JPH06261949A - Relaxation supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make relaxation exercise in the condition free from raising a sense of uncomfort due to feedback signals and losing interest in the exercise. CONSTITUTION:A relaxation supporting device is composed of a volume controlling means 11 which controls the volume from the second sound recording means 10 in conformity to the vital body signal fed by vital body signal sensing means 6, 7, a mixing means 12 which mixes audio signals together fed by the first sound recording means 9 and volume controlling means 11, and a sound emitting means 13 which emits as a sound the audio signal given by the mixing means 12. It is thereby practicable to control the volume of the second audio signal in compliance with the signal level of a body motion signal according to the heart beats, respiration, etc., of a user himself while the first audio signal is listened to as a background music, so that the user can make relaxation exercises while he arranges his own heart beats and respiration in approproate condition with the feedback signal comfortable.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a relaxation support device for performing relaxation by a biofeedback method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional relaxation assisting apparatus of this type, a biological sensor 1 such as an electroencephalogram sensor or a myoelectric potential sensor is attached to a human body as shown in FIG. Control the output level of the audio output means 3 and the optical output means 4. Then, the user was trained to catch the voice and light feedback signals, recognize the degree of relaxation of himself, and further promote relaxation.

[0003]

However, in the above configuration, since the feedback signal is a simple sound or light, there is a problem that the user feels uncomfortable depending on, for example, the tone color or light color setting. Also, even if a feedback signal is perceived, in order to deepen relaxation, trial and error such as recollecting a good experience scene in the past is necessary for a while except for experts, and training may be a pain for some users. However, there was a problem that I could not show my interest.

The relaxation assisting device of the present invention solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a relaxation assisting device that outputs a signal that does not cause discomfort as a feedback signal and keeps interest in training. .

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a relaxation assisting apparatus of the present invention comprises a biological signal detecting means, a first voice recording means in which a first voice signal is recorded, and a second voice recording means. Second audio recording means in which an audio signal is recorded, volume control means for controlling the volume of the audio signal from the second audio recording means in accordance with a biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, It comprises a mixing means for mixing the audio signals input from both the first audio recording means and the volume control means, and an audio output means for outputting the audio signals from the mixing means as audio.

In the present invention, the biological signal detecting means detects a vibration sensor arranged on a seat, a bed, clothes or the like, and a body motion characteristic based on a life activity of a human body based on a vibration signal from the vibration sensor. It has a body movement characteristic detection unit.

In the present invention, the training procedure of the autonomous training method is recorded as a voice signal in the first voice recording means.

Further, the present invention has a heating element arranged on a seat, a bed, clothes or the like for heating a specific part of a human body such as a hand or a foot.

Further, according to the present invention, the biological signal detecting means is
It has a skin temperature detection unit that detects the skin temperature of the foot, abdomen, forehead, etc.

Further, according to the present invention, the biological signal detecting means detects a body motion characteristic based on a life activity of a human body based on a vibration sensor provided on a seat, a bed or the like and a vibration signal from the vibration sensor. A human body determination unit that includes a characteristic detection unit that determines the presence or absence of a human body in a seat, a bed, etc. based on a body movement signal from the body movement characteristic detection unit, and a voice output based on a human body determination signal input from the human body determination unit. And a control means for controlling ON / OFF of the means.

The present invention further comprises frequency changing means for changing the frequency characteristic of the audio signal output from the first audio recording means in accordance with the biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, and the mixing means is the above-mentioned. Audio signals input from both the frequency changing means and the volume control means are mixed.

Furthermore, the present invention further comprises a consciousness level detecting means for detecting the consciousness level of the user based on the biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, and mixing according to the consciousness level signal input from the consciousness level detecting means. Second volume control means for controlling the volume of the audio signal output from the means.

[0013]

The present invention operates as follows with the above configuration.

That is, the volume of the second audio signal is controlled according to the signal level of the biological signal detected by the biological signal detecting means, and the first audio signal and the second audio signal are mixed. Then, the mixed audio signal is fed back to the user.

Further, according to the present invention, the body movement characteristic based on the life activity of the human body is detected based on the vibration signal from the vibration sensor arranged on the seat, bed, clothes, etc., and the signal level of the body movement signal is detected according to the signal level. The volume of the second audio signal is controlled.

Further, in the present invention, the training procedure of the autonomous training method is output as a voice signal as the first voice, and the user performs the autonomous training method while confirming the relaxation state by biofeedback.

Further, according to the present invention, relaxation is promoted by heating a specific part of the human body such as hands and feet by a heating element installed on a seat, a bed, clothes and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, the skin temperature of the hand, foot, abdomen, forehead, etc. is detected, and the volume of the second audio signal is controlled according to the signal level of the skin temperature signal.

Further, according to the present invention, the body movement characteristic based on the life activity of the human body is detected based on the vibration signal from the vibration sensor arranged in the seat, bed, etc., and the seat movement in the seat, bed, etc. is detected based on this body movement signal. Determine the presence or absence of the human body. Then, based on this human body determination signal, the on / off of the audio output means is controlled.

Further, according to the present invention, the frequency characteristic of the audio signal output from the first audio recording means is changed according to the biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, and the audio signal and the volume control means are input. Audio signals are mixed and output.

Further, according to the present invention, the consciousness level of the user is detected based on the biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, and the volume of the audio signal output from the mixing means is controlled according to the consciousness level signal.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A relaxation support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the same embodiment. Reference numeral 5 denotes a biological signal detecting means, here a vibration sensor 6 made of a polymer piezoelectric material using PVDF or the like, and a body movement characteristic for detecting a body movement characteristic based on a life activity of a human body based on a vibration signal from the vibration sensor 6. The detection unit 7 is included. The vibration sensor 6 is arranged in the seat 8. The body movement characteristic detection unit 7 has a filter that filters only the frequency component of about 0.3 Hz to about 1 Hz in the vibration signal from the vibration sensor 6. The output signal of the body movement characteristic detection unit 7 is peak-cut inside the body movement characteristic detection unit 7 so as not to exceed a predetermined maximum value. 9 is the first autonomous training method
First voice recording means recorded as a voice signal of
Is a second audio recording means in which white noise is recorded as a second audio signal, 11 is a volume control means, and 12 is an audio signal input from both the first audio recording means 9 and the volume control means 11. Mixing means for mixing 13 is an audio output means for outputting the audio signal from the mixing means 12 as audio. Reference numeral 14 denotes a heating element, which is arranged in the seat so as to heat a specific part of the human body such as hands and feet.

With the above configuration, when the user sits in the seat 8 and operates the apparatus, the voice output means 13 starts teaching the autonomous training method by voice. Then, together with the voice, the chest vibration due to the breathing of the user is detected by the vibration sensor 6 and the body movement characteristic detection unit 7, and the volume control unit outputs the second voice recording unit 10 according to the signal level of the breathing signal. The volume of the output white noise is controlled,
It is mixed with the teaching voice of the autonomous training method and output as a voice signal. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the signal level Vr of the respiratory signal and the volume Vw of white noise. The heating element 14 is used when an autonomous training method is in progress and it is difficult to feel the warmth of the hands and feet. Even if there is a large movement of the body during training, the output signal of the body movement characteristic detecting means 7 is peak-cut inside the body movement characteristic detecting means 7 so as not to exceed a predetermined maximum value, so that it is not annoying as a feedback signal. It doesn't make a loud noise.

By the above-mentioned operation, when the volume of the white noise is synchronized with the breathing signal level, a comfortable voice feedback signal similar to a sea wave is obtained. Therefore, the user can proceed with the autonomous training method while adjusting his / her breathing by such a comfortable feedback signal, which causes discomfort to the feedback signal as in the conventional case,
There is an effect that relaxation training can be performed without losing interest in the training. Further, when the feeling of relaxation is not easily felt, the hands and feet are warmed by heating the heating element 14, so interaction with feedback training is expected,
This has the effect of facilitating relaxation.

Further, since the vibration sensor using the polymer piezoelectric material can detect the body movement characteristics based on the life activity of the human body in a non-contact manner, there is no uncomfortable feeling of wearing electrodes unlike the conventional case. is there.

Although the vibration sensor 6 is provided in the seat in the above embodiment, the vibration sensor 6 may be provided in a bed or clothes. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, when the vibration sensor 6 is provided on the clothes 15 and the signal processing device is downsized, relaxation training can be performed anytime and anywhere. Further, the vibration sensor 6 may be built in the bathtub or the toilet seat, so that relaxation can be achieved when taking a bath or using a toilet.

In the above embodiment, the breathing of the user is detected and the white noise is synchronized. However, the characteristics of the filter are changed to detect the heartbeat of the user, and the sound of a bell or the like is synchronized with the heartbeat signal. Also good.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the autonomous training method is recorded as the first audio signal in the first audio recording means, but other relaxation training methods, music preferred by the user, etc. may be recorded.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the biological signal detecting means 5
However, the infrared sensor 16 for detecting the skin temperature of the hands, feet, abdomen, forehead, etc. may be provided. In the self-training method, as the relaxation progresses, the skin temperature of the hands, feet and abdomen rises and the temperature of the forehead decreases. Therefore, with the above configuration, the change in the skin temperature is used as a feedback signal, so that there is an effect that the autonomous lesson method can be carried out while successively knowing the degree of relaxation.

In the above embodiment, the biological signal detecting means 5 is the vibration sensor 6 or the infrared sensor 16, but the biological signal detecting means 5 is not limited to these sensors.

A relaxation assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The present embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that, as shown in FIG. 5, the voice signal output from the first voice recording means 9 in accordance with the body movement signal input from the body movement characteristic detecting section 7 is changed. The mixing unit 12 has a frequency changing unit 17 for changing the frequency characteristic, and the mixing unit 12 mixes audio signals input from both the frequency changing unit 17 and the volume control unit 11. Here, the frequency changing means 17 calculates the number of times that the body movement signal input from the body movement characteristic detecting section 7 becomes equal to or more than a predetermined set value, and cuts based on the calculation value in the calculating section 18. It has a low-pass filter 19 for changing the off-frequency characteristic. The other structure is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted here.

With the above configuration, when the calculation unit 18 calculates the number of body movements caused by movements of the limbs and the trunk in a unit time, the low-pass filter 1 is calculated based on the calculated value v.
In 9, the cutoff frequency fo is changed. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between v and fo. From the figure, v and fo are in a proportional relationship. That is, as the number of body movements decreases, the cutoff frequency decreases, and the high frequency part of the audio signal output from the first audio recording means 9 is cut. The audio signal whose frequency characteristic has been changed is mixing means 1
At 2, the audio signal input from the volume control means is mixed and output.

In the first embodiment, the self-training method and the user's favorite music are recorded and output as the first voice signal, but when there are many high frequency components in those output voice signals. On the contrary, there was a problem that the relaxation level was spoiled by increasing the arousal level. However, according to the above action, when the number of body movements decreases and relaxation progresses, the high frequency component of the output audio signal is cut and output, and the cutoff frequency is lowered as the number of body movements decreases. There is an effect that you can deepen relaxation without such problems.

Although the cutoff frequency is determined by the number of body movements in the above embodiment, the heartbeat and respiration are detected by the biological signal detecting means 5, and the cutoff frequency is determined by the heart rate and respiration rate. It may be configured as follows.

A relaxation support device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The present embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that, as shown in FIG. 7, a human body determination means 20 for determining the presence / absence of a human body in a seat based on a body movement signal from a body movement characteristic detection section 7, and a human body determination Control means 21 for controlling on / off of the voice output means 13 based on the human body determination signal input from the means 20, consciousness level detecting means 22 for detecting the consciousness level of the user based on the body movement signal, and consciousness level. The second volume control means 23 controls the volume of the audio signal output from the mixing means 12 according to the consciousness level signal input from the detection means 22. Here, the body movement characteristic detection unit 7 has a filter that filters only the frequency component of about 10 Hz or less in the vibration signal from the vibration sensor 6. Since the other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, the detailed description is omitted here.

With the above configuration, when the user sits on the seat 8, the body motion characteristic detecting section 7 filters only the frequency component of about 10 Hz or less in the vibration signal from the vibration sensor 6. As a result, when a person is present in the seat 8, a signal component due to a small body motion generated by the heartbeat or respiration of the human body is output from the body motion characteristic detection unit 7. When there is no person in the seat 8 or an object is placed, the above signal is not output. This state is shown in FIG. If there is such a small body movement as described above, the signal level V from the body movement characteristic detection unit 7 is a certain constant value V.
o or more. Therefore, in the human body judging means 20, V ≧
If Vo continues for a certain time to or more, it is determined that there is a person, and otherwise it is determined that the person is absent. Control means 21
Then, based on the human body determination signal, when it is determined that a human body is present, the voice output means 13 is turned on, and when it is determined that no human body is present, it is turned off. Next, it is determined that there is a human body, and the voice output means 13
When is turned on, the consciousness level detecting means 22 determines that the user has fallen asleep if the condition of Vo ≦ V <V1 continues for a certain time T or more. When V is V1 or more, it means that a large body movement occurs every time the movement of the limbs or the posture is changed. According to the experiments by the authors, T was determined to be 10 to 15 minutes. When falling asleep is detected, the second volume control means 23 causes the mixing means 1
The volume of the audio signal output from 2 is reduced.

With the above operation, since the human body is detected and the operation of the apparatus is started, there is an effect that usability is improved. Further, the user may fall asleep during the relaxation training, and in such a case, if the voice output is continued as it is, the sleep may be disturbed, but according to the present embodiment, the sleep onset is detected. As it lowers the volume, it has the effect of not disturbing sleep.

In the above-described embodiment, the sleep level is detected from the body movement signal to control the volume, but the consciousness level detecting means 22 detects the heartbeat from the body movement signal and calculates the heart rate to determine the tension state. When the tension increases, the volume may be reduced by the second volume control means 23. As a result, during the training, if the tension increases, the volume is lowered to temporarily stop the training, and when the tension decreases, the training can be restarted, and the training can proceed without causing the user discomfort. There is.

In addition to the above, the volume control may be performed by gradually decreasing the volume in proportion to the body motion rest time, or by making the volume proportional to the heart rate.

[0040]

As described above, the relaxation assisting apparatus of the present invention has the following effects.

That is, according to the present invention, the volume of the second audio signal is controlled and output according to the signal level of the body motion signal such as the heartbeat or respiration of the user while listening to the first audio signal as background music. Therefore, the user can proceed with the relaxation training while adjusting his / her heartbeat and breathing by such a comfortable feedback signal, causing the feedback signal to be uncomfortable and losing interest in the training as in the past. Relaxation training can be performed without any problems.

Further, in the present invention, since the vibration sensor using the polymer piezoelectric material can detect the body movement characteristics based on the life activity of the human body in a non-contact manner, there is no discomfort of wearing the electrodes as in the conventional case. There is an effect such as.

Further, according to the present invention, since the training procedure of the autonomous training method is output as a voice signal as the first voice, the user performs the autonomous training method while confirming the relaxation state by the biofeedback to efficiently perform the relaxation. Can be done.

Further, in the present invention, when the feeling of relaxation is hardly felt, the hands and feet are warmed by heating the heating element 14, so interaction with feedback training is expected, and acquisition of relaxation becomes easy. .

Further, as the relaxation progresses, the skin temperature of the hand or foot rises, but according to the present invention, such a change in the skin temperature is expressed as a feedback signal, so that the degree of relaxation is successively known while the relaxation is promoted. I can go.

Further, in the present invention, the frequency characteristic of the audio signal output from the first audio recording means is changed according to the biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, and the audio signal and the volume control means are input. Audio signals are mixed and output. As a result, for example, the cutoff frequency of the audio signal output from the first audio recording unit is lowered in accordance with the progress of relaxation, and the high-frequency component that causes awakening in the feedback signal is eliminated, so that the relaxation is more smoothly deepened. can go.

Further, according to the present invention, the body movement characteristic based on the life activity of the human body is detected based on the vibration signal from the vibration sensor arranged in the seat, bed, etc., and the body movement characteristic in the seat, bed, etc. is detected based on this body movement signal. Determine the presence or absence of the human body. Then, since the on / off of the voice output means is controlled based on the human body determination signal, the usability is improved.

Further, in the present invention, the consciousness level of the user is detected based on the biometric signal input from the biometric signal detecting means, and the volume of the voice signal output from the mixing means is controlled according to the consciousness level signal. , For example, the user falls asleep while the relaxation training is in progress, or on the contrary, the tension increases, so that the volume is not lowered and the sleep is not disturbed, or the training is performed when the tension is lowered by temporarily suspending the training. The training can be resumed, and the training can proceed without causing discomfort to the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a relaxation support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a signal level Vr of a respiratory signal and a volume Vw of white noise.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an embodiment in which the vibration sensor 6 is arranged on the clothes 15.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of another embodiment of the biological signal detecting means.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a relaxation support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of body movements v and the cutoff frequency fo.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a relaxation support device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram of an output waveform from the body movement characteristic detection unit 7.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a conventional relaxation support device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 biometric sensor 2 control means 3 audio output means 4 optical output means 5 biometric signal detection means 6 vibration sensor 7 body motion characteristic detection section 8 seat 9 first audio recording means 10 second audio recording means 11 volume control means 12 mixing Means 13 Voice output means 14 Heating element 15 Clothes 16 Infrared sensor 17 Frequency changing means 18 Arithmetic unit 19 Low-pass filter 20 Human body judging means 21 Control means 22 Consciousness level detecting means 23 Second volume control means

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A biological signal detecting means, a first audio recording means in which a first audio signal is recorded, a second audio recording means in which a second audio signal is recorded, and the second audio. Volume control means for controlling the volume of the audio signal from the recording means according to the biological signal input from the biological signal detection means, and audio input from both the first audio recording means and the volume control means. Mixing means for mixing signals,
A relaxation assisting apparatus comprising: a sound output unit that outputs a sound signal from the mixing unit as a sound. 2. The biological signal detecting means includes a vibration sensor arranged on a seat, a bed, clothes, etc., and a body movement characteristic for detecting a body movement characteristic based on a life activity of a human body based on a vibration signal from the vibration sensor. The relaxation support device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit. 3. The relaxation support device according to claim 1, wherein the first voice recording means records the training procedure of the autonomous training method as a voice signal. 4. The relaxation support device according to claim 1, further comprising a heating element disposed on a seat, a bed, clothes or the like for heating a specific part of a human body such as a hand or a foot. 5. The relaxation assisting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biological signal detecting means has a skin temperature detecting section for detecting the skin temperature of the hand, foot, abdomen, forehead and the like. 6. The biological signal detecting means includes a vibration sensor arranged on a seat, a bed, etc., and a body motion characteristic detecting section for detecting a body motion characteristic based on a life activity of a human body based on a vibration signal from the vibration sensor. The human body determination means for determining the presence or absence of a human body in the seat, bed, etc. based on the body movement signal from the body movement characteristic detection part, and turning on the voice output means based on the human body determination signal input from the human body determination means. The relaxation support device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls turning off. 7. A frequency changing means for changing the frequency characteristic of the audio signal output from the first audio recording means in accordance with the biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, wherein the mixing means is the frequency changing means. The relaxation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the audio signals input from both the volume control means and the volume control means are mixed. 8. A consciousness level detecting means for detecting a consciousness level of a user based on a biological signal input from the biological signal detecting means, and an output from the mixing means in accordance with the consciousness level signal input from the consciousness level detecting means. The relaxation support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second volume control unit that controls the volume of the audio signal to be reproduced.