JP7654355B2 - Motion measurement device, motion measurement system, and motion measurement method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a motion measurement device, a motion measurement system, and a motion measurement method.

Conventionally, motion measurement devices that are worn on the fingers of a hand and measure the contact force acting on the fingertips are known. In this motion measurement device, a contact member is placed on the side of the finger, and when the pad of the finger comes into contact with a contacted object, the pressing force acting on the contact member from the side of the finger is measured, and the contact force of the fingertip is calculated from the measurement result (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2018-119801 A

However, in conventional motion measurement devices, the component that measures pressure is provided on the side of the finger. Therefore, when measuring finger motion while the device is attached to the finger, the motion measurement device located on the side of the finger is likely to interfere with adjacent fingers or contacted objects, which can hinder measurement (see Figures 14 and 15).

The objective of the present invention is to provide a motion measurement device that is less likely to interfere with adjacent fingers or contacted objects.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a motion measurement device that is worn on a finger and measures the movement of the finger, the motion measurement device having a sensor that detects displacement of a lateral nail fold of the finger, the sensor being positioned at a position that includes the boundary between the fingernail and the lateral nail fold, and not positioned on the side of the finger .

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a motion measurement device that is less likely to interfere with adjacent fingers or contacted objects.

1 is an enlarged perspective view of a motion measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1 turned upside down. 2 is a front view of the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, flipped upside down. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a motion measurement device according to a first embodiment is attached to a fingertip. FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of FIG. 4. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the motion measurement device according to the present embodiment is being used (a state in which a contacted object is grasped by the palm of the hand with the motion measurement device attached to the index finger). FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a pressure acting on the pad of a finger to which the motion measurement device of the present embodiment is attached is measured by a force gauge. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressing force acting on the pad of the finger measured by a force gauge and the pressure (bulge pressure) due to the displacement of the lateral nail fold of the finger measured by the motion measurement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a motion measurement device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a motion measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart for executing a motion measuring method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a motion measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the motion measurement system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional motion measurement device attached to a fingertip. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a conventional motion measurement device is being used (a state in which a contacted object is being grasped).

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Parts common to each figure may be given the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted. Furthermore, the scale of each member in each figure may differ from the actual scale. Furthermore, in each figure, the longitudinal direction of the motion measurement device is the X direction, the width direction is the Y direction, and the thickness direction is the Z direction. Note that in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the motion measurement device, the upper side may be referred to as the upper side, and the lower side may be referred to as the lower side.

Figures 1 to 6 are diagrams showing a motion measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The motion measurement device 100 according to this embodiment is a device that is worn on a finger F of a hand and measures the motion of the finger F (see Figures 4 to 6). This motion measurement device 100 has a case 10 and a pair of sensors 20, 30 (see Figures 1 to 3 and 5). The motion measurement device 100 is an example of a motion measurement device according to the present invention.

In this specification, the motion measurement device 100 being attached to a finger F means that the motion measurement device 100 is fixed to the finger F (see Figures 4 and 5). The motion of the finger F means that a pressing force (or contact force) CF acts on the pad (finger pad) FP of the finger F when the pad FP comes into contact with a contacted object B (see Figures 5 and 6). Measuring the motion of the finger F means measuring the state in which the pressing force CF acts on the finger pad FP (see Figures 4 to 6).

Note that the pressing force (or contact force) CF is the stress acting on the finger pad FP. Such stress is, for example, the vertical stress (see FIG. 6) when the wearer P grasps the contacted object B with the palm of his/her hand wearing the motion measurement device 100 on his/her finger F, or the shear stress when the wearer P rubs cosmetics or the like onto the motion measurement device 100 with his/her finger F.

The case 10 houses a processing unit, a power supply, etc., which will be described later, inside, and the sensors 20 and 30 are provided on the outside. There are no particular restrictions on the material of the case 10, but it is preferable to use an insulating material.

Examples of insulating materials include synthetic resins such as polyimide (PI), polyetherimide (PEI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyethersulfone (PESU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyacetal (POM), polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS), and acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymer (ABS). These synthetic resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The shape of the case 10 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, a rectangle, a square, a circle, an ellipse, etc., when viewed in the thickness direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, the shape of the case 10 is approximately rectangular when viewed in the thickness direction (Z direction) (see Figures 1 and 4). In addition, the dimensions of the case 10 are not particularly limited, but preferably the width of the case 10 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) is greater than the width of a human fingernail, and more preferably is about the width of a finger (see Figures 4 and 6).

The case 10 has a base 11 and extensions 12, 13. The base 11 of the case 10 is fixed to the nail N of a finger. Specifically, the base 11 has a fixing portion 11a that is fixed to the nail N of the finger F, and side portions 11b, 11c that are aligned in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the motion measurement device 100 and protrude toward the side of the case 10 where the sensors 20, 30 are provided (see Figures 1 to 3 and 5).

The fixed portion 11a of the base 11 is formed between the side portions 11b and 11c, and has a recess that curves along the curved surface of the nail N of the finger F. The fixed portion 11a is provided with a joint member (not shown). The fixed portion 11a is designed to fix the motion measurement device 100 to the nail N of the finger F via this joint member.

The shape of the fixing portion 11a can be designed as desired according to the shape of the nail N of the finger F to be fixed to the fixing portion 11a. The form of the joining member is not particularly limited, and examples include double-sided adhesive tape, a gel-like adhesive sheet, a magnet, a suction cup, etc.

The sides 11b, 11c of the base 11 form both ends of the fixed portion 11a of the base 11 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) (see Figures 1 to 3 and 5). In this embodiment, the sides 11b, 11c of the base 11 form both walls separating the base 11 from the extensions 12, 13, but the base 11 is not limited to this configuration.

In the motion measurement device 100 according to this embodiment, the sensors 20 and 30 detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 of the finger F (see FIGS. 1 to 3). Here, the sensors 20 and 30 are an example of sensors constituting the motion measurement device according to the present invention.

In this specification, lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 refer to the portions of skin adjacent to both side edges SE1 and SE2 of the nail (nail plate) N (see Figures 4 and 5). Displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 refers to a change or fluctuation in the surface position of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2. Sensors 20 and 30 refer to elements or devices that detect the displacement state of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 and convert the detected displacement state into an electrical signal.

In this embodiment, the sensors 20, 30 detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the motion measurement device 100. Specifically, when the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 are displaced in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the motion measurement device 100, pressures (hereinafter, bulging pressures) BP1, BP2 due to the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 act on the sensors 20, 30, and the sensors 20, 30 detect the bulging pressures BP1, BP2 (see FIG. 5).

The direction of the detected displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 is not limited to the thickness direction (Z direction) of the motion measurement device 100, but may be a direction other than the thickness direction (Z direction), such as the longitudinal direction (X direction) or width direction (Y direction) of the motion measurement device 100. Furthermore, the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 is not limited to displacement in one direction, but may be detected in two or more directions (for example, displacement in three axial directions, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, may be detected individually or in combination).

In the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, the positions at which the sensors 20 and 30 are placed are not particularly limited, but it is preferable to place the sensors 20 and 30 at positions including the boundaries B1 and B2 between the nail (nail plate) N of the finger F and the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2. In this embodiment, the sensors 20 and 30 are placed at positions including the boundaries B1 and B2 between the nail N of the finger F and the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 (see Figures 4 and 5).

Here, the boundaries B1, B2 between the nail (nail plate) N and the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 refer to the borders where the nail plate N and the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 are adjacent (see FIG. 4). "Positioned at a position including the boundaries B1, B2" means that the parts 20a, 30a of the sensors 20, 30 may be positioned on a part of the nail plate N as long as the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 can be detected (see FIG. 5).

In the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, the manner in which the sensors 20, 30 are provided is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 has a base 11 that is fixed to the nail N of the finger F, and extensions 12, 13 that extend from at least one of the side portions 11b, 11c of the base 11 to the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2, and the sensors 20, 30 are provided on the extensions 12, 13 (see Figures 4 and 5).

Here, the extension portion extending from at least one of the side portions 11b, 11c refers to one extension portion (extension portion 12) extending from the side portion 11b of the base 11 to the corresponding lateral claw fold NS1, one extension portion (extension portion 13) extending from the side portion 11c of the base 11 to the corresponding lateral claw fold NS2, or two extension portions (extension portion 12 and extension portion 13) extending from the side portions 11b, 11c of the base 11 to the pair of lateral claw folds NS1, NS2 (see Figures 4 and 5).

In the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, the shape of the extensions 12, 13 on which the sensors 20, 30 are provided is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the extensions 12, 13 have inclined surfaces 12a, 13a that incline along the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2, and the sensors 20, 30 are provided on the inclined surfaces 12a, 13a (see Figures 1 to 3 and 5).

Here, the extensions 12, 13 inclining along the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 means that the extensions 12, 13 incline opposite the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 that incline from the nail plate N side of the finger F toward the side surfaces (finger side surfaces) FS1, FS2 of the finger F (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, when the finger F is placed with the finger pad FP facing downward, the extensions 12, 13 on which the sensors 20, 30 are provided incline along the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 that incline downward from the nail plate N side of the finger F toward the finger side surfaces FS1, FS2 (see FIG. 5).

In the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, the type of the sensors 20 and 30 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of detecting the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2, pressure sensors can be used as the sensors 20 and 30. Here, the pressure sensor refers to a device that measures the pressure acting on the diaphragm with a pressure-sensitive element and converts the measured pressure into an electrical signal for output. In this embodiment, a three-axis MEMS pressure sensor capable of simultaneously detecting stress in three directions is used as the sensors 20 and 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the motion measurement device 100 is worn on the index finger F1, but the type of finger on which the motion measurement device 100 is worn is not limited to the index finger, and the motion measurement device 100 may be worn on fingers other than the index finger (thumb, middle finger, ring finger, little finger). In addition, the number of fingers on which the motion measurement device 100 is worn is not limited to one, and the motion measurement device 100 may be worn on two or more fingers at the same time (for example, the index finger and middle finger, etc.).

It has been considered effective to detect the displacement of both side surfaces FS1 and FS2 of a finger F in order to measure the contact force CF acting on the finger pad FP. For example, in a conventional motion measurement device 400 shown in Figures 14 and 15, a base 111 of an arched case 110 is fixed to the nail N of a finger F, and contact members 120 and 130 are provided on arm portions 112 and 113 extending from the base 111 to both side surfaces FS1 and FS2 of the finger F. In this configuration, the contact members 120 and 130 detect the changes in both side surfaces FS1 and FS2 of the finger F, thereby measuring the contact force CF acting on the finger pad FP (see Figures 14 and 15). However, in this configuration, because the contact members 120, 130 are placed on the sides FS1, FS2 of the finger F, the arm portions 112, 113 on which the contact members 120, 130 are provided are prone to interfering with adjacent fingers or contacted objects, which may hinder measurement of finger movements (see Figures 14 and 15).

In response to this, the inventors have discovered that it is possible to measure the contact force CF acting on the pad (finger pad) FP of the finger F by detecting the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, sensors 20, 30 are provided in the motion measurement device 100 that measures the motion of the finger F while attached to the finger F, to detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F (see Figures 1 to 5).

In this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 is configured to detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 (see FIG. 5), and can accurately measure the motion of the finger F in a manner not inferior to the conventional motion measurement device 400 (configured to detect changes in both sides FS1, FS2 of the finger F). Furthermore, with this configuration, it is sufficient to place the sensors 20, 30 on the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F, so there is no need to place the sensors 20, 30 on the finger sides FS1, FS2 as in the conventional case (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).

As a result, in this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 attached to the finger F (F1) is less likely to interfere with the adjacent finger F2. Also, when the finger F (F1) on which the motion measurement device 100 is attached comes into contact with the contacted object B, the motion measurement device 100 attached to the finger F (F1) is less likely to interfere with the contacted object B (see Figures 4 to 6).

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the motion measurement device 100 worn on the finger F (F1) is unlikely to be interfered with by the adjacent finger F2 or contacted object B, making it possible to accurately measure the motion of the finger F. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 worn on the finger F (F1) is unlikely to be interfered with by the adjacent finger F2 or contacted object B, making it unlikely for the wearer P of the motion measurement device 100 or the contacted object B to feel uncomfortable (see Figures 4 to 6).

When the motion measurement device 100 is attached to multiple fingers (e.g., the index finger F1 and the middle finger F2), interference between the motion measurement device 100 attached to the index finger F1 and the motion measurement device 100 attached to the middle finger (adjacent finger) F2 can be suppressed. Therefore, even when the motion measurement device 100 is attached to multiple fingers at the same time, the motion of each finger on which the motion measurement device 100 is attached can be accurately measured.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sensors 20 and 30 arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the motion measurement device 100 can detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 along the longitudinal direction (X direction). As a result, in the first embodiment, it is possible to measure the shear stress or friction force acting in the longitudinal direction (X direction) and width direction (Y direction) of the motion measurement device 100.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state where the pressing force CF acting on the pad of a finger F wearing the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment is measured by a force gauge FG. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressing force CF acting on the pad FP of the finger F measured by the force gauge FG and the pressure (bulge pressure) BP1, BP2 due to the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F measured by the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment. Here, a digital force gauge (RZ-5, manufactured by Aiko Engineering Co., Ltd.) was used as the force gauge FG for measuring the pressing force CF acting on the pad FP of the finger F. In the measurement using the force gauge FG, the pressing force (N) was measured when the finger pad FP was pressed against the contact CP of the force gauge FG (pressed down in the PD direction) (see FIG. 7).

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the behavior of the pressure (bulge pressure (N)) BP1, BP2 due to the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 detected by the sensors 20, 30 is approximately the same as the behavior of the pressing force (N) acting on the finger pad FP measured by the force gauge FG. From this, it can be seen that, as described above, by detecting the displacement state of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F, it is possible to measure the contact force CF acting on the pad (finger pad) FP of the finger F. In other words, Figures 7 and 8 confirm that by detecting the displacement state of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F, it is possible to accurately measure the movement of the finger F.

In addition, in the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, as described above, the sensors 20, 30 are placed at positions including the boundaries B1, B2 between the nail N of the finger F and the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2. As a result, in this embodiment, the sensors 20, 30 can be placed at the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2, so that the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 by the sensors 20, 30 can be reliably detected (see Figures 4 and 5).

In addition, in this embodiment, the sensors 20, 30 are positioned at positions including the boundaries B1, B2 between the nail N of the finger F and the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2, so that it is sufficient to provide the sensors 20, 30 in the portions of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 closer to the nail plate N. In other words, it is not necessary to position the sensors 20, 30 in the portions of the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 closer to the finger sides FS1, FS2. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the size of the motion measurement device 100 can be reduced (see Figures 4 and 5).

In addition, in the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, as described above, by providing the sensors 20, 30 on the extensions 12, 13, the sensors 20, 30 can be positioned at the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 when the motion measurement device 100 is attached to the finger F (see Figures 4 and 5). In addition, because the extensions 12, 13 only extend from the sides 11b, 11c of the base 11 to the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 (because the sensors 20, 30 are not positioned on the finger side surfaces FS1, FS2), the motion measurement device 100 can be configured to be less susceptible to interference from the adjacent finger F2 or the contacted object B when attached to the finger F1 (see Figure 6).

In addition, in the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, as described above, the sensors 20, 30 are provided on the inclined surfaces 12a, 13a of the extensions 12, 13 that are inclined along the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2, so that the sensors 20, 30 can be brought close to the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 (see FIG. 5). This allows the detection accuracy of the sensors 20, 30 to be improved in this embodiment (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8).

In addition, in the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, the above-mentioned pressure sensors are used as the sensors 20 and 30 that detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2, so that the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 can be detected with high accuracy. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the motion of the finger F can be measured more accurately (see Figures 7 and 8).

Figure 9 is a diagram showing a motion measurement device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 9, parts common to the first embodiment (Figure 1, etc.) are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the motion measurement device 100 according to the second embodiment, the sensor 20 is composed of two sensors (sensor 21 and sensor 22) arranged in the width direction (Y direction) of the motion measurement device 100, and the sensor 30 is composed of two sensors (sensor 31 and sensor 32) arranged in the width direction (Y direction) (see Figure 9).

In the second embodiment, sensors 21 and 22 of sensor 20 arranged side by side in the width direction (Y direction) of the motion measurement device 100 can detect the displacement of lateral nail fold NS1 along the width direction (Y direction). Also, sensors 31 and 32 of sensor 30 arranged side by side in the width direction (Y direction) can detect the displacement of lateral nail fold NS2 along the width direction (Y direction).

Furthermore, sensor 21 of sensor 20 and sensor 31 of sensor 30, which are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the motion measurement device 100, can detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 along the longitudinal direction (X direction).Furthermore, sensor 22 of sensor 20 and sensor 32 of sensor 30, which are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (X direction), can detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 along the longitudinal direction (X direction).

As a result, in the second embodiment, it is possible to measure with high accuracy the shear stress or friction force acting in the longitudinal direction (X direction) and width direction (Y direction) of the motion measurement device 100. Also, in the second embodiment, a greater number of sensors are placed in the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 than in the first embodiment, so from this perspective as well, it is possible to detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 with higher accuracy.

Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a motion measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing how to execute a motion measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below, the internal configuration of the motion measurement device according to this embodiment and the motion measurement method using the motion measurement device according to this embodiment as the motion measurement method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

In the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, the configuration for measuring the motion of the finger F is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 has sensors 20, 30, an amplifier circuit 40, a microprocessor 50, a power supply 70, and a display 80 (see FIG. 10). Note that the motion measurement device 100 is an example of a motion measurement device according to the present invention.

The motion measurement method according to this embodiment is a method for measuring the motion of a finger F. The motion measurement method according to this embodiment is an example of a motion measurement method according to the present invention. In the motion measurement method of this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 is attached to the finger F (see Figures 4 to 6 and Figure 11). Specifically, the motion measurement device 100 is attached to the finger F so that the sensors 20, 30 come into contact with the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F (see Figure 11, step S1).

After attaching the motion measurement device 100 to the finger F, it is preferable to calibrate the motion measurement device 100 before measuring the motion of the finger F. Specifically, a graph showing the relationship between the pressing force, longitudinal (X direction) and width (Y direction) shear stress, frictional force, and bulging pressure is created, and a table is obtained for converting the bulging pressure to pressing force, longitudinal (X direction) and width (Y direction) shear stress, and frictional force. Based on this table, the motion measurement device 100 converts the detected bulging pressure into pressing force, longitudinal (X direction) and width (Y direction) shear stress, and frictional force.

In the motion measurement device 100 shown in Fig. 10, the sensors 20 and 30 correspond to the sensors 20 and 30 described above, and detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 of the finger F (see Fig. 11, step S2). Specifically, in the motion measurement method according to this embodiment, the sensors 20 and 30 detect the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the motion measurement device 100 as described above (see Fig. 5).

The amplifier circuit 40 can be provided as desired. The amplifier circuit 40 is communicatively connected to the sensors 20 and 30. The amplifier circuit 40 is also communicatively connected to the microprocessor 50 described below (see FIG. 10). In this specification, being communicatively connected means that information can be transferred by wire or wirelessly.

The amplifier circuit 40 receives the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2 detected by the sensors 20 and 30 as a detection signal and amplifies the detection signal (see FIG. 11, step S3). The detection signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 40 is sent to the microprocessor 50 described below (see FIG. 10). The detection signals of the sensors 20 and 30 may be sent directly to the microprocessor 50 described below without providing the amplifier circuit 40. Even if the amplifier circuit 40 is provided, the detection signals of the sensors 20 and 30 may be sent directly to the microprocessor 50 described below without passing through the amplifier circuit 40.

The microprocessor 50 is communicatively connected to the sensors 20, 30 and the amplifier circuit 40, and calculates the movement (or movement information) of the finger F based on the detection signals of the sensors 20, 30. Specifically, the microprocessor 50 uses the detection signals of the sensors 20, 30 (including the detection signals amplified by the amplifier circuit 40) as input, performs calculation processing using a predetermined model prepared in advance, and calculates the movement information (FIG. 11, step S4). Note that the microprocessor 50 is an example of a processing unit included in the movement measurement device of the present invention.

The power supply 70 includes a power supply circuit 60 and is electrically and communicatively connected to the microprocessor 50 (see FIG. 10). Here, being electrically connected means that power can be exchanged by wire or wirelessly.

The power supply 70 is controlled by the power supply circuit 60 and supplies power to the microprocessor 50, the sensors 20 and 30, the amplifier circuit 40, and the display 80 described below (see FIG. 10). Note that in this embodiment, the power supply 70 is connected only to the microprocessor 50, but the power supply 70 may be directly connected to the sensors 20 and 30, the amplifier circuit 40, and the display 80 described below.

The motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment may further include a display 80 (see FIG. 10). The display 80 is communicatively connected to the microprocessor 50 and can display the processing results of the microprocessor 50. Here, the processing results refer to a processing signal corresponding to the motion of the finger F calculated based on the detection signal corresponding to the displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2. Moreover, displaying the processing results refers to displaying the processing signal corresponding to the motion of the finger F so that the motion of the finger F can be recognized.

Specifically, the motion information calculated by the microprocessor 50 is displayed on the display 80 as the processing result of the microprocessor 50 (FIG. 11, step S5). The form of the display 80 is not particularly limited. For example, a small display can be provided as the display 80 in the motion measurement device 100. The display 80 is an example of a display unit included in the motion measurement device of the present invention.

In the motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment, by having the above-mentioned microprocessor 50, the motion of the finger F is calculated based on the detection signal corresponding to the detected displacement of the lateral nail folds NS1 and NS2, so that the motion of the finger F can be accurately measured. In addition, in this embodiment, the processing results of the microprocessor 50 are displayed on the display 80, so that the measured motion of the finger F can be visualized, making it easy to identify the motion of the finger F.

In addition, in the motion measurement method of this embodiment, it is sufficient to place the sensors 20, 30 on the lateral nail folds NS1, NS2 of the finger F, and there is no need to place the sensors 20, 30 on the finger side surfaces FS1, FS2 (see Figures 4 and 5). Therefore, the device attached to the finger F (F1) is unlikely to interfere with the adjacent finger F2 (see Figure 6). In addition, when the finger F (F1) to which the device having the sensors 20, 30 is attached comes into contact with the contacted object B, the device attached to the finger F (F1) is unlikely to interfere with the contacted object B (see Figure 6).

In addition, in the motion measurement method of this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 attached to the finger F (F1) is unlikely to interfere with the adjacent finger F2 or contacted object B, making it possible to accurately measure the motion of the finger F (see Figures 7 and 8). Furthermore, in the motion measurement method of this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 attached to the finger F (F1) is unlikely to interfere with the adjacent finger F2 or contacted object B, making it unlikely for the wearer P of the device having the sensors 20, 30 or the contacted object B to feel uncomfortable (see Figure 6).

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a motion measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for executing a motion measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in Figs. 12 and 13, parts common to Figs. 10 and 11 are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The motion measurement device 100 of this embodiment may be used alone as described above, but may also be configured as part of a motion measurement system as shown in FIG. 12. As such a motion measurement system, the motion measurement system 300 of this embodiment has the motion measurement device 100 and a display device 200. The display device 200 is communicatively connected to the motion measurement device 100 (see FIG. 12).

The motion measurement device 100 constituting part of the motion measurement system 300 according to the embodiment has a sensor 20, a sensor 30, an amplifier circuit 40, a microprocessor 50, and a power supply 70, similar to the motion measurement device 100 described above (see FIG. 12). The motion measurement device 100 constituting the motion measurement system 300 according to the embodiment further has a communication module 90. Note that in the motion measurement system 300 according to the present embodiment, instead of being provided with a display device 200, the motion measurement device 100 does not have the display 80 described above.

The communication module 90 of the motion measurement device 100 is communicatively connected to the microprocessor 50 within the motion measurement device 100. The communication module 90 is also communicatively connected to the display device 200. The communication module 90 receives motion information (computation information) calculated by the microprocessor 50 as a processing signal, and communicatively outputs the processing signal to the display device 200 (see FIG. 12). In this embodiment, the computation information is transmitted wirelessly by the communication module 90 (see FIG. 13, step S15).

The display device 200, which constitutes part of the motion measurement system 300 according to the embodiment, is a device that displays the processing results of the motion measurement device 100 (microprocessor 50). The configuration of the display device 200 is not particularly limited. A mobile terminal such as a smartphone equipped with a display 80 can be used as the display device 200 (see FIG. 12). In this embodiment, the received calculation information is displayed on the mobile terminal that is the display device 200 (see FIG. 13, step S16).

The display device 200 is located outside the motion measurement device 100 and is communicatively connected to the communication module 90 of the motion measurement device 100. The display device 200 may be communicatively connected to the motion measurement device 100 in any manner. For example, when the connection is wired communication, the display device 200 may be a fixed terminal such as a personal computer connected to the motion measurement device 100 via a communication cable. When the connection is wireless communication, the display device 200 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone connected wirelessly (see symbol WS in FIG. 12) to the motion measurement device 100, as in this embodiment (see FIG. 12).

In the motion measurement system of this embodiment, the motion measurement device 100 and the display device 200 are communicatively connected, so that the processing results of the microprocessor 50 can be displayed remotely (see FIG. 12). Also, in this embodiment, there is no need to provide a display unit in the motion measurement device 100, so it is possible to prevent the size of the motion measurement device 100 from increasing due to the inclusion of a display unit. Furthermore, when the motion measurement device 100 and the display device 200 are wirelessly connected, the processing results of the microprocessor 50 can be displayed on a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Motion measurement device 10 Case 11 Base 11a Fixed portion 11b Side portion 11c Side portion 12 Extension portion 12a Inclined surface 13 Extension portion 13a Inclined surface 20 Sensor 20a Part of sensor 30 Sensor 30a Part of sensor 40 Amplification circuit 50 Microprocessor 60 Power supply circuit 70 Power supply 80 Display 90 Communication module 200 Display device (mobile terminal)
P Wearer F Finger F1 Index finger F2 Middle finger N Nail (nail plate)
SE1 Side edge SE2 Side edge NS1 Side nail fold NS2 Side nail fold B1 Boundary B2 Boundary FP Finger pad FS1 Finger side FS2 Finger side B Contacted object CF Contact force (pressing force)
BP1 inflation pressure BP2 inflation pressure

Claims (8)

A motion measurement device that is worn on a finger and measures a motion of the finger,
a sensor for detecting a displacement of a lateral nail fold of the finger ;
A motion measurement device , wherein the sensor is positioned at a position including the boundary between the nail of the finger and the lateral nail fold, and is not positioned on the side of the finger . a base adapted to be secured to the fingernail;
The motion measurement device according to claim 1 , further comprising an extension portion extending from at least one of both side portions of the base portion to the lateral nail fold, the sensor being provided on the extension portion. The extension portion has an inclined surface that is inclined along the lateral nail fold,
The motion measurement device according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor is provided on the inclined surface. The motion measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor. The motion measuring device according to claim 1 , further comprising a processing unit that calculates the motion of the finger from the detection signal of the sensor. The motion measurement device according to claim 5 , further comprising a display unit that displays a processing result of the processing unit. The motion measurement device according to claim 5 ;
a display device that displays a processing result of the processing unit;
A motion measurement system, wherein the display device is communicatively connected to the motion measurement device. A motion measurement method for measuring a finger motion, comprising:
A device having a sensor is attached to the finger;
The sensor detects a displacement of a lateral nail fold of the finger ,
A motion measurement method , wherein the sensor is positioned at a position including a boundary between the nail of the finger and the lateral nail fold, and is not positioned on a side of the finger .

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