JPH10201726A - Electrodermal phenomena measuring electrode, electrodermal phenomena measuring device, game machine and automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an electrode capable of easily and stably measuring a physical quantity related to an electrical phenomenon occurring on the skin, and to provide various devices provided with the electrode. SOLUTION: An electrode for measurement is constituted by an element electrode group including two or more element electrodes. This element electrode group is
The block is divided into one or more blocks, and the block in which the pressing force by the skin is maximum is detected from all the blocks by the detection means (SI). Next, the sum of the pressing forces in the measurement unit (the set including the maximum pressing pressure block and a plurality of blocks close to this block) is calculated (SII). Finally, among the plurality of measurement units, a group of element electrodes constituting the measurement unit having the largest total pressing pressure is used as the measurement electrode (SIII
).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrode for measuring a physical quantity related to an electrical phenomenon occurring on the skin and various devices such as a measuring device provided with the electrode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an electrode for measuring a physical quantity related to an electrical phenomenon occurring on the skin, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-5530 discloses an electrode for measuring skin electric resistance which detects a pressing force of an electrode by a microswitch and measures skin resistance when the pressing force exceeds a certain value, as disclosed in JP-A-177936. As disclosed in
There is an electrode for a skin potential measurement device that can measure a skin potential change in the palm of a hand without influence of body movement by a ring type sensor.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional electrode for measuring skin electric phenomena, it is necessary to keep the skin pressed against the electrode with a certain pressure or more during measurement. There was a problem that there was a strong sense of restraint. There is also a problem that the measurement is complicated, for example, a ring-type sensor must be worn.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode capable of simply and stably measuring a physical quantity relating to an electrical phenomenon occurring on the skin, and an electrode having the same. It is to provide various devices provided with.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a skin electrical phenomenon measuring electrode for measuring a physical quantity related to an electrical phenomenon occurring on the skin by contacting the skin with the subject. , Comprising detecting means comprising at least two or more element electrodes, detecting a contact state between the skin and the element electrodes, and selecting an element electrode to be used for measurement according to a detection result by the detecting means. And

[0006] The electrical phenomena occurring in the skin include both bioelectric phenomena occurring in the skin due to the activity of the living body and electrical phenomena in which electric energy applied from outside the body propagates in the body. Physical quantities related to such electrical phenomena include:
There are action potentials associated with nerve and muscle activities, and skin impedance based on a potential difference generated by an applied current. The element electrode is an electrode or a unit including a plurality of electrodes that can independently measure a physical quantity related to electrodermal phenomena. Whether a single electrode or a unit is used as the element electrode can be appropriately selected according to the method of measuring the physical quantity.

[0007] According to this configuration, the element electrode having a stable contact state is detected by the detecting means from among the element electrodes in contact with the skin of the subject and used for measurement, so that stable measurement is possible. Becomes

Further, even if the position and the contact state of the skin contacted by the subject during measurement are not strictly regulated, the contact state is detected by the detecting means when the subject's skin comes into contact,
Since element electrodes having a stable contact state are selected and used for measurement, the complexity of the measurement is reduced, and the measurement can be easily performed.

A second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the electrode is divided into at least two or more element electrode groups, and an element electrode group to be used for measurement is selected according to a detection result by the detection means. And

Here, the element electrode group is a set composed of at least two or more element electrodes which are close to each other.

In order to increase the stability of physical quantity measurement, it is desirable that the skin and the electrode are in contact with a certain large area. However, if a too wide range of element electrodes is used for measurement, an electrode with unstable contact will pick up an artifact due to body movement. Therefore, the range of the element electrodes used for measurement is limited by forming an electrode group as a set of several to several tens of element electrodes, detecting the contact state by the detecting means, and selecting the electrode group used for measurement. be able to.

A third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, two or more element electrode groups adjacent to each other are selected as element electrode groups used for measurement.

As described above, when two or more element electrode groups adjacent to each other are used for the measurement, the measurement of the physical quantity can be stabilized. In addition, even when the contact state between the electrode and the skin is stable at the boundary between the element electrode groups, the element electrode group that is in contact at the boundary can be used for measurement, so that stable measurement can be performed.

According to a fourth aspect, in the first to third aspects, a pressure sensing means is provided as the detection means.

Since the contact state between the skin and the electrode can be detected by using the pressure-sensitive means as the detecting means and using the pressing force of the skin against the electrode as an index, the contact state can be detected by a simple mechanism.

As the pressure sensing means, any means can be used as long as the output changes according to the pressure of the piezoelectric element or the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodermal phenomena measuring device comprising the electrodermal phenomena measuring electrodes according to the first to fourth aspects, and measuring a physical quantity related to an electric phenomenon generated on the skin by the electrodes. is there.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a skin electrical phenomenon measuring apparatus capable of performing simple and stable measurement.

In addition to measuring such physical quantities,
Based on these physical quantities, information such as the blood pressure and the heart rate of the subject may be added to provide guide information useful for health management.

According to a sixth aspect, in the first to fourth aspects, a skin impedance is measured as the physical quantity.

In this way, the skin impedance can be easily and stably measured.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine characterized in that the electrode for measuring electrodermal phenomena according to the sixth aspect is provided in an input device.

As described above, if the skin electrical phenomenon measuring electrode is provided in the input device of the game machine and the skin impedance of the player is measured, the degree of concentration, excitement, fatigue, etc. of the player can be detected from the skin impedance value. can do. Also,
By feeding back information such as the degree of concentration to the game machine, it is also possible to control the degree of difficulty of the game. Not only skin impedance but also other physical quantities may be measured and used in the same manner.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile having the electrode for measuring electrodermal phenomenon according to the sixth aspect provided on a rim of a steering wheel.

As described above, when the skin impedance measurement electrode is provided on the rim of the steering wheel of the automobile and the skin impedance of the driver is measured, the awake state of the driver, the concentration state for driving, the degree of fatigue, etc. can be determined from the skin impedance value. Can be detected. In addition, by providing information such as the arousal state to the driver or the like, safer driving becomes possible.

Not only the skin impedance but also other physical quantities may be measured and used in the same manner.

In addition, the electromechanical sensor for measuring electrodermal phenomena may be provided not only in a car but also in a steering device of another vehicle.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an electrode for measuring skin impedance as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1A shows a state in which a circular electrode is arranged on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical housing 1, and FIG.
Indicates a state in which the circular electrode is arranged on the plane surface of the housing 2. The circular electrode includes a conducting electrode 3, a potential electrode 4, and a reference electrode 5. The same number of the conducting electrodes 3, the potential electrodes 4 and the reference electrodes 5 are arranged per unit area of the housing 1 or the housing 2, respectively. Here, the element electrode is a unit composed of three components: a current-carrying electrode 3, a potential electrode 4, and a reference electrode 5.

FIG. 1C shows a state in which the rectangular electrodes are arranged on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical housing 1, and FIG.
Indicates a state in which the rectangular electrodes are arranged on the plane surface of the housing 2. The rectangular electrode includes a conducting electrode 6, a potential electrode 7, and a reference electrode 8. The same number of the conducting electrodes 6, the potential electrodes 7 and the reference electrodes 8 are arranged per unit length in the arrangement direction of the electrodes on the housing 1 or the housing 2, respectively. Here also, the element electrode is a unit composed of three components: a current-carrying electrode 6, a potential electrode 7, and a reference electrode 8.

The planar shape of the electrode is not limited to a circular shape or a rectangular shape.

By subdividing the electrodes in this way,
The electrodes can be arranged on a surface of the housing having various shapes. That is, since the electrode can be disposed by selecting a portion having a large contact area with the skin of the subject, the skin impedance can be stably measured. Also,
Since the subject only needs to bring the skin into contact with the surface of the housing on which the electrodes are arranged, the measurement can be easily performed without the subject's feeling of restraint.

However, if a large number of electrodes are connected, electrodes not used for measurement will also be connected, which may cause noise superposition. In addition, even if the electrode is in contact with the skin, if the contact state is unstable, the superimposition of artifacts due to body movement increases. Therefore, a mechanism for recognizing an electrode whose contact state with the skin is stable and connecting only that electrode to the measurement circuit is required.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the skin impedance measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The current-carrying electrode group 9, potential electrode group 10, and reference electrode group 11 arranged on the housing are connected to an electrode contact state recognition unit 12. Each electrode is connected to the electrode contact state recognition unit 12 by a skin impedance signal line 13 and a pressure signal line 14, respectively.

As will be described later, the electrode contact state recognition unit 12
In, the contact state between each electrode and the skin is recognized, and an electrode used for skin impedance measurement is selected.

The electrode contact state recognizing unit 12 is connected to a constant current output unit 15 for supplying a current to the current-carrying electrodes, and the amount of current is controlled by a current control unit 16 according to a control voltage signal. Further, the electrode contact state recognizing unit 12 is also connected to a potential difference measuring unit 17 which is connected to the conducting electrode and the potential electrode and measures a potential difference. The potential difference measuring unit 17 is connected to a skin impedance measuring unit 18 that measures skin impedance based on the measured potential difference, and outputs a skin impedance signal. Further, a ground wire 19 connected to the reference electrode is also connected to the electrode contact state recognition unit 12.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the cross-sectional structure of the electrode.

The sectional structure of the electrode is the same regardless of the planar shape. The electrode 20 made of a conductive material is buried in a housing 21 made of a non-conductive material so as to be movable in a pressing direction, and its head slightly protrudes from the surface of the housing 21. Below the electrode 20 in the pressing direction, a piezoelectric element 23 is disposed as a pressure-sensitive means via a pressure transmitting member 22 made of a non-conductive material having high hardness. Below the piezoelectric element 23, a sheet 24 made of a non-conductive material is provided to support the electrode 20 and the piezoelectric element 23. The electrode 20 is connected to the piezoelectric element 23 by the skin impedance signal line 13.
Is connected to the electrode contact state recognition unit 12 by a pressure signal line 14.

Since the electrode 20 is pressed by contact with the skin, the pressure is detected by the piezoelectric element 23. Since the pressure value increases as the contact state with the skin increases, the contact state between the skin and the electrode 20 is estimated from the pressure detected by the piezoelectric element 23.

In this embodiment, the piezoelectric element 23 is connected to each electrode 2
Although provided for each 0, one piezoelectric element may be provided for a plurality of electrodes, or one piezoelectric element may be provided for each block described later. In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 23 is provided below the electrode 20 in the pressing direction. However, the piezoelectric element 23 may be arranged on the housing 21 so as to be parallel to the head of the electrode 20.

In the present embodiment, a piezoelectric element is used as the pressure sensing means, but any element can be used as long as its output changes with pressure. A change in the amount of transmitted light due to pressure may be detected by wrapping around an optical fiber.

Next, a description will be given of a method of detecting a skin contact state using the electrode.

When measuring the skin impedance, it is desirable that the skin and the electrode are in contact with a certain large area in order to increase the stability of the measurement. But,
If an electrode in a very wide range is used as a measurement electrode, an electrode whose contact is unstable will pick up an artifact due to body movement. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electrode unit is divided into blocks as an element electrode group in units of several to several tens, and the contact state of each block is recognized, and only electrodes within a certain range are applied to the measurement electrodes.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a group of blocked electrodes.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the housing is annular or rod-shaped, the electrode group is blocked in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Is two-dimensionally blocked when the is flat. When the electrode group arranged in the planar housing is blocked as described above, a hexagonal block can be used so that an unnecessarily wide range of electrodes is not used as a measurement electrode.

In each block, an energizing electrode, a potential electrode,
The same number of reference electrodes are arranged.

The size of the block can be appropriately selected according to the resolution of the relative movement in the direction of the contact surface between the skin and the electrode.

The shape of the block can be appropriately selected according to the planar shape of the electrodes and the shape of the housing in which the electrodes are arranged.

Next, the configuration of the electrode contact state recognition unit 12 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electrode contact state recognition unit 12.

The control of the electrode contact state recognizing unit 12 is performed by the CP
This is performed by U27.

The output of the piezoelectric element is added for each block by the adder circuit 28 and is taken into the CPU 27 as pressure information by the A / D converter 29 for pressure sensing. Thereby, the contact state between the skin and the electrode is detected.

The CPU 27 selects an optimum block from the pressure information by an algorithm described later, and sends a control signal to each of the switching ICs 30, 31, and 32.

Each of the switching ICs 30, 31, and 32 is connected to an energizing electrode, a potential electrode, and a reference electrode. Between the switching IC 31 and the potential electrode, and between the switching IC 32 and the reference electrode, buffer amplifiers 31a and 31a are provided to more accurately measure the potential change.
2a is provided. Each switching IC 30,3
In accordance with the control signal sent from the CPU 27, the switches 1 and 32 perform switching so that only the electrodes of the block selected from the connected electrodes are used as the measurement electrodes.

Thus, the input / output terminal 3 of the current-carrying electrode
3. Output terminal 34 of potential electrode and output terminal 3 of reference electrode
5, only the electrodes of the selected block are connected.

The algorithm for recognizing the electrode contact state will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the outline of the electrode contact state recognition algorithm. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams schematically illustrating the procedure of the electrode contact state recognition algorithm.

First, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 8 (a), blocks 36, 39 having the maximum pressing pressure are obtained from all the blocks.
Is detected (S I).

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 (b) and 8 (b), the pressing forces of the measuring units 37 and 40 (a set consisting of the maximum pressing pressure block and a plurality of blocks close to this block) are measured. Calculate the sum (SII). Here, the measurement unit consists of two blocks (FIG. 8 (b)) in the case of an annular or rod-shaped housing, and three blocks (FIG. 7 (b)) in the case of a planar housing, and two types and six types of combinations, respectively. There is.

Finally, an electrode group constituting the measurement units 38 and 41 having the largest sum of the pressing pressures among a plurality of measurement units is used as a measurement electrode (SIII).

The algorithm for recognizing an electrode contact state will be described in detail below for an annular or rod-shaped housing and a planar housing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an electrode contact state recognition algorithm in the case of an annular or rod-shaped housing.

In this case, after searching the sum of the pressure for each block, the block having the maximum pressure is searched. Then, among the blocks adjacent to the block, the block having the larger pressure and the above-described block having the maximum pressure are set as the measurement target blocks.

First, the sum of the pressures of the blocks 1 to N is detected (S1).

A variable Max indicating the maximum value of the pressing pressure is set to 0,
The variable MAXC indicating the block number of the maximum pressing pressure is 0,
1 is substituted into a variable C indicating the counter (S
2).

Here, it is determined whether or not P (C)> Max (S3). If Yes, the variable Max is set to P (C), MA
Substitute C for XC and proceed to S5 (S4), and if No, substitute C + 1 for variable C (S5).

Next, it is determined whether or not C> N (S6).
If No, the process returns to S3. If Yes, the process proceeds to the next step to determine whether or not C = 1 (S7).

If Yes in S7, then P
It is determined whether (N)> P (2) (S8). Where N
If o, blocks 1 and 2 are selected as the unit of measurement (S
9) If Yes, block N, 1 is selected as the unit of measurement (S10).

If No in S7, it is determined whether or not C = N (S11).

If Yes in S11, P (N-
It is determined whether 1)> P (1) (S12). here,
If No, the process proceeds to S10, where blocks N, 1 are selected as a unit of measurement, and if Yes, blocks N-1, N are selected as a unit of measurement (S13).

If No in S11, P (MAXC
-1)> P (MAXC + 1) is determined (S1)
4). Here, if Yes, the blocks MAXC-1 and MAXC are selected as the unit of measurement (S15). If No, block MAXC, MAXC + 1 as a unit of measurement
Is selected (S16).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an electrode contact state recognition algorithm in the case of a flat housing. In this case, after searching the sum of the pressure for each block,
Find the block with the largest total pressure. Next, the sum of the pressures of a set of three blocks including the block and sharing one vertex of a hexagon surrounding the block is calculated. Then, of the six types of combinations, the combination having the maximum total pressure is set as the measurement target block.

First, a variable indicating the maximum value of the pressing pressure is defined as Max.
0, a variable MH indicating the abscissa of the block number having the largest pressing force is 0, a variable MV indicating the ordinate of the block number having the largest pressing force is 0, a variable H indicating the horizontal counter is 2, and the vertical counter is indicated. Substitute 2 for the variable V (S1
01).

Next, it is determined whether or not P (H, V)> Max (S102). Here, if No, H + 1 is substituted for H (S103), and if Yes, P is substituted for Max.
(H, V), the process proceeds to S103 in which H is substituted for MH and V is substituted for MV (S104).

Next, it is determined whether or not H> N-1 (S1).
05). If No here, the process returns to S102 and Yes
If so, 2 is assigned to H and V + 1 is assigned to V (S106).

Next, it is determined whether or not V> M-1 (S1).
07). If No here, the process returns to S102 and Yes
If so, proceed to the next and P (MH, MV-1) + P (MH
+1, MV-1) + P (MH, MV)
(1) is defined. Similarly, P (MH-1, MV) + P
Calculate (MH, MV-1) + P (MH, MV) and J
(2), and P (MH, MV + 1) + P (MH-
1, MV) + P (MH, MV) is calculated and defined as J (3), and P (MH + 1, MV + 1) + P (MH, MV +
1) + P (MH, MV) is calculated and defined as J (4),
P (MH + 1, MV + 1) + P (MH + 1, MV) + P
(MH, MV) is calculated and defined as J (5), and P (MH
+1, MV) + P (MH + 1, MV-1) + P (MH,
MV) is calculated and defined as J (6) (S108).

Next, J (1), J (2), J (3), J
The maximum value among (4), J (5) and J (6) is MAXXP
(S109).

Next, 1 is substituted for C (S110).

Then, it is determined whether or not J (C) = MAXP (S111). If No, C + 1 is substituted for C and the process returns to S111 (S112). If Yes, the value of C is checked (S113).

At S113, if C = 1, (MH, MV-1), (MH + 1, MV-1),
(MH, MV) is selected (S114). If C = 2, the unit of measurement is (MH-1, MV), (MH, MV-
1), (MH, MV) are selected (S115). C = 3
Then, the unit of measurement is (MH, MV + 1), (MH-
(1, MV) and (MH, MV) are selected (S116).
If C = 4, the unit of measurement is (MH + 1, MV + 1),
(MH, MV + 1) and (MH, MV) are selected (S1
17). If C = 5, the unit of measurement is (MH + 1, MV
+1), (MH + 1, MV), (MH, MV) (S118). If C = 6, the unit of measurement is (MH +
1, MV), (MH + 1, MV-1), (MH, MV)
Is selected (S119).

By selecting two or more blocks adjacent to each other as a unit of measurement as described above, the skin impedance measurement can be stabilized. In addition, even when the contact state between the electrode and the skin is stable at the boundary between the blocks, the block that is in contact at the boundary can be used for measurement, so that stable measurement can be performed.

(Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, a game machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since a known configuration can be adopted for the game console body,
Only an input device for inputting various instructions when a player plays a game will be described.

FIG. 11 shows a controller 42 as an input device of a game machine to which the electrodes according to the first embodiment of the present invention are applied.

The controller 42 is held by both hands from both sides as shown in FIG. At this time, the index finger is attached to the side surface 43 and the upper surface 44 of the controller 42, and the middle finger is bent to support the back surface 45 from both sides. By pressing the buttons 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 arranged on the front surface 46 with the thumb, various instructions are input and the game is played. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11B to 11E, the electrode groups 53 are provided on both sides of the controller side surface 43 and the lower surface 52 and the rear surface 45 where the skin of both hands frequently contacts.

By arranging the skin impedance measuring electrodes in the controller 42 as described above, it is possible to measure the skin impedance during the game, and to detect the concentration, excitement and fatigue of the game player from the skin impedance value. it can. The degree of difficulty or the like of the game may be controlled by feeding back the degree of concentration or the like to the game machine. .

The input device is not limited to the controller according to the present embodiment, but may be in the form of a grip of a gun, a ski pole, a golf club, or the like. Also,
The controller is not limited to a button operation controller, but may be a joystick type controller.

(Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, an automobile according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since a known configuration can be adopted for each part except the steering wheel of the automobile, only the steering wheel will be described.

FIG. 12 schematically shows a state in which the electrode according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a steering wheel 54 of an automobile.

As shown in FIG. 12A, rectangular conducting electrodes 6, potential electrodes 7, and reference electrodes 8 may be arranged on the surface of the rim 55 along the circumferential direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, a circular conducting electrode 3, a potential electrode 4, and a reference electrode 5 may be arranged. The electrodes are provided over the entire surface of the rim 55 of the steering wheel 54. Fig. 12
12 (d), there is a person who holds the lower part of the rim 55 with his / her hand as shown in FIG. 12 (d). If so, the skin impedance can be measured regardless of which position of the rim 55 the driver holds. Based on the skin impedance, it is possible to detect a driver's awake state, concentration state on driving, degree of fatigue, and the like.
Further, information can be provided based on the concentration state or the like so that the driver can drive more safely.

The steering wheel is not limited to an annular one as in this embodiment.

[0094]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the element electrode having a stable contact state is detected by the detecting means from the element electrodes in contact with the skin of the subject. Since it is used for measurement, stable measurement can be performed.

Further, even if the subject does not strictly regulate the position and the contact state of the skin when making the measurement, the contact state is detected by the detecting means when the subject's skin comes into contact,
Since element electrodes having a stable contact state are selected and used for measurement, the complexity of the measurement is reduced, and the measurement can be easily performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an electrode group is formed by combining several to several tens of element electrodes, and the contact state is detected by the detecting means, and the electrode group used for measurement is selected. Although the skin and the element electrode have a certain large contact area, the range of the element electrode used for the measurement is limited, so that the stability of the measurement of the skin impedance is increased.

According to the third aspect, the measurement of skin impedance can be stabilized. In addition, even when the contact state between the electrode and the skin is stable at the boundary between the element electrode groups, the element electrode group that is in contact at the boundary can be used for measurement, so that stable measurement can be performed.

According to the fourth aspect, the contact state between the skin and the electrode can be detected by the pressing force of the skin against the electrode, and the contact state can be detected by a simple mechanism using the piezoelectric element.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a skin electrical phenomenon measuring apparatus capable of performing simple and stable measurement.

According to the sixth aspect, the skin impedance can be simply and stably measured.

According to the seventh aspect, the player's skin impedance can be measured, and the concentration, excitement, fatigue, etc. of the player can be detected from the skin impedance value. Also, by feeding back information such as the degree of concentration to the game machine, the degree of difficulty of the game can be controlled.

According to the eighth aspect, the driver's skin impedance can be measured, and the driver's awake state, concentration on driving, degree of fatigue, and the like can be detected from the skin impedance value. In addition, by providing information such as the arousal state to the driver or the like, safer driving becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A shows a state in which a circular electrode is arranged on a circumferential surface of a cylindrical housing. FIG. 1B shows a state in which the circular electrodes are arranged on the surface of a planar housing. FIG. 1C shows a state in which the rectangular electrodes are arranged on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical housing. FIG. 1D shows a state where the rectangular electrodes are arranged on the surface of a planar housing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a skin impedance measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a sectional structure of an electrode.

FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing a blocked electrode group in the case where the housing is annular or rod-shaped. FIG. 4B is a diagram schematically showing a blocked electrode group when the housing is flat.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electrode contact state recognition unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of an electrode contact state recognition algorithm.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams schematically illustrating a procedure of an electrode contact state recognition algorithm.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams schematically illustrating the procedure of an electrode contact state recognition algorithm.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an electrode contact state recognition algorithm in the case of an annular or rod-shaped housing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an electrode contact state recognition algorithm in the case of a flat housing.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a use state of a controller of a game machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
11 (b), (c), (d) and (e) are a front view, a rear view, a bottom view and a right side view of the controller, respectively.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams schematically showing a steering wheel of an automobile according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 12C and 12D are views showing a state where the steering wheel is held.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numerals 1, 2, housing 3, 6 conducting electrode 4, 7 potential electrode 5, 8 reference electrode 9 conducting electrode group 10, potential electrode group 11, reference electrode group 12, electrode contact status recognition unit 13, skin impedance signal line 14, pressure signal line 15, constant current output Unit 16 energization current control unit 17 potential difference measurement unit 18 skin impedance measurement unit 19 ground wire 20 electrode 21 housing 22 pressure transmission member 23 piezoelectric element 24 sheet 25, 26 housing 27 CPU 28 addition circuit 30, 31, 32 switching IC 33 energization electrode Input / output terminal 34 Potential electrode output terminal 35 Reference electrode output terminal 36, 39 Maximum pressing pressure block 37, 38, 40, 41 Measurement unit 42 Controller 43 Side surface 44 Top surface 45 Back surface 46 Front surface 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 Button 52 Lower surface 53 Electrode group 54 Steer Guhoiru 55 rim

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kazuma 24, Yamanouchi Yamanoshitamachi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Omron Life Science Research Institute, Inc.

Claims (8)

[Claims] A skin electromechanical measurement electrode for measuring a physical quantity related to an electric phenomenon generated in the skin by bringing the skin into contact with the skin of a subject, comprising: at least two or more element electrodes; An electrode for measuring electrodermal phenomena, comprising: detecting means for detecting a contact state of the device; and selecting an element electrode to be used for measurement according to a detection result by the detecting means. 2. The electrodermal phenomenon according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is divided into at least two or more element electrode groups, and an element electrode group to be used for measurement is selected according to a detection result by the detection means. Measurement electrode. 3. The electrode according to claim 2, wherein two or more element electrode groups adjacent to each other are selected as the element electrode group used for measurement. 4. The electrode according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensing means as said detection means. 5. An apparatus for measuring electrodermal phenomena, comprising the electrodermal phenomena measuring electrode according to claim 1 and measuring a physical quantity relating to an electrophenomenon generated in the skin by the electrodes. 6. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein a skin impedance is measured as the physical quantity. 7. A game machine provided with an electrodermal electromechanical measurement electrode according to claim 6 in an input device. 8. An automobile, wherein the electrode for measuring skin electric phenomena according to claim 6 is provided on a rim of a steering wheel.