WO2015129048A1 - Human-body communication system, electrode for human-body communication system, and material for said electrode - Google Patents

Human-body communication system, electrode for human-body communication system, and material for said electrode Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015129048A1
WO2015129048A1 PCT/JP2014/055167 JP2014055167W WO2015129048A1 WO 2015129048 A1 WO2015129048 A1 WO 2015129048A1 JP 2014055167 W JP2014055167 W JP 2014055167W WO 2015129048 A1 WO2015129048 A1 WO 2015129048A1
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electrode
human body
communication system
communication terminal
carbon
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PCT/JP2014/055167
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
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晃 後藤
智巳 秋谷
幸勇 知念
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共栄エンジニアリング株式会社
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Priority to PCT/JP2014/055167 priority Critical patent/WO2015129048A1/en
Publication of WO2015129048A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015129048A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B13/00—Transmission systems characterised by the medium used for transmission, not provided for in groups H04B3/00 - H04B11/00
    • H04B13/005—Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a human body communication system that transmits and receives a signal using a user as a signal transmission medium, its electrode, and its electrode material.
  • Wireless communication that propagates radio waves in the air has a problem with confidentiality of information, and wired communication with cables has a problem with usability. Therefore, in recent years, research on human body communication using a human body or the like as a signal transmission medium has been actively conducted.
  • Various communication systems for human body communication have been proposed.For example, an electric field system that induces an electric field that appears on the surface of the human body and transmits a signal by changing the electric field, or a weak current that flows through the human body to generate the current. And a current system for transmitting a signal by modulating the signal.
  • This human body communication has both confidentiality of information by wired communication and usability by wireless communication.
  • two communication terminals each have an electrode.
  • One communication terminal is generally considered to be worn by a user as a signal transmission medium. If the electric field method is used, the communication path of the two communication terminals is established when the user touches or approaches the electrode of the other communication terminal, and a voltage according to transmission information is applied to the electrodes. Thus, an electric charge amount is induced on the human body surface in contact with the electrode, and the electric field intensity on the human body surface is changed by changing the electric charge amount. By detecting this change in electric field strength, the transmitted information is transmitted to the other.
  • the human body or the like is used as a signal transmission medium.
  • users who come in contact with or close to the electrodes have various physiques, wear various clothes, and the portions where the electrodes come close to or come into contact are not uniform. That is, the transmission characteristics of a human body or the like are not stable as a signal transmission medium.
  • the human body and the like have poor balance and are susceptible to various noises present in the surrounding environment.
  • the transmission output of the signal has to be increased uniformly based on the situation where the transmission characteristics are not good. If it does so, the power consumption of the battery of the communication terminal which a user wears will become large, and since the frequency
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object thereof is a human body communication system that achieves both high communication sensitivity and low power consumption, and its electrodes and electrodes. To provide materials.
  • a human body communication system is a human body communication system that transmits and receives a signal using a user as a signal transmission medium, and includes a first communication terminal, a second communication terminal, and the first communication terminal.
  • An electrode that is provided in each of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal and is in proximity to or in contact with the user, and the electrode is formed by containing fibrous carbon with respect to the base material.
  • the fibrous carbon may be contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the base material.
  • the fibrous carbon may include at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
  • the electrode may have a groove on the surface.
  • Communication sensitivity based on signals received at least by either the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal, the transmission means and the reception means having the electrodes, respectively, and the reception unit via the user Measurement means for measuring the output and output control means for changing the transmission output of the transmission means based on the communication sensitivity measured by the measurement means.
  • An electrode of a human body communication system is an electrode of a human body communication system having a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that transmit and receive signals using a user as a signal transmission medium, and a pair of electrode materials
  • the electrode material is formed by containing fibrous carbon with respect to the base material.
  • the fibrous carbon may be contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the base material.
  • the fibrous carbon may include at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
  • the electrode material may have a groove on the surface.
  • the electrode material included in the electrode of the human body communication system according to the present invention is provided in a human body communication system having a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that transmit and receive signals using a user as a signal transmission medium, and an insulating material is used.
  • An electrode is formed by sandwiching and is formed by containing fibrous carbon with respect to the base material.
  • the fibrous carbon may be contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the base material.
  • the fibrous carbon may include at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
  • the capacitance of the electrode increases, and it is possible to achieve a change in electric field strength that can distinguish the signal level from noise with a smaller voltage. That is, a human body communication system with high communication sensitivity and low power consumption can be realized. In other words, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of portability by downsizing the battery mounted on the first communication terminal carried by the carrier.
  • FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a human body communication system.
  • the human body communication system 1 includes a first communication terminal 2 and a second communication terminal 3, and performs one-way or two-way communication using a human body such as a human body, a human body surface, or clothing as a signal transmission medium.
  • a human body communication method there are a current method in which a weak current is passed through the human body, an electric field method in which electric field E along the surface of the human body is changed, and the like.
  • the human body communication system 1 using an electric field system is illustrated, the 1st communication terminal 2 and the 2nd communication terminal 3 are because the portable person 4 who is a user, and an electrode relatively contact or adjoin. Any communication method can be applied without being limited to the electric field method.
  • the first communication terminal 2 is a portable communication device worn by the carrier 4.
  • the 2nd communication terminal 3 is a communication apparatus with which the carrier 4 of the 1st communication terminal 2 approaches or contacts for direct communication or via another person, for example, is installed in a facility etc.
  • each of the first communication terminal 2 and the second communication terminal 3 is configured by electrically connecting a transmission unit 5, a reception unit 6, and a signal processing unit 7 through a bus. .
  • the signal processing unit 7 processes the received signal and generates a transmission signal.
  • the signal processing unit 7 is, for example, a microcomputer or a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
  • the signal processing unit 7 generates a transmission signal by calculation of the CPU and outputs the transmission signal to the transmission unit 5. Further, the received signal is processed by the calculation of the CPU, and the processing result is output to the RAM.
  • the transmission unit 5 transmits a signal through the carrier 4 by changing the electric field strength appearing on the human body surface.
  • the transmission unit 5 includes a modulator 9, an amplifier 11, a band pass filter 12, and an electrode 8.
  • the modulator 9 modulates the digital signal input from the signal processing unit 7 into, for example, an approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz analog signal that is phase-modulated.
  • the amplifier 11 amplifies the analog signal that has passed through the modulator 9.
  • the bandpass filter 12 passes the analog signal with the frequency of the amplified analog signal as the center frequency.
  • the electrode 8 transmits an analog signal through the carrier 4.
  • the receiving unit 6 receives a signal through the carrier 4 by detecting a change in electric field strength appearing on the surface of the human body.
  • the receiving unit 6 includes an electrode 8, a band pass filter 12, an amplifier 11, and a demodulator 10.
  • the electrode 8 receives an analog signal of approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz that is phase-modulated through the carrier 4.
  • the bandpass filter 12 passes the analog signal with the frequency of the analog signal as the center frequency.
  • the amplifier 11 amplifies the analog signal that has passed through the bandpass filter 12.
  • the demodulator 10 demodulates the phase-modulated analog signal and converts it into a digital signal.
  • the human body communication system 1 when a wearer 4 wearing the first communication terminal 2 approaches or contacts the electrode 8 of the second communication terminal 3, the second communication terminal 3 and the first communication terminal 2 are connected.
  • the electrode 8 induces an electric field E on the human body surface of the carrier 4.
  • the signal processing unit 7 of the first communication terminal 2 outputs a digital signal such as the ID of the carrier 4 to the transmission unit 5.
  • the digital signal is phase-modulated to an analog signal of approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz according to the content thereof, the signal is amplified, noise is reduced, and then input to the electrode 8.
  • the electrode 8 changes the electric field strength on the human body surface following the analog signal.
  • the receiving unit 6 detects a change in the electric field strength with the electrode 8, detects a change in the electric field strength, and outputs an analog signal to the bandpass filter 12. Then, after the noise is reduced by the band pass filter 12, the signal is amplified and demodulated into a digital signal after the phase-modulated analog signal of approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz is input to the signal processing unit 7.
  • the signal processing unit 7 of the second communication terminal 3 for example, a digital signal representing an ID or the like is compared with ID information stored in advance, and processing according to a comparison result such as unlocking the door is performed.
  • each electrode 8 is formed by sandwiching an insulating material 82 between electrode materials 81 on both sides.
  • One electrode material 81 is connected to the band-pass filter 12 in the first communication terminal 2 and the contact communication terminal, and the other electrode material 81 is in contact with the human body or the like of the carrier 4.
  • Each electrode 8 can be regarded as a virtual capacitor with the carrier 4.
  • the electrode 8 on the transmission unit 5 side changes the electric field strength on the surface of the human body by inducing an amount of charge corresponding to the transmission signal to the electrode material 81 that contacts the human body or the like of the carrier 4.
  • the electrode 8 on the receiving unit 6 side receives a received signal by detecting a change in the electric field strength on the surface of the human body by inducing an amount of charge in the electrode material 81 on the bandpass filter 12 side via the human body or the like. To do.
  • the electrode material 81 is a substantially flat plate and is a carbon-based composite material in which fibrous carbon is contained in a base material such as resin or metal.
  • a base material such as resin or metal.
  • the resin include acrylonitrile, butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, and polycarbonate resin.
  • the metal is, for example, copper or aluminum.
  • fibrous carbon include fibrous carbon such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in which carbon fiber is mixed with a base material such as carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon nanofiber (CNF), and epoxy resin.
  • the carbon nanotube may be a single-walled carbon nanotube having a single graphene sheet, or a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in which two or more layers of graphene sheets are coaxially rounded and a tube wall forms a multilayer. Also good.
  • the insulating material 82 is, for example, PET resin or styrene resin.
  • Fibrous carbon has a high conductivity and contributes to an increase in the capacitance of the electrode 8 as shown in the following formula (1).
  • C electrostatic capacity
  • Q electric charge
  • V voltage
  • ⁇ dielectric constant
  • S effective area
  • d distance between electrode materials
  • ⁇ electrostatic loss angle
  • ⁇ conductivity Is the frequency
  • ⁇ is the frequency
  • ⁇ 0 is the dielectric constant in vacuum.
  • the larger the capacitance the larger the amount of charge that can be induced on the human body surface even with the same applied voltage. That is, the greater the capacitance, the greater the electric field strength that can be induced on the human body surface. Therefore, if the capacitance is large, a change in electric field strength that can distinguish the signal level from noise can be achieved with a smaller voltage. This contributes to an improvement in communication sensitivity with respect to a predetermined power consumption for signal transmission / reception. In other words, power consumption for a predetermined communication sensitivity is reduced.
  • the content ratio of the fibrous carbon to the base material can be added so as to achieve a desired communication sensitivity or a desired power consumption according to the size, shape, and material required for the electrode 8. Desirably, 10% by weight or more of the fibrous carbon is dispersed in the base material.
  • the electrode 8 of Example 1 which consists of the electrode material 81 which made the carbon nanotube contain 10weight% of a carbon nanotube
  • the electrode of Example 2 which consists of the electrode material 81 which made the polycarbonate resin contain 20% of carbon nanotube by weight 8 and the results of measuring the capacitance of the electrode 8 of the comparative example made of an aluminum electrode material and containing no fibrous carbon are summarized in a table.
  • the size of the electrode 8 was 30 mm ⁇ 30 mm square, and an insulating material 82 made of a styrene resin plate having a thickness of 0.45 mm was sandwiched.
  • the human body communication system 1 using the electrode 8 of Example 1 it was possible to improve the communication sensitivity to an SN ratio of about 188% compared to the case of using the electrode 8 of the comparative example. . Furthermore, in the human body communication system 1 using the electrode 8 of Example 2, the communication sensitivity could be improved to an S / N ratio of about 206% as compared with the case of using the electrode 8 of the comparative example.
  • the electrode material 81 is made of a carbon-based composite material, the ease of molding of the electrode material 81 is improved, so that the electrode material 81 can be formed in various shapes as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the electrode material 81 on the side touching the carrier 4 increases the surface area by forming a groove 83 having various shapes in addition to a flat plate having a flat surface.
  • the effective area of the electrode material 81 is expanded and the capacitance of the electrode 8 is improved.
  • the effective area between the electrode 8 and the user 4 increases, and the amount of charge that can be induced on the electrode 8 and thus the surface of the human body also increases. That is, the capacitance increases due to the formation of the groove 83. Therefore, it becomes easier to apply a change in the electric field strength induced on the human body surface, which further improves the communication sensitivity with respect to the constant power consumption or reduces the power consumption with respect to the constant communication sensitivity.
  • the human body communication system 1 having the electrode 8 made of the electrode material 81 includes a control unit 13 for adjusting the balance between the power consumption and the communication sensitivity, as shown in FIG.
  • the control unit 13 monitors the transmission unit 5 and the reception unit 6 and controls the output of the transmission unit 5 in the first communication terminal 2 and the second communication terminal 3.
  • the control unit 13 includes a sensitivity sensor 14 that detects communication sensitivity from the reception signal of the reception unit 6 and an output control unit 15 that controls the output of the transmission unit 5 according to the communication sensitivity.
  • the sensitivity sensor 14 calculates the SN ratio of noise and signal from the received signal.
  • the output control unit 15 determines the level of the SN ratio and changes the output of the transmission unit 5 according to the level. That is, the applied voltage is changed so as to change the rate of change of the charge amount induced in the electrode 8 according to the level of the SN ratio.
  • the human body communication system 1 is provided in each of the first communication terminal 2 and the second communication terminal 3, and the electrode 8 that is in close proximity to or in contact with the carrier 4 with respect to the base material.
  • the electrode 8 is formed so as to contain fibrous carbon.
  • the capacitance of the electrode 8 increases, and a change in electric field strength that can distinguish the signal level from noise can be achieved with a smaller voltage.
  • the human body or the like has various transmission characteristics depending on the physique, clothes, and contact area of the carrier 4 and is not stable, and is a transmission path with poor balance and is easily affected by various noises existing in the surrounding environment. .
  • the human body communication system 1 with high communication sensitivity and low power consumption can be realized. In other words, this can also contribute to the improvement of portability by reducing the size of the battery mounted on the first communication terminal 2 carried by the carrier 4.
  • the fibrous carbon includes at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. And it is desirable for fibrous carbon to contain 10weight% or more with respect to a base material. As a result, the SN ratio can be greatly improved as compared with the case where the electrode 8 is configured only by metal or the like as in the prior art, and both higher communication sensitivity and lower power consumption can be achieved.
  • the electrode 8 has a groove 83 on the surface in contact with or close to the carrier 4.
  • the receiving unit 6 includes a measuring unit that measures communication sensitivity based on a signal received via the carrier 4, and an output control unit that changes the transmission output of the transmitting unit 5 based on the communication sensitivity measured by the measuring unit. I did it. Thereby, it is possible to maintain a high balance between communication sensitivity and power consumption. Therefore, the signal transmission medium that touches the electrode 8 is whether the wearer 4 is thickly worn, whether the wearer 4 is lightly worn, what height of the human body is touched, and how the wearer 4 is in physique However, the characteristics of the transmission path are not stable, but good communication sensitivity can be maintained even under such various conditions, and excessive transmission output is also required to maintain the communication sensitivity. Absent.

Abstract

　Provided are a human-body communication system that balances high communication sensitivity and low power consumption, and an electrode and an electrode material for said system. In the human-body communication system, a first communication terminal (2) and a second communication terminal (3) communicate via a human body, etc. The first communication terminal (2) and the second communication terminal (3) are provided with electrodes (8) that are each adjacent to or in contact with the human body or the like. The electrodes (8) are configured by sandwiching insulating material (82) between a pair of electrode material (81) members. The electrode material (81) is formed on a substrate such as metal, plastic, etc., and contains fibriform carbon such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.

Description

人体通信システム、人体通信システムの電極、及びその電極材料Human body communication system, electrode of human body communication system, and electrode material thereof
　本発明は、ユーザを信号伝送媒体として信号を送受信する人体通信システム、その電極、及びその電極材料に関する。 The present invention relates to a human body communication system that transmits and receives a signal using a user as a signal transmission medium, its electrode, and its electrode material.
　電波を空中に伝播させる無線通信は情報の秘匿性に問題があり、ケーブルによる有線通信はユーザビリティに問題がある。そこで、近年は、人体等を信号伝達媒体とする人体通信の研究が盛んに行われている。人体通信の通信方式は各種提案されているが、例えば、人体表面に現れる電界を誘起し、この電界を変化させることで信号を伝達する電界方式や、人体内に微弱電流を流して其の電流に変調をかけて信号を伝達する電流方式等が挙げられる。この人体通信は、有線通信による情報の秘匿性と無線通信によるユーザビリティを持ち合わせている。 無線 Wireless communication that propagates radio waves in the air has a problem with confidentiality of information, and wired communication with cables has a problem with usability. Therefore, in recent years, research on human body communication using a human body or the like as a signal transmission medium has been actively conducted. Various communication systems for human body communication have been proposed.For example, an electric field system that induces an electric field that appears on the surface of the human body and transmits a signal by changing the electric field, or a weak current that flows through the human body to generate the current. And a current system for transmitting a signal by modulating the signal. This human body communication has both confidentiality of information by wired communication and usability by wireless communication.
　人体通信は、例えば特許文献１に示されるように、２機の通信端末がそれぞれ電極を備える。一方の通信端末は、信号伝達媒体となるユーザが身につけることが一般的に考えられる。そして、電界方式であれば、そのユーザが他方の通信端末の電極に接触又は近接することで２機の通信端末の通信パスが成立し、電極に対して送信情報に従った電圧を印加することで、その電極に接触する人体表面に電荷量を誘起し、その電荷量を変化させることで、人体表面の電界強度を変化させる。この電界強度の変化を検出することで、送信された情報が他方に伝わることとなる。 For human body communication, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, two communication terminals each have an electrode. One communication terminal is generally considered to be worn by a user as a signal transmission medium. If the electric field method is used, the communication path of the two communication terminals is established when the user touches or approaches the electrode of the other communication terminal, and a voltage according to transmission information is applied to the electrodes. Thus, an electric charge amount is induced on the human body surface in contact with the electrode, and the electric field intensity on the human body surface is changed by changing the electric charge amount. By detecting this change in electric field strength, the transmitted information is transmitted to the other.
　この人体通信に使われる電極は、人体とのインピーダンス整合等による電力伝送効率の観点から各種検討がなされているが、電極の大きさや板間距離等の形状の検討が主である。 Various studies have been made on the electrodes used for this human body communication from the viewpoint of power transmission efficiency by impedance matching with the human body, but mainly the shape of the electrodes and the distance between the plates.
特開２０１２－１１３３８３号公報JP 2012-113383 A
　このように人体通信においては、人体等を信号伝達媒体として利用するものである。しかしながら、電極に接触又は近接するユーザは、多様な体格を有し、また多様な着衣を身につけ、また電極が近接又は接触する部位も一律でない。つまり、人体等は、信号伝達媒体としては伝送特性が安定しない。また、人体等は平衡度が悪く周囲環境に存在する様々なノイズを受けやすい。 Thus, in human body communication, the human body or the like is used as a signal transmission medium. However, users who come in contact with or close to the electrodes have various physiques, wear various clothes, and the portions where the electrodes come close to or come into contact are not uniform. That is, the transmission characteristics of a human body or the like are not stable as a signal transmission medium. In addition, the human body and the like have poor balance and are susceptible to various noises present in the surrounding environment.
　そのため、各種状況下でもノイズと信号とを明確に峻別できる通信感度を安定的に提供するには、伝送特性が良好でない状況を踏まえて信号の送信出力を一律上げざるを得なかった。そうすると、ユーザが身につける通信端末のバッテリの消費電力は大きくなり、繰り返し利用できる回数が減ってしまうため、ユーザビリティが低下してしまう。すなわち、人体通信においては、ウェアラブル機器がシステムに組み込まれている場合は特に、高通信感度の安定的提供と電力消費効率の向上の両立とが求められている。 Therefore, in order to stably provide communication sensitivity that can clearly distinguish noise from signals even under various conditions, the transmission output of the signal has to be increased uniformly based on the situation where the transmission characteristics are not good. If it does so, the power consumption of the battery of the communication terminal which a user wears will become large, and since the frequency | count which can be used repeatedly will reduce, usability will fall. That is, in human body communication, particularly when a wearable device is incorporated in a system, there is a demand for both stable provision of high communication sensitivity and improvement of power consumption efficiency.
　本発明は、上記のような従来技術の問題点を解決するために成されたものであり、その目的は、高通信感度と低電力消費量の両立を図った人体通信システム、その電極及び電極材料を提供することにある。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object thereof is a human body communication system that achieves both high communication sensitivity and low power consumption, and its electrodes and electrodes. To provide materials.
　上記の目的を達成するために、本発明に係る人体通信システムは、ユーザを信号伝送媒体として信号を送受信する人体通信システムであって、第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末と、前記第１の通信端末と前記第２の通信端末にそれぞれ設けられ、前記ユーザと近接又は接触する電極と、を備え、前記電極は基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有して形成されること、を特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, a human body communication system according to the present invention is a human body communication system that transmits and receives a signal using a user as a signal transmission medium, and includes a first communication terminal, a second communication terminal, and the first communication terminal. An electrode that is provided in each of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal and is in proximity to or in contact with the user, and the electrode is formed by containing fibrous carbon with respect to the base material. Features.
　前記繊維状炭素は前記基材に対して１０重量％以上含有されるようにしてもよい。 The fibrous carbon may be contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the base material.
　前記繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ、カーボンナノファイバ及び炭素繊維強化プラスチックの群から選ばれる少なくとも１種を含むようにしてもよい。 The fibrous carbon may include at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
　前記電極は表面に溝を有するようにしてもよい。 The electrode may have a groove on the surface.
　前記第１の通信端末及び前記第２の通信端末の何れかに少なくとも備えられ、前記電極をそれぞれ有する送信手段及び受信手段と、前記受信部が前記ユーザを介して受信する信号に基づいて通信感度を測定する測定手段と、前記測定手段が測定した前記通信感度に基づいて前記送信手段の送信出力を変更する出力制御手段と、を更に備えるようにしてもよい。 Communication sensitivity based on signals received at least by either the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal, the transmission means and the reception means having the electrodes, respectively, and the reception unit via the user Measurement means for measuring the output and output control means for changing the transmission output of the transmission means based on the communication sensitivity measured by the measurement means.
　また、本発明に係る人体通信システムの電極は、ユーザを信号伝送媒体として信号を送受信する第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末を有する人体通信システムの電極であって、一対の電極材料を絶縁材料で挟んで形成され、前記電極材料は基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有して形成されること、を特徴とする。 An electrode of a human body communication system according to the present invention is an electrode of a human body communication system having a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that transmit and receive signals using a user as a signal transmission medium, and a pair of electrode materials The electrode material is formed by containing fibrous carbon with respect to the base material.
　前記繊維状炭素は前記基材に対して１０重量％以上含有されるようにしてもよい。 The fibrous carbon may be contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the base material.
　前記繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ、カーボンナノファイバ及び炭素繊維強化プラスチックの群から選ばれる少なくとも１種を含むようにしてもよい。 The fibrous carbon may include at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
　前記電極材料は表面に溝を有するようにしてもよい。 The electrode material may have a groove on the surface.
　また、本発明に係る人体通信システムの電極が備える電極材料は、ユーザを信号伝送媒体として信号を送受信する第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末を有する人体通信システムに備えられ、絶縁材料を挟むことで電極を構成し、基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有して形成されること、を特徴とする。 The electrode material included in the electrode of the human body communication system according to the present invention is provided in a human body communication system having a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that transmit and receive signals using a user as a signal transmission medium, and an insulating material is used. An electrode is formed by sandwiching and is formed by containing fibrous carbon with respect to the base material.
　前記繊維状炭素は前記基材に対して１０重量％以上含有されるようにしてもよい。 The fibrous carbon may be contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the base material.
　前記繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ、カーボンナノファイバ及び炭素繊維強化プラスチックの群から選ばれる少なくとも１種を含むようにしてもよい。 The fibrous carbon may include at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
　表面に溝を有するようにしてもよい。 You may make it have a groove on the surface.
　本発明によれば、電極の静電容量は増大し、信号レベルがノイズと峻別可能な程度の電界強度変化をより小さな電圧で達成可能となる。すなわち、高通信感度且つ低電力消費量の人体通信システムを実現することができる。換言すれば、携帯者が携帯する第１の通信端末に搭載するバッテリの小型化による可搬性の向上に寄与することもできる。 According to the present invention, the capacitance of the electrode increases, and it is possible to achieve a change in electric field strength that can distinguish the signal level from noise with a smaller voltage. That is, a human body communication system with high communication sensitivity and low power consumption can be realized. In other words, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of portability by downsizing the battery mounted on the first communication terminal carried by the carrier.
本実施形態に係る人体通信システムの構成図である。It is a block diagram of the human body communication system which concerns on this embodiment. 本実施形態に係る第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st communication terminal and 2nd communication terminal which concern on this embodiment. 本実施形態に係る電極を示す模式図である。It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrode which concerns on this embodiment. 本実施形態に係る電極材料の各種形状を示す模式図である。It is a schematic diagram which shows the various shapes of the electrode material which concerns on this embodiment. 本実施形態に係る第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末の他の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the 1st communication terminal and 2nd communication terminal which concern on this embodiment.
　以下、本発明に係る人体通信システム及びその電極と電極材料の実施形態について図面を参照しつつ詳細に説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of a human body communication system and electrodes and electrode materials according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
　図１は、人体通信システムの構成図である。人体通信システム１は、第１の通信端末２と第２の通信端末３とにより構成され、人体内、人体表面又は着衣といった人体等を信号伝達媒体として一方向又は双方向に通信を行う。この人体通信方式としては、人体内に微弱電流を流す電流方式、人体表面に沿う電界Ｅに変化を与える電界方式等がある。以下、電界方式を利用した人体通信システム１を例示するが、ユーザである携帯者４と電極とが相対的に接触又は近接することで第１の通信端末２と第２の通信端末３とが通信する方式であれば、電界方式に限らず適用可能である。 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a human body communication system. The human body communication system 1 includes a first communication terminal 2 and a second communication terminal 3, and performs one-way or two-way communication using a human body such as a human body, a human body surface, or clothing as a signal transmission medium. As this human body communication method, there are a current method in which a weak current is passed through the human body, an electric field method in which electric field E along the surface of the human body is changed, and the like. Hereinafter, although the human body communication system 1 using an electric field system is illustrated, the 1st communication terminal 2 and the 2nd communication terminal 3 are because the portable person 4 who is a user, and an electrode relatively contact or adjoin. Any communication method can be applied without being limited to the electric field method.
　第１の通信端末２は、携帯者４が身に付ける携帯通信機器である。また、第２の通信端末３は、第１の通信端末２の携帯者４が通信のために直接又は他者等を介して近接又は接触する通信機器であり、例えば施設等に設置される。図２に示すように、これら第１の通信端末２及び第２の通信端末３は、それぞれ、送信部５と受信部６と信号処理部７とをバスを介して電気的に接続されて成る。 The first communication terminal 2 is a portable communication device worn by the carrier 4. Moreover, the 2nd communication terminal 3 is a communication apparatus with which the carrier 4 of the 1st communication terminal 2 approaches or contacts for direct communication or via another person, for example, is installed in a facility etc. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first communication terminal 2 and the second communication terminal 3 is configured by electrically connecting a transmission unit 5, a reception unit 6, and a signal processing unit 7 through a bus. .
　信号処理部７は、受信信号を処理し、送信信号を生成する。この信号処理部７は、例えば、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、及びＲＡＭを備えるマイコンやコンピュータであり、ＣＰＵの演算により送信信号を生成し、送信部５へ出力する。また、ＣＰＵの演算により受信信号を処理し、処理結果をＲＡＭに出力する。 The signal processing unit 7 processes the received signal and generates a transmission signal. The signal processing unit 7 is, for example, a microcomputer or a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The signal processing unit 7 generates a transmission signal by calculation of the CPU and outputs the transmission signal to the transmission unit 5. Further, the received signal is processed by the calculation of the CPU, and the processing result is output to the RAM.
　送信部５は、人体表面に現れる電界強度を変化させることで、携帯者４を通じて信号を送信する。この送信部５は、変調器９、アンプ１１、バンドパスフィルタ１２及び電極８を備える。変調器９は、信号処理部７から入力されたデジタル信号を例えば位相変調した略１ＭＨｚから１０ＭＨｚのアナログ信号に変調する。アンプ１１は、変調器９を通過したアナログ信号を増幅する。バンドパスフィルタ１２は、増幅したアナログ信号の周波数を中心周波数としてアナログ信号を通過させる。電極８は、携帯者４を通じてアナログ信号を送信する。 The transmission unit 5 transmits a signal through the carrier 4 by changing the electric field strength appearing on the human body surface. The transmission unit 5 includes a modulator 9, an amplifier 11, a band pass filter 12, and an electrode 8. The modulator 9 modulates the digital signal input from the signal processing unit 7 into, for example, an approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz analog signal that is phase-modulated. The amplifier 11 amplifies the analog signal that has passed through the modulator 9. The bandpass filter 12 passes the analog signal with the frequency of the amplified analog signal as the center frequency. The electrode 8 transmits an analog signal through the carrier 4.
　受信部６は、人体表面に現れる電界強度の変化を検知することで、携帯者４を通じて信号を受信する。受信部６は、電極８、バンドパスフィルタ１２、アンプ１１及び復調器１０を備える。電極８は、携帯者４を通じて位相変調された略１ＭＨｚから１０ＭＨｚのアナログ信号を受信する。バンドパスフィルタ１２は、アナログ信号の周波数を中心周波数としてアナログ信号を通過させる。アンプ１１は、バンドパスフィルタ１２を通過したアナログ信号を増幅する。復調器１０は、位相変調されたアナログ信号を復調してデジタル信号に変換する。 The receiving unit 6 receives a signal through the carrier 4 by detecting a change in electric field strength appearing on the surface of the human body. The receiving unit 6 includes an electrode 8, a band pass filter 12, an amplifier 11, and a demodulator 10. The electrode 8 receives an analog signal of approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz that is phase-modulated through the carrier 4. The bandpass filter 12 passes the analog signal with the frequency of the analog signal as the center frequency. The amplifier 11 amplifies the analog signal that has passed through the bandpass filter 12. The demodulator 10 demodulates the phase-modulated analog signal and converts it into a digital signal.
　この人体通信システム１は、第１の通信端末２を身に付けた携帯者４が第２の通信端末３の電極８に近接又は接触すると、第２の通信端末３と第１の通信端末２の電極８が携帯者４の人体表面に電界Ｅを誘起する。そして、第１の通信端末２の信号処理部７が携帯者４のＩＤ等のデジタル信号を送信部５に出力する。送信部５では、デジタル信号を其の内容に合わせて略１ＭＨｚから１０ＭＨｚのアナログ信号に位相変調し、信号を増幅し、ノイズを軽減させた後、電極８に入力する。電極８は、アナログ信号に倣って人体表面の電界強度を変化させる。 In the human body communication system 1, when a wearer 4 wearing the first communication terminal 2 approaches or contacts the electrode 8 of the second communication terminal 3, the second communication terminal 3 and the first communication terminal 2 are connected. The electrode 8 induces an electric field E on the human body surface of the carrier 4. Then, the signal processing unit 7 of the first communication terminal 2 outputs a digital signal such as the ID of the carrier 4 to the transmission unit 5. In the transmission unit 5, the digital signal is phase-modulated to an analog signal of approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz according to the content thereof, the signal is amplified, noise is reduced, and then input to the electrode 8. The electrode 8 changes the electric field strength on the human body surface following the analog signal.
　一方、第２の通信端末３において受信部６は、電極８で電界強度の変化を検知し、電界強度の変化を検知して、アナログ信号をバンドパスフィルタ１２に出力する。そして、バンドパスフィルタ１２でノイズを軽減させた後、信号増幅し、位相変調された略１ＭＨｚから１０ＭＨｚのアナログ信号をデジタル信号に復調してから、信号処理部７に入力する。第２の通信端末３の信号処理部７では、例えばＩＤ等を表すデジタル信号を予め記憶しているＩＤ情報と照合し、ドアの施錠を解除する等の照合結果に応じた処理を行う。 On the other hand, in the second communication terminal 3, the receiving unit 6 detects a change in the electric field strength with the electrode 8, detects a change in the electric field strength, and outputs an analog signal to the bandpass filter 12. Then, after the noise is reduced by the band pass filter 12, the signal is amplified and demodulated into a digital signal after the phase-modulated analog signal of approximately 1 MHz to 10 MHz is input to the signal processing unit 7. In the signal processing unit 7 of the second communication terminal 3, for example, a digital signal representing an ID or the like is compared with ID information stored in advance, and processing according to a comparison result such as unlocking the door is performed.
　この人体通信システム１の電極８について更に詳細に説明する。図３に示すように、各電極８は、両面の電極材料８１で絶縁材料８２を挟み込んでなる。一方の電極材料８１は、第１の通信端末２及び接触通信端末においてバンドパスフィルタ１２に接続し、他方の電極材料８１は、携帯者４の人体等に接触する。この各電極８は、携帯者４との間で仮想的なコンデンサとみなすことができる。 The electrode 8 of the human body communication system 1 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 3, each electrode 8 is formed by sandwiching an insulating material 82 between electrode materials 81 on both sides. One electrode material 81 is connected to the band-pass filter 12 in the first communication terminal 2 and the contact communication terminal, and the other electrode material 81 is in contact with the human body or the like of the carrier 4. Each electrode 8 can be regarded as a virtual capacitor with the carrier 4.
　送信部５側の電極８は、携帯者４の人体等に接触する電極材料８１に対して送信信号に対応する電荷量を誘起させることで人体表面の電界強度を変化させる。また、受信部６側の電極８は、人体等を介してバンドパスフィルタ１２側の電極材料８１に電荷量を誘起させることで、人体表面の電界強度の変化を検知することで受信信号を受信する。 The electrode 8 on the transmission unit 5 side changes the electric field strength on the surface of the human body by inducing an amount of charge corresponding to the transmission signal to the electrode material 81 that contacts the human body or the like of the carrier 4. The electrode 8 on the receiving unit 6 side receives a received signal by detecting a change in the electric field strength on the surface of the human body by inducing an amount of charge in the electrode material 81 on the bandpass filter 12 side via the human body or the like. To do.
　電極材料８１は、概略平板であり、樹脂や金属等の基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有させてなる炭素系複合材である。樹脂は、例えばアクリロニトリル、ブタジエンスチレン（ＡＢＳ）樹脂、ポリカーボネート樹脂である。金属は、例えば銅やアルミニウムである。繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ（ＣＮＴ）、カーボンナノファイバ（ＣＮＦ）、エポキシ樹脂等の母材に炭素繊維を混合した炭素繊維強化プラスチック（ＣＦＲＰ）などの繊維状炭素を挙げることができる。カーボンナノチューブは、グラフェンシートが１層である単層カーボンナノチューブでも、２層以上のグラフェンシートが同軸状に丸まり、チューブ壁が多層をなす多層カーボンナノチューブ（ＭＷＣＮＴ）でもよく、それらが混合していてもよい。絶縁材料８２は、例えばＰＥＴ樹脂、スチロール樹脂である。 The electrode material 81 is a substantially flat plate and is a carbon-based composite material in which fibrous carbon is contained in a base material such as resin or metal. Examples of the resin include acrylonitrile, butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, and polycarbonate resin. The metal is, for example, copper or aluminum. Examples of fibrous carbon include fibrous carbon such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in which carbon fiber is mixed with a base material such as carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon nanofiber (CNF), and epoxy resin. The carbon nanotube may be a single-walled carbon nanotube having a single graphene sheet, or a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in which two or more layers of graphene sheets are coaxially rounded and a tube wall forms a multilayer. Also good. The insulating material 82 is, for example, PET resin or styrene resin.
　繊維状炭素は高導電率であり、以下式（１）に示されるように、電極８の静電容量の増大に寄与する。以下式（１）において、Ｃは静電容量、Ｑは電荷、Ｖは電圧、εは誘電率、Ｓは有効面積、ｄは電極材料間の距離、δは静電体損失角、σは導電率、ωは周波数、ε０は真空中の誘電率である。
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-I000001
Fibrous carbon has a high conductivity and contributes to an increase in the capacitance of the electrode 8 as shown in the following formula (1). In the following formula (1), C is electrostatic capacity, Q is electric charge, V is voltage, ε is dielectric constant, S is effective area, d is distance between electrode materials, δ is electrostatic loss angle, and σ is conductivity Is the frequency, ω is the frequency, and ε 0 is the dielectric constant in vacuum.
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-I000001
　そして、上記式（１）に示されるように、静電容量が大きいほど、同じ印加電圧でも人体表面に誘起できる電荷量が大きくなる。すなわち、静電容量が大きいほど、人体表面に誘起できる電界強度が大きくなる。そのため、静電容量が大きければ、信号レベルがノイズと峻別可能な程度の電界強度変化をより小さな電圧で達成可能となる。このことは、信号送受信のための所定電力消費量に対する通信感度の向上に寄与する。換言すると、所定の通信感度に対する電力消費量が低減する。 As shown in the above formula (1), the larger the capacitance, the larger the amount of charge that can be induced on the human body surface even with the same applied voltage. That is, the greater the capacitance, the greater the electric field strength that can be induced on the human body surface. Therefore, if the capacitance is large, a change in electric field strength that can distinguish the signal level from noise can be achieved with a smaller voltage. This contributes to an improvement in communication sensitivity with respect to a predetermined power consumption for signal transmission / reception. In other words, power consumption for a predetermined communication sensitivity is reduced.
　繊維状炭素の基材に対する含有比は、電極８に要求される寸法、形状、材質に合わせて所望の通信感度又は所望の電力消費量となるように添加することができる。望ましくは、繊維状炭素は、基材に対して１０重量％以上を分散させるのがよい。以下に、ポリカーボネート樹脂にカーボンナノチューブを１０重量％含有させた電極材料８１よりなる実施例１の電極８と、ポリカーボネート樹脂にカーボンナノチューブを２０重量％含有させた電極材料８１よりなる実施例２の電極８と、アルミニウム製の電極材料よりなり繊維状炭素を含有しない比較例の電極８の静電容量を測定した結果を表にまとめた。実施例１、実施例２及び比較例ともに、電極８の大きさは３０ｍｍ×３０ｍｍ角であり、厚さ０．４５ｍｍのスチロール樹脂板よりなる絶縁材料８２を挟み込んだ。 The content ratio of the fibrous carbon to the base material can be added so as to achieve a desired communication sensitivity or a desired power consumption according to the size, shape, and material required for the electrode 8. Desirably, 10% by weight or more of the fibrous carbon is dispersed in the base material. Below, the electrode 8 of Example 1 which consists of the electrode material 81 which made the carbon nanotube contain 10weight% of a carbon nanotube, and the electrode of Example 2 which consists of the electrode material 81 which made the polycarbonate resin contain 20% of carbon nanotube by weight 8 and the results of measuring the capacitance of the electrode 8 of the comparative example made of an aluminum electrode material and containing no fibrous carbon are summarized in a table. In each of Example 1, Example 2, and Comparative Example, the size of the electrode 8 was 30 mm × 30 mm square, and an insulating material 82 made of a styrene resin plate having a thickness of 0.45 mm was sandwiched.
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-I000002
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-I000002
　上記表が示すように、実施例１の電極８を用いた人体通信システム１では、比較例の電極８を用いた場合に比べて約１８８％のＳＮ比に通信感度を向上させることができた。更に、実施例２の電極８を用いた人体通信システム１では、比較例の電極８を用いた場合に比べて約２０６％のＳＮ比に通信感度を向上させることができた。 As shown in the above table, in the human body communication system 1 using the electrode 8 of Example 1, it was possible to improve the communication sensitivity to an SN ratio of about 188% compared to the case of using the electrode 8 of the comparative example. . Furthermore, in the human body communication system 1 using the electrode 8 of Example 2, the communication sensitivity could be improved to an S / N ratio of about 206% as compared with the case of using the electrode 8 of the comparative example.
　電極材料８１を炭素系複合材としたことにより、電極材料８１の成型容易性は向上するため、図４に示すように示す各種の形状で電極材料８１は形成できる。図４の（ａ）～（ｃ）に示すように、携帯者４に触れる側の電極材料８１は、表面が平らな平板の他、各種形状の溝８３を形成する等により表面積を増加させる。 Since the electrode material 81 is made of a carbon-based composite material, the ease of molding of the electrode material 81 is improved, so that the electrode material 81 can be formed in various shapes as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the electrode material 81 on the side touching the carrier 4 increases the surface area by forming a groove 83 having various shapes in addition to a flat plate having a flat surface.
　表面積が向上することで、電極材料８１の有効面積が拡がり、電極８の静電容量が向上する。また、携帯者４の人体表面が溝８３に入り込むことにより、電極８と携帯者４との有効面積が増加し、電極８ひいては人体表面に誘起できる電荷量も増加する。すなわち、溝８３の形成により静電容量が増加する。そのため、人体表面に誘起させる電界強度の変化を更に付け易くなり、一定消費電力量に対する通信感度の向上、或いは一定通信感度に対する消費電力量の低減を更にもたらす。 As the surface area is improved, the effective area of the electrode material 81 is expanded and the capacitance of the electrode 8 is improved. Further, when the surface of the human body of the user 4 enters the groove 83, the effective area between the electrode 8 and the user 4 increases, and the amount of charge that can be induced on the electrode 8 and thus the surface of the human body also increases. That is, the capacitance increases due to the formation of the groove 83. Therefore, it becomes easier to apply a change in the electric field strength induced on the human body surface, which further improves the communication sensitivity with respect to the constant power consumption or reduces the power consumption with respect to the constant communication sensitivity.
　この電極材料８１よりなる電極８を有する人体通信システム１は、図５に示すように、消費電力量と通信感度のバランスを調整する制御部１３を備えている。制御部１３は、第１の通信端末２及び第２の通信端末３において、送信部５及び受信部６を監視し、送信部５の出力を制御する。 The human body communication system 1 having the electrode 8 made of the electrode material 81 includes a control unit 13 for adjusting the balance between the power consumption and the communication sensitivity, as shown in FIG. The control unit 13 monitors the transmission unit 5 and the reception unit 6 and controls the output of the transmission unit 5 in the first communication terminal 2 and the second communication terminal 3.
　この制御部１３は、受信部６の受信信号から通信感度を検出する感度センサ１４と、通信感度に応じて送信部５の出力を制御する出力制御部１５を備える。感度センサ１４は、受信信号からノイズと信号のＳＮ比を算出する。出力制御部１５は、ＳＮ比のレベルを判定し、レベルに応じて送信部５の出力を変更する。すなわち、ＳＮ比のレベルに応じて電極８に誘起する電荷量の変化割合を変化させるように、印加電圧を変化させる。 The control unit 13 includes a sensitivity sensor 14 that detects communication sensitivity from the reception signal of the reception unit 6 and an output control unit 15 that controls the output of the transmission unit 5 according to the communication sensitivity. The sensitivity sensor 14 calculates the SN ratio of noise and signal from the received signal. The output control unit 15 determines the level of the SN ratio and changes the output of the transmission unit 5 according to the level. That is, the applied voltage is changed so as to change the rate of change of the charge amount induced in the electrode 8 according to the level of the SN ratio.
　以上のように、本実施形態に係る人体通信システム１は、第１の通信端末２と第２の通信端末３にそれぞれ設けられ、携帯者４と近接又は接触する電極８に関し、基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有して形成されるようにした。これにより、電極８の静電容量は増大し、信号レベルがノイズと峻別可能な程度の電界強度変化をより小さな電圧で達成可能となる。 As described above, the human body communication system 1 according to the present embodiment is provided in each of the first communication terminal 2 and the second communication terminal 3, and the electrode 8 that is in close proximity to or in contact with the carrier 4 with respect to the base material. Thus, it is formed so as to contain fibrous carbon. As a result, the capacitance of the electrode 8 increases, and a change in electric field strength that can distinguish the signal level from noise can be achieved with a smaller voltage.
　すなわち、人体等は、携帯者４の体格や着衣や接触部位により伝送特性が様々であり安定せず、また平衡度が悪い伝送路であって周囲環境に存在する様々なノイズの影響を受けやすい。しかしながら、そのような環境であっても高通信感度且つ低電力消費量の人体通信システム１を実現することができる。このことは、換言すれば、携帯者４が携帯する第１の通信端末２に搭載するバッテリの小型化による可搬性の向上に寄与することもできる。 That is, the human body or the like has various transmission characteristics depending on the physique, clothes, and contact area of the carrier 4 and is not stable, and is a transmission path with poor balance and is easily affected by various noises existing in the surrounding environment. . However, even in such an environment, the human body communication system 1 with high communication sensitivity and low power consumption can be realized. In other words, this can also contribute to the improvement of portability by reducing the size of the battery mounted on the first communication terminal 2 carried by the carrier 4.
　繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ、カーボンナノファイバ及び炭素繊維強化プラスチックの群から選ばれる少なくとも１種を含むようにした。そして、繊維状炭素は基材に対して１０重量％以上含有されることが望ましい。これにより、従来のように金属等のみにより電極８を構成していたのと比べて大幅なＳＮ比の向上をもたらし、更なる高通信感度と低電力消費量の両立をもたらすことができる。 The fibrous carbon includes at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. And it is desirable for fibrous carbon to contain 10weight% or more with respect to a base material. As a result, the SN ratio can be greatly improved as compared with the case where the electrode 8 is configured only by metal or the like as in the prior art, and both higher communication sensitivity and lower power consumption can be achieved.
　更に、電極８は携帯者４と接触又は近接する表面に溝８３を有するようにした。これにより、電極８の表面積が向上するため、電極８の静電容量の更なる増大と携帯者４との接触面積の向上による人体に誘起する電荷量の増大とをもたらし、更に高通信感度且つ低電力消費量の人体通信システム１を実現できる。 Furthermore, the electrode 8 has a groove 83 on the surface in contact with or close to the carrier 4. Thereby, since the surface area of the electrode 8 is improved, the capacitance of the electrode 8 is further increased, and the amount of charge induced in the human body is increased due to the improvement of the contact area with the portable person 4, and further high communication sensitivity and The human body communication system 1 with low power consumption can be realized.
　受信部６が携帯者４を介して受信する信号に基づいて通信感度を測定する測定部と、測定部が測定した通信感度に基づいて送信部５の送信出力を変更する出力制御手段とを備えるようにした。これにより、通信感度と電力消費量とを高度にバランスを保つことができる。そのため、電極８に触れる信号伝達媒体は、携帯者４が厚着であるか、携帯者４が薄着であるか、人体のどの高さに触れているか、携帯者４の体格が如何様であるかによって、その伝送路の特性が安定しないが、そのような各種状況下であっても良好な通信感度を維持することができ、またその通信感度を維持するために過剰な送信出力とする必要もない。 The receiving unit 6 includes a measuring unit that measures communication sensitivity based on a signal received via the carrier 4, and an output control unit that changes the transmission output of the transmitting unit 5 based on the communication sensitivity measured by the measuring unit. I did it. Thereby, it is possible to maintain a high balance between communication sensitivity and power consumption. Therefore, the signal transmission medium that touches the electrode 8 is whether the wearer 4 is thickly worn, whether the wearer 4 is lightly worn, what height of the human body is touched, and how the wearer 4 is in physique However, the characteristics of the transmission path are not stable, but good communication sensitivity can be maintained even under such various conditions, and excessive transmission output is also required to maintain the communication sensitivity. Absent.
　以上のように、本発明のいくつかの実施形態を説明したが、この実施形態は、例として提示したものであり、発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で、種々の省略、置き換え、変更を行うことができる。この実施形態やその変形は、発明の範囲や要旨に含まれるとともに、請求の範囲に記載された発明とその均等の範囲に含まれる。 As described above, several embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the embodiments are presented as examples, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Can do. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.
１　人体通信システム
２　第１の通信端末
３　第２の通信端末
４　携帯者
５　送信部
６　受信部
７　信号処理部
８　電極
８１　電極材料
８２　絶縁材料
８３　溝
９　変調器
１０　復調器
１１　アンプ
１２　バンドパスフィルタ
１３　制御部
１４　感度センサ
１５　出力制御部
Ｅ　電界 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Human body communication system 2 1st communication terminal 3 2nd communication terminal 4 Carrier 5 Transmitter 6 Receiver 7 Signal processor 8 Electrode 81 Electrode material 82 Insulating material 83 Groove 9 Modulator 10 Demodulator 11 Amplifier 12 Band pass Filter 13 Control unit 14 Sensitivity sensor 15 Output control unit E Electric field

Claims (13)

  1. 　ユーザを信号伝送媒体として信号を送受信する人体通信システムであって、
    　第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末と、
    　前記第１の通信端末と前記第２の通信端末にそれぞれ設けられ、前記ユーザと近接又は接触する電極と、
    　を備え、
    　前記電極は基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有して形成されること、
    　を特徴とする人体通信システム。     A human body communication system for transmitting and receiving signals using a user as a signal transmission medium,
    A first communication terminal and a second communication terminal;
    An electrode that is provided in each of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal and is in proximity to or in contact with the user;
    With
    The electrode is formed of fibrous carbon with respect to the substrate;
    A human body communication system.
  2. 　前記繊維状炭素は前記基材に対して１０重量％以上含有されること、
    　を特徴とする請求項１記載の人体通信システム。     The fibrous carbon is contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the substrate;
    The human body communication system according to claim 1.
  3. 　前記繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ、カーボンナノファイバ及び炭素繊維強化プラスチックの群から選ばれる少なくとも１種を含むこと、
    　を特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の人体通信システム。     The fibrous carbon includes at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics;
    The human body communication system according to claim 1 or 2.
  4. 　前記電極は表面に溝を有すること、
    　を特徴とする請求項１乃至４の何れかに記載の人体通信システム。     The electrode has a groove on its surface;
    The human body communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
  5. 　前記第１の通信端末及び前記第２の通信端末に備えられ、前記電極をそれぞれ有する送信手段及び受信手段と、
    　前記受信手段が前記ユーザを介して受信する信号に基づいて通信感度を測定する測定手段と、
    　前記測定手段が測定した前記通信感度に基づいて前記送信手段の送信出力を変更する出力制御手段と、
    　を更に備えること、
    　を特徴とする請求項１乃至４の何れかに記載の人体通信システム。     A transmission means and a reception means provided in the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, each having the electrode;
    Measuring means for measuring communication sensitivity based on a signal received by the receiving means via the user;
    Output control means for changing the transmission output of the transmission means based on the communication sensitivity measured by the measurement means;
    Further comprising,
    The human body communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
  6. 　ユーザを信号伝送媒体として信号を送受信する第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末を有する人体通信システムの電極であって、
    　一対の電極材料を絶縁材料で挟んで形成され、
    　前記電極材料は基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有して形成されること、
    　を特徴とする人体通信システムの電極。     An electrode of a human body communication system having a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that transmit and receive signals using a user as a signal transmission medium,
    Formed by sandwiching a pair of electrode materials between insulating materials,
    The electrode material is formed to contain fibrous carbon with respect to the substrate;
    The electrode of the human body communication system characterized by this.
  7. 　前記繊維状炭素は前記基材に対して１０重量％以上含有されること、
    　を特徴とする請求項６記載の人体通信システムの電極。     The fibrous carbon is contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the substrate;
    The electrode of the human body communication system according to claim 6.
  8. 　前記繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ、カーボンナノファイバ及び炭素繊維強化プラスチックの群から選ばれる少なくとも１種を含むこと、
    　を特徴とする請求項６又は７記載の人体通信システムの電極。     The fibrous carbon includes at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics;
    The electrode of the human body communication system according to claim 6 or 7.
  9. 　前記電極材料は表面に溝を有すること、
    　を特徴とする請求項６乃至８の何れかに記載の人体通信システムの電極。     The electrode material has grooves on the surface;
    The electrode of a human body communication system according to any one of claims 6 to 8.
  10. 　ユーザを信号伝送媒体として信号を送受信する第１の通信端末及び第２の通信端末を有する人体通信システムに備えられ、絶縁材料を挟むことで電極を構成し、基材に対して繊維状炭素を含有して形成されること、
    　を特徴とする電極材料。     Provided in a human body communication system having a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal for transmitting and receiving signals using a user as a signal transmission medium, an electrode is formed by sandwiching an insulating material, and fibrous carbon is applied to a substrate. Containing and forming,
    An electrode material characterized by.
  11. 　前記繊維状炭素は前記基材に対して１０重量％以上含有されること、
    　を特徴とする請求項１０記載の電極材料。     The fibrous carbon is contained in an amount of 10% by weight or more based on the substrate;
    The electrode material according to claim 10.
  12. 　前記繊維状炭素は、カーボンナノチューブ、カーボンナノファイバ及び炭素繊維強化プラスチックの群から選ばれる少なくとも１種を含むこと、
    　を特徴とする請求項１０記載の電極材料。     The fibrous carbon includes at least one selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics;
    The electrode material according to claim 10.
  13. 　表面に溝を有することを特徴とする請求項１０乃至１３の何れかに記載の電極材料。 14. The electrode material according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the electrode material has a groove on the surface.
PCT/JP2014/055167 2014-02-28 2014-02-28 Human-body communication system, electrode for human-body communication system, and material for said electrode WO2015129048A1 (en)

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JP2005123428A (en) * 2003-10-17 2005-05-12 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Capacitor and its manufacturing method
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