BIOMETRIC MEASURING DEVICE

• US 20020151775A1
• Filed: 11/30/1999
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: KONDO, YUTAKA
• Granted Patent: US 6,529,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data

Abstract

A watch-type biometric measuring device having a pulse wave sensor unit for detecting a pulse rate by a reflective optical sensor, a housing 10 storing therein the sensor unit, and a wristband 20 is improved. The wristband 20 has short band pieces 21 and 23 near the housing 10, and long band pieces 22 and 24 far from the housing 10. The band pieces 21 and 23 have high flexibility, and permit movement of a living body. On the other hand, the band pieces 22 and 24 have low flexibility, and secure holding ability against the living body. With this configuration, it is possible to mount the biometric measuring device on a measurement site of the living body with high adhesion while minimizing the sensation of pressure.

Claims

1. A biometric measuring device, comprising:

a light-emitting means for applying light to a living body;

a biometric information detection means for receiving reflected light from said living body of the light applied by said light-emitting means to produce a biometric information signal according to the amount of light received;

a support body for supporting said light-emitting means and said biometric information detection means; and

a band connected to said support body and wound around said living body near said detection site to fix said support body to said living body;

wherein said band is formed of a circumferentially flexible material, and flexibility thereof partially varies in the circumferential direction.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said band has a first portion proximate to said support body, and a second portion distant from said support body, and said first portion has the flexibility higher than that of said second portion.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said band consists of a low flexibility member having low flexibility and a high flexibility member having flexibility higher than said low flexibility member combined in the circumferential direction.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of said first portion is thinner than the thickness of said second portion.

16. A device according to claim 1 or 6, further comprising a living body-pressing means which is disposed on a portion nearer to the heart of said living body than said biometric information detection means and adheres to said living body to press said living body.

21. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said band includes plural band pieces, and a connecting member for mutually connecting said band pieces, a position to connect said band pieces with said connecting member according to the size of said living body is variable, and a display part for displaying a position to connect said band pieces by said connecting member is provided on the outer surface of said band.

2. A biometric measuring device, comprising:

a light-emitting body for applying light to a living body;

a light-receiving body for receiving reflected light from said living body of the light applied by said light-emitting body to produce a biometric information signal according to the amount of light received;

a support body for supporting said light-emitting body and said light-receiving body; and

a band connected to said support body and wound around said living body near said detection site to fix said support body to said living body;

wherein said band is formed of a circumferentially flexible material, and flexibility thereof partially varies in the circumferential direction.

17. A device according to claim 2 or 7, further comprising a living body-pressing means which is disposed on a portion nearer to the heart of said living body than said light-receiving body and adheres to said living body to press said living body.

6. A biometric measuring device, comprising:

a light-emitting means for applying light to a living body;

a biometric information detection means for receiving reflected light from said living body of the light applied by said light-emitting means to produce a biometric information signal according to the amount of light received;

a support body for supporting said light-emitting means and said biometric information detection means; and

a band connected to said support body and wound around said living body near said detection site to fix said support body to said living body;

wherein said band has a base material wound around the living body; and

an elastic member disposed inside said base material and having a flexibility higher than that of said base material.

8. A device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said elastic member is formed of polyurethane rubber.

9. A device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said elastic member is detachably attached to said base material.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein plural holes are formed in one of said base material and said elastic member, and projections to be inserted into said holes are formed in the other one of said base material and said elastic member.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said projections do not fall out of said holes when inserted into said holes.

12. A device according to claim 9, further comprising a clip for pinching superposed said base material and said elastic member.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein a groove is formed in said elastic member in which said clip is located.

14. A device according to claim 9, wherein said elastic member has a sheath into which said base material is inserted.

15. A device according to any one of claims 6, 7, 9, and 14, wherein said band includes plural band pieces, and a connecting member for mutually connecting said band pieces, a position to connect said band pieces with said connecting member according to the size of said living body is variable, at least one of said band pieces is provided with said elastic member, and said elastic member can control movement of another one of said band pieces.

18. A device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said living body-pressing means is said band.

19. A device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said living body-pressing means is said elastic member of said band.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said support body has a protuberance, and said band has a portion into which said protuberance is fitted.

7. A biometric measuring device, comprising:

a light-emitting body for applying light to a living body;

a light-receiving body for receiving reflected light from said living body of the light applied by said light-emitting body to produce a biometric information signal according to the amount of light received;

a support body for supporting said light-emitting body and said light-receiving body; and

a band connected to said support body and wound around said living body near said detection site to fix said support body to said living body;

wherein said band has a base material wound around the living body; and

an elastic member disposed inside said base material and having a flexibility higher than that of said base material.