Biological information detection device

Abstract

To obtain a biological information detection device that can detect biological information with high accuracy. [Solution] The biometric information detection device comprises a bladder built into the backrest of the seat, whose internal pressure fluctuates in response to the body movement of a person supported by the backrest; a pressure sensor capable of measuring the internal pressure of the bladder; a pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder; an acquisition unit that acquires adjustment information for adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder in response to changes in the angle of the backrest; an internal pressure control unit that controls the pressure adjustment mechanism to adjust the internal pressure of the bladder based on the adjustment information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a biometric information detection unit that detects biometric information about the person supported by the backrest based on the internal pressure of the bladder measured by the pressure sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological information detection device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a biological information detection device that detects human body information such as a person's heartbeat and respiration based on changes in the internal pressure of a bladder incorporated in the backrest portion of a seat. In this type of technology, when the backrest portion is capable of reclining, the load from the person acting on the bladder changes depending on the angle of the backrest portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, adjustment of the internal pressure of the bladder is not performed when detecting human body information. If the internal pressure of the bladder is set to an optimal value with the backrest portion in an upright state, when the backrest portion is reclined, the fluctuation in the internal pressure of the bladder becomes excessive, exceeding the measurement range of the pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure of the bladder, which may reduce the detection accuracy of human body information. On the other hand, if the internal pressure of the bladder is set to an optimal value with the backrest portion reclined, when the backrest portion is returned to the upright state, the fluctuation in the internal pressure of the bladder becomes weak, which may reduce the detection accuracy of human body information.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and one of its objects is to obtain a biological information detection device capable of detecting biological information with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The biological information detection device according to the present invention comprises: a bladder built into a backrest portion of a seat whose angle can be adjusted and whose internal pressure fluctuates in response to the body movement of a person supported by the backrest portion; a pressure sensor capable of measuring the internal pressure of the bladder; a pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder; an acquisition unit that acquires adjustment information for adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder in response to changes in the angle of the backrest portion; an internal pressure control unit that controls the pressure adjustment mechanism to adjust the internal pressure of the bladder based on the adjustment information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a biological information detection unit that detects biological information relating to the person supported by the backrest portion based on the internal pressure of the bladder measured by the pressure sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The biological information detection device according to the present invention can detect biological information with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a biological information detection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a pneumatic sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a biological information detection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the biological information detection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for biometric information detection processing according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed below. The configurations of the embodiments shown below, as well as the functions, results, and effects brought about by such configurations, are examples only. The present invention can be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments, and it is possible to obtain at least one of the various effects based on the basic configuration or derived effects.

[0010] (Embodiment) Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a biometric information detection system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the biometric information detection system 1 comprises a sheet 11, a pneumatic sensor 12, and a control device 121. The pneumatic sensor 12 and the control device 121 constitute a biometric information detection device 111. The biometric information detection system 1 detects human body information such as the heart rate and respiration of a person on the sheet 11 using the biometric information detection device 111.

[0011] The seat 11 has a seat portion 21 on which a person (user) sits, and a reclining backrest portion 22. The seat portion 21 has a seat surface 21a capable of supporting a person's buttocks. The backrest portion 22 has a backrest surface 22a capable of supporting a person's torso (back, waist). The backrest portion 22 is angle-adjustable to the seat portion 21 via a reclining device, with a pivot axis Ax as the fulcrum. For example, the angle α of the backrest portion 22 with respect to the vertical direction of the seat 11 is adjustable in the range of 0 to 90 degrees. In Figure 1, the Z direction coincides with the upper direction of the seat 11 in the vertical direction.

[0012] The pneumatic sensor 12 is a sensor for detecting body movement, which is movement of the surface of a person's body. The pneumatic sensor 12 outputs a signal of the detected body movement. In this embodiment, the pneumatic sensor 12 detects signals related to a person's heartbeat (pulsation) and respiration as body movement. The signal detected by the pneumatic sensor 12 is also called the detection signal.

[0013] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a pneumatic sensor 12 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the pneumatic sensor 12 comprises a pressure adjustment mechanism 1200, a bladder 1202, a pressure introduction section 1203, and a pressure sensor 1204 provided at the tip of the pressure introduction section 1203.

[0014] The bladder 1202 is built into the backrest 22 of the seat 11. The bladder 1202 receives the load from the person supported by the backrest 22. The internal pressure of the bladder 1202 fluctuates in response to the body movements of the person supported by the backrest 22. The bladder 1202 is a deformable air bladder that responds to pressure fluctuations caused by the supply pressure and the body movements of the person.

[0015] The pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 can adjust the internal pressure of the bladder 1202. Specifically, the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 includes a pneumatic source 1201, piping 1205, and a valve 1206. The pneumatic source 1201 is connected to the bladder 1202 via piping 1205. The pneumatic source 1201 is, for example, an electric pump. The pneumatic source 1201 can increase the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 by supplying air to the bladder 1202 through a passage in piping 1205. The valve 1206 is provided in piping 1205 and can open and close (remove and close) the passage between the pneumatic source 1201 and the bladder 1202. When the valve 1206 is closed, the outflow of air from the bladder 1202 is restricted. When the air pressure source 1201 is stopped, the valve 1206 opens, allowing air from the bladder 1202 to flow out of the bladder 1202 through the piping 1205, thus lowering the internal pressure of the bladder 1202. The valve 1206 is, for example, a solenoid valve. Alternatively, a pressure sensor may be provided in the piping 1205 to detect the air pressure supplied from the air pressure source 1201 to the bladder 1202.

[0016] The pressure introduction part 1203 is connected to one end of the bladder 1202, and the other end is closed with the pressure sensor 1204 disposed thereon. The pressure introduction part 1203 is a tubular member capable of transmitting supply pressure and pressure fluctuations caused by human body motion. The internal volume of the pressure introduction part 1203 is set to be sufficiently small relative to the internal volume of the bladder 1202, so as to transmit pressure changes with high accuracy and speed.

[0017] Furthermore, the pressure introduction part 1203 is made of a material that can transmit pressure to the pressure sensor 1204 while maintaining its shape so as not to absorb pressure fluctuations even when the bladder 1202 deforms based on pressure changes of the air supplied from the air pressure source 1201. Moreover, the pressure introduction part 1203 is disposed in a predetermined space inside the sheet 11, is appropriately supported by a support member, and is configured such that deformation during supply pressure fluctuations is not impeded.

[0018] The pressure sensor 1204 is disposed at the other end of the pressure introduction part 1203, detects the internal pressure (inner pressure) of the bladder 1202 resulting from the supply pressure and human body motion, and outputs a pressure detection signal. Note that the pressure sensor 1204 may be directly connected to the bladder 1202 without going through the pressure introduction part 1203.

[0019] The air pressure source 1201, the valve 1206, and the pressure sensor 1204 are connected to the control device 121.

[0020] Next, the control device 121 of the biological information detection apparatus 111 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0021] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the biological information detection device 111 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the control device 121 detects body movement as biological information based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 1204 and controls the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 via the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200. A measurement sensor 14 is also connected to the control device 121. The measurement sensor 14 is an angle sensor that detects the angle α of the backrest portion 22 and outputs angle information indicating the angle α. For example, the angle α of the backrest portion 22 is the angle of the backrest portion 22 with respect to the vertical direction of the seat 11.

[0022] The control device 121 is an information processing device that performs various calculations according to a program, and includes, for example, a CPU 121a (Central Processing Unit), RAM 121b (Random Access Memory), ROM 121c (Read Only Memory), SSD 121d (Solid State Drive), and I / F 121e (Interface). The control device 121 loads programs stored in ROM 121c and SSD 121d into RAM 121b, and the CPU 121a executes these programs. The control device 121 also sends and receives various information with other devices via I / F 121e.

[0023] In this embodiment, the control device 121 performs processing to detect human biological information based on detection signals related to body movement acquired by the pneumatic sensor 12. At this time, the control device 121 performs adjustment processing to adjust the internal pressure of the bladder 1202.

[0024] Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the biological information detection device 111 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the biological information detection device 111 includes, as functional units, an acquisition unit 201, an internal pressure control unit 202, a biological information detection unit 203, and an output unit 204. These functional units are realized by the CPU 121a executing a program. In other words, these functional units are realized through the cooperation of hardware elements and software elements (programs, etc.) of the biological information detection device 111. Furthermore, at least one of these functional units may be configured by dedicated hardware (circuits, etc.).

[0025] The acquisition unit 201 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 201 acquires the detection signal of the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 output from the pressure sensor 1204 of the pneumatic sensor 12, and angle information indicating the angle α of the backrest 22 output from the measurement sensor 14. The detection signal of the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 is a detection signal of human body movement, i.e., a detection signal related to heart rate and respiration. The angle information indicating the angle α of the backrest 22 is adjustment information for adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 in accordance with changes in the angle α of the backrest 22. The adjustment information is information for adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder 1202, which is affected by the load from the person supported by the backrest 22. Note that the angle information is not limited to that output from the measurement sensor 14. For example, the angle information may be detection information output by detection sensors (switches) provided at both ends of the movable range of the backrest 22. This detection information indicates whether the backrest 22 is in an upright position (angle α = 0 degrees) or a reclined position (angle α = 90 degrees). The angle information may also be input from an external device. For example, if the seat 11 is an electric seat, the external device may output the amount of rotation of the motor that rotates the backrest 22 as angle information.

[0026] The internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 to adjust the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 based on the adjustment information (angle information) acquired by the acquisition unit 201. The internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure that decreases as the angle α of the backrest portion 22 with respect to the vertical direction of the seat 11 increases. The relationship between the angle α of the seat 11 and the target pressure of the bladder 1202 may be linear or stepwise. In this embodiment, the target pressure is set for multiple (three as an example) ranges of angle α of the seat 11. The first angle range is from 0 degrees to 19 degrees, and the target pressure for the first angle range is 10 [kPa]. The second angle range is from 20 degrees to 59 degrees, and the target pressure for the second angle range is 7 [kPa]. The third angular range is where angle α is between 60 and 90 degrees, and the target pressure for this third angular range is 5 kPa. The above target pressure is preset based on experimental results, for example. Note that the relationship between angle α on sheet 11 and the target pressure of bladder 1202 is not limited to the above. The target pressure information showing the relationship between angle α on sheet 11 and the target pressure is stored in a memory unit such as SSD 121d, and the internal pressure control unit 202 acquires the target pressure information from the memory unit. The target pressure information is also called a target pressure map.

[0027] The biometric information detection unit 203 detects biometric information about the person supported by the backrest 22 based on the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 measured by the pressure sensor 1204. The biometric information is either the person's heart rate or respiration, or both. The detection of biometric information can be performed by various known methods.

[0028] The output unit 204 outputs the biological information detected by the biological information detection unit 203 to an external device or the like.

[0029] Next, the biological information detection process by the biological information detection device 111 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the biological information detection process according to this embodiment. The biological information detection process is performed, for example, when the start button of the biological information detection system 1 is operated.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, first, the acquisition unit 201 acquires, as information, the detection signal of the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 output from the pressure sensor 1204 of the pneumatic sensor 12, and angle information indicating the angle α of the backrest 22, which is adjustment information output from the measurement sensor 14 (S101).

[0031] Next, the internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 to adjust the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 based on the adjustment information (angle information) acquired by the acquisition unit 201 (S102). As an example, the internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure that decreases as the angle α of the backrest portion 22 with respect to the vertical direction of the seat 11 increases.

[0032] The biometric information detection unit 203 detects biometric information about the person supported by the backrest 22 based on the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 measured by the pressure sensor 1204 (S103).

[0033] The output unit 204 outputs the biological information detected by the biological information detection unit 203 to an external device or the like (S104).

[0034] The above process is repeated at predetermined intervals.

[0035] As described above, the bio-information detection device 111 of this embodiment comprises a bladder 1202, a pressure sensor 1204, a pressure adjustment mechanism 1200, an acquisition unit 201, an internal pressure control unit 202, and a bio-information detection unit 203. The bladder 1202 is built into a backrest 22 in the seat 11, whose angle α can be adjusted, and its internal pressure fluctuates in accordance with the body movement of the person supported by the backrest 22. The pressure sensor 1204 can measure the internal pressure of the bladder 1202. The pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 can adjust the internal pressure of the bladder 1202. The acquisition unit 201 acquires adjustment information for adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 in accordance with the change in angle α of the backrest 22. The internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 to adjust the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 based on the adjustment information acquired by the acquisition unit 201. The biometric information detection unit 203 detects biometric information about the person supported by the backrest 22 based on the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 measured by the pressure sensor 1204.

[0036] With this configuration, the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 is adjusted in accordance with the change in the angle α of the backrest 22, so that biological information can be detected with high accuracy.

[0037] Furthermore, the adjustment information is angle information indicating the angle α of the backrest portion 22. The internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure that decreases as the angle α of the backrest portion 22 with respect to the vertical direction of the seat 11 increases.

[0038] With this configuration, the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 is adjusted to decrease as the angle α of the backrest portion 22 with respect to the vertical direction of the seat 11 increases, thereby enabling high-precision detection of biological information.

[0039] (First variation) Next, the first modified example will be described. In this modified example, the internal pressure information indicates the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 measured by the pressure sensor 1204. The pressure sensor 1204 repeatedly measures the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 at predetermined intervals and outputs the internal pressure information.

[0040] The acquisition unit 201 of the control device 121 repeatedly acquires adjustment information from the pressure sensor 1204 while the backrest 22 is supporting a person. The internal pressure control unit 202 of the control device 121 performs internal pressure control processing to control the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure within a specified range each time adjustment information is acquired by the acquisition unit 201. In other words, the internal pressure control processing is a feedback process. Here, the target pressure within a specified range is set regardless of the angle α of the backrest 22. In other words, the target pressure within a specified range is the same whether the angle α of the backrest 22 is between 0 degrees and 90 degrees.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, the adjustment information is internal pressure information indicating the internal pressure of the backrest portion 22. The acquisition unit 201 repeatedly acquires the adjustment information. Each time the adjustment information is acquired by the acquisition unit 201, the internal pressure control unit 202 performs internal pressure control processing to control the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure within a specified range, regardless of the angle α of the backrest portion 22.

[0042] With this configuration, the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 is adjusted to a target pressure within a set range regardless of the angle α of the backrest 22, thus enabling high-precision detection of biological information.

[0043] (Second variation) Next, a second modification will be described. In this modification, the measurement sensor 14 (Figure 3) is a pressure sensor that measures the pressure, or load, from the person acting on the backrest 22. The adjustment information is load information indicating the load from the person acting on the backrest 22. Here, the load from the person acting on the backrest 22 and thus the bladder 1202 increases as the angle α of the backrest 22 increases.

[0044] The internal pressure control unit 202 of the control device 121 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure that decreases as the load from the person acting on the backrest 22 increases. The target pressure is set to decrease as the load from the person acting on the backrest 22 increases.

[0045] Each time adjustment information is acquired by the acquisition unit 201 of the control device 121, an internal pressure control process is performed to control the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure within a set specified range, regardless of the angle α of the backrest 22.

[0046] The adjustment information is load information indicating the load from the person acting on the backrest 22. The internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure that is set to decrease as the load from the person acting on the backrest 22 increases. The internal pressure control unit 202 repeatedly performs the above process.

[0047] As described above, in this modified example, the adjustment information is load information indicating the load from the person acting on the backrest 22. The internal pressure control unit 202 controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 1200 so that the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 becomes a target pressure that is set to decrease as the load from the person acting on the backrest 22 increases.

[0048] With this configuration, the internal pressure of the bladder 1202 is adjusted to a target pressure within a set range regardless of the angle α of the backrest 44, thus enabling high-precision detection of biological information.

[0049] The program for implementing the functions of the biological information detection device 111 of the above embodiment and modified examples on a computer (control device 121, etc.) may be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0050] The program may also be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Alternatively, the program may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0051] 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 novel 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]

[0052] 1… Biometric information detection system 11…sheets 12…Pneumatic sensor 14…Measurement Sensor 22... Backrest 111... Biological Information Detection Device 121...Control device 201…Acquisition Department 202...Internal pressure control unit 203... Biological Information Detection Unit 1202... Brada 1200... Pressure regulating mechanism 1201... Air pressure source 1204... Pressure sensor α…Angle

Claims

1. A bladder is built into the backrest of the seat, whose angle can be adjusted, and whose internal pressure fluctuates in response to the body movements of the person supported by the backrest. A pressure sensor capable of measuring the internal pressure of the bladder, The bladder includes a pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the internal pressure, An acquisition unit that acquires adjustment information for adjusting the internal pressure of the bladder in accordance with the change in the angle of the backrest portion, An internal pressure control unit controls the pressure adjustment mechanism to adjust the internal pressure of the bladder based on the adjustment information acquired by the acquisition unit, A biometric information detection unit detects biometric information relating to the person supported by the backrest based on the internal pressure of the bladder measured by the pressure sensor, A biological information detection device equipped with the following features.

2. The adjustment information is angle information indicating the angle of the backrest portion. The internal pressure control unit controls the pressure adjustment mechanism so that the internal pressure of the bladder becomes a target pressure that decreases as the angle of the backrest portion with respect to the vertical direction of the seat increases. A biological information detection device according to claim 1.

3. The adjustment information is internal pressure information indicating the internal pressure of the bladder. The acquisition unit repeatedly acquires the adjustment information, The internal pressure control unit, each time the adjustment information is acquired by the acquisition unit, performs an internal pressure control process to control the pressure adjustment mechanism so that the internal pressure of the bladder becomes a target pressure within a set range, regardless of the angle of the backrest. A biological information detection device according to claim 1.

4. The adjustment information is load information indicating the load from the person acting on the backrest. The internal pressure control unit controls the pressure adjustment mechanism so that the internal pressure of the bladder becomes a target pressure that decreases as the load from the person acting on the backrest increases. A biological information detection device according to claim 1.

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