WO2020013364A1 - Smart menstrual cup and method for measuring menstrual blood using smart menstrual cup - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, disclosed is a smart menstrual cup comprising: a storage portion having one side open to accommodate menstrual blood in at least one space therein; a volume measurement portion for measuring the amount of the menstrual blood accommodated in the storage portion; a posture checking portion for checking the posture of a user wearing the smart menstrual cup; a controller for determining whether to generate a notification signal by calculating the amount of the accommodated blood on the basis of a result of the measurement by the volume measurement portion and a result of the checking by the posture checking portion; and a light measurement portion for sensing light around the smart menstrual cup, wherein the controller determines whether the smart menstrual cup is inserted into a human body on the basis of a result of the sensing by the light measurement portion and the result of the checking by the posture checking portion, that is, determines that the smart menstrual cup is inserted into the human body when the smart menstrual cup is tilted by at least a predetermined gradient as a result of the checking by the posture checking portion and simultaneously when light is not sensed around the smart menstrual cup as a result of the sensing by the light measurement portion.

Description

[Revision 29.08.2018] according to Rule 26.Method of measuring menstrual blood using smart menstrual cup and smart menstrual cup

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of measuring menstrual blood using a smart menstrual cup and a smart menstrual cup.

Menstrual blood leakage prevention tools such as sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, and tampons have been used to prevent women from leaking out of the vagina for more hygienic and comfortable activities during menstruation.

Among these, the sanitary napkin has a disadvantage in that it is inconvenient to wear and menstrual blood may leak to the outside, and in the case of tampons, there is a problem in that it sometimes causes toxic shock syndrome. The menstrual cup is inserted into the vagina to prevent leakage of menstrual blood to the outside of the user's life, but has the advantage of less, but like other menstrual blood leak prevention tools, it is difficult to determine the menstrual volume before being removed. Management of menstrual blood leak prevention tools can be more convenient if the amount of menstruation can be known before removal.

The background art described above is technical information possessed by the inventors for the derivation of the present invention or acquired during the derivation process of the present invention, and is not necessarily a publicly known technique disclosed to the general public before the application of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention are to provide a smart menstrual cup to determine the amount of menstruation, menstrual blood, or menstrual cycle even before removing the menstrual cup.

Embodiments of the present invention determine whether the menstrual cup is inserted into the human body in consideration of the degree of inclination of the menstrual cup and the amount of light around the menstrual cup, and the degree of inclination of the menstrual cup and the menstrual blood contained in the menstrual cup. Considering the amount of together, even before removing the menstrual cup to provide a smart menstrual cup to determine the amount of menstruation.

One embodiment of the present invention is a storage unit for receiving the menstrual blood in at least one space therein is opened on one side; A volume measuring unit measuring an amount of menstrual blood contained in the storage unit; A posture check unit for checking a posture of a user wearing a smart menstrual cup; A control unit for determining whether to generate a notification signal by calculating the amount of blood received based on a result measured by the volume measuring unit and a result confirmed by the posture checking unit; And a light measuring unit configured to sense light around the smart menstrual cup, wherein the controller is configured to insert the smart menstrual cup into the human body based on a detection result by the light measuring unit and a check result by the posture check unit. It is determined whether the state, but as a result of the detection by the light measuring unit, the light is not detected from the periphery of the smart menstrual cup, at the same time as a result of the confirmation by the posture check unit the smart menstrual cup is inclined more than a predetermined inclination If so, the smart menstrual cup is determined to be inserted into the human body, the smart menstrual cup is disclosed.

The predetermined slope may be characterized as being 15 degrees.

The volume measuring unit may be disposed in the storage unit in a direction orthogonal to a corner of one side of the opening of the storage unit.

The volume measuring unit may include a plurality of sensors arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to a corner of one side of the opening of the storage unit, and each of the plurality of sensors may determine whether liquid exists within a predetermined distance. It may be characterized in that the sensing.

The plurality of sensors may be included in the wall surface of the storage unit, and may be disposed in a state in which the menstrual blood is not in direct contact with the menstrual blood even when the storage unit is housed.

The volume measuring unit may be configured of a flexible material whose shape can be changed in response to a shape change of the storage unit.

Oxygen saturation measuring device for measuring the oxygen saturation of the menstrual blood accommodated in the storage unit, a notification device for outputting a notification according to the received blood volume, and a touch sensing device for determining the SLEEP / AWAKE of the smart menstrual cup, and the smart physiology At least one of a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature around the cup.

The controller may calculate the accommodated blood volume in consideration of the viscosity of the menstrual blood accommodated in the storage unit.

The controller may include a first substrate, a battery unit provided on one surface of the first substrate, a second substrate provided on one surface of the battery unit, and a connection unit electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate. Can be.

The electronic device may further include a communication unit electrically connected to the control unit and transmitting a signal generated by the control unit to the terminal.

The sensor may further include a sensory signal generator configured to generate a sensory signal that can be detected by at least one of the five senses of the human being based on the signal generated by the controller.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for measuring menstrual blood using a smart menstrual cup, by the storage unit of the smart menstrual cup, receiving the menstrual blood in at least one space inside the storage unit; Measuring the amount of menstrual blood contained in the storage unit by the volume measuring unit of the smart menstrual cup; Confirming a posture of a user wearing the smart menstrual cup by the posture confirming unit of the smart menstrual cup; And determining, by the control unit of the smart menstrual cup, whether the notification signal is generated by calculating the received blood volume based on the measurement result by the volume measuring unit and the confirmation result by the posture checking unit. The checking of the posture may include detecting the light from the light measuring unit of the smart menstrual cup, and detecting the light from the periphery of the smart menstrual cup while simultaneously checking the posture of the smart menstrual cup. Disclosed is a method of measuring menstrual blood using a smart menstrual cup in which the smart menstrual cup is determined to be inserted into a human body when tilted.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a smart menstrual cup that can determine the amount of menstruation, menstrual blood, or menstrual cycle even before removing the menstrual cup.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is determined whether the menstrual cup is inserted into the human body in consideration of the degree of inclination of the menstrual cup and the amount of light around the menstrual cup, and the degree of inclination of the menstrual cup and the menstrual blood contained in the menstrual cup. Considering the amount of together, it is possible to provide a smart menstrual cup that can determine the menstrual volume even before removing the menstrual cup.

1 is a perspective view showing a smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view showing a smart menstrual blood management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 5 are diagrams showing the components of the smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a method of measuring menstrual blood using a smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. Effects and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various forms. In the following embodiments, the terms first, second, etc. are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components rather than a restrictive meaning. Also, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the terms including or have means that the features or components described in the specification are present, and does not preclude the possibility of adding one or more other features or components. In addition, in the drawings, components may be exaggerated or reduced in size for convenience of description. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of description, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. .

1 is a perspective view showing a smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the smart menstrual cup 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a storage unit 200 and a controller 400.

Smart menstrual cup 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is manufactured in a cup shape, one side (hereinafter, may be expressed as the upper side) is opened, a space for accommodating menstrual blood may be formed therein have. The smart menstrual cup 100 may be formed with a storage unit 200 having an upper side open to accommodate the menstrual blood therein. The smart menstrual cup 100 may be manufactured in a form in which the upper diameter becomes narrower toward the lower side. Alternatively, the smart menstrual cup 100 may include a storage unit at a position at which a circumference of the storage unit 200 at a first distance from the open side is spaced apart from the opened side by a second distance longer than the first distance ( 200). That is, the smart menstrual cup 100 may have a circumference at a portion close to the opening at least in some regions than a circumference at the portion far from the opening for correct insertion and fixation. In another example, the area of the cross section at a position away from the open side of the menstrual cup 100 at a first distance based on the cross section perpendicular to the axis A of FIG. 2 is longer than the first distance from the open side. It may be larger than the area of the cross section at a location away from the second distance. However, the smart menstrual cup 100 according to the present invention is not limited to this form, and may be manufactured in various shapes. Hereinafter, a form in which the circumference in the upper portion is longer than the circumference in the lower portion will be described as an example.

The smart menstrual cup 100 may be made of a flexible material such as rubber or silicone that can be easily bent in order to be inserted into the vagina in a bent state. However, the material is not necessarily limited to a material such as rubber or silicon, and may be made of various other materials.

On the other hand, only part of the smart menstrual cup 100 may be made of a material having elasticity, and the remaining part may be made of a material having no elasticity. For example, the storage unit 200 of the smart menstrual cup 100 is the upper portion of the control unit 400 and the bottom portion of the space to accommodate the menstrual blood (hereinafter, the lower surface of the storage unit 200), It may be divided into a portion (hereinafter, the side of the storage unit 200) to become a side wall portion of the space to accommodate the menstrual blood. In this case, the sides of the storage unit 200 may be made of a flexible material. In addition, the bottom surface of the storage unit 200 may be made of a flexible material in whole or only part (flexible). The side of the storage unit 200 may include a volume measuring unit therein, which will be described later.

A user of the smart menstrual cup 100 may insert and fix the smart menstrual cup 100 into the vagina, and the menstrual blood may be stored in the storage unit 200 through an opening formed at an upper side of the smart menstrual cup 100. This can prevent the user from leaking outside of the vagina. In this case, at least a part of the storage unit 200 may be made of a material that is completely transparent to transmit light, or may be made of a material that may transmit light of a predetermined level or more.

The controller 400 may generate a signal based on information related to menstrual blood stored in the smart menstrual cup 100. The controller 400 may generate various signals based on various information related to the stored menstrual blood. The controller 400 may include a computer readable recording medium storing a computer program. In this case, the computer program may be a computer program that implements an algorithm for controlling various components of the smart menstrual cup 100. The controller 400 may include various electronic components necessary for driving the corresponding computer readable recording medium. The controller 400 may include one or more substrates on which the corresponding electronic components are disposed.

Meanwhile, the controller 400 may include all kinds of devices capable of processing data, such as a processor. Here, the 'processor' may refer to a data processing apparatus embedded in hardware having, for example, a circuit physically structured to perform a function represented by code or instructions included in a program. As an example of a data processing device embedded in hardware, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit ), But may include a processing device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, smart menstrual cup 100 may further include a handle 300. The handle 300 may be disposed on the bottom of the smart menstrual cup 100, and may be implemented in a shape for allowing a user to more easily include, insert, or remove the smart menstrual cup 100. . The handle part 300 may be manufactured to protrude in a direction opposite to the opening of the storage part 200 from the bottom of the smart menstrual cup 100. The handle part 300 may be manufactured in various shapes that are easy to handle smart menstrual cups by using a hand or using a hand, such as a pillar shape or a ring shape. Hereinafter, a case in which the handle portion 300 is a pillar shape will be described as an example.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, the smart menstrual cup 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a communication unit 350. In addition, the smart menstrual cup 100 may further include a volume measuring unit 500.

The communication unit 350 may be electrically connected to the control unit 400, and may transmit a signal generated by the control unit 400 to the outside. The communicator 350 may transmit a signal to an external electronic device that is separated from the smart menstrual cup 100. For example, the communicator 350 may transmit a signal generated by the controller 400 to a terminal (eg, a smartphone) of a user who uses the smart menstrual cup 100.

The communicator 350 may be manufactured to extend through the inside of the handle 300 of the smart menstrual cup 100. At this time, the communication unit 350 may be manufactured to extend to the bottom of the smart menstrual cup 100 through the inside of the handle 300. This may be because wireless communication with an electronic device located outside may be difficult when the communication unit 350 is located only inside the vagina. However, this is only an example, and the communicator 350 may be included in the controller 400 or may be disposed at various positions of the other smart menstrual cup 100. In addition, the communication unit 350 may detect when the smart menstrual cup 100 is located outside the body, and transmit a communication signal to the user's terminal only at this time.

The communication unit 350 may be formed in the form of a straight line or a curve, and may be manufactured in the shape of an antenna made of a material such as metal. The communication unit 350 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit (Near Field Communication unit), a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared ray (IrDA, infrared data association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, Ant + communication unit and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The volume measuring unit 500 may be disposed inside the storage unit 200. In this case, the volume measuring unit 500 may be disposed in the storage unit 200 in a direction orthogonal to the corner of one side of the opening of the storage unit 200.

In detail, the volume measuring unit 500 may be disposed in a direction orthogonal to the opened portion of the upper side of the storage 200, that is, in the height direction of the storage 200. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the volume measuring part 500 may be arranged in a long linear shape from a lower end of the storage part 200 to an open portion of the storage part 200 on a wall surface of the storage part 200.

In this case, the volume measuring unit 500 may be disposed to be included in the wall surface of the storage unit 200. That is, the volume measuring unit 500 is not attached to the outer wall of the storage unit 200, but may be disposed to insert the volume measuring unit 500 inside the storage unit 200. For example, if the thickness of the outer wall of the storage unit 200 is 2mm, the volume measuring unit 500 is 1mm from the outer wall of the inner surface of the storage unit 200 and 1mm from the outer wall of the outer surface of the storage unit 200. It may be placed in the position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the volume measuring unit 500 may be disposed at two different places of the inner wall of the storage unit 200. In this case, two different places may be positions facing each other. In addition, the volume measuring unit 500 may be disposed only at any one of the inner walls of the storage unit 200, may be disposed at three or more positions, or may be disposed at any two positions not facing each other. .

3 is a view showing a smart menstrual blood management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the smart menstrual cup 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may operate as one component of the smart menstrual blood management system 1. In this case, various types of signals generated by the smart menstrual cup 100 may be transmitted to the external electronic device 1000 through a communication network. Optionally, the smart menstrual cup 100 may receive a signal from the external electronic device 1000 through a communication network. That is, the smart menstrual cup 100 measures or analyzes the menstrual blood contained in the smart menstrual cup 100 to generate a signal including information on the amount of menstrual blood contained in the smart menstrual cup 100 or the color of menstrual blood. It may transmit to the electronic device 1000. Alternatively, the smart menstrual cup 100 may generate a signal including various body information that may be obtained from the amount of menstrual blood or the color of menstrual blood or raw data for acquiring body information, and transmit the signal to the external electronic device 1000. It may be.

4 and 5 are diagrams showing the components of the smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, the smart menstrual cup 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is the storage unit 200, the handle 300, the control unit 400, the volume measuring unit 500, and the posture check unit ( 600). The storage unit 200 may accommodate menstrual blood.

 The volume measuring unit 500 may include a plurality of sensors 501 to 510 which are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to a corner of one side of the opening of the storage unit 200. At this time, each of the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 may detect whether liquid exists within a predetermined distance.

In detail, the volume measuring unit 500 may include a plurality of sensors 501 to 510 disposed in a direction orthogonal to the opened portion of the upper side of the storage 200, that is, in a height direction of the storage 200. Can be. In this case, the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 may also be disposed inside the storage unit 200. As a result, the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 may not be in direct contact with the menstrual blood received in the storage 200, similarly to the volume measuring unit 500.

The plurality of sensors 501 to 510 may be capacitive sensors. At this time, unlike the conventional capacitive sensor, the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 is not a method of measuring the capacitance of the medium between the upper and lower parts, but the periphery of each of the plurality of sensors 501 to 510. It may be a capacitive sensor capable of detecting whether liquid is present within a predetermined distance.

The volume measuring unit 500 may be made of a flexible material whose shape can be changed in response to the shape change of the storage unit 200. In detail, the storage unit 200 may be made of a flexible material to facilitate the removal of the smart menstrual cup 100. Since the volume measuring unit 500 may be disposed inside the wall of the flexible storage unit 200, when the volume measuring unit 500 is not flexible, the storage unit 200 may not be correctly changed in shape. When the shape of the storage unit 200 is changed, the volume measuring unit 500 may be damaged. In order to prevent this, the volume measuring unit 500 may be implemented with a material that can move flexibly. For example, the volume measuring unit 500 may be implemented as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

In this case, the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 may or may not be implemented with a flexible material. In detail, the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 may also be implemented with a flexible material. However, since the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 are relatively small in size, the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 themselves are flexible. If not, the shape change of the storage unit 200 may not be affected, and a plurality of sensors 501 to 510 may be used even when a shape change of the storage unit 200 and / or the volume measuring unit 500 occurs. ) May not be broken.

When the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 are arranged in a line along the volume measuring unit 500, when it is checked whether the liquid is detected up to the sensor at which position, the plurality of sensors 501 to 510 are stored in the storage unit 200. You can check your blood volume. Therefore, the smart menstrual cup 100 may check whether the blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200 is greater than or equal to a predetermined level, and generate a notification that the smart menstrual cup 100 needs to be replaced based on this, and notify the user. .

Meanwhile, the user of the smart menstrual cup 100 may not only stand still, but also stand, sit, walk, or run. In this case, the menstrual blood may not be properly received in the lower direction of the storage unit 200, or the smart menstrual cup 100 may be inclined. As a result, using only the measurement result of the volume measuring unit 500 may not correctly determine the blood volume (or physiological blood volume) accommodated in the storage unit 200. To compensate for this problem, the smart menstrual cup 100 may further include a posture check unit 600.

As shown in FIG. 4, the posture checking unit 600 may be disposed at a lower end of the storage unit 200 and a peripheral portion of the control unit 400. However, the posture checking unit 600 may be disposed at another position of the smart menstrual cup 100 instead of the corresponding position.

The posture checking unit 600 may include a sensor capable of checking the degree of tilt of the smart menstrual cup 100 and / or a sensor capable of detecting an acceleration. For example, the attitude check unit 600 may be implemented by including an acceleration sensor and / or a gyro sensor. The controller 400 may check the degree of tilt of the smart menstrual cup 100 and / or whether the user moves by using the measurement result of the acceleration sensor and / or the gyro sensor included in the posture checker 600. In addition, the posture and / or behavior of the user may be determined based on the result. For example, when the smart menstrual cup 100 is inclined more than a predetermined inclination (for example, 60 degrees) as a result of confirming the posture confirming unit 600, the controller 400 is a user of the smart menstrual cup 100. Can be judged to be lying down. As another example, when the smart menstrual cup 100 is tilted within a predetermined inclination range (for example, between 20 degrees and 60 degrees) as a result of confirming the posture checker 600, the control unit 400 may perform smart menstruation. It may be determined that the user of the cup 100 is sitting. As another example, when the inclination of the smart menstrual cup 100 is changed to a predetermined range or more as a result of confirming the posture confirming unit 600, it may be determined that the user of the smart menstrual cup 100 is walking or running.

On the other hand, when the user is lying down, since all the menstrual blood may not be accommodated in the storage unit 200 of the smart menstrual cup 100, the reference value of the blood volume to output the notification may be differently determined according to the posture. . For example, when the user's standing posture as a result of checking through the posture confirming unit 600, a notification may be output to the user when the received blood volume is 50cc or more as a result of the measurement through the volume measuring unit 500. On the other hand, when the user checks the lying posture through the posture checking unit 600, the user outputs a notification when the measurement result through the volume measuring unit 500 is lower than the reference value (for example, 20cc) lower than 50cc. can do. Through this, the smart menstrual cup 100 may output a notification to the user to manage the smart menstrual cup 100 at an appropriate time even when a change in posture of the user occurs.

On the other hand, since the smart menstrual cup 100 requires power in order to measure blood volume and output a notification, the smart menstrual cup 100 requires a battery. Therefore, when the smart menstrual cup 100 is to be operated, i.e., only when the smart menstrual cup 100 is worn inside the user's body, the detection and / or notification of the smart menstrual cup 100 operates so that There is a need to save consumption. At this time, the case in which the smart menstrual cup 100 is worn inside the user's body can be expressed as SLEEP, the case in which the smart menstrual cup 100 is not worn inside the body, the operation of the smart menstrual cup 100 The process of deciding whether or not can be called a SLEEP / AWAKE judgment. The smart menstrual cup 100 determines whether the smart menstrual cup 100 is inserted into the human body on the basis of the detection result by the light measuring unit and the check result through the posture confirming unit 600, and the smart menstrual cup ( 100) SLEEP / AWAKE can be managed.

In general, when the smart menstrual cup 100 is worn inside the user's body, the smart menstrual cup 100 may be inclined about 15 degrees when the user stands. This is due to the physical characteristics of the person. On the other hand, when the smart menstrual cup 100 is stored outside it can be expected to be very rare to be kept at an angle of about 15 degrees. Therefore, the smart menstrual cup 100 may determine that the case is inclined by about 15 degrees as the case worn inside the user's body, and in this case, the controller 400 determines the state of the smart menstrual cup 100 by AWAKE. You can change to a state. On the contrary, when the smart menstrual cup 100 is not tilted, the controller 400 may change the state of the smart menstrual cup 100 to the SLEEP state.

Optionally, the smart menstrual cup 100 may further include a light measuring unit that detects ambient light in order to determine the sleep / wake. The smart menstrual cup 100 may determine that there is no light around the measurement result through the light measuring unit in a state in which the smart menstrual cup is inclined about 15 degrees as a case worn inside the user's body. 400 may change the state of the smart menstrual cup 100 to the AWAKE state. On the contrary, when light exists in the periphery of the smart menstrual cup 100, the controller 400 may change the state of the smart menstrual cup 100 to the SLEEP state.

Optionally, the smart menstrual cup 100 may further include a touch sensor for determining the SLEEP / AWAKE. The smart menstrual cup 100 may switch the state of the smart menstrual cup 100 to the SLEEP and AWAKE states when a touch occurs in the smart menstrual cup 100.

Optionally, the smart menstrual cup 100 may further include a temperature sensor. The smart menstrual cup 100 is a smart menstrual cup 100 when the temperature around the smart body close to the temperature (for example, 36.5 degrees) inside the human body (for example, between 35 degrees to 40 degrees), smart menstrual cup ( 100 may be determined to be worn inside the user's body, and in this case, the controller 400 may change the state of the smart menstrual cup 100 to the AWAKE state. On the contrary, when the ambient temperature of the smart menstrual cup 100 differs from the temperature inside the human body by a predetermined temperature or more, the controller 400 may change the state of the smart menstrual cup 100 to the SLEEP state.

The controller 400 may generate a notification signal based on the measurement data itself of the volume measuring unit 500, the posture checking unit 600, and other sensors. Alternatively, the controller 400 may determine whether to notify based on measurement data of the volume measuring unit 500, the posture checking unit 600, and other sensors, and generate a notification signal based on the determination result. The controller 400 may transmit the generated signal to an external electronic device through the communication unit 350. At this time, the external electronic device may check the information included in the received signal and output the information to the user. For example, the controller 400 may generate a notification signal for visually displaying numerical information related to a notification result and / or a measurement result from an external electronic device. In this case, the user of the smart menstrual cup 100 may check the amount of menstrual blood currently accommodated in the smart menstrual cup 100 by checking a value related to whether a notification is generated and / or a measurement result through an external electronic device.

Although not shown, the smart menstrual cup 100 may include a battery unit. The battery unit may supply power for driving the control unit 400, the volume measuring unit 500, the posture checking unit 600, the communication unit 350, and / or other sensors. The battery unit may be made of various types of batteries. For example, one surface of the battery unit may be manufactured as a positive or negative terminal, and the other surface may be manufactured as a terminal having a different polarity from that of one surface. The battery unit may be a battery manufactured in the form of a flat cylinder.

Also optionally, the smart menstrual cup 100 may further include a sensory signal generator for generating a sensory signal that can be sensed through at least one of the five senses of a human. The sensory signal may be a haptic signal that generates a minute vibration, a signal that generates a change in temperature, or a signal that generates a minute sound, or in addition, a phenomenon that may be detected through at least one of the five senses of human being. May be various signals. Here, the sensory signal generator may be directly provided in the smart menstrual cup 100 to generate a signal through the smart menstrual cup 100. For example, the sensory signal generator may be a motor or an actuator capable of generating a predetermined vibration or the like, and a signal generated from the sensory signal generator may be transmitted to the user through tactile sense. Alternatively, the sensory signal generator may be separately provided to an external device connected through communication with the smart menstrual cup 100 to generate a signal through the external device. For example, the sensory signal generator may be a smartphone (speaker or display unit or LED, etc.) connected through communication with the smart menstrual cup 100, and the signal generated from the sensory signal generator is auditory, visual, and tactile. It can be delivered to the user through the five senses. When the controller 400 determines to output the notification, the controller 400 may output the notification using the sensory signal generator.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 400, the volume measuring unit 500, and the other area 700 disposed in the smart menstrual cup 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured in a single kit form. have. In detail, the control unit 400 may be implemented in one region on one printed circuit board, and the volume measuring unit 500 may be directly, indirectly, or electrically connected to the control unit 400 so that the other region of the FPCB may be connected. Can be implemented in The other area 700 may include at least some of the communication unit 350, the posture checking unit 600, the battery unit, and other sensors. These other regions 700 may also be directly, indirectly, or electrically connected to the controller 400 to be implemented in other regions of the PCB. In this case, the PCB on which the controller 400, the volume measuring unit 500, and the other region 700 are disposed may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). That is, the manufactured FPCB is disposed in the smart menstrual cup 100 in a state of being properly folded or bent, so that the smart menstrual cup 100 of the type as shown in FIG. 2 and / or 4 may be manufactured.

6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a method of measuring menstrual blood using a smart menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention. Since the method of measuring menstrual blood using the smart menstrual cup is mostly described in the process of describing FIGS. 1 to 5, the redundant description will be omitted below.

First, referring to FIG. 6, the smart menstrual cup 100 may perform a step (S610) of determining whether the smart menstrual cup 100 is SLEEP / AWAKE. At this time, whether the SLEEP / AWAKE of the smart menstrual cup 100 may be determined according to the determination result of the controller 400. The controller 400 may determine whether SLEEP / AWAKE is based on the measurement results of the volume measuring unit 500, the posture checking unit 600, and / or other sensors.

Subsequently, the smart menstrual cup 100 may perform a step (S620) of calculating a blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200. At this time, the calculation of the blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200 may be performed through the control unit 400. The controller 400 may calculate the blood volume accommodated in the storage 200 based on the measurement results of the volume measuring unit 500, the posture checking unit 600, and / or other sensors.

Subsequently, the smart menstrual cup 100 may perform a step of determining whether the blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200 exceeds a predetermined reference value (step S630). The predetermined reference value may be determined by the producer and / or user of the smart menstrual cup 100. The predetermined reference value may be determined as an amount (eg, 50 cc or 100 cc, etc.) suitable to be accommodated in the smart menstrual cup 100. If the blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200 is less than a predetermined reference value, step S620 may be performed again.

If the blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200 exceeds a predetermined reference value, the smart menstrual cup 100 may perform a step of generating a notification signal (step S640). The notification signal may be generated by the controller 400 and transmitted to an external electronic device, or may be a signal that directly generates a haptic signal through the sensory signal generator.

Referring to FIG. 7, the smart menstrual cup 100 may determine whether the smart menstrual cup 100 is SLEEP / AWAKE (step S710), calculate a blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200 (step S720), Determining whether the blood volume accommodated in the storage unit 200 exceeds a predetermined reference value (S760), and generating a notification signal when the received blood volume exceeds the predetermined reference value (S770). Can be done. At this time, in the process of performing step S720, the smart menstrual cup 100 measures the menstrual blood volume received in the storage unit 200 through the volume measuring unit 500 (step S730), the posture check unit 600 At least one of the steps of checking the posture of the user through the posture checking unit 600 and / or other sensors may be performed (S750).

Through the above method, the smart menstrual cup 100 can correctly determine whether or not the amount of blood acceptable by the smart menstrual cup 100 has been exceeded even when the posture of the user is changed in various ways. You can output a notification.

Particular implementations described in the present invention are embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present invention in any way. For brevity of description, descriptions of conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. In addition, the connection or connection members of the lines between the components shown in the drawings are illustrative of the functional connection and / or physical or circuit connections as an example, in the actual device replaceable or additional various functional connections, physical It may be represented as a connection, or circuit connections. In addition, if there is no specific reference such as 'essential', 'important' and the like may not be a necessary component for the application of the present invention.

Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and the scope of the spirit of the present invention is defined not only in the claims below, but also in the ranges equivalent to or equivalent to those of the claims. Will belong to.

Claims (12)

A storage unit having one side opened to receive the menstrual blood in at least one space therein; A volume measuring unit measuring an amount of menstrual blood contained in the storage unit; A posture check unit for checking a posture of a user wearing a smart menstrual cup; A control unit for determining whether to generate a notification signal by calculating the amount of blood received based on a result measured by the volume measuring unit and a result confirmed by the posture checking unit; And It includes a light measuring unit for detecting the light around the smart menstrual cup, The control unit may determine whether the smart menstrual cup is inserted into a human body based on a detection result by the light measuring unit and a check result by the posture check unit, and as a result of the detection by the light measuring unit. When light is not detected from the periphery of the smart menstrual cup, and at the same time, the smart menstrual cup is inclined more than a predetermined inclination as a result of the check by the posture confirming unit, and determines that the smart menstrual cup is inserted into the human body. , Smart menstrual cup. According to claim 1, The predetermined tilt is 15 degrees, smart menstrual cups. According to claim 1, The volume measuring unit is smart menstrual cups, characterized in that disposed in the storage unit in a direction orthogonal to the corner of the side of the opening. The method of claim 3, wherein The volume measuring unit may include a plurality of sensors arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to a corner of one side of the opening of the storage unit, and each of the plurality of sensors may determine whether liquid exists within a predetermined distance. Smart menstrual cups, characterized in that the sensing. The method of claim 4, wherein The plurality of sensors are included in the wall surface of the storage unit, smart menstrual cups, characterized in that the arrangement is not in direct contact with the menstrual blood even when the storage unit is housed. The method of claim 3, The volume measuring unit, smart menstrual cups, characterized in that consisting of a flexible (flexible) material that can be changed in shape in response to the shape change of the storage unit. According to claim 1, Oxygen saturation measuring device for measuring the oxygen saturation of the menstrual blood accommodated in the storage unit, a notification device for outputting a notification according to the received blood volume, and a touch sensing device for determining the SLEEP / AWAKE of the smart menstrual cup, and the smart physiology A smart menstrual cup comprising at least one of a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature around the cup. According to claim 1, The control unit, the smart menstrual cup, characterized in that for calculating the received blood volume in consideration of the viscosity of the menstrual blood accommodated in the storage. According to claim 1, The control unit includes a first substrate, a battery unit provided on one surface of the first substrate, a second substrate provided on one surface of the battery unit, and a connection unit electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate. , Smart menstrual cup. According to claim 1, The smart menstrual cup electrically connected to the control unit, the communication unit for transmitting a signal generated by the control unit to the terminal. According to claim 1, The smart menstrual cup further comprises a sensory signal generator for generating a sensory signal that can be detected by at least one of the five senses of the human being based on the signal generated by the controller. Menstrual blood measurement method using a smart menstrual cup, Receiving, by the storage unit of the smart menstrual cup, menstrual blood in at least one space inside the storage unit; Measuring the amount of menstrual blood contained in the storage unit by the volume measuring unit of the smart menstrual cup; Confirming a posture of a user wearing the smart menstrual cup by the posture confirming unit of the smart menstrual cup; And And determining, by the control unit of the smart menstrual cup, whether the notification signal is generated by calculating the received blood volume based on the measurement result by the volume measuring unit and the confirmation result by the posture checking unit. The checking of the posture of the user may include detecting the light from the light measuring unit of the smart menstrual cup, and detecting the light from the periphery of the smart menstrual cup, and simultaneously confirming the result of the smart menstrual cup. The method of measuring menstrual blood using a smart menstrual cup, wherein the smart menstrual cup is judged to be in a state where the smart menstrual cup is inserted into a human body when the inclination is more than a predetermined inclination.

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