Abstract
This study describes the development of a sensor system for measuring human scratching motion. In order to measure the scratching motion, we focus on the mechanical vibration between the nail and the skin that is scratched. Scratching sounds, induced by the vibration, change according to the scratching intensity or the skin condition. Therefore, the information on the scratching sounds can help us to evaluate the characteristics of scratching. In this study, a nail-mounted compact microphone sensor for measuring human scratching sounds is designed and fabricated. First, the ability of the proposed sensor to measure scratching sounds is investigated. The feasibility of this sensor has been verified. Next, the power spectrum density is calculated from the sensor output to investigate the characteristics of the scratching sounds according to the scratching intensity. It was found that frequency components increased with an increase in the contact force during scratching. The results suggest that it is possible to evaluate the scratching intensity by using the proposed sensor system.
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