Device For Determining A Stress Level Of A Person And Providing Feedback On The Basis Of The Stress Level As Determined

• US 20080171914A1
• Filed: 02/03/2006
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Ouwerkerk, Martin, Krans, Martijn
• Granted Patent: US 8,684,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training

Abstract

A device (1) for determining a stress related condition of a person and providing feedback about this condition comprises body sensors (20) for detecting stress related body parameters, a stress assessing element (40), and a feedback device, wherein the stress assessing element (40) is designed for processing input provided by the body sensors (20) and for determining control parameters for controlling the feedback device, on the basis of the input provided by the body sensors (20). The body sensors (20) are integrated in a textile structure, so that the tested person does not sense the sensors (20), as a result of which there is no chance that the test results get influenced by an interaction between the device (1) and the person.

Claims

1. A device for determining a stress level of a person and providing feedback on the basis of the stress level as determined, comprising:

at least one body sensor for detecting a stress related body parameter, which is integrated in a textile structure;

a stress assessing element; and

a feedback device;

wherein the body sensor is designed for measuring electrical signals which are representative of electrical activity inside the body of the person; and

wherein the stress assessing element is designed for processing input provided by the body sensor, and for determining control parameters for controlling the feedback device, on the basis of the input provided by the body sensor.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one motion sensor for detecting movement of the person and for providing input to the stress assessing element, wherein the stress assessing element processes input provided by both the body sensor and the motion sensor and determines control parameters for controlling the feedback device on the basis of the input provided by both the body sensor and the motion sensor.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein connections between the various components of the device are established through textile interconnections.

4. The device according to any claim 1, wherein the feedback device comprises means for generating a visual signal.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the feedback device comprises LEDs.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback device comprises means for treating the body of the person.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the body treating means comprise infrared LEDs.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the textile structure in which the body sensor is integrated is part of a garment such as a shirt.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the textile structure in which the body sensor is integrated is part of a piece of furniture such as a chair.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein a shape of the piece of furniture is adjustable.

11. A device for determining a stress level of a person and providing feedback on the basis of the stress level as determined, comprising:

at least one body sensor for detecting a stress related body parameters which is integrated in a textile structure;

at least one motion sensor for detecting movement of the person;

a stress assessing element; and

a feedback device;

wherein the stress assessing element is designed for processing input provided by both the body sensor and the motion sensor, and for determining control parameters for controlling the feedback device, on the basis of the input provided by both the body sensor and the motion sensor.

12. A device for determining a stress level of a person and providing feedback on the basis of the stress level as determined, comprising:

a piece of furniture having an adjustable shape;

at least one body sensor for detecting a stress related body parameter, which is integrated in a textile structure of the piece of furniture; and

a stress assessing element which is designed for processing input provided by the body sensor, and for determining control parameters for controlling the shape of the piece of furniture, on the basis of the input provided by the body sensor.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the piece of furniture comprises a chair having a seat portion and a backrest, wherein an angle between the seat portion and the backrest is adjustable.

14. The device according to claim 12, further comprising at least one motion sensor for detecting movement of the person and for providing input to the stress assessing element, wherein the stress assessing element processes input provided by both the body sensor and the motion sensor, and determines control parameters for controlling the shape of the piece of furniture, on the basis of the input provided by both the body sensor and the motion sensor.

15. A method for determining a stress level of a person and providing feedback aimed at minimizing the stress level, comprising the following steps:

measuring electrical signals which are representative of electrical activity inside the body of the person by applying at least one body sensor which is capable of carrying out the measurement without making direct contact to the body of the person;

analyzing the measured signal in order to find a portion of the signal which is directly related to muscle tensions of the person; and

providing feedback in the form of an action aimed at reducing these muscle tensions of the person.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, in order to find the portion of the signal which is directly related to muscle tensions of the person, a portion of the signal that is directly related to heart activity of the person is determined and subtracted from the signal.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of providing a piece of furniture having an adjustable shape;

and letting the person take place on the piece of furniture;

wherein the action aimed at reducing the muscle tensions of the person involves an adjustment of the shape of the piece of furniture.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the piece of furniture comprises a chair, and wherein an adjustment of the shape of the piece of furniture involves an adjustment of an angle between a seat portion and a backrest of the chair.

19. A device for carrying out the method according to claim 15, comprising:

a piece of furniture for receiving the person whose stress level is to be determined, wherein a shape of the piece of furniture is adjustable;

at least one body sensor for performing the step of measuring electrical signals, which is integrated in a textile structure of the piece of furniture, and which is positioned in a part of the piece of furniture which is intended for supporting the extremity of the person where the measurement is to be performed; and

a stress assessing element for performing the step of analyzing the measured signal, and for determining control parameters for controlling the shape of the piece of furniture.