JP7217445B2 - Sleep posture measurement device and sleep posture measurement method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sleeping posture measuring device and a sleeping posture measuring method. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for simply measuring sleeping posture.

Conventionally, there has been a sleeping posture measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1. This apparatus employs a method in which electrode lines are finely arranged two-dimensionally and the posture is detected at each intersection between the electrode lines.

JP-A-10-14889

However, in the conventional sleeping posture measuring device, the wiring and antenna part related to the measuring mechanism have a complicated structure, and there are restrictions/burdens on installation and operation in terms of thickness, weight, flexibility, and cost.

In order to solve the above problems, a sensor unit having an antenna section, a signal line connected to the antenna section, and a connection section connected to the signal line; and a self-capacitance sensor unit connected to the connection section. A sleeping posture measuring device including a control unit having a measurement IC section for capacitance measurement and a control section for controlling the IC is used.
Further, using the sleeping posture measuring device, by detecting the approach of the antenna unit and a person from the change in the capacitance of the antenna unit over time, a sleeping posture measuring method is used to measure the sleeping posture. .
Furthermore, a sleeping posture measuring method is used in which the sleeping posture is measured by matching the capacitance of each electrode of the plurality of antenna units and measuring the degree of proximity to a person.

In the sleeping posture measuring device of the present invention, the measuring mechanism has a simple multi-layer structure, and there are few restrictions/burdens in installation and operation in terms of thickness, weight, flexibility, and cost. The posture during sleep can be easily measured.

(a) configuration diagram of the sleeping posture measuring device of the embodiment, (b) external view of the sleeping posture measuring device of the embodiment The figure explaining the usage method of the sleeping posture measuring apparatus of embodiment. Cross-sectional view around the antenna part of the embodiment (a) configuration diagram of the sensor unit section of the embodiment, (b) another configuration diagram of the sensor unit section of the embodiment A diagram showing the measurement results by the sleeping posture measuring device in the arrangement of FIG. (a) to (d) perspective views of the antenna part of the embodiment (a) to (e) perspective views of the base of the embodiment FIG. 4 is a diagram showing capacitance when multiple types of antenna units according to the embodiment are placed on multiple types of bases;

(Embodiment 1)
<Structure>
FIG. 1(a) is a configuration diagram of the sleeping posture measuring device 22. FIG. Sleeping posture measurement device 22 includes sensor unit 20 and control unit 21 . FIG. 1A shows the configuration of the sensor unit 20 and the configuration of the control unit 21. FIG. In the control unit 21, each element is connected by an electric circuit. FIG. 1(b) is an external view of the sleeping posture measuring device 22. FIG.

The sensor unit 20 is a part having a sensor that measures a person's sleeping posture.
The control unit 21 is a part that controls the sensor unit 20 .
The sensor unit 20 is covered with an insulating and waterproof cover 41 .

<Sensor unit 20>
The sensor unit 20 includes a substrate 25 , an antenna section 10 , an antenna connection section 11 , a signal line 12 and a connection section 13 .
The base material 25 is a flexible insulating sheet, and has the antenna section 10, the antenna connecting section 11, and the signal line 12 thereon. The base material 25 is, for example, a resin film, cloth, paper, or the like.

The antenna unit 10 measures the degree of proximity between the antenna unit 10 and the person 31 by measuring the capacitance between the antenna unit 10 and the person 31 using the measurement IC unit 14 for self-capacitance capacitance measurement. When the person 31 approaches the antenna section 10, the measured capacitance increases.
The antenna connection portion 11 is a portion that connects the antenna portion 10 and the signal line 12 .
The signal line 12 electrically connects the antenna section 10 and the measurement IC section 14 via the connection section 13 .

The connection part 13 is a part of the sensor unit 20 and is a part connected to the control unit 21 . It is preferable that the connecting portion 13 can be connected to the control unit 21 with one touch, and a pin connector method or the like is preferable.
The sensor unit 20 is made of flexible material and is thin, lightweight and flexible as a whole.

<Control unit 21>
Control unit 21 includes measurement IC section 14 , control section 15 , recording section 16 , display section 17 , communication section 18 and power supply section 19 .
The measurement IC section 14 is a section that measures the capacitance of each of the antenna sections 10 from the signals of the plurality of antenna sections 10 .

The control unit 15 is an IC or the like that controls each component of the sleeping posture measurement device 22 .
The recording unit 16 is an IC memory or the like that stores the measurement result of the measurement IC unit 14 and the set values of each component. When data is not transmitted to the outside, the recording unit 16 may be a removable recording medium such as an SD card or a USB memory.
The display unit 17 is a display such as liquid crystal or EL, or an indicator such as LED. There are operation buttons and the like, and an instruction to operate the sleeping posture measuring device 22 and the like are input. It can also display measurement results. In addition, the display section 17 is a section for setting and instructing components.

The communication section 18 is a section for sending data of the recording section 16 to the outside. Data can be sent wirelessly to personal computers, smart phones, mobile devices, etc. via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN. In the case of a wired connection, the communication section 18 serves as a connector section.

<Action>
A method of using the sleeping posture measuring device 22 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a sleeping posture measuring device 22 placed on a bed 30 and a person 31 sleeping thereon.

In the sleeping posture measuring device 22 , the sensor unit 20 has 12 antenna units 10 . In FIG. 2, each antenna unit 10 is labeled with the antenna unit number 23 . The control unit 21 controls the sensor unit 20 and stores data of each antenna section 10 in the recording section 16 . Examples of data are described below. A control unit 21 controls a plurality of antenna units 10 within the sensor unit 20 .

<Antenna section 10>
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view around the antenna section 10. As shown in FIG. The antenna part 10 has an electrode 10a formed on a plate-shaped base material 10c, and a cover 10b is arranged thereon.
The base material 10c may be used as the entire base material 25 (FIG. 1(a)), and the electrodes 10a may be formed directly on the base material 25. FIG. Similarly, the cover 10b may also be the overall cover 41 (FIG. 1(b)).
The degree of approach of the target object 10d (person 31) to the antenna section 10 is measured by the change in capacitance at the electrode 10a.

The electrode 10a is, for example, a metal foil. A metal foil is, for example, a gold, silver, copper, aluminum, or carbon foil, and is lightweight, thin, and flexible. The metal foil may be formed by a thin film method such as sputtering or vapor deposition, or may be separately prepared and adhered.
Alternatively, the electrode 10a may be formed by a printing method, spin coating, or the like using a conductive paste.

Alternatively, the electrode 10a may be partially or wholly made of conductive thread. A flat plate may be formed using conductive threads such as gold threads, silver threads, copper threads, aluminum threads, and carbon threads. The conductive thread may be a resin fiber coated with each metal. The electrode 10a using the conductive thread is preferable because it is lightweight, thin, flexible, and excellent in durability.
The electrode 10a may be formed by combining metal foil, conductive thread, and conductive paste.

The cover 10b is an insulating and waterproof resin sheet such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PEI (polyetherimide), or PI (polyimide). Alternatively, cloth or paper having insulating properties and being waterproofed may be used. The base material 10c may also be made of the same material as the cover 10b.
The shape of the antenna section 10 including the electrode 10a is rectangular in FIGS. 1A and 2, but may be circular, trapezoidal, polygonal, linear, or the like. In the case of a thin line shape or linear shape, a plurality of them may be arranged in parallel. If the shape is triangular or the arrangement is triangular, they can be arranged at high density. A more preferable shape of the antenna section 10 will be described in Embodiment 2. FIG.

There are a plurality of antenna units 10 , and the control unit 21 can measure the degree of approach of the object 10 d (person 31 ) to each antenna unit 10 .

<Signal line 12>
The signal line 12 electrically connects the antenna connection portion 11 and the connection portion 13 . The signal line 12 may be a metal material patterned on the base material 25 by a printing method or the like, or may be a conductive wire, a conductive thread, or the like.

<Self-capacitance type capacitance sensor>
Since the capacitance measurement method is the self-capacitance method, the structure of the antenna section 10 is a single-layer simple structure in which the electrode 10a is not a bipolar electrode but a single-polar electrode as shown in FIG. structure. The degree of approach of the target object 10 d to the antenna section 10 is measured by the change in capacitance at the antenna section 10 . This capacitance change is measured by the control unit 21 via the signal line 12 .
Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the signal line 12 with a coating 33 (FIG. 3). The coating 33 is conductive, and by grounding the coating 33 to the control unit 21, electromagnetic noise from the outside can be blocked. A so-called shielded line in which the signal line 12 and the coating 33 are coaxial can also be used.

In order to quantitatively measure the degree of approach of the object 10d based on the change in capacitance of the electrode 10a, the lengths of the plurality of signal lines 12 are matched.
FIG. 4A shows an enlarged configuration diagram of the sensor unit 20. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4A, the signal lines 12 connected to a plurality of antenna units 10 are configured to have the same length. Relaxing.

In addition, the thickness of each signal line 12 is adjusted so as to alleviate the difference in capacitance depending on the length of the signal line 12, or an adjustment capacitor or the like is added to each signal line 12. may be
Also, the control unit 21 may offset the difference in capacitance depending on the length of the signal line 12 to reduce the difference.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, which is an enlarged configuration diagram of the sensor unit 20, the coatings 33 are connected near the antenna section 10 by the coating connection portion 26 and the coating connection wire 27 of the sensor unit 20. good too. It should be noted that, even in the case of the signal line 12 as shown in FIG. 1A, it is preferable to similarly provide the covering connection portion 26 and the covering connection line 27 .

<Method for measuring change in capacitance>
Since the electrode 10a of the antenna section 10 of Embodiment 1 has a unipolar structure, there are the following two measurement methods.
(1) Measured in absolute value.
The degree of proximity of the target object 10d to the antenna section 10 is measured based on the time-dependent change in the absolute value of the capacitance of the electrode 10a. The closer the antenna unit 10 and the object 10d are, the more the absolute value of the capacitance increases.
The initial capacitances of the respective electrodes 10a are made equal when the object 10d is not approaching, the absolute values of the capacitances are divided into levels in advance, and the degree of approach is measured at each level. For example, by matching the lengths of the coating 33 of the signal line 12 and the lengths of the plurality of signal lines 12, the initial capacitances of the respective electrodes 10a can be made equal.
As a result, with this method, the degree of proximity of the object 10d to the antenna section 10 can be quantitatively measured.

(2) Measure the difference.
When the initial capacitances of the electrodes 10a are not equal, the degree of proximity of the object 10d to the antenna section 10 is measured based on the change over time of the capacitance variation of the electrodes 10a. The closer the antenna unit 10 and the object 10d are, the more the amount of change in capacitance increases.
Since the initial capacitance at each electrode 10a is not equal, the capacitance at each electrode 10a before measurement (average for a certain period of time before measurement) is used as a reference, and the capacitance is The amount of change (change over time) is calculated for each electrode, the amount of change is threshold-determined, and approach is detected by the determination.
As a result, this method can qualitatively detect the approach of the target object 10d to the antenna section 10 .

<Measurement result>
FIG. 5 shows the results of measurement by the method (1) of absolute value measurement in the arrangement of FIG. The number on the vertical axis means the number 23 of the antenna section in FIG. The numerical value on the horizontal axis corresponds to time, and corresponds to the time after the person 31 fell asleep. The pattern means the degree of proximity between the antenna section 10 and the person 31 .

Numbers 0 to 5 of the antenna section 10 are located on the chest of the person 31 . Numbers 6 to 11 of the antenna section 10 are located at the knees of the person 31 .
As can be seen from FIG. 5, the posture of this person 31 has changed significantly due to body movements during sleep, etc. at the point indicated by the dotted line.
In order to measure a relatively slow change in sleeping posture, a resolution of about 1 second or more is sufficient. Compared to vital data such as respiration and heartbeat, resolution may be lower, so the amount of measurement data can be reduced.
With a simple structure consisting of only one signal line 12 from one antenna section 10, and the structure of the antenna 10 is also simple, the posture during sleep can be sufficiently measured.

By calculating the frequency of body movements such as tossing and turning by this method, it may be possible to measure the quality of sleep.
In addition, by calculating the frequency of body movements such as rolling over using this method, it may be possible to prevent bed sores and sudden infant death syndrome.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(a) to 8. FIG. Matters not explained are the same as in the first embodiment.
When the sensor unit 20 is used, the lower part is not necessarily flat, and often has unevenness. Alternatively, when the sensor unit 20 is used on the bed 30 or the like, the sensor unit 20 is deformed when a person steps on it.

Also in this case, in order to use the sleeping posture measuring device 22 more stably, the shape of the electrode 10a of the antenna section 10 will be examined below.
6A to 6D are perspective views of the antenna section 10. FIG.
In FIG. 6A, the electrode 10a is solid, that is, formed over the entire surface.
In FIG. 6B, the electrode 10a is formed in a snake shape like a snake.
In FIG. 6(c), the electrode 10a is formed in a spiral shape.
In FIG. 6D, the electrodes 10a are formed in a grid pattern.

For the antenna section 10, an electrode 10a having an outer dimension of approximately 50 mm square was used. An aluminum foil was used for the electrode 10a in FIG. 6(a), and a printed silver film was used for the electrode 10a in FIGS. 6(b) to 6(d). A PEN sheet was used for the cover 10b and the base material 10c. The ratio of the metal area to the outer dimension of each electrode 10a in FIGS. 6(b) to 6(d) is about 50%.

These antenna units 10 are arranged on a base 32 whose surface is concave in one direction as shown in FIGS. do. In this case, the base 32 does not deform.
In FIG. 7A, the surface of the base 32 is flat.
7(b)-7(e), the surface of the base 32 has recesses with radii of 200, 100, 50 and 30 mm respectively.
6(a) to 6(d) are arranged on the base 32 of FIGS. 7(a) to 7(e), and when the person 31 gets on the antenna part 10, By simulating, the capacitance value was measured when a grounded conductor was placed near the antenna section 10 . The capacitance value was measured by a Keysight LCR meter. The applied voltage during measurement was 1 V and 100 kHz.

Results are shown in FIG. The vertical axis indicates the capacitance value. The horizontal axis is arranged for each antenna unit 10 in each of FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) on each base 32 in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(e). Note that the notations of X and Y indicate that the base 32 is provided with an R shape in the X direction and the Y direction (FIG. 6) of the antenna section 10, respectively.

The antenna section 10 preferably has no dependence on the direction of the R shape of the base 32 . Therefore, it is preferable that there is no difference between the X direction and the Y direction.
In FIG. 8, the * mark indicates that there is a significant difference in the measurement results when the base 32 is provided with an R shape in the X direction and the Y direction. All the antennas marked with * are the antenna units 10 in FIG. 6(b). In the antenna section 10 of FIG. 6B, the electrodes 10a are formed so as to be biased in one direction. Therefore, a difference occurs in the measured value depending on the direction of the R shape (the direction in which the antenna section 10 bends).

As a result, FIG.6(b) is not preferable as an electrode 10a, and FIG.6(a), FIG.6(c), FIG.6(d) is preferable. The latter electrode 10a has an isotropic shape that is substantially point-symmetrical. With an isotropic shape, it is difficult to depend on the bending direction of the antenna section 10, and stable measurement can be performed. Here, as long as it is an isotropic shape, it may be in a shape other than those shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(c), and 6(d). 6(b) and 6(c), the electrodes 10a shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c) can be produced by a patterning method such as a printing method or a sputtering method. It is conceivable to dispose a conductive wire obtained by removing the electromagnetic shield covering portion of the shielded wire.
(as a whole)
It can be combined with the first and second embodiments.

The sleeping posture measuring device of the present invention can measure a person's sleeping posture. Since this sleeping posture measuring device is a simplified device, it can be used not only in hospitals and nursing homes, but also in homes and lodging facilities.

10 antenna section 10a electrode 10b cover 10c base material 10d object 11 antenna connection section 12 signal line 13 connection section 14 measurement IC section 15 control section 16 recording section 17 display section 18 communication section 19 power supply section 20 sensor unit 21 control unit 22 sleep Posture measuring device 23 Antenna part number 25 Base material 26 Coated connection part 27 Covered connection wire 30 Bed 31 Person 32 Base 33 Cover 41 Cover

Claims (14)

a sensor unit having an antenna section, a signal line connected to the antenna section, and a connection section connected to the signal line;
A sleep posture measurement device including a control unit having a measurement IC unit for self-capacitance capacitance measurement connected to the connection unit, and a control unit that controls the measurement IC ,
The one sensor unit has a plurality of the antenna units,
The sleeping posture measuring device, wherein the antenna section is composed of a base material, an electrode and a cover, the base material and the cover are insulative, and the electrode has a unipolar structure in which part or all of the electrode is made of a conductive material,
The sleeping posture measuring device, wherein the electrodes are spiral-shaped. a sensor unit having an antenna section, a signal line connected to the antenna section, and a connection section connected to the signal line;
A sleep posture measurement device including a control unit having a measurement IC unit for self-capacitance capacitance measurement connected to the connection unit, and a control unit that controls the measurement IC ,
The one sensor unit has a plurality of the antenna units,
The sleeping posture measuring device, wherein the antenna section is composed of a base material, an electrode and a cover, the base material and the cover are insulative, and the electrode has a unipolar structure in which part or all of the electrode is made of a conductive material,
The sleeping posture measuring device, wherein the electrodes have a point-symmetrical and isotropic grid shape. Each of the plurality of antenna sections has one signal line, each of the signal lines is coated with a conductive coating, and each of the coatings is grounded to the control unit at the connection section. The sleeping posture measuring device according to claim 1 or 2 . 4. The sleeping posture measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein each of the coverings is connected by a covering connecting wire at the sensor unit covering connecting portion. Each of the plurality of antenna units has the signal line, and each of the signal lines has the same length so that the capacitance is the same when the electrode and the person are not close to each other. 5. The sleep posture measuring device according to any one of 4 . The sleeping posture measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover is made of a waterproof material. The sleeping posture measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the base material is a base material for the entire sensor unit, and the cover is a cover for the entire sensor unit. The sleeping posture measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the sensor unit is entirely made of a flexible material. The sleeping posture measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the antenna section has an isotropic shape. 10. The sleeping posture measuring device according to claim 9 , wherein the antenna section has a substantially point-symmetrical shape. Using the sleeping posture measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
A sleeping posture measuring method for measuring a degree of proximity between the antenna unit and a person based on the capacitance of the antenna unit. Using the sleeping posture measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
A sleep posture measuring method for detecting proximity between a plurality of antenna units and a person based on a change in capacitance of the antenna units over time, and measuring posture during sleep. Using the sleeping posture measuring device according to claim 5 ,
A sleeping posture measuring method for measuring a posture during sleep by measuring a degree of proximity between a plurality of the antenna units and a person based on a change in capacitance of the antenna unit over time. 13. The sleeping posture measuring method according to claim 11 , wherein an offset process is performed on the capacitances of the plurality of antenna units to match the initial values of the capacitance values.

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