JP2001198091A - Diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To measure data on a living body such as skin water content, sebum content, and color with a biometric sensor, and to use a widely-used arithmetic processing device including a general-purpose personal computer for home use. It is possible to easily and inexpensively evaluate a body condition. A sensor unit includes a biological sensor, an audio signal conversion circuit for converting a sensor signal into an audio signal, and an audio output terminal. It has a voice input terminal 11 for receiving data, a sensor signal conversion program for converting a sensor signal from a voice signal, and a diagnostic program for outputting a corresponding body condition based on the converted sensor signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses a voice input terminal (microphone terminal), which is also provided as a standard feature in a general-purpose personal computer for home use, to obtain various biological information such as the amount of water in the skin, the amount of sebum, and the color. The present invention relates to a sensor unit capable of inputting measurement data from a sensor to a personal computer for analysis and evaluation of data, and a body diagnostic system using such a sensor unit and a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to objectively measure and evaluate the skin condition, probes incorporating sensors for various items such as skin water content, sebum content, and color have been developed.

A subject's measurement signal obtained by these probes is input to an arithmetic processing device such as a personal computer through an interface called RS232C, SCSI, or GPIB, and the signal of the signal incorporated in the arithmetic processing device is analyzed. It is processed by software, and the evaluation of the subject's condition is output. Further, at this time, when the subject inputs, for example, skin troubles to the arithmetic processing device,
Advice on such skin problems is being answered.

[0004]

By the way, when the measurement signal from the probe is input to the arithmetic processing unit, the RS
If an interface such as 232C, SCSI, or GPIB is used, signals can be bidirectionally transmitted and received between the probe and the arithmetic processing unit. In addition, since a large-capacity signal can be handled, even a measurement signal covering a plurality of measurement items can be sent from the probe to the arithmetic processing device at a time.

However, interfaces such as SCSI and GPIB are not provided as standard equipment in all arithmetic processing devices, and many of them are not provided in general-purpose personal computers for home use. Although RS232C is included in a relatively large number of personal computers, its connectors and cables are expensive, and these are unfamiliar to ordinary consumers. Further, the connection of the RS232C requires an advanced arithmetic processing device on the probe side, which increases the connection cost.

Accordingly, the present invention uses a biological sensor for measuring data on a living body such as the amount of skin moisture, the amount of sebum, and the color, and uses almost all of the widely used arithmetic processing systems including general-purpose personal computers for home use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor unit that can easily and inexpensively evaluate the state of a body by using the device, and to provide a body diagnostic device or system using the sensor unit.

[0007]

The inventor of the present invention uses an audio input terminal (microphone input terminal) to input measurement data of a biological sensor into an arithmetic processing device such as a personal computer. The present invention has been found to be able to achieve the above-mentioned object because it is provided in almost all arithmetic processing units including general-purpose personal computers and game machines for home use.

That is, the present invention provides a living body sensor, a sound signal conversion circuit for converting a sensor signal output from the living body sensor into a sound signal, and a sensor unit having a sound output terminal.

Further, the present invention is a body diagnostic device comprising the above-mentioned sensor unit and an arithmetic processing device having an audio input terminal, wherein the arithmetic processing device converts a voice signal input from the audio input terminal into a living body. Provided is a diagnostic device having a sensor signal conversion program for converting a sensor signal output by a sensor, and a diagnostic program for outputting a state of a body based on the converted sensor signal.

Further, the present invention is a body diagnostic system comprising the above-mentioned sensor unit, an arithmetic processing device having a voice input terminal, and a host computer connected to the arithmetic processing device via an electric communication line. A sensor signal conversion program for converting a sensor signal output by the biometric sensor from an audio signal input from the audio input terminal, and the host computer outputs a state of the body based on the sensor signal converted by the arithmetic processing unit. There is provided a diagnostic system having a diagnostic program.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or equivalent components.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of processing performed by the diagnostic apparatus.

The diagnostic apparatus 100 comprises a sensor unit 1 comprising a biological sensor 2 for measuring the impedance of the skin with an electrode 2a, an audio signal conversion circuit 3 for converting the sensor signal into an audio signal, and an audio output terminal 4, and a sensor unit. It comprises an arithmetic processing unit 10 having an audio input terminal 11 adapted to one audio output terminal 4. Arithmetic processing unit 10
Is connected to a monitor 12 whose output can be checked at any time.

Here, the biological sensor 2 of the sensor unit 1
Can be the same as a known sensor that measures the water content of the skin from the impedance of the skin. For example, the biological sensor 2 applies a predetermined AC electric field from the electrode 2a to the skin surface, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the conductance at that time as a sensor signal. The audio signal conversion circuit 3 outputs an audio signal having a frequency f corresponding to the voltage of the sensor signal to the audio output terminal 4.

The arithmetic processing unit 10 has an audio input terminal (microphone input terminal) 11 adapted to the audio output terminal 4, and receives an audio signal from the sensor unit 1 at the audio input terminal 11. A general personal computer widely used at home has such an audio input terminal 11. Also,
The standard of the audio input terminal 11 is hardly affected by the specification change of various connection standards. For this reason, the diagnostic device 10
Almost all personal computers can be used as the arithmetic processing device 10 used at 0.

The arithmetic processing unit 10 converts a voice signal received at the voice input terminal 11 into a sensor signal conversion program for converting a sensor signal output from the biometric sensor 2 and a skin moisture content or a water content based on the converted sensor signal. It has a diagnostic program that outputs the degree of moisture. More specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the audio signal of the frequency f input from the audio input terminal 11 is converted into a digital waveform by the audio input circuit, and the power spectrum of the digital waveform is further converted by the FFT program. And a peak frequency is detected by a peak frequency detection program of the power spectrum. Then, the peak frequency is converted into a skin impedance corresponding to the sensor signal by a skin impedance conversion program (sensor signal conversion program), and the skin impedance is further converted into a water content or a moisture content by a moisture content / moisture content conversion program. Then, the skin condition is diagnosed from the skin condition diagnostic program based on the obtained water content or moisture level. In addition, the arithmetic processing unit 10 outputs a makeup method and cosmetics suitable for the skin according to the makeup method / cosmetic recommendation program based on the skin condition thus diagnosed.

A program for converting the skin impedance into a moisture content or a moisture level, and a method for diagnosing the skin condition from the obtained moisture content or the moisture content are based on the skin moisture content or the moisture content based on the skin impedance. Can be determined in the same manner as a known method of diagnosing the skin condition (Fragrance Journal, August,
p25-32 (1993)).

In the above-described diagnostic apparatus 100, the sensor unit 1 has only the minimum elements for performing the function of measuring the impedance of the skin, converting the sensor signal into an audio signal and outputting it to the arithmetic processing unit 10. It is provided, and the means for displaying the measured impedance and advanced arithmetic functions are omitted. Therefore, the sensor unit 1
Can be manufactured at low cost.

The arithmetic processing unit 10 receives the signal from the sensor unit 1 at the audio input terminal 11, so that the SC
Interfaces such as SI and GPIB are not required. Accordingly, the arithmetic processing device 10 can be easily prepared by incorporating the above-described sensor signal conversion program and the diagnostic program into a general personal computer widely used for home use. Note that the sensor signal conversion program and the diagnostic program can be easily incorporated into the arithmetic processing device 10 by using a CD-ROM or the like in which these are written.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a diagnostic system 200 of the present invention in which the arithmetic processing unit 10 of FIG. 2 is connected to a host computer 20 via a communication line such as the Internet. In this diagnostic system 200, the arithmetic processing unit 10
Has a sensor signal conversion program (skin impedance conversion program) for converting the sensor signal output by the biological sensor 2 from the audio signal received at the audio input terminal 11, and the host computer 20 calculates the moisture content of the skin from the skin impedance. Alternatively, it has a water content / moisture conversion program for determining the moisture level, and has a diagnostic program for diagnosing the condition of the skin from the moisture content or the moisture level of the skin. Further, the host computer 20 has a makeup method / cosmetics recommendation program for outputting a makeup method and cosmetics suitable for the skin based on the diagnosed skin condition.

Therefore, in the diagnostic system 200, the arithmetic processing unit 10 uses the voice input terminal 11 to connect the sensor unit 1
The arithmetic processing unit 10 converts the sensor signal corresponding to the skin impedance in the same manner as the diagnostic device 100 of FIG. 2 and then sends the converted sensor signal to the host computer 20. Then, the host computer 20 obtains the water content or the moisture level of the skin based on the converted sensor signal, outputs the skin condition to the arithmetic processing unit 10, and further outputs a makeup method or cosmetic suitable for the skin. I do.

When the host computer 20 is connected to the arithmetic processing unit 10 via the communication line, the arithmetic processing unit 1
In the case of 0, there is no need for a program for determining the moisture content or moisture level of the skin from the sensor signal or a program for diagnosing the skin condition from the moisture content or moisture level of the skin.
0 can be reduced. Further, the host computer 20 can update the program at any time based on the latest data, so that the reliability of diagnosis can be improved.

Also, by storing various skin troubles and measures to cope with them in the host computer 20 in a database, when a sensor signal is sent from the arithmetic processing unit 10 to the host computer 20, the skin troubles of the subject are reduced. And the like, and an answer to the information can be obtained from the host computer 20.

As described above, the sensor unit 1, the diagnostic device 100, and the diagnostic system 200 of the present invention have been described based on the illustrated embodiments, but the present invention can take various other embodiments.

For example, as the arithmetic processing device 10, not only a general personal computer, but also a game machine having an audio input terminal 11 and capable of loading a program can be used. In particular, a game machine that loads a program using a recent CD-ROM is useful as the arithmetic processing device 10 of the diagnostic device 100 in FIG. Furthermore, any game device that can be connected to a communication line is useful as the arithmetic processing device 10 used in the diagnostic system 200 of FIG.

In the diagnostic apparatus or system according to the present invention, the items measured by the biological sensor 2 of the sensor unit 1 are not limited to the skin impedance corresponding to the water content or the moisture level of the skin. The temperature, color, blood flow, elasticity, and the like of the skin may be measured by the sensor unit 1, and the skin condition corresponding to the measured data may be output from the arithmetic processing device 10 or the host computer 20.
Further, the body state such as the sleep state, the cardiopulmonary function, and the state of the autonomic nerve may be evaluated by measuring not only the skin state but also the respiratory rate, blood pressure, pulse, and the like.

Further, in the diagnostic apparatus and the diagnostic system of the present invention, the output from the audio output terminal (earphone terminal) 4 of the arithmetic processing unit 10 is used to transmit a signal between the arithmetic processing unit 10 and the sensor unit 1. The exchange may be performed. More specifically, for example, the arithmetic processing device 1
When the start of measurement is instructed to 0, a sound as a start signal is output to the sound output terminal 4 so that the sensor unit 1 can start the measurement.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below based on embodiments.

Example 1 (1) Preparation of device A sensor unit for measuring skin impedance was prepared. This sensor unit was provided with a biological sensor in which two rod-shaped electrodes having a diameter of 3 mm were arranged at intervals of 5 mm. The impedance observed by applying a 3.5 MHz AC electric field to the biosensor is 500
An audio signal conversion circuit for outputting an audio signal in the range of 10 to 10 KHz was connected.

On the other hand, a commercially available personal computer (DynaBook GTR590, manufactured by Toshiba) was used as the arithmetic processing unit. This personal computer has an FFT for the audio signal input from the microphone terminal.
, And converted it into a power spectrum, and installed software to calculate the frequency of the audio signal.

The sensor unit and the personal computer were connected by a normal audio cable. A resistor with a known resistance value is connected between the rod-shaped electrodes of the biometric sensor. At that time, the relationship between the skin impedance (conductance) and the observation frequency is obtained using the relationship between the audio frequency and the resistance value calculated by the personal computer. Was.

(2) Evaluation The device of this embodiment manufactured in (1) and the SKICON (IBS) currently known as a standard skin moisture evaluation device
Was used to measure human skin conductance, and the values measured by both devices were compared. In this case, the measurement target was the forearm flexion side, the cheek, and the palm, and the same site was measured by both devices.

In this measurement, it can be determined that the higher the conductance of the skin (the lower the impedance), the greater the moisture content of the skin surface layer. FIG. 4 shows the results.

FIG. 4 shows that the values measured by the apparatus of this embodiment and the values measured by SKICON show a good correlation. Here, the measured value by the apparatus of this embodiment is S
It is considered that the reason why the value about three times the value measured by KICON is shown is that the contact area and the contact pressure when the electrode contacts the skin are different. Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus of this example can evaluate the water content of the skin surface layer.

Example 2 Using the device prepared in Example 1 (1), 10c of the cheek was used.
10 μL of lotion was applied to m ² , and the skin conductance before and after application was measured. FIG. 5 shows the results.

As shown, the skin conductance before applying the lotion was 25 μS on average. This value is shown in FIG.
To 8 μS measured by SKICON. Generally, skin whose skin conductance measured by SKICON is 10 μS or less is considered to be extremely dry. Therefore, it can be seen that the cheeks before the application of the lotion are excessively dry, and require care from a moisturizing surface.

On the other hand, the skin conductance after application of the lotion was 270 μS on average. From this, it is understood that the moisturizing state of the skin was improved by applying the lotion, and the apparatus of Example 1 (1) can be objectively determined.

[0038]

According to the present invention, biological data such as the amount of water in the skin, the amount of sebum, and the color of the skin are measured by a biological sensor.
Since the output is converted into an audio signal and input to the audio input terminal of the arithmetic processing device, the arithmetic processing device does not require an interface such as RS232C, SCSI, and GPIB, which has been conventionally required. Therefore, a diagnostic device or a diagnostic system can be easily and inexpensively constructed.

Therefore, according to the diagnostic apparatus or the diagnostic system of the present invention, for example, it is conventionally necessary to go to a cosmetics store or the like in order to manage the skin condition and use a dedicated device for measurement. Skin condition can be easily and inexpensively measured using a general-purpose personal computer at home.
Self-management of the skin condition can be performed based on the measured value.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a diagnostic device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process in the diagnostic device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a diagnostic system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the conductance value of the skin by the apparatus of the embodiment and the conductance value of the skin by SKICON.

FIG. 5 shows the conductance value of the skin before and after application of the lotion measured by the apparatus of the example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sensor unit 2 Biosensor 3 Audio signal conversion circuit 4 Audio output terminal 10 Arithmetic processing unit 11 Audio input terminal 20 Host computer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sensor unit having a biological sensor, an audio signal conversion circuit for converting a sensor signal output from the biological sensor into an audio signal, and an audio output terminal. 2. A body diagnostic device comprising the sensor unit according to claim 1 and an arithmetic processing device having an audio input terminal, wherein the arithmetic processing device detects a biological sensor from an audio signal input from the audio input terminal. A diagnostic device comprising: a sensor signal conversion program for converting the sensor signal output by the device; and a diagnostic program for outputting a body state based on the converted sensor signal. 3. A body diagnostic system comprising: the sensor unit according to claim 1; an arithmetic processing device having a voice input terminal; and a host computer connected to the arithmetic processing device via an electric communication line. A sensor signal conversion program for converting a sensor signal output by the biometric sensor from a voice signal input from the voice input terminal, and the host computer determines a corresponding body state based on the sensor signal converted by the arithmetic processing device. A diagnostic system having a diagnostic program to output.