Monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a watching system capable of determining abnormality in biological information such as a heart rate and a respiration frequency by setting a proper criterion to each measured person.SOLUTION: The watching system comprises: biological information measurement means which measures biological information of a measured person sequentially; a storage unit 33 which records at least a part of the biological information; a normal value range setting unit 35 which sets a normal value range of the biological information of the measured person based on at least a part of the biological information recorded by the storage unit 33; and a biological information determination unit 36 which determines whether or not the biological information measured by the biological information measurement means exceeds the normal value range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system, and more particularly to a monitoring system that measures biological information of a subject using a Doppler sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] Various monitoring systems that measure the biological information of a subject are being studied. Conventional systems that measure cardiac potentials by placing electrodes in contact with the subject place a heavy burden on the subject, so a system that measures biological information without contact using a microwave Doppler sensor is considered promising (see Patent Document 1). A microwave Doppler sensor can obtain biological information such as respiratory rate and heart rate by measuring the subject's body surface and internal movements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-134795 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above system, it is conceivable to issue a warning when an abnormality in the heart rate or respiratory rate is detected. For example, it is conceivable to display the date and time when such an abnormality occurred in a daily health record, or to notify a medical center located in a remote location when an abnormality occurs. However, because the normal range of heart rate and respiratory rate varies from person to person, the criteria for issuing a warning must be appropriately set for each person being measured.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a monitoring system that can set appropriate judgment criteria for each subject and determine abnormalities in biological information such as heart rate and respiratory rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the monitoring system of the present invention includes a biological information measuring means for sequentially measuring biological information of a subject, a biological information recording means for recording at least a portion of the biological information, a normal value range setting means for setting a normal value range of the biological information of the subject based on at least a portion of the biological information recorded by the biological information recording means, and a biological information determining means for determining whether biological information newly measured by the biological information measuring means exceeds the normal value range. Note that a newly measured value refers to a measurement of biological information that has not been used to set the normal value range.

[0007] Here, the monitoring system may further include a sleep state determining means for determining a sleep state of the subject, and the normal value range setting means may set the normal value range of the subject based on the biological information measured after the subject falls asleep.

[0008] The normal value range setting means may set the normal value range of the subject based on the biological information measured when the subject is in a predetermined sleeping state, and the biological information determining means may determine whether the biological information measured when the subject is in the predetermined sleeping state exceeds the normal value range.

[0009] The normal value range may be a plurality of ranges or a stepped range, such as a first normal value range and a second normal value range. For example, the stepped ranges may be set as a normal value range, a caution range, a danger range, and an emergency range.

[0010] The normal value range setting means may set the first normal value range based on the biological information measured when the subject is in REM sleep, and may set the second normal value range based on the biological information measured when the subject is in non-REM sleep. The biological information determining means may determine whether the biological information measured when the subject is in REM sleep exceeds the first normal value range, and whether the biological information measured when the subject is in non-REM sleep exceeds the second normal value range. The measured biological information and personal information such as the subject's medical history and age may be stored in association with these ranges.

[0011] The monitoring system may further include a snoring determination means for determining whether the subject is snoring. The normal value range may include a third normal value range. The normal value range setting means may set the third normal value range based on the biological information measured when the subject is snoring. The biological information determination means may determine whether the biological information measured when the subject is snoring exceeds the third normal value range.

[0012] Such a system can be used in any building, but is particularly useful in buildings where people live daily, such as homes and nursing homes. When a non-contact sensor such as a Doppler sensor is used as the biometric information measuring means, it can be installed out of the sight of the resident, thereby making it possible to measure biometric information without causing any psychological stress. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, appropriate criteria can be set for each subject, and abnormalities in biological information such as heart rate and respiratory rate can be determined. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a Doppler sensor. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a computer included in the monitoring system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a computer according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The monitoring system according to this embodiment is installed in, for example, a building, primarily a home, and a Doppler sensor 10 is attached to the ceiling 41 of a room 40 in the home as a biological information measuring device. The Doppler sensor 10 is connected to a computer 30 via a wired or wireless connection. The computer 30 includes a CPU, memory, and a communication card, and operates according to a program. The computer 30 may be installed in the room 40 or in another room. The computer 30 may also be a computer resource outside the home, such as the cloud. In this case, the Doppler sensor 10 is connected to the computer 30 via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0017] A bed 43 is placed on the floor 42 of the room 40, and a resident, a subject 44, sleeps on the bed 43. The Doppler sensor 10 is attached above the bed 43 and faces directly below, i.e., toward the subject 44. Preferably, the Doppler sensor 10 faces the chest of the subject 44. Note that, although the subject 44 sleeps on the bed 43 in this example, the present invention is also applicable when the subject 44 sleeps on Japanese-style bedding. The Doppler sensor 10 may be attached to the floor or wall.

[0018] 2 is a configuration diagram of the Doppler sensor 10. The Doppler sensor 10 includes an oscillator 11, a transmitting antenna 15, a receiving antenna 16, an I / Q detector 12, a filter 13, and an A / D converter 14. The oscillator 11 generates a sine wave signal, for example, in the 24 GHz band, and the transmitting antenna 15 emits a weak microwave downward. The microwave reflected by an object such as a subject 44, a bed 43, or a floor 42 is received by the receiving antenna 16, and the received signal is input to the I / Q detector 12. The sine wave signal output from the oscillator 12 is also input to the I / Q detector 12. The sine wave signal from the oscillator 12 is split into two signals with a phase difference of 90 degrees, and each signal is mixed with the received signal, thereby generating the I and Q components of the Doppler signal. High-frequency components are removed from the I and Q components by the filter 13, and the A / D converter 14 converts them into digital form. The digital I and Q components are transmitted to the computer 30 via a communication module or the like (not shown).

[0019] 3 is a functional block diagram showing various functions realized in the computer 30. As shown in the figure, the computer 30 functionally includes a frequency analysis unit 31, a biological information acquisition unit 32, a storage unit 33, a sleep state determination unit 34, a normal value range setting unit 35, a biological information determination unit 36, and a notification unit 37. These functions are realized by the computer 30 executing a predetermined program.

[0020] The frequency analysis unit 31 sequentially receives the I and Q components of the Doppler signal and applies frequency analysis processing, such as FFT (Fast Fourier Transform), to either or both of the data received over the most recent fixed period. This calculates the signal strength for each frequency, i.e., the frequency spectrum. Note that the frequency analysis processing may be applied to a complex signal over a fixed period with the I component as the real part and the Q component as the imaginary part, or to data over a fixed period of time of the I or Q component with the higher signal strength. The frequency analysis processing by the frequency analysis unit 31 is performed at fixed time intervals.

[0021] The biological information acquisition unit 32 acquires biological information (including body movement information) of the subject 44 based on the frequency spectrum calculated by the frequency analysis unit 31. Specifically, a spectral peak in a first frequency range (e.g., around 0.3 Hz) corresponding to respiration is identified, and the respiratory rate is calculated from the frequency corresponding to the peak. This respiratory rate is stored in the respiratory rate storage unit 33b of the storage unit 33. As a result, time-series data on the respiratory rate is stored in the respiratory rate storage unit 33b. Furthermore, a spectral peak in a second frequency range (e.g., around 1.25 Hz) corresponding to the heartbeat is identified, and the heart rate is calculated from the frequency corresponding to the peak. This heart rate is stored in the heart rate storage unit 33c of the storage unit 33. As a result, time-series data on the heart rate is stored in the heart rate storage unit 33c. Furthermore, the total signal intensity in a third frequency range (e.g., below 0.1 Hz) corresponding to body movement is calculated, and if this amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that body movement is present. The presence or absence of body movement may also be determined from the variation (variance, etc.) in the value of the Doppler signal before frequency analysis. Information indicating the period of time when body movement is present is stored in body movement information storage unit 33a of storage unit 33. As a result, time-series data on the presence or absence of body movement is stored in body movement information storage unit 33a. The biological information measuring means according to the present invention is, for example, configured with Doppler sensor 10, frequency analysis unit 31, and biological information acquisition unit 32.

[0022] The sleep state determination unit 34 determines the sleep state of the subject 44 based on the contents of the body movement information storage unit 33a, the respiratory rate storage unit 33b, and the heart rate storage unit 33c. As an example, a section where the number of body movements per unit time is greater than a predetermined threshold is determined as a sleep section, and a section where the number of body movements per unit time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold is determined as a sleep onset section. Furthermore, a section where the fluctuation (e.g., variance) of the respiratory rate 33b is greater than a predetermined threshold is determined as a REM sleep section, and a section where the number of body movements per unit time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold is determined as a non-REM sleep section.

[0023] The normal value range setting unit 35 determines a normal value range for the respiratory rate based on the stored contents of the respiratory rate storage unit 33b, and stores the determined value in a normal respiratory rate storage unit 33d of the storage unit 33. The normal value range setting unit 35 also determines a normal value range for the heart rate based on the stored contents of the heart rate storage unit 33c, and stores the determined value in a normal heart rate storage unit 33e of the storage unit 33.

[0024] Specifically, the upper limit of the normal value range of the respiration rate and heart rate associated with REM sleep is determined to be the upper limit of the normal value range of the respiration rate and heart rate associated with REM sleep, either by multiplying the upper limit of the respiration rate and heart rate by a coefficient less than 1 (the upper limit of the respiration rate multiplied by a coefficient less than 1). The lower limit of the normal value range of the respiration rate and heart rate associated with REM sleep is determined to be the lower limit of the normal value range of the respiration rate and heart rate associated with REM sleep (the lower limit of the respiration rate multiplied by a coefficient equal to or greater than 1). These upper and lower limit values ​​of the normal value range are stored in the normal respiration rate storage unit 33d and the normal heart rate storage unit 33e in association with identification information for REM sleep, which is one of the sleep states.

[0025] Similarly, the upper limit of the respiration rate and heart rate acquired within a certain period (e.g., several days to one month) determined by sleep state determination unit 34 to be a sleep onset section and a non-REM sleep section, or a value smaller than the upper limit (a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit of the respiration rate by a coefficient less than 1), is set as the upper limit of the normal value range of the respiration rate and heart rate associated with non-REM sleep. Furthermore, the lower limit of the respiration rate and heart rate acquired within the same period, or a value larger than the lower limit (a value obtained by multiplying the lower limit of the respiration rate by a coefficient of 1 or more), is set as the lower limit of the normal value range of the respiration rate and heart rate associated with non-REM sleep. These upper and lower limit values ​​of the normal value range are stored in normal respiration rate storage unit 33d and normal heart rate storage unit 33e in association with identification information for non-REM sleep, which is one of the sleep states.

[0026] The biological information determination unit 36 ​​determines abnormalities in the biological information of the subject 44. Specifically, it reads the current respiratory rate and heart rate from the respiratory rate storage unit 33b and the heart rate storage unit 33c at predetermined time intervals. It also obtains the current sleep state from the sleep state determination unit 34, reads the normal value range of the respiratory rate corresponding to the current sleep state from the normal respiratory rate storage unit 33d, and reads the normal value range of the heart rate corresponding to the current sleep state from the normal heart rate storage unit 33e. For example, if the current sleep state is during sleep onset and REM sleep, the normal value ranges of the respiratory rate and heart rate associated with the sleep state are read. If the current sleep state is during sleep onset and non-REM sleep, the normal value ranges of the respiratory rate and heart rate associated with the sleep state are read. If the current respiratory rate exceeds the normal value range, the biological information determination unit 36 ​​determines that the respiratory rate of the subject 44 is abnormal. Similarly, if the current heart rate exceeds the normal value range, it determines that the heart rate of the subject 44 is abnormal.

[0027] If the biological information determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the biological information of the person being measured 44, the notification unit 37 notifies the person being measured 44, a remote medical center, or a monitoring system center of that fact. For example, a voice message asking about the person being measured's safety may be emitted in the house where the person being measured lives, or a lamp may be turned on. Alternatively, the notification of the abnormality may be sent to a remote computer via a communication network such as the Internet, along with the identification information of the person being measured 44.

[0028] According to the above-described monitoring system, a normal value range is set for each person 44 based on the respiratory rate and heart rate over a certain period of time, so that abnormalities in the heart rate and respiratory rate can be determined using appropriate criteria for that person 44.

[0029] Furthermore, the heart rate and breathing rate become irregular during REM sleep, whereas they are stable during non-REM sleep. The monitoring system described above sets an appropriate normal value range according to the sleep state, so that abnormalities in the heart rate and breathing rate of the subject 44 can be accurately detected.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above description, the sleep state of the person being measured 44 is determined using the Doppler sensor 10, but the sleep state of the person being measured 44 may also be determined using a contact sensor for another person being measured 44.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a snore determination unit 38 may be provided to set additional normal value ranges for the respiration rate and heart rate acquired during a snoring period. Specifically, a microphone or a noise level detection device (not shown) is installed in the room 40 of FIG. 1 , and its output is input to the snore determination unit 38. The snore determination unit 38 may include, for example, a machine learning model, which determines whether the output of the microphone or the noise level detection device is related to snoring. The normal value range setting unit 35a determines the upper and lower limits of the normal respiration rate range for the snoring period from the upper and lower limits of the respiration rate acquired during a certain period during which snoring is determined. Similarly, the normal value range setting unit 35a determines the upper and lower limits of the normal heart rate range for the snoring period from the upper and lower limits of the heart rate acquired during a certain period during which snoring is determined.

[0032] When the snoring determination unit 38 determines that the subject 44 is currently snoring, the biometric information determination unit 36a acquires the normal value range associated with the snoring period, determines whether the respiratory rate or heart rate is within the normal value range, and determines that there is an abnormality in the respiratory rate or heart rate if, for example, the respiratory rate or heart rate is not within the normal value range.

[0033] When snoring, the subject 44 is unable to take in oxygen properly, resulting in a decrease in blood oxygen concentration. This results in abnormal biological information. According to this modification, abnormalities in the respiratory rate and heart rate of the subject 44 can be accurately determined even when the subject 44 is snoring.

[0034] In the above explanation, the respiratory rate and heart rate are used as biological information, and their normal value ranges are determined in advance, but statistical values ​​and other calculated values ​​obtained from the respiratory rate and heart rate may also be used as biological information. For example, the rate of change, median, and variance of the respiratory rate and heart rate over a certain period may be used as biological information, and the normal value ranges of these values ​​may be determined in the same manner as above.

[0035] It would be even better if this normal value range could be set specifically for each person. In particular, it would be possible to store the person's biological information in association with personal information such as age and medical history.

[0036] In addition, in the above explanation, it is immediately determined that an abnormality has occurred when the biometric information is not within the normal value range, but it is also possible to repeatedly determine whether the biometric information is within the normal value range and make a comprehensive judgment on the occurrence of an abnormality or the trend of the health condition based on the results of multiple determinations.

[0037] In the above description, one normal value range is set for one type of biological information, but multiple normal value ranges may be set for one type of biological information. In this case, the risk of an abnormality occurring may be determined based on which range the biological information falls into. Furthermore, such risk determination may be repeated multiple times, and the results of multiple risk determinations may be taken into consideration in combination to determine whether a warning is necessary or not and other health-related decisions for the subject 44.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above description, the Doppler sensor 10 uses microwaves, but it is also possible to use electromagnetic waves of other wavelengths, such as millimeter waves.

[0039] In the above explanation, the monitoring system is mainly installed in homes, but it can also be installed in non-residential buildings such as clinics and nursing homes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Doppler sensor, 11 oscillator, 12 I / Q detector, 13 filter, 14 A / D converter, 15 transmitting antenna, 16 receiving antenna, 30 computer, 31 frequency analyzer, 32 biological information acquisition unit, 33 memory unit, 34 sleep state determination unit, 35 normal value range setting unit, 36 biological information determination unit, 37 alarm unit, 38 snoring determination unit, 40 room, 43 bed, 44 subject.

Claims

1. a biological information measuring means for sequentially measuring biological information of a subject; a biometric information recording means for recording at least a part of the biometric information; a normal value range setting means for setting a normal value range of the biological information of the subject based on at least a part of the biological information recorded by the biological information recording means; a biological information determination means for determining whether or not the biological information newly measured by the biological information measurement means exceeds the normal value range; a sleep state determination means for determining the sleep state of the subject, the normal value range setting means sets the normal value range of the subject based on the biological information measured when the subject is in a predetermined sleeping state after the subject falls asleep, the biological information determination means determines whether the biological information measured when the subject is in the predetermined sleeping state exceeds the normal value range. Monitoring system.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, the normal value range includes a first normal value range and a second normal value range; the normal value range setting means sets the first normal value range based on the biological information measured when the subject is in a REM sleep state, and sets the second normal value range based on the biological information measured when the subject is in a non-REM sleep state; the biological information determination means determines whether the biological information measured when the subject is in the REM sleep state exceeds the first normal value range, and whether the biological information measured when the subject is in the non-REM sleep state exceeds the second normal value range. Monitoring system.

3. a biological information measuring means for sequentially measuring biological information of a subject; a biometric information recording means for recording at least a part of the biometric information; a normal value range setting means for setting a normal value range of the biological information of the subject based on at least a part of the biological information recorded by the biological information recording means; a biological information determination means for determining whether or not the biological information newly measured by the biological information measurement means exceeds the normal value range; and a snore determination means for determining whether the subject is snoring. the normal value range includes a third normal value range; the normal value range setting means sets the third normal value range based on the biological information measured when the subject is snoring; the biological information determination means determines whether the biological information measured when the subject is snoring exceeds the third normal value range. Monitoring system.

4. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, There are a plurality of pieces of newly measured biological information, and a judgment regarding the health of the subject is made based on at least two pieces of biological information among the plurality of pieces of biological information. Monitoring system.

5. 5. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the biological information determining means performs a multi-stage determination. Monitoring system.

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