JP6928856B2 - Environmental control system and environmental control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an environmental control system or the like that controls a user's environment.

Conventionally, a technique for controlling the environment of a user (worker) has been proposed. The technique described in Patent Document 1 is an example thereof.

Specifically, the lighting control system described in Patent Document 1 detects an individual's physiological information, and based on the physiological information, there are two stages, that is, an aptitude level with a high arousal level and an unsuitability level with a low arousal level. Determine the state of consciousness of an individual and increase the illuminance when the state of consciousness is at an inappropriate level. As a result, this lighting control system can raise the level of arousal during the day according to the rhythm of the individual's life.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-266482

However, it is not easy to detect physiological information for determining the state of consciousness of a worker who performs intellectual work. For example, in Patent Document 1, a biosensor that detects a pulse of the heart is used to detect physiological information. It is not easy to prepare such a biosensor. In addition, the burden on the operator due to the detection of the pulse of the operator's heart is large.

Further, even if the alertness of the worker who performs the intellectual work is high, the work efficiency of the intellectual work may decrease if the worker's consciousness is not concentrated on the intellectual work. This may increase the working time and increase the power consumption for performing intellectual work.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an environmental control system or the like capable of suppressing a decrease in efficiency of intellectual work.

In order to achieve the above object, the environmental control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects a decrease in the concentration of a user who performs intellectual work, and a recovery unit that restores the concentration of the user. , The recovery unit determines a predetermined period according to the total working time of the intellectual work or the elapsed time from the start of the intellectual work, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the said by changing the user's environment, the temporarily further reduce the degree of concentration of the user, by the varying the user's environment undo a change in the user's environment after the predetermined time period, Restore the concentration of the user.

Further, the environmental control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a detection step for detecting a decrease in concentration of a user performing intellectual work, the total working time of the intellectual work, or the start of the intellectual work. Including a determination step of determining a predetermined period according to the elapsed time of the user and a recovery step of recovering the concentration of the user, in the recovery step, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the user of the user by varying the environment, the temporarily further reduce the degree of concentration of the user, by the varying the user's environment undo a change in the user's environment after the predetermined time period, the user Restores concentration.

The environmental control system or the like according to one aspect of the present invention can suppress a decrease in efficiency of intellectual work.

Schematic diagram showing a transition model between a concentrated state and a non-concentrated state in the embodiment Schematic diagram illustrating the characteristics of the concentrated state and the non-concentrated state in the embodiment. Block diagram showing the configuration of the environmental control system in the embodiment Flow chart showing the operation of the environmental control system in the embodiment Conceptual diagram showing an application example of the environmental control system in the embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, the order of operations, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept are described as arbitrary components.

(Embodiment)
In this embodiment, concentration means focusing attention on one thing and working on it. The degree of concentration means the degree of concentration. In other words, the degree of concentration means the degree of focus on one thing when working on things. Concentration also affects the amount of intellectual work per unit time. The higher the degree of concentration, the larger the amount of intellectual work per unit time, and the lower the degree of concentration, the smaller the amount of intellectual work per unit time.

Here, the intellectual work amount is the work amount of the intellectual work. The intellectual work is a work mainly performed by using the intellectual ability (intelligence) of the worker, and is, for example, a work such as cognition, thinking, and judgment. More specifically, the intellectual work is desk work or study.

Further, as an index of the degree of concentration, a concentration time ratio (CTR: Concentration Time Ratio) may be used. The concentration time ratio is the ratio of the time in the concentrated state to the total working time. This concentration time ratio may be used as an index for evaluating intellectual productivity.

Note that awakening means waking up, and the awakening degree indicates the degree of awakening. A decrease in alertness may result in a decrease in concentration, but an increase in alertness does not necessarily result in an increase in concentration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a transition model between a concentrated state and a non-concentrated state in the present embodiment. Workers' states in intellectual work are classified into three states: work state, short-term rest state, and long-term rest state. The worker performs intellectual work while transitioning the state between these three states.

The working state is a state in which the worker concentrates on the work and is proceeding with the work. The short-term rest state is a state in which the worker concentrates on the work but unconsciously interrupts the work. In the short rest state, an interruption of several tens of milliseconds to several seconds is expected. The long-term rest state is a state in which the worker is consciously interrupted due to fatigue or the like. In the long rest state, interruption from several seconds to several tens of seconds is expected.

Mental fatigue increases during work and short rest. The greater the mental fatigue, the higher the probability of transition to a long-term resting state. In long-term rest, mental fatigue is reduced. The smaller the mental fatigue, the higher the probability of transition to the working state.

Further, in this transition model, it is assumed that the worker's state transitions between the working state and the short-term resting state with a certain probability. The state transition probability and the rate of change in mental fatigue change according to the environment. The working state and the short-term resting state are states in which the worker is concentrating on the work and are included in the concentrating state. The long-term rest state is a state in which the worker is not concentrating on the work, and is included in the non-concentrated state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram exemplifying the characteristics of the concentrated state and the non-concentrated state shown in FIG. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows the frequency distribution of the answering time when the questions of the cognitive task, which are expected to have the same degree of difficulty and the same answering time, are continuously answered. Each answer time is the answer time for one question. The horizontal axis indicates the logarithm of the answer time, and the vertical axis indicates the frequency of appearance of the answer time. That is, the vertical axis indicates the number of times the answer was given in the interval of the answer time on the horizontal axis.

Since the worker's state transitions between the working state and the short-term resting state with a certain probability, the frequency distribution is represented by the lognormal distribution of the following equation 1.

Here, t indicates the answering time. f (t) indicates the frequency of appearance of the answer time (t), that is, the number of times the answer was given in the answer time (t). μ indicates the mode of the lognormal distribution. σ indicates the variance of the lognormal distribution.

On the other hand, if the worker's state transitions to a long-term rest state at the time of answering, the answering time becomes long. This causes a distribution different from the lognormal distribution. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the lognormal distribution includes the distribution of the answer time in the working state and the short-term resting state, and the distribution generated by the long-term resting state includes the distribution in the working state, the short-term resting state, and the long-term resting state. It is assumed that the distribution of answer times is included.

Further, the concentration time ratio is interpreted as the total answer time in the concentrated state with respect to the total answer time, and is expressed by the following equation 2.

Here, CTR indicates the concentration time ratio.

は、集中状態における１問あたりの解答時間の平均値を示す。Ｎは、総解答数を示す。Ｔ_{ｔｏｔａｌ}は、総作業時間、すなわち、全解答時間の合計を示す。

Indicates the average value of the answering time per question in the concentrated state. N indicates the total number of answers. T _total indicates the total working time, that is, the total answering time.

Further, the average value of the answering time per question in the concentrated state is obtained by Equation 3 as the expected value of the lognormal distribution of Equation 1.

By deriving an approximate curve of an appropriate lognormal distribution for the frequency distribution of the answer time, the expected value of the lognormal distribution can be obtained. Then, the concentration time ratio is obtained based on the expected value, the total number of answers, and the total of all answer times. The concentration time ratio obtained according to the above is based on the estimation of the states such as the concentrated state and the non-concentrated state. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately evaluate intellectual productivity and concentration by excluding the influence of proficiency in intellectual work by the concentration time ratio.

In addition, it is possible to evaluate the transition of intellectual productivity and the transition of the degree of concentration by obtaining the concentration time ratio at each predetermined time interval. Further, the concentration time ratio is an example of an index of the degree of concentration, and the degree of concentration may be obtained by other indexes. For example, the degree of concentration may be determined based on the characteristics of biometric information obtained from the biosensor, the amount of work of intellectual work, and the like.

The environmental control system in the present embodiment restores the concentration by changing the environment at the timing when the concentration of the user (worker) who performs the intellectual work decreases. As a result, the decrease in efficiency of intellectual work is suppressed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an environmental control system according to the present embodiment. The environment control system 10 is a system that controls the environment of a user who performs intellectual work, and includes a detection unit 11 and a recovery unit 13.

Further, the environmental control system 10 may be one device or a plurality of devices. For example, the detection unit 11 and the recovery unit 13 may be included in one device or may be included in separate devices. Further, the components such as the detection unit 11 and the recovery unit 13 included in the environmental control system 10 may be implemented by a dedicated or general-purpose electric circuit. In addition, these components may be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly.

The detection unit 11 is a detector that detects a decrease in the concentration of users who perform intellectual work. A decrease in concentration means that the concentration is lower than in the previous state. In particular, the detection unit 11 detects that the user has turned his / her line of sight to the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing intellectual work as a decrease in the concentration of the user. The detection unit 11 may include an imaging unit 12. The imaging unit 12 is an imager that generates an image by imaging. The imaging unit 12 may perform imaging with visible light or may perform imaging with infrared light.

For example, the detection unit 11 generates an image of the user by imaging the user with the imaging unit 12. Then, the detection unit 11 detects the user's line of sight based on the user's image. The detection unit 11 may detect the user's line of sight by detecting the user's inner corner of the eye, iris, corneal reflex, pupil, and the like in the image.

Alternatively, the detection unit 11 may detect the orientation of the user's body or face based on the image of the user and detect the line of sight of the user based on the orientation of the user's body or face. Specifically, the detection unit 11 may detect the direction of the user's body or face as the direction of the user's line of sight based on the user's image. Alternatively, the detection unit 11 detects a part or all of the user's body, face, inner corner of the eye, iris, corneal reflex and pupil based on the user's image, and detects the user's line of sight based on a combination thereof. You may.

Then, the detection unit 11 detects whether or not the user's line of sight is directed toward the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing intelligent work based on the detected line of sight. Then, the detection unit 11 detects that the user's line of sight is directed toward the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing the intellectual work as a decrease in the concentration of the user. Here, the direction for performing the intellectual work is the direction of the object used for the intellectual work, for example, the direction of the material, the book, the document, the information terminal, the desk, or the like used for the intellectual work.

The imaging unit 12 may not be included in the detection unit 11 or may not be included in the environmental control system 10. The detection unit 11 may acquire the user's image from the external imaging unit 12 and detect the user's line of sight based on the user's image. Further, the detection unit 11 detects the user's line of sight by acquiring information indicating the user's line of sight, the direction of the user's face, or the direction of the user's body from the wearable terminal instead of the image pickup unit 12. May be good.

Further, the image pickup unit 12 may be a general-purpose imager mounted on a smartphone or the like. The detection unit 11 may also be mounted on a smartphone or the like in the same manner.

As mentioned above, the appropriate concentration ratio is derived based on the concentration time ratio. However, when the user is actually performing intellectual work such as desk work or study, it is difficult to obtain the concentration time ratio by the cognitive task. Therefore, the detection unit 11 detects that the user's line of sight is directed toward the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing intellectual work as a decrease in the concentration of the user.

The state in which the user is looking at the recovery unit 13 instead of performing the intellectual work is assumed to be a state in which the user is not concentrating on the intellectual work, and is assumed to be a long-term rest state. .. Therefore, the detection unit 11 simply and appropriately determines the user's concentration by detecting that the user's line of sight is directed toward the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing intellectual work as a decrease in the user's concentration. A drop can be detected.

Further, as described above, the detection unit 11 detects that the user's line of sight is directed toward the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing intellectual work as a decrease in the concentration of the user. Then, as will be described later, when a decrease in the user's concentration is detected, the recovery unit 13 recovers the user's concentration by changing the user's environment. That is, at the timing when the line of sight is directed to the recovery unit 13, the user's environment changes in order to recover the concentration.

When the user knows the above operation, it is assumed that the user turns his / her eyes to the recovery unit 13 in order to recover the concentration at the timing when he / she is aware of the decrease in the concentration. Therefore, in particular, when the user knows the above operation, the detection unit 11 can detect a decrease in the concentration of the user at an appropriate timing.

The recovery unit 13 is a recovery device that recovers the concentration ratio of the user who performs intellectual work. In particular, the recovery unit 13 recovers the user's concentration by changing the user's environment when a decrease in the user's concentration is detected. In other words, when the decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the recovery unit 13 changes the environment of the user so that the concentration of the user is restored.

The recovery unit 13 may include a blower unit 14, a lighting unit 15, a scenting unit 16, or a sounding unit 17. Further, the recovery unit 13 may include two or more of the ventilation unit 14, the lighting unit 15, the scenting unit 16, and the sounding unit 17.

The blower unit 14 is a blower that blows air. The blower unit 14 may be an airflow generator such as an electric fan or an air conditioner (air conditioner). When a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the blower unit 14 changes the user's environment by changing the state of the blower.

For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the blower unit 14 may blow a wind of about 0 m / s to 0.8 m / s near the upper body of the user. Specifically, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the blower unit 14 may blow air larger than 0 m / s and 0.8 m / s or less from the state in which the air is not blown. , 0.8 m / s or less may be blown from the state where the air is blown stronger than 0.8 m / s. The strength of the wind should not be constant.

Alternatively, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the blower unit 14 may blow a wind of 0.8 m / s to 2.0 m / s near the user's face for 10 to 30 seconds. Alternatively, the blower unit 14 blows a wind of about 0 m / s to 0.8 m / s near the upper body of the user and blows a wind of 0.8 m / s to 2.0 m / s near the user's face. You may do both with the blown air.

The illuminating unit 15 is an illuminator that illuminates. The lighting unit 15 may be a lighting device that performs task lighting or a lighting device that performs general lighting. Further, the lighting unit 15 may include a lighting device that performs task lighting and a lighting device that performs general lighting. When a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the lighting unit 15 changes the user's environment by changing the lighting state.

For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the illumination unit 15 may lower the color temperature of the illumination. Specifically, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected in a state where the color temperature of the illumination is 6200K, the illumination unit 15 may lower the color temperature of the illumination to about 4000 to 5000K.

Further, for example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the illumination unit 15 may reduce the illuminance of the illumination. Specifically, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected in a state where the illuminance of the illumination is 750 Lx, the illumination unit 15 may reduce the illuminance of the illumination to about 300 Lx.

Further, for example, in a task ambient environment, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the illumination unit 15 may widen the irradiation range of the illumination. Specifically, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected while the task lighting is being performed, the lighting unit 15 may turn off the task lighting and turn on only the general lighting. Alternatively, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected while spot irradiation is being performed, the illumination unit 15 may switch the illumination from spot irradiation to general illumination.

Further, for example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the illumination unit 15 may change a plurality of elements of the color temperature, the illuminance, and the irradiation range of the illumination.

The scenting unit 16 is a scenting device that generates a scent. The aroma generator 16 may be an aroma generator. When a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the scenting unit 16 changes the environment of the user by changing the state of scent generation. For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the scenting unit 16 may emit a citrus scent or the like to the vicinity of the user's face. The emitted scent is not limited to the citrus scent, and may be a user's favorite scent.

The sounding unit 17 is a sounding device that generates sound. The sounding unit 17 may be an audio player or a music player. When a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the sounding unit 17 changes the environment of the user by changing the state of sound generation. For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the sounding unit 17 may reproduce the natural environment sound or the like at about 30 to 50 db.

When a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the recovery unit 13 promotes physiological or psychological refreshment for the user by changing the environment of the user as described above, and mental fatigue of the user. To reduce. Then, the recovery unit 13 recovers the concentration level of the user.

It is difficult to maintain a high concentration state for a long time. Therefore, as described above, the recovery unit 13 reduces the mental fatigue of the user by performing an operation for refreshing the user, for example, a decrease in illuminance, a decrease in color temperature, an expansion of the irradiation range, and the like. In other words, the recovery unit 13 temporarily lowers the concentration level, and then restores the concentration level to a high state.

The above operation with respect to the recovery unit 13 is an example, and the recovery unit 13 has a degree of concentration due to an operation opposite to the above operation, that is, by increasing the illuminance, increasing the color temperature, reducing the irradiation range, and the like. May be raised directly.

In addition, the recovery unit 13 may recover the concentration of the user by changing other environmental factors. For example, the recovery unit 13 may recover the concentration of the user by changing the temperature or humidity. In this case, the recovery unit 13 may not include any of the ventilation unit 14, the lighting unit 15, the scenting unit 16, and the sounding unit 17. Further, the recovery unit 13 may recover the concentration of the user by changing a plurality of environmental elements.

Further, the recovery unit 13 may restore the change in the user's environment after a lapse of a predetermined period after changing the user's environment. That is, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the recovery unit 13 changes the user's environment, and based on the change in the user's environment after a lapse of a predetermined period from the change in the user's environment. By returning it, the concentration of the user may be restored.

For example, the recovery unit 13 temporarily lowers the concentration by changing the user's environment, and recovers the concentration by undoing the change in the environment. That is, the recovery unit 13 changes the user's environment so that the concentration level temporarily decreases, and then restores the change in the environment so that the concentration level recovers. This promotes the recovery of concentration. Also, after the user's mental fatigue is reduced, the user's concentration is restored. Therefore, the recovery unit 13 can maintain the concentration level in a high state after recovering the concentration level.

Specifically, when a decrease in concentration is detected, the recovery unit 13 starts an operation for changing the user's environment, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of the operation, the operation is performed. You may stop. For example, the blower unit 14 starts blowing air when a decrease in concentration is detected, and stops blowing air after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of blowing air.

Further, for example, when a decrease in concentration is detected, the illumination unit 15 changes the color temperature, illuminance, and irradiation range of the illumination, and changes the color temperature, illuminance, and irradiation range of the illumination for a predetermined period of time. After the lapse of time, the color temperature, illuminance, and irradiation range of the illumination are returned to the state before the change.

Further, for example, when a decrease in concentration is detected, the scenting unit 16 starts an operation of generating a scent, and generates a scent after a lapse of a predetermined period from the start of the operation of generating a scent. Stop operation. Further, for example, when a decrease in concentration is detected, the sounding unit 17 starts an operation of generating a sound, and an operation of generating a sound after a lapse of a predetermined period from the start of the operation of generating the sound. To stop.

In the above, the predetermined period from changing the user's environment to undoing the change in the user's environment is, for example, about 10 to 30 seconds, but may be shorter than 10 seconds or 30 seconds. May be longer than. This predetermined period may be, for example, about 5 to 60 seconds. This predetermined period may be shorter or longer.

In addition, the recovery unit 13 determines the period from changing the user's environment to undoing the change in the user's environment according to the total working time of the intellectual work or the elapsed time from the start of the intellectual work. You may. Specifically, the longer the total work time of intellectual work or the elapsed time from the start of intellectual work, the longer the period from changing the user's environment to undoing the change in the user's environment. You may.

The recovery unit 13 does not necessarily have to undo the change in the user's environment. The recovery unit 13 can reduce the mental fatigue of the user by changing the environment of the user so that the degree of concentration is temporarily lowered. Then, it is assumed that the concentration of the user is restored by reducing the mental fatigue of the user. Therefore, the recovery unit 13 may recover the user's concentration by changing the user's environment so that the concentration is temporarily lowered, without undoing the change in the user's environment.

Further, the recovery unit 13 may change the user's environment so that the concentration level does not decrease temporarily but increases. As a result, the recovery unit 13 may recover the concentration of the user without undoing the change in the user's environment. However, the recovery unit 13 may undo the change in the user's environment so that the user's environment can be changed at the timing when the concentration of the user is next lowered.

In addition, the concentration time ratio may be measured in an experiment in which the concentration of the user is restored by a change in the environment. This makes it possible to verify whether or not the concentration of users is restored. Further, the environmental control system 10 may include a measuring unit that measures the concentration time ratio by continuously presenting the cognitive task to the user and acquiring the answer time of the cognitive task.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the environmental control system 10 shown in FIG. First, the detection unit 11 detects a decrease in the concentration of users who perform intellectual work. Specifically, the detection unit 11 detects that the user has turned his / her line of sight toward the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing intellectual work as a decrease in the concentration of the user (S11). Then, when the decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the recovery unit 13 recovers the concentration of the user by changing the environment of the user (S12).

As a result, the environmental control system 10 can simply and appropriately detect a decrease in the concentration of the user. Then, the environment control system 10 can restore the concentration of the user by changing the environment of the user at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the environmental control system 10 can suppress a decrease in efficiency of intellectual work. Then, by suppressing the decrease in the efficiency of the intellectual work, the increase in the working time is suppressed, and the increase in the power consumption for performing the intellectual work is suppressed.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an application example of the environmental control system 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows an image pickup device 21, a blower device 22, 23, a lighting device 24, 25, an incense device 26, and a sounding device 27. These components may be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Further, in FIG. 5, the arrow of the alternate long and short dash line indicates a direction for the user to perform intellectual work.

The image pickup device 21 is an example of the detection unit 11 or the image pickup unit 12 shown in FIG. The image pickup apparatus 21 may be a camera, a video camera, a visible light camera, or an infrared camera. The image pickup apparatus 21 detects a decrease in the concentration of the user who performs the intellectual work. In particular, the imaging device 21 detects that the user has turned his / her line of sight to the blower device 22 or the like, which is an example of the recovery unit 13, from the direction in which the user performs intellectual work, as a decrease in the concentration of the user.

For example, the imaging device 21 generates an image of the user by imaging the user with visible light or infrared light. Then, the image pickup apparatus 21 detects the user's line of sight based on the user's image. Specifically, the imaging device 21 detects the user's line of sight by detecting a part or all of the user's body, face, inner corner of the eye, iris, corneal reflex, pupil, and the like in the image.

Then, the image pickup device 21 detects whether or not the user's line of sight is directed toward the blower device 22 or the like from the direction for performing intelligent work based on the detected line of sight. Then, the image pickup device 21 detects that the user's line of sight is directed toward the blower device 22 or the like from the direction for performing intelligent work as a decrease in the concentration of the user.

The direction for performing the intellectual work may be predetermined by the input of the user or the like. Alternatively, the image pickup apparatus 21 may detect a book, a document, an information terminal, a desk, or the like from an image, and detect a direction from the user toward the book, the document, the information terminal, the desk, or the like as a direction for intellectual work. .. Alternatively, when the image pickup device 21 detects that the user is performing intellectual work when the user's line of sight is directed in the same direction for a predetermined period or longer, the image pickup device 21 detects that the user is performing intellectual work and is directed in the same direction for a predetermined period or longer. The direction may be detected as the direction for intellectual work.

Further, the position of the blower 22 and the like may be predetermined by the input of the user or the like. Alternatively, the image pickup device 21 may detect the position of the blower device 22 or the like by detecting the blower device 22 or the like from the image. Then, the image pickup device 21 may detect that the user's line of sight is directed to the position of the blower device 22 or the like from the direction for performing intelligent work as a decrease in the concentration of the user.

Further, the image pickup apparatus 21 may detect the position of the user from the image. Then, the image pickup device 21 indicates that the user directs the line of sight in the direction for intellectual work based on the position of the user and the direction of the line of sight of the user, and that the user looks at the blower 22 or the like. You may detect that you are pointing.

Although the image pickup device 21 is installed independently of the blower device 22 and the like here, the image pickup device 21 may be included in the blower device 22 and the like. Further, the image pickup device 21 may be included in an information terminal or the like for the user to perform intellectual work. Further, the image pickup device 21 may generate an image of the user, and the blower device 22 or the like may detect the line of sight of the user based on the image of the user.

The blower devices 22 and 23 are examples of the recovery unit 13 or the blower unit 14 shown in FIG. For example, the blower 22 is a personal fan, and the blower 23 is an air conditioner (air conditioner).

When a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the blowers 22 and 23 restore the concentration of the user by changing the environment of the user. In particular, the blower devices 22 and 23 change the user's environment by changing the state of the blower when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected. Only one of the blowers 22 and 23 may operate as the recovery unit 13 or the blower unit 14.

For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the blower 22 may blow a wind of about 0 m / s to 0.8 m / s near the upper body of the user. Further, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the blower 22 may blow a wind of 0.8 m / s to 2.0 m / s near the user's face. The blower 23 may perform these operations instead of the blower 22, or both the blowers 22 and 23 may perform these operations.

Further, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected while the blower 23 is performing the overall blow, the blower 23 stops the overall blow, and the blower 22 is applied to the upper body or face of the user. You may blow air toward it.

When both the blowers 22 and 23 operate as the recovery unit 13, the image pickup device 21 detects that the user's line of sight is directed to at least one of the blowers 22 and 23 as a decrease in the concentration of the user. You may.

The lighting devices 24 and 25 are examples of the recovery unit 13 or the lighting unit 15 shown in FIG. For example, the lighting device 24 is a lighting device that performs general lighting, and the lighting device 25 is a lighting device that performs task lighting.

When a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the lighting devices 24 and 25 restore the concentration of the user by changing the environment of the user. In particular, the lighting devices 24 and 25 change the user's environment by changing the lighting state when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected. Only one of the lighting devices 24 and 25 may operate as the recovery unit 13 or the lighting unit 15.

For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the lighting device 24 may lower the color temperature of the illumination. Further, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the lighting device 24 may reduce the illuminance of the illumination. The lighting device 25 may perform these operations instead of the lighting device 24, or both the lighting devices 24 and 25 may perform these operations. Further, for example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected while the lighting device 25 is performing task lighting, the lighting device 25 may turn off the task lighting and the lighting device 24 may turn on the general lighting. ..

When both the lighting devices 24 and 25 operate as the recovery unit 13, the imaging device 21 detects that the user's line of sight is directed to at least one of the lighting devices 24 and 25 as a decrease in the concentration of the user. You may.

The incense device 26 is an example of the recovery unit 13 or the incense unit 16 shown in FIG. For example, the aroma device 26 is an aroma generator. When a decrease in the user's concentration is detected, the incense device 26 restores the user's concentration by changing the user's environment. In particular, the incense generator 26 changes the user's environment by changing the state of scent generation. For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the scenting device 26 may emit a citrus scent or the like to the vicinity of the user's face.

The sounding device 27 is an example of the recovery unit 13 or the sounding unit 17 shown in FIG. For example, the sounding device 27 is an acoustic player. When a decrease in the user's concentration is detected, the sounding device 27 restores the user's concentration by changing the user's environment. In particular, the sounding device 27 changes the user's environment by changing the state of sound generation. For example, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the sounding device 27 may reproduce the natural environment sound or the like at about 30 to 50 db.

The operation of the image pickup device 21, the blower devices 22, 23, the lighting devices 24, 25, the incense device 26, and the sounding device 27 changes the user's environment at the timing when the user's concentration is reduced. As a result, the concentration of the user is restored, and the decrease in the efficiency of intellectual work is suppressed.

The blowers 22, 23, the lighting devices 24, 25, the incense device 26, and the sounding device 27 may all operate as the recovery unit 13. The image pickup device 21 concentrates the user's line of sight on at least one of the blower devices 22, 23, the lighting devices 24, 25, the incense device 26, and the sounding device 27, which operate as the recovery unit 13. It may be detected as a decrease in degree.

When a decrease in the user's concentration is detected, all of the blowers 22, 23, the lighting devices 24, 25, the incense device 26, and the sounding device 27 perform an operation to restore the user's concentration. Alternatively, some of these may perform actions to restore the user's concentration. For example, of these devices, only the device to which the user's line of sight is directed may perform an operation of restoring the user's concentration ratio.

Although the environmental control system 10 according to the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments and the like, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like. The present invention also includes a form obtained by subjecting a person skilled in the art to a modification of the above-described embodiment or the like, and another form realized by arbitrarily combining a plurality of components in the above-described embodiment or the like. Is done.

For example, another component may execute a process executed by a specific component. Further, the order in which the processes are executed may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

Further, the present invention can be realized not only as an environmental control system 10 but also as a method including steps (processes) performed by each component constituting the environmental control system 10.

For example, those steps may be performed by a computer system. This computer system may be a system corresponding to the environmental control system 10. Then, the present invention can be realized as a program for causing a computer system to execute the steps included in those methods. Further, the present invention can be realized as a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which the program is recorded.

For example, when the present invention is realized by a program (software), each step is executed by executing the program using hardware resources such as a CPU, a memory, and an input / output circuit of a computer system. NS. That is, each step is executed when the CPU acquires data from the memory or the input / output circuit or the like and performs an operation, or outputs the operation result to the memory or the input / output circuit or the like.

Further, the plurality of components included in the environmental control system 10 and the like may be realized as dedicated or general-purpose circuits, respectively. These components may be realized as one circuit or as a plurality of circuits.

Further, the plurality of components included in the environmental control system 10 and the like may be realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) which is an integrated circuit (IC). These components may be individually integrated into one chip, or may be integrated into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. The LSI may be referred to as a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

Further, the integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. A programmable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a reconfigurable processor in which the connection and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be utilized.

Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces an LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology or another technology derived from it, it is natural that the technology will be used to create an integrated circuit of a plurality of components included in the environmental control system 10 or the like. It may be done.

Finally, a plurality of aspects such as the environmental control system 10 will be shown as an example. These aspects may be combined as appropriate. In addition, any configuration or the like shown in the above-described embodiment or the like may be added.

(First aspect)
The environmental control system 10 according to one aspect of the present invention changes the user's environment when the detection unit 11 that detects a decrease in the concentration of the user who performs intellectual work and the decrease in the concentration of the user are detected. As a result, a recovery unit 13 for recovering the concentration of the user is provided. Then, the detection unit 11 detects that the user has turned his / her line of sight to the recovery unit 13 from the direction for performing the intellectual work as a decrease in the concentration of the user.

As a result, the environmental control system 10 can simply and appropriately detect the decrease in the concentration of the user, and can recover the concentration of the user at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the environmental control system 10 can suppress a decrease in efficiency of intellectual work.

(Second aspect)
For example, the recovery unit 13 may include a blower unit 14 that blows air, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the user's environment may be changed by changing the state of the blower. As a result, the environmental control system 10 can restore the user's concentration by changing the state of ventilation when the user's concentration decreases.

(Third aspect)
For example, the recovery unit 13 may include a lighting unit 15 that performs lighting, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the user's environment may be changed by changing the lighting state. As a result, the environmental control system 10 can restore the user's concentration by changing the lighting state when the user's concentration decreases.

(Fourth aspect)
For example, the recovery unit 13 includes a scenting unit 16 that generates a scent, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the user's environment may be changed by changing the state of scent generation. .. As a result, the environmental control system 10 can restore the user's concentration by changing the state of scent generation when the user's concentration decreases.

(Fifth aspect)
For example, the recovery unit 13 includes a sounding unit 17 that generates sound, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the user's environment may be changed by changing the state of sound generation. As a result, the environmental control system 10 can restore the user's concentration by changing the state of sound generation when the user's concentration decreases.

(6th aspect)
For example, the recovery unit 13 changes the user's environment when a decrease in the user's concentration is detected, and based on the change in the user's environment after a lapse of a predetermined period from the change in the user's environment. By returning it, the concentration of the user may be restored. As a result, the environmental control system 10 can appropriately restore the concentration level of the user by temporarily changing the environment.

(7th aspect)
The environment control method according to one aspect of the present invention changes the user's environment when a detection step (S11) for detecting a decrease in the concentration of a user who performs intellectual work and a decrease in the concentration of the user are detected. This includes a recovery step (S12) for recovering the concentration of the user. Then, in the detection step (S11), it is detected as a decrease in the concentration of the user that the user turns his / her line of sight from the direction for performing the intellectual work to the recovery unit 13 that performs the recovery step (S12).

As a result, it is possible to simply and appropriately detect a decrease in the user's concentration, and it is possible to recover the user's concentration at an appropriate timing. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in efficiency of intellectual work.

(8th aspect)
The program according to one aspect of the present invention causes the environmental control system 10 including the recovery unit 13 to execute the environmental control method. This makes it possible for the environmental control system 10 to execute the environmental control method.

10 Environmental control system 11 Detection unit 12 Imaging unit 13 Recovery unit 14 Blower unit 15 Lighting unit 16 Scenting unit 17 Sounding unit

Claims (13)

A detector that detects a decrease in the concentration of users who perform intellectual work,
It is equipped with a recovery unit that restores the concentration of the user.
The recovery part
A predetermined period is determined according to the total working time of the intellectual work or the elapsed time from the start of the intellectual work.
A decline in the concentration level of the user is detected, by changing the user's environment, the temporarily further reduce the degree of concentration of the user, the predetermined time period has elapsed since by changing the environment of the user An environmental control system that restores the concentration of the user by undoing the changes in the user's environment later. The environmental control system according to claim 1, wherein the recovery unit further changes the environment of the user regardless of the detection result of the detection unit. The recovery unit is provided with a ventilation unit that blows air, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the environment of the user is changed by changing the state of the ventilation according to claim 1 or 2. Environmental control system. The recovery unit includes a lighting unit that performs lighting, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the recovery unit changes the state of the lighting to change the environment of the user. The environmental control system described in item 1. The recovery unit temporarily reduces the concentration of the user by reducing the illuminance of the lighting, lowering the color temperature of the lighting, and expanding the irradiation range of the lighting, or at least two combinations thereof. The environmental control system according to claim 4. The recovery unit includes a scenting unit that generates a scent, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the recovery unit changes the state of generation of the scent to change the environment of the user. The environmental control system according to any one of 1 to 5. The recovery unit includes a scenting unit that generates a scent that reduces the concentration, and any of claims 1 to 5 that temporarily reduces the user's concentration by generating the scent from the scent. The environmental control system according to item 1. The recovery unit includes a sounding unit that generates a sound, and when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the recovery unit changes the state of sound generation to change the environment of the user. The environmental control system according to any one of 7. The recovery unit includes a sounding unit that generates a sound that reduces the concentration, and any one of claims 1 to 7 that temporarily reduces the user's concentration by generating the sound from the sound unit. The environmental control system described in the section. The one according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the detection unit detects that the user has turned his / her eyes toward the recovery unit from the direction for performing the intellectual work as a decrease in the concentration of the user. Environmental control system. A detection step that detects a decrease in the concentration of users who perform intellectual work,
A determination step that determines a predetermined period according to the total working time of the intellectual work or the elapsed time from the start of the intellectual work.
Including a recovery step to restore the user's concentration
In the recovery step, when a decrease in the concentration of the user is detected, the environment of the user is changed to temporarily further decrease the concentration of the user, and then the environment of the user is changed. by undo a change in the user's environment after the predetermined period of time, environment control method of restoring the degree of concentration of the user. The environmental control according to claim 11, wherein in the detection step, the user's line of sight from the direction for performing the intellectual work to the recovery unit performing the recovery step is detected as a decrease in the concentration of the user. Method. A program for causing a computer system to execute the environmental control method according to claim 11 or 12.

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