JP7592508B2 - Respiratory Monitoring System - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act Tokyo Kotsu Shimbun, January 1, 2021, Tokyo Kotsu Shimbun Co., Ltd., Published on page 23

The present invention relates to a respiratory monitoring system, in other words, a respiratory monitoring support system. More specifically, against the background of an increasing number of professional drivers such as taxi drivers retiring due to the aging of the population, the labor shortage in the industry becoming even more serious, and the increasing risk of accidents occurring while driving by elderly people, including professional drivers, this invention relates to a respiratory monitoring system, in other words, a respiratory monitoring support system, which measures the breathing of professional drivers such as taxi drivers while they are driving to grasp the driver's physical and mental condition in real time, establishes objective criteria for determining the driver's health condition that allows for safe driving both physically and mentally, and prevents unfortunate automobile accidents involving third parties, thereby guiding the increased breathing rate during times of stress or anxiety back to normal breathing rate and restoring the increased breathing rate during times of stress or anxiety to normal breathing rate.

The medical basis for the respiratory monitoring system of the present invention is the health management method (Homma Method) developed by the present inventor, Dr. Ikuo Homma, a world authority on brain physiology and respiratory physiology. The inventor's many years of research has revealed that breathing changes in response to human emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and happiness, as well as changes in physical condition, and this is the basis for the idea that measuring breathing while driving is an effective means of determining the driver's mental and physical state in real time.

Nowadays, sensors that monitor a person's health condition have been developed and put to practical use. One example is when a sensor is attached to the chest of a human body (subject), and the PO2 (blood oxygen saturation), breathing sounds, respiratory rate, heart rate, and temperature of the subject can be measured, making it possible to quickly detect signs of pneumonia.

Therefore, it is conceivable that in the future, systems will emerge that can grasp the physical and mental state of a person by attaching them to the body and then use AI to evaluate that state.

However, in the past, while it was possible to grasp the physical state of the target human body (subject), it was considered impossible to grasp the target human body's mental state.

Under such circumstances as in the past, the system of the present application, when considered in its essential aspects, makes it possible to visually grasp the mental state within the human body, which has not been elucidated from the above-mentioned conventional medical and scientific perspectives, and, in the event of a problematic situation, makes it possible to take measures to resolve the problem in advance.

In other words, this invention is based on the finding that the activity of the amygdala in the brain, which creates human emotions, is synchronized with breathing, and that changing breathing can ease emotions and reduce stress. It also focuses on the fact that a person's breathing rate at rest has been shown to correlate with a person's level of trait anxiety, and by monitoring the breathing of a target human body, it is possible to grasp the mental state of that person. If the result of grasping the mental state indicates that the person is in a problematic situation, it is a new and innovative invention that makes it possible to take measures to resolve the problem in advance.

As described later, the present invention is a system in which, for example, sensors are attached to the chest of a taxi driver or other such body, accessories such as a belt, or a seat belt of a vehicle, and while simultaneously measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and other parameters using commonly used sensors, changes in breathing rate and breathing rhythm are monitored to monitor stress and anxiety levels, thereby constantly checking the driver's health, i.e., constantly monitoring the driver's mental state and drowsiness, and having AI automatically give instructions such as when a break is needed. The present system can be applied to taxi drivers, bus drivers, truck drivers, etc. (and of course general drivers), and even train drivers, etc., to constantly monitor the mental state and drowsiness of the target human body, while grasping the stress level in advance, and if, for example, the breathing rate changes due to increased stress, a warning is issued, and a break, for example, stress-relieving exercises, can be taken in advance to relieve the stress level in advance, thereby preventing accidents from occurring.

First, we discuss the relationship between trait anxiety and respiratory parameters during quiet breathing in healthy subjects.

The main function of breathing is to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide to sustain life. This function of breathing is called metabolic respiration and occurs in respiratory centers in the brain stem, particularly in the medulla oblongata and pons. However, in addition to metabolic respiration, so-called behavioral respiration is also generated in higher centers of the brain.

This behavioral respiration is generated by a variety of internal or external environmental changes.
And a subtype of behavioral breathing that is influenced by various emotions has recently been investigated and is termed "emotional breathing."

The autonomic respiratory output, generated by the combination of tidal volume and respiratory rhythm, is therefore not only controlled by metabolic demands but also by ever-changing emotional changes such as fear, anxiety, sadness, and happiness.

It is interesting to note that breathing patterns coexist with the maintenance of homeostasis and emotion.

In addition, breathing is regulated primarily by metabolic centers in the brain stem to maintain homeostasis.

However, breathing can also change in response to changes in emotions such as sadness, happiness, anxiety, and fear.

Final respiratory output is influenced by complex interactions between the brainstem and higher centers, including the limbic system and cortical structures.

Breathing is important in maintaining physiological homeostasis and coexists with emotions.

Next, we will specifically examine the relationship between the combined activity of the piriform lobe and amygdala and respiratory rhythm.

In behavioral breathing, respiratory chest wall movement is achieved by alternating intermittent contractions of the inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscles. The motor commands for the contraction of these muscles are generated by a complex neural network in the brain.

The various afferent inputs are integrated to generate respiratory rhythm and depth activity, primarily in response to metabolic demands.

The most important inputs for respiratory control include chemoreceptors, which form a reflex feedback mechanism for respiratory motor activity.

However, respiratory output is also affected by internal and external environmental changes. This is called behavioral respiration, and is generally thought to have a different mechanism from metabolic respiration.

The final monitor output for breathing is generated by motor neurons in the spinal cord.

In addition, the descent from higher centers to spinal motor neurons is essentially and functionally different from the descent of involuntary automatic breathing. The origin of voluntary control of breathing is in the cerebral cortex.

Stimulation of the primary motor cortex is thought to induce contractions of the human diaphragm and intercostal muscles.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation has revealed that this primary motor cortex corresponds to 1 cm posterior to the intermediate cortex at the vertex.

For example, in cats, electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex at the vertex has been reported to induce short-latency activation of contralateral motoneurons in the intercostal muscles. Transection of the dorsolateral columns of the spinal cord abolishes the response to electrical stimulation. However, transection does not affect spontaneous rhythmic activity of the intercostal muscles.

The spinal cord and pons constitute the metabolic respiratory center. This pathway descends along the ventrolateral column of the spinal cord as the ciliospinal pathway. The descending pathway for autonomous inspiration is located laterally in the ventrolateral column, whereas the pathway for expiration is ventral. Dissection of the pathway abolishes autonomous rhythmic breathing but does not affect the response of respiratory muscles to cortical stimulation.

Second, although metabolic and behavioral respiration follow distinct pathways, this study shows cortical projections to brainstem respiratory neurons, indicating that behavioral influences arising from higher centers modify metabolic respiration.

Autonomic breathing is not only controlled by metabolic demands, but also constantly responds to changes in emotions such as sadness, happiness, anxiety, and fear ("emotional breathing," a subtype of behavioral breathing).

The final respiratory output involves complex interactions between the brainstem and higher centers, including the limbic system and cortical structures.

Next, regarding human emotions and breathing, emotion-induced breathing and emotions generated in the amygdala are accompanied by physiological changes throughout the body. Animal and human studies have shown autonomic and synergistic responses during states of fear and anxiety.

In humans, the relationship between emotions, increased heart rate, and blood pressure has been investigated. The relationship between emotions and breathing also occurs during arousal.

The relationship between emotions and respiratory responses to natural noise and unpleasant sounds has also been investigated.

For example, when subjects look at a photograph, their breathing changes, eliciting a change in emotion; breathing is one physiological process that changes with emotion.

In terms of breathing patterns, breathing rate changes dramatically with emotional changes. It can also be emphasized that changes in breathing rate are related to personality.

Furthermore, personality differences in breathing patterns during mental and physical stress have been reported; that is, individual levels of anxiety have been reported to affect breathing rate, especially expiratory time.

And anxiety is considered a basic emotion and is related to defense mechanisms, i.e. life and death issues. Anticipatory anxiety, defined as the time between the presentation of a warning and a stimulus, increases respiratory rate.

These changes are independent of changes in oxygen consumption, i.e., changes in metabolic demand, and changes in breathing in response to anxiety are influenced by higher centers related to emotions. In other words, respiratory rate is also positively correlated with an individual's trait anxiety score, such as stress.

Furthermore, for example, with regard to drivers of various vehicles, it is essential to consider ways to relieve stress and recover from fatigue associated with long periods of driving.

Patent Document 1 proposes an estimation device that includes a generation unit that generates a learning model that learns the time change of information on a biological reaction caused in a living body when stimulated by a time-varying stimulus factor, an extraction unit that extracts parameters that are generated in the process of generating the learning model and are reflected in the learning state, a parameter output unit that uses the learning model to output the parameters that are newly generated when time-series information on a new biological reaction caused by a new time-varying stimulus factor is input, and an emotion estimation unit that estimates the emotion corresponding to the new stimulus factor using the relationship between the amount of change in the parameter extracted by the extraction unit and the emotion caused by the sensitivity of the living body, and the parameter output from the parameter output unit.

However, the estimation device in Patent Document 1 is thought to require extremely complex processing to generate the learning model and extract parameters.

In other words, it is estimated that there has been no conventional respiratory monitoring system, including that described in Patent Document 1, that has a relatively simple configuration and can accurately monitor the subject's respiratory state, and can guide or restore the respiratory rate that increases when anxiety occurs to a normal respiratory rate while also providing stress relief.

JP 2019-209058 A

The present invention was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and provides a respiratory monitoring system that uses a relatively simple configuration to accurately monitor the respiratory state of a subject, and to guide and restore the respiratory rate that increases during times of stress or anxiety to a normal respiratory rate.

The most important features of the respiratory monitoring system of the present invention, in other words, the respiratory monitoring support system, are that it has a respiratory detection means for detecting the subject's normal respiration and anxious respiration, a respiratory rate calculation means for calculating the normal respiration rate and the increased respiratory rate when anxious based on the normal respiration and anxious respiration, a storage means for storing the normal respiration rate, a means for estimating emotion generation associated with the increased respiratory rate when anxious, a respiratory rate induction information generation means for referring to the storage means in response to the estimation of the subject's emotion generation and guiding the subject's anxious respiration rate to the normal respiration rate, and an information terminal for displaying the normal respiration rate and the increased respiratory rate when anxious calculated by the respiratory rate calculation means and outputting the respiratory rate induction information generated by the respiratory rate induction information generation means.

According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to accurately monitor the respiratory state of subject M with a relatively simple configuration compared to systems using AI technology, and to guide the respiratory rate that increases when anxiety occurs to a normal respiratory rate.In addition, the means for estimating emotion generation is configured to estimate emotion generation based on the appearance of respiratory-related anxiety potentials that are mainly generated in the subject's right temporal pole or left amygdala, so it is possible to realize and provide a respiratory monitoring system that can accurately estimate emotion generation .

According to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to accurately monitor the respiratory state of subject M with a relatively simple configuration compared to systems using AI technology, and to restore the respiratory rate that increases when anxiety occurs to a normal respiratory rate, which can particularly be useful in relieving stress for drivers of various vehicles and greatly contribute to traffic safety.In addition, since the means for estimating emotion generation is configured to estimate emotion generation based on the appearance of respiratory-related anxiety potentials that are mainly generated in the subject's right temporal pole or left amygdala, it is possible to realize and provide a respiratory monitoring system that can accurately estimate emotion generation .

According to the inventions described in claims 3 and 4 , it is possible to accurately monitor the respiratory state of subject M with a relatively simple configuration compared to systems using AI technology, and to guide the respiratory rate that increases when anxiety occurs to a normal respiratory rate.In addition, since the means for estimating emotion generation is configured to estimate emotion generation based on the appearance of respiratory-related anxiety potentials that occur mainly in the subject's right temporal pole or left amygdala, it is possible to accurately estimate emotion generation.Since the respiratory detection means is a patch-type sensor attached to the subject's body, accessory, or seat belt, it is possible to realize and provide a respiratory monitoring system in which the respiratory detection means is simple and easy to handle .

According to the invention described in claim 5, in the invention described in claim 2, the respiratory rate restoration information generation processing means is configured to generate rest information as alarm information for guiding the subject's anxious respiratory rate to a normal respiratory rate in accordance with an estimation of the subject's emotional generation, and behavioral implementation information for encouraging the subject to perform respiratory rhythm recovery exercises to relieve stress.Therefore, it is possible to realize and provide a respiratory monitoring system which has the same effect as the invention described in claim 2 and can restore the subject's respiratory rate to a normal rate by taking a rest or performing respiratory rhythm recovery exercises.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a respiration monitoring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the respiratory information processing means in the respiratory monitoring system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the substitute respiratory center, the voluntary respiratory center, the amygdala, and the like of the brain in the respiratory monitoring system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a respiratory-related anxiety potential of the brain and its source in the respiratory monitoring system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a respiration monitoring system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a respiratory information processing means in the respiratory monitoring system according to the second embodiment.

The present invention provides a respiratory monitoring system with a relatively simple configuration that can accurately monitor the respiratory state of a subject, induce an increased respiratory rate during the occurrence of anxiety to a normal respiratory rate, and also relieve stress. The present invention achieves this objective by including a respiratory detection means for detecting the subject's normal respiration and respiratory rate during anxiety, a respiratory rate calculation means for calculating the normal respiratory rate and the increased respiratory rate during anxiety based on the normal respiration and the anxious respiration, a storage means for storing the normal respiratory rate, a means for estimating the generation of emotions associated with the increased respiratory rate during anxiety as stress generation, a respiratory rate restoration information generation processing means for generating warning information for guiding the subject's respiratory rate during anxiety to a normal respiratory rate by referring to the storage means in accordance with the estimation of the generation of emotions of the subject, and generating action implementation information for relieving stress, and an information terminal for displaying the normal respiratory rate and the increased respiratory rate during anxiety calculated by the respiratory rate calculation means, and outputting the warning information for guiding the subject to a normal respiratory rate and the action implementation information for relieving stress generated by the respiratory rate restoration information generation processing means.

Below, a detailed description of a respiratory monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings.

First, let's talk about breathing: breathing is not just about taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide, but it is also related to emotions such as stress.

As for the metabolic-respiratory center in the brainstem, as shown in Figure 3, there are three respiratory centers. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are regulated by the metabolic breathing center in the brainstem, while the voluntary breathing center, which is controlled by one's own will, is located in the cerebral cortex.

Another thing is that the amygdala, the center that controls emotions, also has a breathing rhythm, and emotions such as anxiety arise in response to this breathing rhythm.

The breathing that occurs here is called emotional breathing.

The amygdala is the part of the brain that determines whether various stimuli applied to the body are interesting or dangerous, and activity in the amygdala is thought to be synchronized with breathing.

And if the subjective feeling of anxiety increases respiratory rate, there is a source of electrical current in limbic regions that is synchronized with the onset of inspiration during anxiety.

350-400 ms after the start of inspiration, a positive wave is observed in the average potential in the average EEG activity triggered at the start of inspiration, as shown in the top panel of Figure 4.

This positive wave is called the respiration-related anxiety potential (RAP). Using a dipole tracking method incorporating the scalp-skull-brain model shown in the lower panel of Figure 4, the source of the RAP is estimated to be in the right temporal pole, but in subjects with low anxiety it is in the right temporal pole, and in the most anxious state it is in the left amygdala.

Next, the respiratory monitoring system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

Example 1
The respiration monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment is based on the above findings.

First, the respiration measurement method in the respiration monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment is as follows.
(1) For example, the breathing rate of professional drivers such as taxi drivers is measured by attaching a sensor that detects chest movement to the chest or belt.
(2) To reduce the hassle of attaching and detaching the sensor when getting in and out of the vehicle and the burden on the driver while driving, the sensor can be integrated into the seat belt, for example.
(3) Data from the sensors is processed, for example, through an application installed on the driver's personal smartphone.
(4) It is essential that the integration of the above-mentioned sensor does not affect the function of the seat belt itself and that any vibrations from the vehicle while in motion that are transmitted to the seat belt and have a direct effect on the measurements be eliminated.

Next, the diagnosis of the above measurement data is as follows.
(1) The system converts each driver's breathing rate at normal times into data, measures the deviation from this breathing rate while driving, and provides on-demand feedback to the driver via their smartphone (usually after they have finished driving) about their physical and mental condition based on the deviation.
(2) However, if the abnormality is deemed serious, a warning message, such as an instruction to suspend operation, will be sent in real time via smartphone.

The respiration measurement method and measurement data diagnosis of the present invention described above can prevent traffic accidents caused by mental and physical abnormalities of the driver while driving, such as drowsiness while driving, illness, or extreme stress. It can also extend the retirement age for elderly professional drivers who are deemed to be in good physical and mental health, helping to alleviate labor shortages.

The sensors can be conventionally known, and the data processing can be performed using a smartphone, so the device worn by the driver is relatively inexpensive.

The respiratory monitoring system 1 according to the illustrated embodiment 1 includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a respiratory detection means 2, such as a patch-type sensor, attached to the body or a personal accessory such as a belt or a seat belt of the subject M in order to detect the subject M's normal breathing and breathing when anxious, an information terminal 3, such as a smartphone, which receives the output signal of the respiratory detection means 2 using a wireless communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and transmits it to a communication network 4 also using a wireless communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and a respiratory information processing means (computer device) 5 which processes the output signal of the respiratory detection means 2 transmitted via the communication network 4.

The patch sensor detects body temperature, heart rate, breathing and its depth, oxygen saturation, etc.

By using the respiration detection means 2, it is possible to simplify and facilitate the handling of the respiration detection means 2 by the subject M.

As shown in FIG. 2, the respiratory information processing means 5 includes a program memory 11 that stores the operating program of the respiratory monitoring system 1 of this embodiment 1, and a control unit 12 that controls the entire respiratory monitoring system 1 based on this operating program. Under the control of the control unit 12, the respiratory information processing means 5 is configured to execute the operation control of each of the following: a respiratory rate calculation means 13 that takes in the output signal of the respiratory detection means 2 and calculates the subject M's normal respiratory rate and the increased respiratory rate when anxious; a storage means 14 that stores at least the normal respiratory rate; a means 15 that estimates the emotional generation of the subject M associated with the increased respiratory rate when anxious; and a respiratory rate induction information generation means 16 that refers to the storage means 14 in accordance with the estimation of the emotional generation of the subject M and generates respiratory rate induction information (audio information or text information) such as "please take a break" that induces the subject M's respiratory rate when anxious to the normal respiratory rate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the means 15 for estimating emotion generation estimates emotion generation based on the appearance of respiratory-related anxiety potentials that occur mainly in the right temporal pole or left amygdala of subject M.

The emotion generation estimation means 15 estimates emotion generation based on the appearance of respiratory-related anxiety potentials that occur mainly in the right temporal pole or left amygdala of the subject, making it possible to accurately estimate emotion generation.

The normal respiratory rate and the increased respiratory rate during anxiety calculated by the respiratory rate calculation means 13 are transmitted from the respiratory information processing means 5 to the information terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and are configured to be displayed over time on the screen of the information terminal 3.

In addition, the respiration rate guidance information generated by the respiration rate guidance information generating means 16, such as "Please take a break," is also transmitted from the respiration information processing means 5 to the information terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and is output as voice by the voice output function of the information terminal 3, or as text information on the screen of the information terminal 3.

According to the respiratory monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment 1 described above, it is possible to accurately monitor the respiratory state of the subject M with a relatively simple configuration compared to systems using AI technology, and to guide the respiratory rate, which increases when anxiety occurs, back to a normal respiratory rate.

Example 2
Second Embodiment Next, a respiration monitoring system 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Note that the respiratory monitoring system 1A according to this embodiment 2 shown in Figures 5 and 6 has a configuration basically similar to that of the respiratory monitoring system 1 according to the embodiment 1. Therefore, in the respiratory monitoring system 1A according to the embodiment 2, the same elements as those in the respiratory monitoring system 1 according to the embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The respiratory monitoring system 1A according to the second embodiment is intended to mainly relieve stress in drivers of various vehicles. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, a respiratory detection means 2 such as a patch-type sensor (patch-type pressure sensor) is attached to the chest of a subject M, a taxi driver, and when a pressure change or acceleration change occurs, the breathing at that time is detected. Alternatively, a band incorporating the respiratory detection means 2 may be worn around the chest to detect the breathing at that time.

Furthermore, an infrared device (not shown) can be placed on the dashboard of the vehicle to detect breathing from the temperature change between the driver's inhaled and exhaled breath.

Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the breathing detection means 2 to be attached to the seat belt of the vehicle.

Examples of drivers of the various vehicles mentioned above include drivers of taxis, passenger cars, trucks, buses, etc.

In addition, this embodiment 2 is characterized in that the respiratory information processing means 5 is provided with a respiratory rate restoration information generating processing means 21 instead of the respiratory rate induction information generating means 16 of the embodiment 1, and in that the means 15 for estimating the generation of emotions associated with an increased respiratory rate during anxiety is provided with a means for estimating the generation of emotions associated with an increased respiratory rate during anxiety as stress generation.

In this embodiment 2, the respiration rate of the subject M at rest is stored in advance in the storage means 14, and is calculated by the respiration rate calculation means 13, for example, every 30 seconds, based on the respiration information of the subject M while driving. When the respiration rate while driving exceeds the respiration rate at rest, warning information such as a yellow display is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 3, for example, based on the operation program. Furthermore, when the yellow display is displayed three times consecutively, or when the yellow display is displayed three or more times within three minutes, for example, the display is switched to a mode in which warning information consisting of a red display is displayed based on the operation program, and at this time, the means 15 for estimating emotion generation is configured to estimate the emotion generation of the subject M.

The respiratory rate restoration information generating processing means 21 is configured to refer to the storage means 14 in response to an estimation of the emotional generation of the subject M, generate warning information (e.g., "please take a break," "stop driving," etc.) to guide the subject M's respiratory rate when anxious to a normal respiratory rate, and also generate action implementation information for stress relief (e.g., information encouraging the subject to do exercises).

Warning information such as "Please take a break, stop driving, etc." generated by the respiratory rate restoration information generating and processing means 21 is transmitted from the respiratory information processing means 5 to the information terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and is configured to be output as voice by the voice output function of the information terminal 3, or as text information on the screen of the information terminal 3.

Similarly, information on actions to be taken to relieve stress is also transmitted from the respiration information processing means 5 to the information terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and is configured to be output as voice by the voice output function of the information terminal 3, or output as text information on the screen of the information terminal 3, for example.

An example of the action implementation information for relieving stress is information encouraging the user to perform respiratory muscle stretching exercises, etc.

Respiratory muscles are the collective term for the muscles around the lungs that move to inhale (the action of breathing in) and exhale (the action of breathing out), and typical examples of these include the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.

By taking such breaks and performing respiratory muscle stretching exercises to restore breathing rhythm, you can ensure that your breathing rate returns to normal.

The warning information may be, for example, a message such as "Please consider the following day a holiday" if the red display appears five or more times in one day.

In this way, the respiratory monitoring system 1A of this embodiment 2 can function as a system for grasping the respiratory and mental and physical state of a driver specialized for a vehicle driver.

The respiratory monitoring system 1A of the present embodiment 2 described above has a relatively simple configuration compared to systems using AI technology, and is capable of accurately monitoring the respiratory state of subject M and restoring the respiratory rate that increases when anxiety occurs to a normal respiratory rate. This is particularly useful for relieving stress for drivers of various vehicles, and contributes greatly to traffic safety.

In the respiratory monitoring systems 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments, the respiratory information processing means 5 can be incorporated into an information terminal 3 such as a smartphone. In this case, the respiratory detection means 2 and the information terminal 3 alone can realize the above-mentioned functions based on a particularly simple configuration.

The respiratory monitoring system of the present invention can be widely used not only by ordinary people going about their daily lives, but also by drivers of various vehicles and athletes participating in various competitive sports.

Furthermore, with the respiratory monitoring system of the present invention, based on the results of future respiratory measurement demonstration tests, devices for measuring blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen concentration, etc. will be added, and the driver's mental and physical state will be monitored in real time with even greater precision. The large amounts of complex data obtained will be able to be instantly and more accurately diagnosed using AI. In the event of an emergency, it will be possible to avoid life-threatening risks to the driver, passengers, and third parties such as pedestrians by contacting medical personnel and automatically stopping the vehicle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Breathing monitoring system 1A Breathing monitoring system 2 Breathing detection means 3 Information terminal 4 Communication network 5 Breathing information processing means 11 Program memory 12 Control unit 13 Breathing rate calculation means 13 Breathing rate calculation means 14 Storage means 15 Means for estimating emotion generation 16 Breathing rate induction information generation means 21 Breathing rate restoration information generation processing means M Subject

Claims (5)

a respiration detection means for detecting the subject's normal respiration and respiration during stress or anxiety;
A respiration rate calculation means for calculating a respiration rate at normal time and an increased respiration rate at the time of stress or anxiety based on the respiration rate at normal time and the respiration rate at the time of stress or anxiety;
A storage means for storing the normal respiratory rate;
A means for estimating emotion generation associated with increased respiratory rate during stress or anxiety;
A respiration rate guidance information generating means for referring to the storage means in response to an estimation of the emotion generation of the subject, and guiding the respiration rate of the subject when the subject is under stress or anxiety to a respiration rate when the subject is under normal stress or anxiety;
an information terminal that displays the normal respiration rate and the increased respiration rate under stress or anxiety calculated by the respiration rate calculation means, and outputs respiration rate lead information generated by the respiration rate lead information generation means;
Including,
The means for estimating emotion generation is configured to estimate emotion generation based on the appearance of a respiratory-related anxiety potential generated in the right temporal pole or the left amygdala of the subject,
A respiratory monitoring system capable of checking the health of a subject by monitoring the subject's stress and anxiety levels from changes in the subject's respiratory rate , configured to be able to objectively judge the subject's health condition while grasping the subject's physical and mental condition, and configured to guide and restore the subject's respiratory rate, which has increased when the subject is stressed or anxious, to a normal respiratory rate, thereby enabling the subject to relieve stress. a respiration detection means for detecting the subject's normal respiration and respiration during stress or anxiety;
A respiration rate calculation means for calculating a respiration rate at normal time and an increased respiration rate at the time of stress or anxiety based on the respiration rate at normal time and the respiration rate at the time of stress or anxiety;
A storage means for storing the normal respiratory rate;
A means for estimating that the generation of emotions associated with the increased respiratory rate during stress or anxiety is the generation of stress;
a respiratory rate restoration information generating processing means for generating warning information for guiding the respiratory rate of the subject when the subject is under stress or anxiety to a normal respiratory rate by referring to the storage means in response to an estimation of the emotional generation of the subject, and for generating action implementation information for relieving stress;
an information terminal which displays the normal respiratory rate calculated by the respiratory rate calculation means and the increased respiratory rate during stress or anxiety, and outputs warning information for guiding the user to return to the normal respiratory rate and action implementation information for relieving stress, which are generated by the respiratory rate restoration information generation processing means;
having
The means for estimating emotion generation is configured to estimate emotion generation based on the appearance of a respiratory-related anxiety potential generated in the right temporal pole or the left amygdala of the subject,
A respiratory monitoring system capable of checking the health of a subject by monitoring the subject's stress and anxiety levels from changes in the subject's respiratory rate , configured to be able to objectively judge the subject's health condition while grasping the subject's physical and mental condition, and configured to guide and restore the subject's respiratory rate, which has increased when the subject is stressed or anxious, to a normal respiratory rate, thereby enabling the subject to relieve stress. 3. The respiratory monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the respiration detection means is a patch-type sensor attached to the subject's body, an accessory, or a seat belt of a vehicle, and is configured to detect the subject's respiration when a pressure change or acceleration change occurs, thereby detecting the subject's normal respiration and respiration when under stress or anxiety. 4. The respiratory monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the patch sensor is configured to detect the subject's breathing as well as the subject's body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. The respiratory monitoring system according to claim 2, characterized in that the respiratory rate restoration information generating processing means generates rest information as the alarm information for guiding the subject's respiratory rate when stressed or anxious to a normal respiratory rate in accordance with an estimation of the subject's emotional generation, and the behavior implementation information for encouraging the subject to perform respiratory rhythm recovery exercises to relieve stress.

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