CN115297920A

CN115297920A - Environment control system and environment control method

Info

Publication number: CN115297920A
Application number: CN202180021306.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 铃鹿裕子
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-02
Filing date: 2021-03-30
Publication date: 2022-11-04
Also published as: JP7369985B2; JPWO2021200981A1; WO2021200981A1

Abstract

The environment control system is provided with: an acquisition unit (121 a) that acquires biological information indicating the state of the autonomic nerve of a subject; and a control unit (121 b) that performs the following environmental control: a plurality of devices provided in a space where a subject person is located are controlled so that a plurality of environmental parameters in the space become target settings corresponding to the environmental parameters, respectively. A control unit (121 b) selects a first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters, and changes a first target setting corresponding to the selected first environmental parameter based on the biological information during environmental control.

Description

Environment control system and environment control method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an environment control system and an environment control method.

Background

In recent years, health concerns have increased. As a technique for grasping the health condition of a person, patent document 1 discloses a biological information measurement device that can determine the condition of a measurement subject at an early stage in a simple manner.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-52463

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In addition, the autonomic nerves of a human include two nerves, i.e., sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves, which function in a controlled manner, and the functions of organs of the human are maintained by these two nerves acting in a balanced manner. In recent years, there are increasing people who suffer from a disturbance in the balance of autonomic nerves due to irregular life or habits.

The invention provides an environment control system and an environment control method capable of suppressing disorder of autonomic nerve of a subject.

Means for solving the problems

An environment control system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an acquisition unit that acquires biological information indicating a state of an autonomic nerve of a subject; and a control unit that performs the following environmental control: and a control unit configured to control a plurality of devices provided in a space where the subject person is located so that a plurality of environmental parameters in the space become target settings corresponding to the environmental parameters, respectively, wherein the control unit selects a first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters, and changes the first target setting corresponding to the selected first environmental parameter based on the biological information during the environmental control.

An environment control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: biological information indicating the state of the autonomic nerve of a subject is acquired, and the following environmental control is performed: and a control unit configured to control a plurality of devices provided in a space where the subject person is located so that a plurality of environmental parameters in the space respectively become target settings corresponding to the environmental parameters, select a first environmental parameter of the plurality of environmental parameters, and change the first target setting corresponding to the selected first environmental parameter based on the biological information in the environmental control.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, an environment control system and an environment control method capable of suppressing disturbance of autonomic nerves of a subject can be realized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an environment control system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of environment parameters.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting the emission color of the indirect lighting device.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the environment control system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a predetermined range of LF/HF values.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of modification 1 of the operation of the environment control system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of modification 2 of the operation of the environment control system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of modification 3 of the operation of the environment control system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between the action of autonomic nerves (sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves) and a change in biological information.

Detailed Description

The embodiments will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In addition to this, the present invention is, the embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection modes of the constituent elements, steps, order of the steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and the gist thereof is not limited to the invention. In the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims among the components will be described as arbitrary components.

The drawings are schematic and not necessarily strictly illustrated. In the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted or simplified.

(embodiment mode)

[ Structure of Environment control System ]

First, the configuration of the environment control system according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an environment control system according to an embodiment.

The environment control system 10 shown in fig. 1 performs control for adjusting the action of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 by controlling a plurality of devices associated with the environment in a space 300, which is a closed space such as a room.

Autonomic nerves include both sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves which act in contrast, and the function of organs possessed by a human is maintained by these nerves acting in balance. The environment control system 10 can suppress disturbance of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 by controlling the plurality of devices to make the environment in the space 300 close to the environment suitable for the subject person 200.

Specifically, the environment control system 10 includes an air blower 20, an air conditioner 30, an illumination device 40, an external light adjustment device 50, an indirect illumination device 60, a speaker 80, a fragrance generation device 90, an environment measurement device 100, a biological information measurement device 110, a control device 120, and a setting device 130. The air blower 20, the air conditioner 30, the lighting device 40, the external light adjustment device 50, the indirect lighting device 60, the speaker 80, and the fragrance generating device 90 are examples of a plurality of devices.

The air blower 20 is a device that blows air to the subject person 200. Specifically, the air blowing device 20 may be a highly directional air blowing device such as a circulator or may be a blower or the like.

The air conditioner 30 is a device for adjusting the temperature of the space 300 in which the subject person 200 is present. The air conditioner 30 can also adjust the humidity of the space 300. The air conditioner 30 brings the temperature and humidity of the space 300 close to the temperature and humidity instructed by the controller 120.

The illumination device 40 is a device for direct illumination that illuminates the space 300 in which the subject person 200 is present. The lighting device 40 is, for example, a ceiling lamp having a light emitting element such as an LED as a light source, but may be another lighting device such as a base lamp or a recessed lamp. The lighting device 40 can perform dimming and color adjustment by the control device 120.

The external light adjustment device 50 is a device that adjusts the amount of external light introduced into the space 300 in which the subject person 200 is present. The external light adjustment device 50 is an electronic blind implemented by a light adjusting film or the like, for example, but may be an electric blind (electric blind) or the like.

The indirect lighting device 60 is a device for indirect lighting disposed in the space 300 in which the subject person 200 is present. That is, the indirect lighting device 60 illuminates a structure such as a wall or a ceiling defining the space 300. The indirect lighting device 60 can change the emission color by having a plurality of light sources having different emission colors, for example. The indirect lighting device 60 may realize an arbitrary emission color by a combination of a light source and an optical filter. The emission color of the indirect lighting device 60 can be changed to any one of red monochromatic light, green monochromatic light, and blue monochromatic light, for example. The color of the light emitted by the indirect lighting device 60 is not particularly limited, and may be any color according to the preference of the user, for example.

Speaker 80 is disposed in place of subject person 200 a device of the space 300 that outputs sound, music, or the like.

The fragrance generating device 90 is a device that generates fragrance and is disposed in a space where the subject person 200 is present. The fragrance generating device 90 is, for example, a fragrance sprayer, but may be another fragrance generating device. The flavor generating device 90 may be an integrated device of the blower 20 and the speaker 80.

The environment measuring apparatus 100 is an apparatus that measures environment information in a space 300 in which the subject person 200 is present. The environment measuring device 100 is, for example, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature in the space 300, an illuminance sensor that measures illuminance in the space 300, or the like.

The biological information measurement device 110 is a device that measures biological information of the subject person 200. The biological information measurement device 110 measures the body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, perspiration amount, pupil diameter, skin temperature, expression, and the like of the subject person 200 as biological information. The biological information measuring device 110 may measure VLF (Very Low Frequency), HF (High Frequency), LF (Low Frequency), LF/HF, inspiration time, expiration time, and pause time calculated based on the heart rate, pulse, and respiration fluctuation waveform, and use these as an index for grasping the state of autonomic nerves. The biological information measurement device 110 is, for example, a wearable sensor (in other words, a contact-type sensor) that is worn on the body of the subject person 200, but may be a non-contact-type sensor. Examples of the non-contact sensor include an electric wave sensor capable of measuring a heart rate, a respiration rate, a pulse, and the like, and a camera capable of measuring a pupil diameter or an expression.

The control device 120 is a device for controlling the air blowing device 20, the air conditioning device 30, the lighting device 40, the external light adjusting device 50, the indirect lighting device 60, the speaker 80, the flavor generating device 90, and the like. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control device 120.

As shown in fig. 2, the control device 120 includes an information processing unit 121, a communication unit 122, a timer unit 123, and a storage unit 124.

The information processing unit 121 controls the target device by causing the communication unit 122 to transmit a control signal. The information processing unit 121 is realized by a microcomputer, for example, but may be realized by a processor. Specifically, the information processing unit 121 includes an acquisition unit 121a and a control unit 121b.

The communication unit 122 is a communication circuit (in other words, a communication module) for the control device 120 to communicate with the target device. The communication unit 122 transmits a control signal to the plurality of devices based on control by the control unit 121b, for example. The communication unit 122 receives environment information of the space 300 from the environment measuring apparatus 100, receives biological information of the subject person 200 from the biological information measuring apparatus 110, and receives setting information from the setting apparatus 130. The communication unit 122 performs wireless communication, for example, but may perform wired communication. The communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 122 is not particularly limited.

The timer 123 measures the current time. The timer unit 123 is realized by, for example, a real-time clock.

The storage unit 124 is a storage device that stores a control program or the like executed by the control unit 121b to control the apparatus. The storage unit 124 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

The setting device 130 is a user interface device that receives an operation (for example, an operation for performing initial setting) by a user such as the subject person 200, and is an example of a receiving unit. The contents of the settings accepted by the setting device 130 are transmitted to the control device 120 as setting information. The setting device 130 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, for example, but may be an operation panel or the like provided on a wall or the like. The setting device 130 may be implemented as a part of another device. For example, the setting device 130 may be implemented as a reception unit provided in the control device 120. Specifically, the reception unit is realized by a touch panel, a hardware button, or the like.

[ initial settings ]

In the environment control system 10, the control device 120 (specifically, the control unit 121 b) performs the following environment control: a plurality of environmental parameters (e.g., temperatures) in the space 300 are respectively adjusted to target settings (targets of the environmental parameters, e.g., set temperatures, etc.) corresponding to the environmental parameters. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of environmental parameters including, for example, the temperature of the space 300 (room temperature), the wind speed of the air blower 20, the illuminance in the space 300, the change in the illuminance in the space 300, the color temperature of white light emitted by the lighting device 40, the emission color of the indirect lighting device 60, the fragrance emitted by the fragrance generating device 90 (the type of fragrance), and the sound output from the speaker 80 (the volume and the type of sound source).

These plural environmental parameters can be adjusted by controlling the plural devices (the air blower 20, the air conditioner 30, the lighting device 40, the external light adjusting device 50, the indirect lighting device 60, the speaker 80, and the fragrance generating device 90) described above. In fig. 3, corresponding devices for adjusting a plurality of environmental parameters are shown for the environmental parameters, respectively. Further, in the environment control, the environment measuring device 100 is appropriately used to grasp the current state of the environment parameter.

Here, initial setting (also referred to as initial target setting) is used as target setting at the beginning of the environment control, but the method of initial setting differs depending on the environment parameter in the environment control system 10. According to the findings of the inventors, since the influence degrees of the plurality of environmental parameters on the autonomic nerve of the human are different, the method of changing the initial setting is performed in consideration of the influence degrees of the environmental parameters on the autonomic nerve of the human.

For example, the 3 environmental parameters of the illuminance in the space 300, the illuminance variation in the space 300, and the color temperature of the white light emitted by the lighting device 40 have small dependency on humans (personal differences). Therefore, the initial settings of the 3 environmental parameters are determined empirically or experimentally by a designer of the environmental control system 10 or the like, and are stored in the storage unit 124 in advance at the time of shipment of the environmental control system 10. Alternatively, the 3 environment parameters are automatically downloaded from the cloud at the beginning of the initial setting of the environment control system 10. In other words, the initial setting is determined by default. Hereinafter, these 3 environmental parameters are also described as environmental parameters of the first category. That is, the first category of parameters includes environmental parameters that stimulate the vision of the subject person 200. Further, the initial setting of the first type of environmental parameter can be finely adjusted by the subject person 200. Specifically, the setting device 130 receives an operation of the subject person 200 and performs fine adjustment (that is, manually).

In addition, the 2 environmental parameters of the light emission color of the indirect lighting device 60 and the sound output from the speaker 80 have a large dependence on a person (personal difference), but they are highly dependent on a preference of a person and can be screened before actually performing environmental control by letting the subject person 200 make a selection. Therefore, the initial settings of these 2 environmental parameters are manually determined by the subject person 200 before the environmental control is performed. Specifically, the setting device 130 receives an operation of the subject person 200 and stores the operation in the storage unit 124. Hereinafter, these 3 environmental parameters are also described as environmental parameters of the second category. That is, the second type of parameters includes at least one of a parameter for stimulating the color sense of the subject person 200, a parameter for stimulating the sense of smell of the subject person 200, and a parameter for stimulating the sense of hearing of the subject person 200.

Furthermore, the 3 environmental parameters of the temperature of the space 300, the fragrance emitted by the fragrance generating device 90, and the wind speed of the air blowing device 20 have a large dependence on humans (individual difference), and it is difficult to determine a target setting suitable for the target person 200 unless actually performing environmental control. Therefore, the initial settings of the 3 environmental parameters are actually subjected to environmental control (or tentative environmental control) and determined based on the results of the environmental control. Hereinafter, these 2 environmental parameters are also described as environmental parameters of the third category. That is, the environmental parameters in the third category include at least one of the environmental parameters that stimulate the temperature sensation of the subject person 200 and the environmental parameters that stimulate the tactile sensation of the subject person 200. The temporary initial setting of the third type of environmental parameter before the environmental control (or the tentative environmental control) is performed is stored (that is, manually) in the storage unit 124 upon receiving an operation of the subject person 200 by the setting device 130.

In this way, if the method of changing the initial setting is performed in consideration of the degree of influence of each environmental parameter on the autonomic nerve of the person, the environmental control system 10 can reduce the time taken to make the space 300 suitable for the environment of the subject person 200 (reduce the number of times of changing the target setting described later).

In addition, at least one initial setting may be determined for each of the plurality of environmental parameters. However, in the embodiment, 2 initial settings, that is, the first initial setting suitable for the case where the effect of the sympathetic nerve is more dominant than the effect of the parasympathetic nerve and the second initial setting suitable for the case where the effect of the parasympathetic nerve is more dominant than the effect of the sympathetic nerve, are determined for each of the plurality of environmental parameters. For example, the setting screen of fig. 4 is illustrated as the setting screen of the emission color of the indirect lighting device 60. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting the emission color of the indirect lighting device 60. In fig. 4, the light emission color set when concentration is desired corresponds to the first initial setting, and the light emission color set when relaxation is desired corresponds to the second initial setting.

When the emission color of the indirect lighting device 60 is set, the indirect lighting device 60 may actually emit light in the currently selected emission color. This allows the subject 200 to set the emission color in consideration of the actual situation.

In the above description, the case where only the initial setting of the first type of environmental parameter and the temporary initial setting of the third type of environmental parameter are previously stored in the storage unit 124 has been described, but the initial setting of the second type of environmental parameter may also be previously stored in the storage unit 124 for the purpose of suppressing the occurrence of an error or the like. Further, the environment control system 10 may have the following configuration: as long as the user such as the subject person 200 does not manually perform the initial setting of the second type of environmental parameters, the subject person 200 cannot start using.

[ actions ]

Next, the operation of the environment control system 10 after the initial setting is performed as described above will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the actions of the environmental control system 10.

First, the acquiring unit 121a acquires initial settings of each of the plurality of environmental parameters, that is, initial settings stored in the storage unit 124 (S11). The acquisition unit 121a acquires, for example, a first initial setting when it is determined that the current time belongs to the daytime based on the current time measured by the timer unit 123, and acquires a second initial setting when it is determined that the current time belongs to the nighttime.

Next, the control unit 121b selects an environment parameter with the highest priority among the plurality of environment parameters according to a predetermined priority (S12). Information indicating the priority is stored in the storage unit 124 in advance. The priority is determined empirically or experimentally.

Next, the control unit 121b executes the environment control (S13). Specifically, the control unit 121b controls the plurality of devices provided in the space 300 such that each of the plurality of environmental parameters in the space in which the subject person 200 is present is the acquired initial setting (i.e., initial target setting). The control of the plurality of devices is performed by the control unit 121b causing the communication unit 122 to transmit a control signal to each of the plurality of devices. Further, in the environment control, the environment measuring device 100 is appropriately used to grasp the current state of the environment parameter.

Next, the acquisition unit 121a acquires LF/HF of the subject person 200 from the biological information measurement device 110 during the environmental control (for example, after the plurality of environmental parameters have reached the initial settings) (S14). LF/HF is a parameter determined from time-series data of rhythm fluctuation, and is an example of biological information indicating the state of autonomic nerves. LF/HF becomes smaller in a state where the action of the parasympathetic nerve is dominant over the action of the sympathetic nerve (relaxed state), and becomes larger in a state where the action of the sympathetic nerve is dominant over the action of the parasympathetic nerve (stressed state).

Next, the control unit 121b determines whether or not the acquired LF/HF value is within a predetermined range (S15). Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a predetermined range of LF/HF values. In other words, the predetermined range is a range indicating a state of an appropriate autonomic nerve. The predetermined range indicates, for example, a range of LF/HF (an appropriate range of LF/HF) of a healthy person, and is determined empirically or experimentally. As shown in fig. 6, the predetermined range changes with time, for example. The control unit 121b can determine the predetermined range at the current time based on the current time measured by the timer unit 123. Information indicating the predetermined range is stored in the storage unit 124 in advance.

When determining that the acquired LF/HF value is within the predetermined range (yes in S15), the control unit 121b continues the environment control while maintaining the initial setting (S13). On the other hand, if the acquired LF/HF value is determined to be outside the predetermined range (no in S15), the control unit 121b determines whether the number of target setting changes has reached the upper limit number of times (S16). The upper limit number is, for example, 4. The upper limit number is predetermined, and information indicating the upper limit number is stored in the storage unit 124 in advance.

When determining that the number of times of change of the target setting has not reached the upper limit number of times (no in S16), the control unit 121b changes the target setting of the environmental parameter selected in step S12 from the current target setting (initial setting) to another target setting (S17). The target setting is changed based on the LF/HF value in consideration of whether the LF/HF value is greater than or less than the predetermined range. In addition, the target setting of the environmental parameter other than the selected environmental parameter is not changed.

For example, when the selected environmental parameter is temperature, the initial setting is 25 ℃, and the LF/HF value is a value smaller than the predetermined range (fig. 6 (a)), the LF/HF value can be increased (close to the predetermined range) by decreasing the temperature. Therefore, the control unit 121b changes the target setting (target value) of the temperature from the initial setting (25 ℃) to 25- α (α > 0) ° c. When the LF/HF value is greater than the predetermined range ((b) of fig. 6), the controller 121b changes the target temperature setting from the initial setting (25 ℃) to 25+ α (α > 0) ° c. In addition, when the environmental parameter is the emission color of the indirect lighting device 60, the fragrance emitted by the fragrance generating device 90, or the music output from the speaker 80, in step S17, the emission color of the indirect lighting device 60, the type of fragrance emitted by the fragrance generating device 90, or the type of music output from the speaker 80 may be changed. That is, it is not necessary to change the target value as the target setting.

The processing of step S13, step S14, and step S17 is repeated until the LF/HF value falls within the predetermined range or the number of target settings changes reaches the upper limit number. That is, as long as the LF/HF value is not within the predetermined range, only the target setting of the temperature among the plurality of target settings corresponding to the plurality of environmental parameters is gradually changed by 25 ℃ (initial setting), 25- α ℃ (after the first change), and 25-2 α ℃ (after the second change) …, and the environmental control is continued.

If the LF/HF value does not fall within the predetermined range even though the target temperature setting is changed by the upper limit number of times (yes in S16), the environmental parameter whose target setting is changed from the temperature to another environmental parameter (S18). In other words, the control unit 121b selects another environment parameter. The change (in other words, selection) of the environment parameter is performed according to the priority described above. Then, the target setting of the changed environmental parameter is changed from the initial target setting (S17). Further, when the environmental parameter is changed, the number of changes of the target setting is reset to 0.

Thereafter, the processing of step S13, step S14, and step S17 is repeated until the LF/HF value falls within the predetermined range or the number of target settings changes reaches the upper limit number. Further, the following processing may be performed: when the environmental parameter is to be changed, the target setting of the environmental parameter before the change is returned to the initial setting.

As described above, the environment control system 10 selects a first environment parameter among the plurality of environment parameters, and changes the first target setting corresponding to the selected first environment parameter based on LF/HF (biological information) during the environment control. Such an environment control system 10 can suppress disturbance of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200. Further, the environment control system 10 can specify the environment parameter effective for the adjustment of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 by changing the target setting of the environment parameter one by one.

Further, when determining that the value of LF/HF is not within the predetermined range even after the first target setting is changed a plurality of times, the environment control system 10 selects a second environment parameter different from the first environment parameter among the plurality of environment parameters, and changes a second target setting corresponding to the selected second environment parameter based on LF/HF. The selection of the environment parameters is performed according to a prescribed priority. Such an environment control system 10 can realize the adjustment of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 by the change of the target setting of the second environmental parameter when it is considered that the change of the target setting of the first environmental parameter is not effective for the adjustment of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200.

In step S17, it is determined whether or not the number of times the target setting is changed has reached the upper limit number of times, but when the target setting is represented by a value, it may be determined whether or not the value has reached the upper limit (or the lower limit).

[ variation of operation 1]

The target setting of the environmental parameter can be manually changed by the subject 200 by operating the setting device 130. Next, an operation example (operation modification 1) when manually changing the target setting when performing the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a modification 1 of the operation of the environment control system 10.

The control unit 121b determines whether or not the target setting is manually changed during the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 (S21). Specifically, the control unit 121b determines whether or not setting information transmitted from the setting device 130, that is, setting information indicating that the target setting has been manually changed is received via the communication unit 122. In other words, the control unit 121b determines whether or not the specification of the target setting is accepted by the setting device 130.

When the control unit 121b determines that the target setting is manually changed in the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 (yes in S21), the control unit 121b performs the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 with the manually changed target setting (in other words, the designated target setting) as the initial target setting (S22). That is, the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 is performed after the initial target setting is changed from the target setting acquired in step S11 of fig. 5 to the manually set target setting. For example, when the target setting of the environmental parameter being changed is manually changed, the processing of step S13, step S14, and step S17 is repeated after the number of changes is reset to 0 until the value of LF/HF falls within the predetermined range or the number of changes of the target setting reaches the upper limit number.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the target setting has not been manually changed in the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 (no in S21), the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 is continued as it is.

As described above, when the specification of the target setting is accepted by the setting device 130, the environment control system 10 sets the specified target setting as the initial target setting. Thus, the environment control system 10 can perform the environment control in accordance with the intention of the subject person 200.

[ variation 2 of operation ]

The priorities of the plurality of environmental parameters may be changed by the control unit 121b based on the result of the environmental control. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a modification 2 of the operation of the environment control system 10.

In parallel with the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5, when the target setting is changed, the control unit 121b calculates the fluctuation amount of the LF/HF value according to the changed target setting, and stores history information in the storage unit 124, which is obtained by associating the environmental parameter, the change amount of the target setting of the environmental parameter, and the fluctuation amount of the LF/HF value (S31).

Next, the control unit 121b determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the operation in the flowchart in fig. 5 (S32). Specifically, the control unit 121b can determine whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the operation in the flowchart in fig. 5, based on the current time measured by the timer unit 123. Until the predetermined period elapses, the history information is stored (accumulated) (no in S32). The predetermined period is, for example, 20 days, but is not particularly limited as long as the history information can be sufficiently accumulated.

When the control unit 121b determines that the predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the operation in the flowchart in fig. 5 (yes in S32), the control unit 121b then determines the priorities of the plurality of environment parameters based on the history information (S33). As described above, the history information includes the variation amount of the LF/HF value corresponding to the case where the target setting is changed when the target setting is changed. As the fluctuation amount, an average value, a maximum value, a minimum value, or the like in a certain fixed period may be used. That is, the control unit 121b can calculate how much the change of the environmental parameter affects the LF/HF of the subject person 200 by, for example, statistically analyzing the history information.

For example, in the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5, when the LF/HF value is smaller than the predetermined range, the control unit 121b can determine which environmental parameter is changed by referring to the history information so as to increase the LF/HF value within the predetermined range. Therefore, the control unit 121b sets a higher priority to the environmental parameter estimated based on the history information so that the LF/HF value can be increased earlier within the predetermined range.

Similarly, for example, in the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5, when the LF/HF value is a value greater than the predetermined range, the control unit 121b can determine which environmental parameter to change so as to reduce the LF/HF value within the predetermined range by referring to the history information. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 121b sets a higher priority to the environmental parameter estimated based on the history information so that the LF/HF value can be reduced earlier within the predetermined range.

As described above, the environment control system 10 stores history information in which a plurality of environment parameters are associated with the fluctuation amounts of the LF/HF values when the target settings of the environment parameters are changed, respectively, in the storage unit 124, and determines the priority based on the history information. Such an environment control system 10 can realize an environment suitable for the subject person 200 in a short period of time.

[ variation 3 of operation ]

The control unit 121b may determine the environmental parameter to be set as the change target by using a machine learning model. Fig. 9 is a flowchart of modification 3 of the operation of the environment control system 10.

The control unit 121b makes the machine learning model learn data in parallel with the operation of the flowchart of fig. 5 (S41). For example, the machine learning model learns data obtained by associating identification information of an environmental parameter to be set as a target, a value of LF/HF before changing the target setting, a predetermined range at that time (i.e., an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the predetermined range), time taken until the value of LF/HF falls within the predetermined range (e.g., the number of times the target setting is changed), and the like. The time (the number of changes in the target setting, etc.) taken until the LF/HF value falls within the predetermined range is used as the reward (score).

Such a machine learning model outputs, for example, identification information of an environmental parameter estimated to be within a predetermined range (environmental parameter having the smallest score) as soon as the current LF/HF value and the predetermined range are input information, in a situation indicated by the input information.

Next, the control unit 121b determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the operation in the flowchart in fig. 5 (S42). Until the predetermined period elapses, the learning of the data of the machine learning model is continued (no in S42). The predetermined period is, for example, 20 days, but is not particularly limited as long as a sufficient amount of data can be obtained.

When the control unit 121b determines that the predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the operation in the flowchart in fig. 5 (yes in S42), the control unit 121b then selects an environmental parameter to be set as a target for changing from among the plurality of environmental parameters using the machine learning model (S43).

As explained above, the environmental control system 10 uses a machine learning model to select an environmental parameter from a plurality of environmental parameters. The machine learning model outputs identification information of an environmental parameter estimated to be able to bring the value of the LF/HF into a predetermined range at the fastest speed in the situation indicated by the input information, using the value of the LF/HF and the predetermined range as input information. Such an environment control system 10 can realize an environment suitable for the subject person 200 in a short period of time.

[ modification of biological information ]

In the above embodiment, the environment control system 10 uses LF/HF as an index indicating the state of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200, but other biological information may be used as the index. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between the action of autonomic nerves (sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves) and a change in biological information. As shown in fig. 10, biological information such as body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, perspiration amount, pupil diameter, epidermal temperature, and expression of the subject 200 is associated with the sympathetic nerve action and the parasympathetic nerve action. That is, the biological information can be used as an index indicating the state of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200. In the above embodiment, LF/HF can be appropriately replaced with any of these pieces of biological information.

[ supplement ]

Hereinafter, as described above, when the temperature around the subject 200 decreases, the effect of the sympathetic nerve of the subject is more dominant than the effect of the parasympathetic nerve, and when the temperature around the subject 200 increases, the effect of the parasympathetic nerve of the subject is more dominant than the effect of the sympathetic nerve.

When other environmental parameters are supplemented, for example, regarding the wind speed of the air blowing device 20, the effect of the sympathetic nerve of the subject person is more dominant than the effect of the parasympathetic nerve when the wind speed becomes strong, and the effect of the parasympathetic nerve of the subject person is more dominant than the effect of the sympathetic nerve when the wind speed becomes weak.

In addition, regarding the illuminance of the space 300, when the illuminance is high, the action of the sympathetic nerve of the subject person is more dominant than the action of the parasympathetic nerve, and when the illuminance is low, the action of the parasympathetic nerve of the subject person is more dominant than the action of the sympathetic nerve.

With respect to the change in illuminance of the space 300, when the change in illuminance becomes rapid, the action of the sympathetic nerve of the subject person is more dominant than the action of the parasympathetic nerve, and when the change in illuminance becomes slow, the action of the parasympathetic nerve of the subject person is more dominant than the action of the sympathetic nerve.

Regarding the color temperature of the lighting device 40, when the color temperature becomes high, the action of the sympathetic nerves of the subject person is more dominant than the action of the parasympathetic nerves, and when the color temperature becomes low, the action of the parasympathetic nerves of the subject person is more dominant than the action of the sympathetic nerves.

Furthermore, these tendencies are common. The subject 200 is different from person to person, and depending on the subject 200, the function of the autonomic nerve may not be adjusted in this manner.

[ Effect and the like ]

As described above, the environment control system 10 includes: an acquisition unit 121a that acquires biological information indicating the state of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200; and a control unit 121b that performs the following environmental control: a plurality of devices installed in the space 300 where the subject person 200 is located are controlled so that a plurality of environmental parameters in the space 300 are respectively set to target settings corresponding to the environmental parameters. The control unit 121b selects a first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters, and changes the first target setting corresponding to the selected first environmental parameter based on the biometric information during the environmental control.

Such an environment control system 10 can suppress disturbance of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200. The environment control system 10 can also identify an environment parameter effective for the adjustment of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 by changing the target setting of the environment parameter one by one.

For example, when it is determined that the value of the biological information is out of the predetermined range, the control unit 121b changes the first target setting based on the biological information, and when it is determined that the value of the biological information is within the predetermined range, the control unit 121b maintains the current first target setting.

Such an environment control system 10 can change the target setting of the environment parameter only when the space 300 is not suitable for the environment of the subject person 200 (when the state of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 is not a predetermined state). Therefore, the amount of information processing at the time of changing the target setting can be reduced.

For example, the control unit 121b changes the first target setting a plurality of times until the value of the biological information falls within the predetermined range.

Such an environment control system 10 can approximate the space 300 to the environment suitable for the subject person 200 by gradually changing the target setting of the environment parameter a plurality of times.

For example, when it is determined that the value of the biological information is not within the predetermined range even after the first target setting is changed a plurality of times, the control unit 121b selects a second environmental parameter different from the first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters, and changes the second target setting corresponding to the selected second environmental parameter based on the biological information.

Such an environment control system 10 can realize the adjustment of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 by the change of the target setting of the second environmental parameter when it is considered that the change of the target setting of the first environmental parameter is not effective for the adjustment of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200.

In addition, for example, the control unit 121b selects a first environmental parameter from a plurality of environmental parameters using a machine learning model. The machine learning model outputs, as input information, a value of the biological information and a predetermined range, and outputs identification information of the environmental parameter estimated to be able to bring the value of the biological information into the predetermined range at the fastest speed in the situation indicated by the input information.

Such an environment control system 10 can make the space 300 close to fit to the environment of the subject person 200 in a short time.

In addition, for example, priorities are determined for a plurality of environment parameters. The control unit 121b selects the first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters based on the priority.

Such an environment control system 10 can make the space 300 close to the environment suitable for the subject person 200 in a short time by appropriately deciding the priority.

For example, each of the plurality of environmental parameters is stored in the storage unit 124 as history information corresponding to a variation amount of a value of the biological information when the target setting of the environmental parameter is changed, and the control unit 121b determines the priority based on the history information.

Such an environment control system 10 can bring the space 300 close to the environment suitable for the subject person 200 in a short time by appropriately deciding the priority based on the history information.

For example, the control unit 121b changes the first target setting from the initial target setting based on the biological information.

The environment control system 10 can approximate the space 300 to the environment suitable for the subject person 200 by changing the first target setting with respect to the initial target setting based on the biological information.

For example, the environment control system 10 further includes a setting device 130, and the setting device 130 receives a designation of the first target setting by the subject person 200. The control unit 121b sets the designated first target setting as the initial target setting. The setting device 130 is an example of a receiving unit.

Such an environment control system 10 can perform environment control in accordance with the intention of the subject person 200.

Additionally, for example, the plurality of environmental parameters includes: a first type of environmental parameters whose initial target setting is stored in advance in the storage unit 124 provided in the environmental control system 10 before environmental control is performed; a second type of environmental parameter whose initial target setting is determined by the subject 200 before the environmental control is performed; and a third type of environmental parameter, an initial target setting of which is determined based on a result of the environmental control.

By changing the initial target setting for each type of environment parameter, the environment control system 10 can reduce the number of times the target setting is changed until the space 300 becomes an environment suitable for the subject person 200. That is, the environment control system 10 can make the space 300 an environment suitable for the subject person 200 in a short time.

For example, the first category of environmental parameters includes environmental parameters that stimulate the vision of the subject person 200.

By storing the initial target setting of the environmental parameter stimulating the vision of the subject person 200 in the storage unit 124 in advance, the environment control system 10 can reduce the time taken to make the space 300 suitable for the environment of the subject person 200 (reduce the number of times of changing the target setting).

For example, the second category of environmental parameters includes at least one of environmental parameters that stimulate the color sense of the subject person 200 and environmental parameters that stimulate the auditory sense of the subject person 200.

Such an environment control system 10 can reduce the time taken for the space 300 to be suitable for the environment of the subject person 200 by determining at least one of the initial target setting of the environmental parameter that stimulates the color sense of the subject person 200 and the initial target setting of the environmental parameter that stimulates the auditory sense of the subject person 200 by the subject person.

For example, the third category of environmental parameters includes at least one of an environmental parameter that stimulates the temperature sensation of the subject person 200, an environmental parameter that stimulates the sense of smell of the subject person 200, and an environmental parameter that stimulates the sense of touch of the subject person 200.

Such an environment control system 10 can reduce the time taken to make the space 300 suitable for the environment of the subject person 200 by determining at least one of the initial target setting of the environmental parameter that stimulates the temperature sense of the subject person 200, the initial target setting of the environmental parameter that stimulates the sense of smell of the subject person 200, and the initial target setting of the environmental parameter that stimulates the sense of touch of the subject person 200 based on the result of the environment control.

In addition, the computer-implemented environment control method of the environment control system 10 or the like includes the steps of: biological information indicating the state of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 is acquired, and the following environmental control is performed: the plurality of devices installed in the space 300 in which the subject person 200 is located are controlled such that each of the plurality of environmental parameters in the space 300 becomes a target setting corresponding to the environmental parameter, a first environmental parameter of the plurality of environmental parameters is selected, and the first target setting corresponding to the selected first environmental parameter is changed based on the biological information in the environmental control.

Such an environment control method can suppress disturbance of the autonomic nerve of the subject 200. In addition, the environment control method can specify the environment parameter effective for the adjustment of the autonomic nerve of the subject person 200 by changing the target setting of the environment parameter one by one.

(other embodiments)

The embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Further, the order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

In the above-described embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by reading a software program recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor and executing the software program.

Further, each component may be implemented by hardware. Each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may constitute one circuit as a whole, or may be independent circuits. Each circuit of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

All or specific aspects of the present invention can be realized by a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The present invention can also be realized by any combination of systems, apparatuses, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, and recording media.

For example, the present invention may be realized as an environment control method, may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the environment control method, or may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

The present invention can be realized as the control device of the above-described embodiment, and can also be realized as a program executed by a computer for causing the computer to operate as such a control device. The present invention can also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the environment control system is implemented by a plurality of devices. But may also be implemented as a single device. When the environment control system is implemented by a plurality of devices, the constituent elements of the environment control system described in the above embodiment may be distributed to the plurality of devices in any manner.

In addition, embodiments obtained by implementing various modifications to the embodiments as would occur to those skilled in the art, or embodiments obtained by arbitrarily combining structural elements and functions in the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

10: an environmental control system; 20: an air blowing device (equipment); 30: air conditioning equipment (devices); 40: lighting devices (apparatuses); 50: an external light adjustment device (apparatus); 60: indirect lighting devices (appliances); 80: a speaker (device); 90: a fragrance generating device (apparatus); 121a: an acquisition unit; 121b: a control unit; 124: a storage unit; 130: a setting device (receiving unit); 200: a subject person; 300: a space.

Claims

1. An environment control system is provided with:

an acquisition unit that acquires biological information indicating a state of an autonomic nerve of a subject; and

a control unit for performing the following environmental control: controlling a plurality of devices provided in a space in which the subject person is located so that a plurality of environmental parameters in the space become target settings corresponding to the environmental parameters, respectively,

wherein the control unit selects a first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters, and changes a first target setting corresponding to the selected first environmental parameter based on the biometric information during the environmental control.

2. The environmental control system of claim 1,

the control unit changes the first target setting based on the biological information when it is determined that the value of the biological information is out of a predetermined range,

when it is determined that the value of the biological information is within the predetermined range, the control unit maintains the current first target setting.

3. The environmental control system of claim 2,

the control unit changes the first target setting a plurality of times until the value of the biological information falls within a predetermined range.

4. The environmental control system of claim 3,

the control unit selects a second environment parameter different from the first environment parameter from the plurality of environment parameters when it is determined that the value of the biological information is not within the predetermined range even after the first target setting is changed a plurality of times, and changes a second target setting corresponding to the selected second environment parameter based on the biological information.

5. The environmental control system of any one of claims 2 to 4,

the control portion selects the first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters using a machine learning model,

the machine learning model outputs, as input information, the value of the biological information and the predetermined range, and outputs identification information of the environmental parameter estimated to be able to make the value of the biological information fall within the predetermined range most quickly in a situation indicated by the input information.

6. The environmental control system of any one of claims 1 to 4,

determining a priority for the plurality of environmental parameters,

the control portion selects the first environmental parameter from the plurality of environmental parameters based on the priority.

7. The environmental control system of claim 6,

each of the plurality of environmental parameters is stored in a storage unit as history information corresponding to a variation amount of a value of the biometric information when a target setting of the environmental parameter is changed,

the control unit determines the priority based on the history information.

8. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the control unit changes the first target setting from an initial target setting based on the biological information.

9. The environmental control system of claim 8,

the image processing apparatus further comprises a receiving unit for receiving a designation of the first target setting by the subject,

the control unit sets the designated first target setting as the initial target setting.

10. The environmental control system of any one of claims 1-9,

the plurality of environmental parameters includes:

a first type of environmental parameter, an initial target of which is set to be stored in advance in a storage unit provided in the environmental control system before the environmental control is performed;

a second type of environmental parameter, an initial target setting of which is determined by the subject before the environmental control is performed; and

a third category of environmental parameters, an initial target setting of which is determined based on a result of the environmental control.

11. The environmental control system of claim 10,

the environmental parameters in the first category include environmental parameters that stimulate the vision of the subject person.

12. The environmental control system of claim 10 or 11,

the second category of environmental parameters includes at least one of environmental parameters that stimulate color vision and environmental parameters that stimulate auditory sense of the subject person.

13. The environmental control system of any one of claims 10 to 12,

the third category of environmental parameters includes at least one of an environmental parameter that stimulates a temperature sense of the subject person, an environmental parameter that stimulates an olfactory sense of the subject person, and an environmental parameter that stimulates a tactile sense of the subject person.

14. An environmental control method comprising the steps of:

acquiring biological information indicating a state of an autonomic nerve of a subject,

the following environmental controls were performed: controlling a plurality of devices provided in a space in which the subject person is located so that a plurality of environmental parameters in the space become target settings corresponding to the environmental parameters, respectively,

selecting a first environmental parameter of the plurality of environmental parameters,

in the environment control, a first target setting corresponding to the selected first environment parameter is changed based on the biometric information.