse waves) in blood vessels that repeatedly change with heartbeat. It mainly detects changes in blood flow using infrared rays and optical technology, monitors pulse waves in real time, and outputs measurement signals.

[0018] The pulse wave signal processing unit 120 converts the measurement signal from the pulse wave sensor 110 into digital data.

[0019] In order to transmit digital data (pulse wave data) generated from pulse wave measurement signals to PC20, the pulse wave input unit 140 provides pulse wave data to an extended HID protocol obtained by expanding an endpoint which is a logical communication channel for transmitting and receiving data between a USB device (mouse 10) and a host (PC20) in USB using the HID (Human Interface Device) protocol, and notifies the mouse input control unit 130 of said pulse wave data.

[0020] The mouse input control unit 130 receives input from an operation unit included in the mouse 10, inputs operation instruction data to the HID protocol with the extended endpoint, and notifies PC20 of the operation instruction data together with the pulse wave data input by the pulse wave input unit 140.

[0021] (Notification of abnormality by vibrator) The biological abnormality notification unit 150, based on an abnormality warning signal that is notified when the PC 20 determines that the user's biological information is in an abnormal state as a result of analyzing the pulse wave data, notifies the user of the abnormal state in a manner that the user can recognize. For example, this could be a vibrator. Note that even if the biological information analysis system 1 does not include the biological abnormality notification unit 150 in the mouse 10, it is still possible to measure the pulse wave when the subject is in a natural state.

[0022] The mouse control signal input unit 201 receives operation instruction data and pulse wave data input from the mouse 10.

[0023] The mouse control signal analysis unit 202 separates the input data from the mouse 10 into operation instruction data and pulse wave data, and notifies the pulse wave signal analysis unit 203 and the mouse control processing unit 205 of the operation instruction data.

[0024] The pulse wave signal analysis unit 203 analyzes the pulse wave data notified from the mouse control signal analysis unit 202 to detect the user's pulse rate and monitor whether the pulse rate is within the normal range. The pulse wave signal analysis unit 203 also determines the situation in which the subject is operating the mouse 10 based on the operation instruction data of the mouse 10 notified from the mouse control signal analysis unit 202. Then, it excludes the pulse wave data notified during a period corresponding to a specific state among the continuous operation status from the analysis target. From the notified pulse wave data, it identifies the analyzed pulse wave data after removing the pulse wave data that was notified during a specific period and was subject to exclusion.

[0025] In other words, the pulse wave signal analysis unit 203 determines the pulse wave data acquisition interval based on the operation pattern of the mouse 10. It then performs analysis processing based on the detection results of the pulse wave data identified as the analysis target interval. The pulse wave signal analysis unit 203 also notifies the LED control data generation unit 204 and the health status determination unit 206 of the analysis results.

[0026] (Adjust the brightness of the LED on the mouse's pulse wave sensor) The LED control data generation unit 204 notifies control data to adjust the light intensity of the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110 (adjust the operating mode) based on the pulse wave signal measured while the subject is holding the mouse 10 in the manner of operation during work, as notified by the analysis results notified by the pulse wave signal analysis unit 203. Depending on the operation mode, the subject's fingers may not be able to make sufficient contact with the pulse wave sensor 110, resulting in insufficient light intensity of the LED and inadequate analysis. To correct this, if the signal intensity in the pulse wave signal analysis is lower than a predetermined threshold, control data to increase the light intensity of the LED is notified to the mouse 10. In addition, the LED control data generation unit 204 determines whether the user's pulse rate is within the normal range based on the analysis results notified by the pulse wave signal analysis unit 203, and if it is not within the normal range, it notifies the biological abnormality notification unit 150 of notification data.

[0027] The mouse control processing unit 205 notifies the operation processing function of the PC 20 of the operation instruction data based on the operation instruction data notified from the mouse control signal analysis unit 202. As a result, an icon for the mouse 10 is displayed on the PC 20 screen, the icon moves according to the movement of the mouse 10, and processing is executed according to the operation of the subject on the mouse 10.

[0028] The health status determination unit 206 calculates the stress level based on the pulse wave variability analysis of the subject, based on the analyzed pulse wave data notified by the pulse wave signal analysis unit 203. Furthermore, if the calculated stress level exceeds a predetermined threshold, the health status determination unit 206 notifies the health status notification unit 207 of data indicating that the subject's stress level exceeds the threshold. The health status determination unit 206 also notifies the health status recording unit 208 of the stress level based on the heart rate variability analysis, along with data indicating the operation method used when the analysis was performed.

[0029] The health status notification unit 207, based on the data notified by the health status determination unit 206, sends a notification to an external device 30 used by the administrator of the person being measured, informing them of the possibility of stress abnormality. This allows the administrator to quickly grasp the possibility that the person being measured is experiencing excessive stress during work, and enables more effective health management of the person being measured (employee). The external device 30 corresponds to the PC 20 used by the administrator.

[0030] The health status recording unit 208 records the stress level notified by the health status determination unit 206, along with data indicating the associated operation patterns, into the storage device of the PC 20. This makes it possible to analyze the correlation between stress levels and work content.

[0031] (The division of functions is not limited to each part.) The functional blocks described using Figure 3 are realized by using the computer hardware installed in the mouse 10 and PC 20 and executing the control programs that run on them. For the sake of explanation, a cluster that performs a specific processing function is referred to as a "...unit," but the functional divisions are not limited to those explicitly shown in Figure 3, as long as the same effect can be obtained in the overall processing function. For example, the pulse wave signal analysis unit 203 realized in the PC 20 may be configured to be realized in the mouse 10.

[0032] (Communication channel between Mouse 10 and PC 20) [Example of HID protocol extension for mouse 10] Figure 4 shows an example of the logical channel format of the HID protocol generated in the pulse wave input unit 140. Endpoints "0" and "1" are communication channels for data related to the operation of the mouse 10, which are used in a normal USB connection. Endpoints "2" and "3" are communication channels specific to the mouse 10, and these channels are used to transmit pulse wave data to the PC 20 and to receive control data for the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110.

[0033] (After a certain period of time has passed since the hand made contact, the LED light intensity increases to acquire the pulse wave.) [Flowchart of pulse wave measurement process according to this embodiment] Next, the flow of pulse wave measurement processing that can be performed in the biological information analysis system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 5. First, in the initial setup process (S501), LED control data is generated and notified to the mouse 10 so that the light intensity of the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110 is set to the minimum amount (off state) until the user's hand H is in contact with the biological measurement window 105 and the system is ready to measure the pulse wave (S502). This is because if the light intensity of the LED is high when the biological measurement window 105 is open, it will be dazzling.

[0034] The mouse 10 transmits pulse wave data to the PC 20 each time (S503). Operation information (mouse data) of the mouse 10 is also transmitted to the PC 20 each time (S504). The PC 20 continuously performs user contact detection processing (S505). When a sudden change in pulse wave data is detected because a part of the fingers of the user's hand H overlaps with the biometric measurement window 105, LED control data is generated to set the brightness of the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110 to the default value (on state) and the mouse 10 is notified (S506). Conversely, when a sudden change in pulse wave data is detected because the fingers of the user's hand H move away from the biometric measurement window 105, LED control data is generated to set the brightness of the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110 to the minimum level and turn it off, and the mouse 10 is notified (S506).

[0035] Note that the initial setup process in step S502 is performed only once when power is supplied to the mouse 10, while the user contact detection process in step S505 is a process that continues to run continuously as long as power is supplied to the mouse 10.

[0036] Upon receiving the pulse wave signal and operation information, the PC20 (S507, S508) performs pulse wave data processing (S509). In step S509, based on the mouse data, the PC20 identifies the section of the pulse wave signal corresponding to when the mouse 10 is being operated, excludes that section from the analysis, and analyzes the pulse wave signal. During the analysis, when the amplitude of the pulse wave signal in the pulse wave data is small (when the LED light intensity is small), the PC20 generates LED control data to increase the LED light intensity and notifies the mouse 10 (S510). The mouse 10, having received the LED control data, increases the light intensity of the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110 (S511).

[0037] Conversely, when the amplitude of the pulse wave signal in the pulse wave data is large (when the LED light intensity is high), LED control data is generated and notified to the mouse 10 so that the LED light intensity decreases (S510). The mouse 10, upon receiving the LED control data, reduces the light intensity of the LED of the pulse wave sensor 110 (S511). This is a process to adjust for the ease of acquiring pulse waves due to individual differences in hand H.

[0038] Steps S509 through S513 correspond to a process that is repeatedly executed in pulse wave data processing (S509) until the amplitude of the pulse wave signal is determined to be a signal suitable for analysis.

[0039] Once the adjustment of the pulse wave sensor 110 is finally completed in step S511, the PC 20 performs the analysis process of the pulse wave data (S514).

[0040] In step S515, the stress level is calculated based on the pulse wave variability analysis of the subject, using the analyzed pulse wave data notified from S514 (S515). In addition, a health status recording process is performed to record data in the storage unit of the PC20, associating the pulse wave analysis data generated in S514 with the operation data of the mouse 10 at the time the pulse wave data that forms the basis of this pulse wave analysis data was acquired (S516). Alternatively, in step S516, the stress level (health status data) calculated in step S515 and the operation data of the mouse 10 at the time the pulse wave data that forms the basis of this stress level calculation was acquired may be associated and recorded in the storage unit of the PC20.

[0041] Then, it is determined whether the calculated stress level exceeds a predetermined threshold (S517). If the determination shows that the stress level exceeds the threshold, a health status notification process is executed to notify the health status notification unit 207 of data indicating that the stress level of the person being measured exceeds the threshold (S518). Based on the notified data, the health status notification unit 207 executes a notification process to the external device 30.

[0042] Furthermore, the pulse wave analysis data generated in step S514 is sent to the mouse 10 (S519).

[0043] If the received pulse wave analysis data indicates an abnormal stress level, the mouse 10 activates the biological abnormality notification unit 150 to notify the user that they are in a state of excessive stress (S520). Note that steps S519 and S520 are not mandatory processes, and the function of managing the health of the person being measured can be achieved by processing up to step S518.

[0044] As described above, with the bio-information analysis system 1 and mouse 10 according to this embodiment, pulse wave data can be acquired when the user operates the PC 20 using the HID protocol that the mouse 10 uses as standard. Therefore, the health status of employees under normal conditions, such as abnormal pulse rate or excessive stress, can be easily grasped.

[0045] In other words, since pulse waves can be measured simply by touching the mouse 10 during work, no preparation is required for pulse wave measurement, and measurement can be performed naturally.

[0046] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical essence, and all technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are subject to the present invention. The above embodiments are shown as preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1: Biological Information Analysis System 10: Mouse 20: Mouse 30: External device 101: Left click button 102: Right-click button 103: Click Wheel 104: Side buttons 105: Window for biometric measurement 110: Pulse wave sensor 120: Pulse wave signal processing unit 130: Mouse input control unit 140: Pulse wave input section 150: Biological Anomaly Notification Department 201: Mouse control signal input section 202: Mouse Control Signal Analysis Unit 203: Pulse wave signal analysis unit 204: LED control data generation unit 205: Mouse control processing unit 206: Health Status Assessment Unit 207: Health Status Notification Department 208: Health Status Record Department

Claims

1. A biometric information detection unit that detects the user's biometric information, A biological information analysis unit that analyzes the aforementioned biological information, A control data generation unit that generates control data for the biological information detection unit, A pulse wave variability analysis system comprising, Depending on the user's operating posture, the detection state of the biological information in the biological information detection unit changes. The biological information analysis unit determines whether the signal intensity of the biological information is lower than a predetermined threshold, When the control data generation unit determines that the signal intensity is lower than the threshold, it generates the control data to increase the signal intensity and notifies the biological information detection unit. A pulse wave fluctuation analysis system characterized by the following features.

2. At a minimum, the biological information detection unit is incorporated into a pointing device used for operating the information processing device. The signal intensity is determined based on the detection result while the pointing device is held in a manner operated by the user. The pulse wave fluctuation analysis system according to claim 1.

3. The biological information analysis unit determines the acquisition interval of the biological information to be used for determination based on the user's operation method. The pulse wave fluctuation analysis system according to claim 2.

4. A health status determination unit determines the user's health status related to the analysis results of the biometric information, A health status recording unit that records the results of the health status determination in association with the user's operation patterns, and further comprises, The pulse wave fluctuation analysis system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The system further includes a health status notification unit that notifies an external device of data including the health status in accordance with the results of the health status determination, The pulse wave fluctuation analysis system according to claim 4.

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