JP2004222818A - Apparatus and method for guiding physiological condition - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to guide a physiological condition of an object of guidance to a desired condition effectively and easily, considering real-time biological information on the object of guidance. <P>SOLUTION: CPU 11 (central processing unit) forms a controlling signal which makes sensation presenting devices 4(1), 4(2) and 4(3) generate a stimulus synchronizing the present physiological condition of the object of guidance based on a detection output from a biosensor unit 3, and supplies the same to the sensation presenting devices 4(1), 4(2) and 4(3) to stimulate for certain period the object of guidance to reveal a physiological condition synchronizing to the physiological condition at this time, then forms another controlling signal to generate a stimulus to guide the physiological condition to a desired condition and supplies the same to the sensation presenting devices 4(1), 4(2) and 4(3) to change the stimulus for the object of guidance to be guided into the desired physiological condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus that can guide a target living body to a target state using biological information such as a heart rate, a pulse rate, and a respiration rate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, listening to music etc. may make you feel relaxed or cheerful, but by giving a stimulus such as music in this way, the direction aimed at the so-called mental state of a person For example, there is a biofeedback device described in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-252265) as a technique for inducing the feedback.
[0003]
The biofeedback device relaxes the user by changing the output of the stimulus generator in a time-series manner based on, for example, 1 / f fluctuation and giving a stimulus to the user of the device. It is intended to make it possible to make people feel and cheer up, and to provide a method to control mental states that are difficult to control consciously. .
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-252265 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the biofeedback device described in Patent Literature 1 described above, it may take a long time to induce a mental state of a user of the device to a target state, and may obtain a target effect. It may be difficult.
[0006]
In addition, the above-described biofeedback device not only controls so-called mental state such as relaxing mood or cheerful mood to be realized, but also, for example, physiology such as relieving pain, adjusting heartbeat and respiration. There is a demand to be able to easily control various emotional states such as sadness, fun, and anger.
[0007]
In view of the above, the present invention considers real-time biological information of a person, and easily changes a person's physiological state including the mental state, various physiological states, and emotional states to a desired state. It is an object to provide an apparatus and a method for enabling guidance.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the physiological condition inducing device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
Sensation providing means for stimulating at least one of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch;
Detecting means for detecting biological information of a guidance target person who intends to induce a physiological condition,
Based on the detection result from the detection unit, the sensory sense is provided so as to provide a stimulus for giving the stimulus to the induction target person a stimulus that causes the physiology state of the induction target person indicated by the detection result to be the same as the physiological state. First control means for controlling the providing means;
After the homogenous period, a second control unit that controls the sensory presentation unit so as to provide a retraction period that provides a stimulus so as to pull the physiological state of the guidance target person into a target state.
It is characterized by having.
[0009]
According to the physiological condition guiding device of the first aspect of the present invention, the biological information of the physiological condition guiding target person is detected by the detecting means, and based on the detection result, the first control means detects the biological information of the guiding target person. The sensation providing means is controlled so as to provide a homogenous period for providing a stimulus for producing a physiological condition that is the same as the physiological condition. Thereafter, the second control means controls the sense providing means so as to provide a retraction period for applying a stimulus so as to bring the user's physiological state to the desired physiological state.
[0010]
In this way, by first providing a homogenous phase, the current physiological state is relieved, and in the subsequent retraction phase, by gradually retracting to the target physiological state, easily and effectively It can be drawn (guided) to a desired physiological state.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the term "physiological state" refers to a mental state such as a relaxed mood, a cheerful mood, an emotional state such as sad, fun, or angry, and a physiological state such as pain, itching, heartbeat, pulse, or breathing. It also includes a typical state.
[0012]
[Overview of Apparatus and Method of Embodiment]
First, the outline of the apparatus and method of this embodiment will be described. The apparatus and the method according to the present embodiment receive information on the guidance direction and the size of the target physiological condition to be guided from the physiological condition guidance target person, and receive the designated physiological condition (objective). Physiological condition) is to induce the physiological condition of the subject to be induced, but in order to easily and effectively induce the physiological condition, the "homogeneous principle" in music therapy is used. I use it.
[0013]
This "homogeneous principle" means, for example, that when you are in a depressed state, you first listen to music that is sober and dark, to sympathize with the negative mood, then gradually neutralize the music, In general, it has the effect of promoting the induction of relaxation.
[0014]
For this reason, in the apparatus and method of the embodiment described below, after inputting information about the target physiological state and indicating the target physiological state, first, the information is changed according to the physiological state. By detecting the biological information to be guided, the current physiological state of the guidance target person is grasped. Then, by giving a stimulus to cause a physiological state that is the same as the current physiological state that has been grasped to appear, the current physiological state is alleviated, and effectively induced to a physiological state different from the current physiological state. Establish a homogenous period to enable
[0015]
Here, the stimulus that causes a physiological state that is the same as the current physiological state to appear is, in other words, a stimulus that is classified as the same as the current physiological state, and is calm and dark in a depressed state. In addition to music and stimuli that are intuitively related to the physiological state, such as cheerful and bright music in the so (manic) state, rhythm sounds synchronized with heartbeat, pulse, breathing, tempo, melody, video, etc. And a stimulus associated with a physiological condition.
[0016]
That is, in this embodiment, the stimulus to be given to the guidance target of the physiological state is not only music, but also stimulus such as rhythm sound, tempo, melody, etc., which act on hearing, video, lighting of a light bulb, blinking, brightness, etc. Stimuli that affect vision, stimuli that affect visual, auditory and tactile sensations such as movement of movable models, stimuli that affect tactile sensations such as vibrations from transducers and vibrators, stimuli that affect odor and taste, etc. It is possible to use various stimuli that act on the so-called five senses of the induction target person and that can influence the physiological state.
[0017]
In addition, what kind of stimulus is used depends on a number of subjects in advance, in which physiological state, what kind of stimulus is applied to the physiological state and what kind of stimulus is applied to the physiological state. The stimulus to be used can be determined by performing the target test. Of course, not only one stimulus is used, but a plurality of different stimuli can be applied simultaneously to more effectively induce a physiological condition.
[0018]
Various kinds of information that change according to the physiological state can be used as the biological information to be detected. For example, heart rate information, pulse information, respiration information, blood pressure information, electrocardiogram information, electroencephalogram information, skin sweat information, skin resistance information, body motion information, magnetoencephalography information, myoelectric information, body surface temperature, pupil size , Microvibration information, biochemical reaction information, and the like.
[0019]
In other words, the various types of biological information described above change according to physiological conditions such as when nervous and relaxed, when distracted and concentrated, or when depressed and when so depressed. The physiological information of the guidance target can be grasped from these biological information. Then, it is also possible to detect not only one kind of biological information but also a plurality of biological information, and to grasp the physiological state more accurately based on these.
[0020]
Then, when the mood is dark, what is the biometric information, when the mood is bright, what is the biometric information, or when the mood is sad, what is the biometric information, how angry the mood is Mental state, which is a physiological condition, such as what biometric information is what level, what biometric information is when you are feeling pain, and how much is different from when you are not feeling pain By specifying in advance a test for a large number of subjects, such as emotional states, physiological states, which biological information is biological information that responds well to those states, etc. The biological information to be used can be determined.
[0021]
In the apparatus and method according to the present embodiment, as described above, the physiological state is grasped based on the current biological information, and a physiological state of the same quality as the current physiological state appears. After providing a homogenous period for providing the above stimulus and relaxing the current physiological condition, a stimulus is provided to draw (induce) the physiological condition of the target person to the target physiological condition using the biological information as a guideline. Make sure to have a withdrawal period.
[0022]
In the pull-in period, the stimulus given to the guidance target person is gradually converted so as to draw (guide) the physiological state of the guidance target person to the target physiological state.
[0023]
In the apparatus and method according to the present embodiment, a method (hereinafter, referred to as an open-loop method) in which a stimulus given to a guidance target is changed according to a predetermined pattern in a pull-in period, and a guidance target person. (Hereinafter referred to as a feedback loop method) in which the stimulus given to the guidance target person is changed according to the physiological state.
[0024]
The above-mentioned principle of the same quality is described in (Naoko Murakami, Shojo Yokoyama et al., Research Report of Hiroshima Prefectural Eastern Technology Center, No. 15 (2002), CD Development for Chronic Pain Relief by Music Therapy) and (Ito Takako, Makoto Iwanaga: Japanese Music Therapy Society, 1 (2), 167-173 (2001)).
[0025]
[Specific description of apparatus and method]
Hereinafter, a physiological state guiding apparatus to which an embodiment of the apparatus and method according to the present invention is applied will be specifically described. In the following, for example, in the case of guiding from a somewhat nervous state to a relatively calm physiological state, and using a heart rate as biological information to be detected in order to grasp the physiological state of the guidance target person As an example, the first embodiment using the open loop method in the pull-in period and the second embodiment using the feedback loop method will be described.
[0026]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the physiological condition inducing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the physiological condition inducing device according to the first embodiment includes a main body device 1, a key operation unit 2, a biological sensor unit 3, and a sensation presentation device unit 4 (1), 4 ( 2), 4 (3), ...
[0027]
The main body device section 1 controls each section of the physiological condition guiding apparatus, and as shown in FIG. 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, and a RAM (Random Access Memory). ) 13, A / D (analog / digital) converters 14, 15, and D / A (digital / digital) corresponding to each of the sensation providing device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3),. .., And a timer 17 (analog) converters 16 (1), 16 (2), 16 (3),.
[0028]
Here, the ROM 12 stores programs executed by the CPU 11, data necessary for processing, and the like. The RAM 13 is mainly used as a work area. The A / D converters 14 and 15 convert analog signals into digital signals, and the D / A converters 16 (1), 16 (2), 16 (3),. It converts to an analog signal.
[0029]
The timer 17 has a calendar function for providing the current date, day of the week, and time, and also has a measurement function for measuring a period for a target time. By using the measurement function of the timer 17, it is possible to accurately set a homogenous period and a retraction period for a predetermined time, as described later.
[0030]
The key operation unit 2 receives input of information or the like on a physiological state desired to be reached by being guided (a desired physiological state). The key operation unit 2 accepts input of information such as a guidance direction of a physiological condition and a value (magnitude) indicating a target physiological condition.
[0031]
As described above, the physiological condition inducing device according to the first embodiment is not simply aimed at the relaxation effect, but in the direction of enhancing the physiological condition of the guided person according to the instruction from the guided person. Also, it is possible to guide the subject in a direction to calm the physiological condition of the subject.
[0032]
The biological sensor unit 3 detects biological information indicating the physiological state of the guidance target. In this embodiment, the biological sensor unit 3 is used while being worn on the body of the guidance target, and detects the heart rate of the guidance target. This is configured by a vibration sensor that performs the operation.
[0033]
The sensation presentation device unit 4 can be provided with one or more device units for giving stimulation to various sensations. However, in the first embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the description will be made assuming that at least three sense presenting units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) are provided.
[0034]
In the first embodiment, the sensation presentation device 4 (1) uses sound, the sensation presentation device 4 (2) uses video, and the sensation presentation device 4 (3) uses motion of a movable model. The stimulus is given to the guidance target person. That is, the sensation presentation device unit 4 (1) includes a rhythm generator 411, an amplifier (amplifier) 412, and a speaker 413, and stimulates the auditory perception of the target person by the rhythm, tempo, or melody of the sound. Is to give.
[0035]
The sensation presentation device unit 4 (2) includes a video generator 421, a signal processing unit 422, and a display element 423, and generates a video signal such as a three-dimensional graphics image. By displaying a corresponding image on the display screen of the display element 423, a stimulus is given to the vision of the guidance target person.
[0036]
The sensation presentation device unit 4 (3) includes a drive control unit 431 and a movable model 432, and moves the movable model 432 under the control of the drive control unit 431, thereby accommodating the movement of the movable model and the movement of the movable model. The stimulus is given to the guidance target person's sight, hearing, tactile sensation, etc. by the sound or air vibration generated by the user.
[0037]
As the movable model 432, for example, a model imitating or imaging an internal organ of a living body such as a heart or a lung is used. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and various movable models can be used.
[0038]
Then, a guidance target person who is a user of the physiological state guiding apparatus uses the key operation unit 2 to guide the physiological state as information on a physiological state (target physiological state) desired to be reached by being guided. Information such as a direction and a value (size) indicating a desired physiological state is input.
[0039]
In this embodiment, as described above, since the heart rate is used as the biological information indicating the physiological condition, the heart rate is used as the information indicating the guidance direction of the physiological condition and the value (magnitude) indicating the target physiological condition. As a result, information indicating the target heart rate desired to be reached is input.
[0040]
The heart rate changes according to the physiological state, such as being high when nervous and relatively low, for example, about 60 times per minute when relaxing. Also, the heart rate is originally controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and is difficult to control depending on the intention of the target person. The physiological condition inducing apparatus according to the present embodiment guides the target person to the target physiological condition by guiding the heart rate to a target value using the heart rate as a guideline.
[0041]
Then, the instruction information received from the guidance target person through the key input unit 2 is supplied to the CPU 11 through the A / D converter 14 of the main unit 1. The biological information detected by the biological sensor unit 3 is supplied to the CPU 11 through the A / D converter 15 of the main unit 1.
[0042]
The CPU 11 reads and executes a program stored in the ROM 12, uses the RAM 13 as a work area, and based on a detection output from the biological sensor unit 3 in the same period, and a predetermined pattern in the retraction period. The control signal to be supplied to each of the sensation providing device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) is formed in accordance with the conditions and conditions, and the control signals are supplied to the corresponding sensation providing device units 4 (1), 4 (2). ), 4 (3).
[0043]
Each of the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3) responds to control signals from the corresponding D / A converters 16 (1), 16 (2), 16 (3). By operating, the guidance target person is provided with a stimulus such as a sound, an image, or a movement of a movable model. Thus, by stimulating the sensation of the guidance target, the physiological state of the guidance target can be guided to the target physiological state.
[0044]
As described above, in the physiological condition inducing device of the first embodiment, the method of the same principle used in music therapy is applied to the stimulation of non-sounds such as images and movement of a movable model. Also applies to In other words, the physiological condition inducing device of the first embodiment sets a certain period immediately after the start of the guiding operation as a homogenous period, and in this homogenous period, the physiological condition of the guidance target person indicated by the detected biological information is Sounds, images, and movements of the movable model are given to the guidance target person as stimuli to make the same physiological state appear.
[0045]
After this homogenous period, there is provided a retraction period in which the physiological condition of the induction target person is gradually drawn into the target physiological state, and in this retraction period, a gradually changing stimulus is applied to the induction target person. By giving, guidance to the target physiological state is performed automatically, easily, and effectively.
[0046]
Next, a physiological state guiding process performed by the physiological state guiding apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in FIG. 2 is a process mainly performed by the CPU 11 of the physiological condition inducing device, to which the method according to the present invention is applied.
[0047]
When the physiological state guiding apparatus of the first embodiment is turned on and, for example, a predetermined start operation is performed by the guidance target person, the CPU 11 of the physiological state guiding apparatus operates the key operation unit 2 and the A / D converter. The direction and magnitude of the physiological state from the guidance target person via the device 14, that is, in the first embodiment, the input of the heart rate (target heart rate) in the target physiological state Is received (step S101).
[0048]
Then, the CPU 11 controls the timer 17, clears the measurement counter of the timer 17 to zero, and newly starts the measurement of the period (step S102). Next, the CPU 11 controls the living body sensor unit 3 to start measuring the living body information, that is, the heart rate of the guidance target person in the first embodiment (step S103), and sequentially measuring the living body information. Is acquired from the biological sensor unit 3 (step S104).
[0049]
The CPU 11 is a control signal to be supplied to each of the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3), and is the current guidance target person indicated by the detection output from the biological sensor unit 3. A control signal for generating a stimulus that causes a physiological state synchronized with the physiological state of the subject to be generated is formed, and the control signal is transmitted to the corresponding sensation presentation device unit 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3). (Step S105).
[0050]
This is a stimulus that causes each of the sensory presentation devices 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) to appear a physiological state synchronized with the current physiological state of the guidance target person. Sound, video, movement of the movable model, etc. are provided to the guidance target person. Specifically, as will be described later, a rhythm sound that changes at the same cycle as the measured heart rate, an image that changes at the same cycle as the measured heart rate, and an image that operates at the same cycle as the measured heart rate The movement of the movable model is provided.
[0051]
Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the period of the predetermined time N1 has elapsed by the measurement function of the timer 17 (step S106). If it is determined in the determination processing of step S106 that the period of the predetermined time N1 has not elapsed, the processing from step S104 is repeated.
[0052]
As described above, the predetermined period of time N1 is a homogenous period (homogeneous period) as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, and in this homogenous period, the current physiological state of the induction subject is relaxed. Thus, the transition to a different physiological state can be easily performed.
[0053]
Then, in the determination process of step S106, when it is determined that the period of the predetermined time N1 has elapsed, that is, when it is determined that the same period has ended, the CPU 11 transitions to a pull-in period (pull-in period). In the physiological condition guiding apparatus according to the first embodiment, the CPU 11 guides the physiological condition of the guidance target person to the target state designated by the guidance target person according to a predetermined pattern. A control signal for generating a stimulus is formed, and the control signal is supplied to the corresponding sensory presentation device (step S107).
[0054]
Here, during 120 seconds, the rhythm sound, the change of the image, and the movement of the movable model are gradually reduced so as to linearly draw the physiological state to the target state. As a result, each of the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) generates a stimulus for drawing the physiological state of the guidance target person to the instructed target physiological state. A certain sound, video, movement of a movable model, etc. are provided.
[0055]
Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the predetermined time period N2 has elapsed by using the measurement function of the timer 17 (step S108). If it is determined in the determination processing of step S108 that the period of the predetermined time N2 has not elapsed, the processing from step S107 is repeated.
[0056]
In this way, the period from immediately after the end of the same period to the predetermined time N2 indicated by the measurement counter of the timer 17 that has been reset to zero in step S102 is a pull-in period as shown by an arrow in FIG. In the pull-in period, the physiological state of the guidance target person is drawn to the target physiological state instructed in step S101.
[0057]
In the determination process of step S108, when the predetermined period of time N2 has elapsed, that is, when it is determined that the pull-in period has ended, the CPU 11 acquires a detection result from the biological sensor unit 3 (step S109). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the current physiological state of the guidance target person has been guided to the target state (in this case, whether or not the heart rate has reached 65 times per minute) ( In step S110), when determining that the target state has been induced, the CPU 11 controls the biological sensor unit 3 to terminate the measurement of the biological information (step S111), and terminates the processing illustrated in FIG.
[0058]
If it is determined in the determination process of step S110 that the target state has not yet been induced, the CPU 11 resets the measurement counter of the timer 17 to, for example, the value at the end of the same period (step S112). The process from step S107 is repeated, and the process of the pull-in period is performed again. In this manner, by allowing the pull-in period to be repeated, the physiological condition of the guidance target person can be reliably drawn to the target state.
[0059]
As described above, when re-pulling is performed, the stimulus is gradually changed from the stimulus state corresponding to the state indicated by the biological information acquired in step S109 toward the target physiological state. Alternatively, the stimulus state at the end of the first retraction period may be gradually changed subsequently.
[0060]
FIG. 3 shows a case where the heart rate is used as the biological information of the guidance target in the physiological state guidance apparatus according to the first embodiment, and the homogenous period is set to 60 seconds and the retraction period is set to 120 seconds. An actual measured value of the heart rate J (the output value from the biological sensor unit) when the physiological state in which the heart rate per minute is 70 times is induced to the physiological state in which the heart rate per minute is 65 times ) And output values S of stimulus information from the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3).
[0061]
As described above, since the first 60 seconds are the same period as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 sequentially acquires the detection results (actually measured values) of the heart rate from the biological sensor unit 3 and acquires Control signals C1, C2, and C3 for causing the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) to generate a stimulus synchronized with the given heart rate, and presenting the corresponding sensation It is supplied to the device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3).
[0062]
The operation of the CPU 11 here will be described in relation to the functions of the sense providing device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3). The CPU 11 generates a rhythm sound synchronized with the acquired heart rate. The control signal C1 is generated and supplied to the sensation presentation device unit 4 (1), and the control signal C2 for generating an image that changes at a timing synchronized with the acquired heart rate is formed to generate the control signal C2. The control signal C3 provided to (2) and operated at the timing synchronized with the acquired heart rate is formed and supplied to the sensory presentation device 4 (3).
[0063]
As a result, the sensation providing device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) output a rhythm sound synchronized with the physiological state when the heart rate is 70, a changing image, and the operation of the movable model when the heart rate is 70. And this is provided to the person to be guided.
[0064]
Then, the output values of the stimulus information provided to the guidance target person through the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) as described above are indicated by dotted lines in FIG. This is the stimulus information output value S. When the stimulus information output value S is a stimulus to be provided is a rhythm sound of the specific example described above, a change in an image, or a movement of a movable model, how many times a sound or an image changes in one minute, for example, This is a value indicating a stimulus providing rhythm, such as how many times the movable model moves per minute.
[0065]
Then, in FIG. 3, in the same period, a stimulus synchronized with the physiological state when the heart rate of the guidance target person is 70 is given. As described above, the heart rate of the guidance target person is 70 times. In this case, the physiological state in the case of is relaxed, so that the transition to a different physiological state can be smoothly performed.
[0066]
Thereafter, the CPU 11 changes the stimulus according to a predetermined pattern so as to change the stimulus from a physiological state having a heart rate of 70 to a physiological state having a heart rate of 65 in 120 seconds in accordance with a predetermined pattern. , C2, and C3, which are sequentially supplied to the sensory presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3). That is, in the pull-in period shown in FIG. 3, as indicated by the stimulus information output value S, the CPU 11 forms control signals C1, C2, and C3 for gradually delaying the stimulus providing rhythm, and generates these control signals. It is supplied to the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3).
[0067]
As a result, the rhythm of the stimulus, such as the rhythm sound, video, and movement of the movable model, provided to the target person is gradually changed, so that the physiological state of the target person is gradually guided to the target physiological state. To be. That is, in the case of this example, the heart rate is induced to be 65 times a minute, and the target physiological state is induced.
[0068]
As described above, the physiological condition inducing device according to the first embodiment uses the biological information controlled by the unconscious autonomic nervous system such as the heart rate as a guide and automatically guides the information. A physiological condition can be easily guided to a target condition.
[0069]
Although the heart rate has been described as an example of the physiological state, the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, based on the pulse rate and respiration rate, or heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory cycle, depth of unconscious respiration, and various other biological information, a physiological state is guided to a target state. You can also
[0070]
Further, in the first embodiment, as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2, during the retraction period of the predetermined time (for example, 120 seconds), the user is retracted to the state intended for the physiological state of the target person. In the case where there is no such a case, it has been described that the process of the pull-in period for the predetermined time is performed again, but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0071]
For example, the second retraction period can be shorter or longer than the first retraction period. In this case, based on the biological information acquired in step S109 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0072]
Also, in the first retraction period, when the physiological state cannot be redrawn to the target state, the processing from step S102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is repeated, and the processing is started from the same period. You may.
[0073]
If the physiological state indicated by the biological information is far from the target state based on the biological information acquired in step S109 of the flowchart shown in FIG. If is close to the desired state, only the pull-in period can be repeated.
[0074]
Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, during the retraction period, the stimulation provided by the sensory presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) is performed. Although the control signal for changing the output value linearly is formed, the invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be formed according to various patterns, such as changing the output value of the stimulus so as to draw a curve or changing it so as to draw a zigzag.
[0075]
Such a formation pattern of a stimulus for retraction used in the retraction phase is, for example, for a large number of subjects, how to give which stimulus and how to effectively withdraw a physiological state to a target state. It can be set by testing.
[0076]
[Second embodiment]
In the case of the physiological state inducing device of the first embodiment described above, in the retraction period, the stimulus is applied to the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The control signals C1, C2 and C3 to be generated are formed. However, in the retraction period, if the control signal is formed in consideration of the detection output of the biological information from the biological sensor unit 3, the physiological state can be more effectively changed according to the biological information of each guidance target person. It can lead to the desired state.
[0077]
Therefore, the physiological condition inducing device according to the second embodiment is provided with a homogenous period and a retraction period as in the case of the physiological condition inducing device according to the first embodiment. However, a feedback loop method is used in which the detection output of the biological information from the biological sensor unit 3 is fed back even during the pull-in period.
[0078]
Note that the physiological condition guiding device of the second embodiment is also configured similarly to the physiological condition guiding device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. For this reason, the description of the configuration of the physiological condition inducing device of the second embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and thus will be omitted.
[0079]
Hereinafter, the physiological condition inducing device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, a physiological state guiding process performed by the physiological state guiding apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The process shown in FIG. 4 is a process mainly performed by the CPU 11 of the physiological condition inducing device, to which the method according to the present invention is applied.
[0080]
Then, in the flowchart for explaining the guidance process of the physiological condition shown in FIG. 4, the processes from step S201 to step S206 are for explaining the guidance process of the physiological condition of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Are performed in the same manner as the processing of each step from step S101 to step S106 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0081]
That is, also in the physiological condition inducing device of the second embodiment, the direction and size of the physiological condition, that is, the target heart rate as in the case of the physiological condition inducing device of the first embodiment. (Step S201), the measurement counter of the timer 17 is reset to zero, a new period measurement is started (Step S202), and the heart rate is measured by controlling the biological sensor unit 3. Is started (step S203).
[0082]
Thereafter, by repeating the processing of steps S204 to S206 until the predetermined time N1, the same period of time as the predetermined time N1 is provided, and the current physiological condition is relaxed. Thus, the transition to a different physiological state can be smoothly performed.
[0083]
After the end of the same period, the CPU 11 transitions to the retraction period, sequentially acquires the biological information measured by the biological sensor unit 3 (step S207), and based on the acquired biological information, moves the biological information in the guiding direction. Form control signals C1, C2, C3 for generating a stimulus to be shifted by ΔX, and supply these to the corresponding sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3) (step) S208).
[0084]
In this case, the deviation amount ΔX of the stimulus with respect to the actual biological information can be statistically determined based on a result of performing biological information guidance processing based on this method for a plurality of subjects in advance. Of course, the guidance target person may set or fine-adjust.
[0085]
As a result, stimuli are generated from the sensory presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) based on the current physiological state to draw the physiological state into the target state. Is to be.
[0086]
Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the physiological state indicated by the biological information obtained from the biological sensor unit 3 has been induced to the target state (whether or not the heart rate has reached 65 times per minute). (Step S209). When the CPU 11 determines in the determination processing in step S209 that the target physiological state has not yet been induced, the CPU 11 determines whether a predetermined period of time N2 has elapsed based on the value of the measurement counter of the timer 17. It is determined whether or not it is (step S210).
[0087]
When it is determined in the determination processing of step S210 that the period of the predetermined time N2 has not elapsed, the processing from step S207 is repeated, and the state for the physiological state is set based on the current biological information. A control signal for generating a stimulus to be guided to the subject is formed, and the sensory presentation device section 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) are processed to perform the process. The processing for bringing the physiological state of the user to the target state is continued.
[0088]
Then, in the determination processing of step S209, when it is determined that the physiological state of the guidance target person has been guided to the target state, or in the determination processing of step S210, the predetermined time N2 has elapsed. When it is determined, the CPU 11 controls the living body sensor unit 3 to end the measurement of the living body information (step S211), and ends the processing shown in FIG.
[0089]
Also in the second embodiment, as described above, the period from immediately after the end of the same period to the predetermined time N2 indicated by the measurement counter of the timer 17 reset to zero in step S202 is the same as that in FIG. As shown by the arrow, the pull-in period is reached, and in this pull-in period, the biological information of the guidance target person is sequentially acquired, and based on the biological information, the physiological state of the guidance target person is determined based on the purpose indicated in step S201. A process for inducing a physiological state to be performed is performed.
[0090]
Then, in the case of the second embodiment, a control signal for generating a stimulus is formed based on the biological information of the target person even during the period of the pull-in period. In accordance with the physiological state of the subject, a more effective physiological state inducing process can be performed.
[0091]
Further, in the case of the second embodiment, when the physiological state is induced to the target state even during the retraction period, the physiological state is induced by the determination processing in step S209. Is completed, and the physiological state guidance process is terminated. Thereby, the guidance process of the physiological state is not continued more than necessary.
[0092]
FIG. 5 shows a case where the heartbeat rate is used as the biological information of the guidance target in the physiological state guidance apparatus of the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment. Heart rate in the case where the retraction period is set to 120 seconds for 60 seconds, and the physiological state when the heart rate per minute is 70 times is changed to the physiological state when the heart rate per minute is 65 times per minute. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an actual measurement value J and output values of stimulus information from the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3).
[0093]
As described above, since the first 60 seconds are the same period as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 11 sequentially acquires the detection results (actually measured values) of the heart rate from the biological sensor unit 3 and Control signals C1, C2, and C3 for causing the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) to generate a stimulus synchronized with the given heart rate, and presenting the corresponding sensation It is supplied to the device units 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3).
[0094]
As a result, the sensation providing device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) output a rhythm sound synchronized with the physiological state when the heart rate is 70, a changing image, and the operation of the movable model when the heart rate is 70. Generated and provided to the target.
[0095]
And, as described above, the output value of the stimulus information provided to the guidance target person through the sensation presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. This is the stimulus information output value S. If the stimulus information output value S is a stimulus to be provided, as in the case of the first embodiment, if the rhythm sound, the change in the image, or the movement of the movable model, the sound or the image is generated several times a minute, for example. It is a value indicating a stimulus providing rhythm such as a change or how many times the movable model moves per minute.
[0096]
Then, in FIG. 4, in the same period, a stimulus synchronized with the physiological state when the heart rate of the guidance target person is 70 is given, and the physiological state when the heart rate of the guidance target person is 70 times. So that the transition to a different physiological state can be performed smoothly.
[0097]
Thereafter, the CPU 11 generates a stimulus at a provided rhythm shifted from the detected heart rate by ΔX in the guide direction based on the biological information (heart rate) of the guidance target sequentially acquired. The control signals C1, C2, and C3 are formed, and are sequentially supplied to the sensation providing device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3).
[0098]
That is, as shown by the stimulus information output value S in FIG. 5, the CPU 11 forms control signals C1, C2, and C3 that make the stimulus providing rhythm slower by ΔX than the heart rate, and senses these. It is supplied to the presentation devices 4 (1), 4 (2) and 4 (3).
[0099]
With this, the stimulus providing rhythm such as sound, video, and movement of the movable model provided to the guidance target is gradually changed in accordance with the physiological state of the guidance target, and the physiological state of the guidance target gradually. To a desired physiological condition. That is, in the case of this example, the heart rate is induced so as to be 65 times per minute, and the desired physiological state is achieved.
[0100]
As described above, the physiological state guiding apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured to feed back the biological information of the guidance target to the CPU 11 even during the pull-in period, and to guide the heart rate to the target heart rate. By doing so, it is possible to more effectively induce a desired physiological condition.
[0101]
In the second embodiment as well, the physiological state is determined based on the pulse rate and respiration rate, or the heart rate, pulse rate, respiration cycle, unconscious respiration depth, and other various biological information. Can be induced.
[0102]
Further, in the second embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the physiological condition of the guidance target can be guided to the target state by one homogenous period and the pull-in period, but the invention is not limited to this. As in the case of the above-described first embodiment, if the physiological state of the guidance target cannot be drawn into the target state during the pull-in period of the predetermined time (for example, 120 seconds), the predetermined time is again set. May be performed during the pull-in period.
[0103]
In addition, the second pull-in period can be shorter or longer than the first pull-in period. In this case, it is also possible to set the processing time of the retraction period again based on the physiological state of the guidance target person at the end of the retraction period.
[0104]
Also, if the physiological state cannot be drawn into the target state during the first pull-in period, the processing from step S202 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is repeated to start from the processing in the homogeneous period. You may.
[0105]
If the physiological state indicated by the biological information is far from the target state based on the biological information of the guidance target person, the process from the same period is repeated, and the physiological state indicated by the biological information is close to the target state. Alternatively, only the pull-in period may be repeated.
[0106]
In addition, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, during the pull-in period, the stimulation provided by the sensory presentation device units 4 (1), 4 (2), and 4 (3) is performed. Although the output value is shifted by ΔX in the guiding direction from the measured value J of the biological information, the shift ΔX may be changed.
[0107]
For example, at first, a large value of ΔX may be taken and the physiological state may be rapidly induced in the guiding direction, and then the value of ΔX may be reduced to gradually induce the target state. That is, the value of ΔX can be changed as appropriate based on the physiological condition of the guidance target person, the elapsed time in the retraction period, and the like.
[0108]
In the first and second embodiments described above, when the physiological state is guided to the target state, the guidance processing is ended. However, in the case of any of the first and second physiological state guiding devices, when the target physiological state can be maintained for a predetermined time, it is determined that the physiological state has been induced to the target state, and the physiological state is guided to the target state. The guidance process may be terminated.
[0109]
In the above-described first and second embodiments, the case where the same period is set to 60 seconds and the pull-in period is set to 120 seconds has been described as an example. However, it is not limited to this. By conducting a physiological state guidance process on a large number of subjects in advance, the average length of the homogenous period and the length of the withdrawal period effective for many subjects are statistically obtained and used. Alternatively, it is also possible to statistically determine the effective length of the homogenous period and the length of the withdrawal period, which are effective for most subjects, and use these.
[0110]
In addition, it is possible to set the length of the homogenous period and the length of the entrainment period according to each guidance target person for each guidance target person, and the instruction input from the guidance target person is set without setting the time of the homogenous period. As a trigger, a transition from the homogeneous period to the pull-in period may be made.
[0111]
[Other examples of stimulation to be given to the guidance target]
In the physiological state guidance devices of the first and second embodiments described above, the stimulus to be provided for inducing the physiological state of the guidance target person is a rhythm sound acting on hearing and a changing image acting on vision. And the movement of the movable model acting on the sense of sight, hearing, touch, etc., but are not limited thereto.
[0112]
For example, in the case of sound stimulation, a simple tempo without inflection is provided in addition to a rhythm sound with inflection, or a tempo of a predetermined melody is changed using a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) sound source. And so on.
[0113]
Also, in the case of sound stimulation, it is possible to induce a physiological state by changing the timbre or sound quality, and in the case of image stimulation, luminance, hue, or the content of the image, etc. By changing the value, it is possible to induce a physiological condition. In other words, when the target person is in a depressed state, for example, the physiological state of the target person is guided in the direction of the state by providing dark images of music and images and gradually providing bright images of sounds and images. It can also be done.
[0114]
In this way, by changing not only the stimulus providing rhythm but also the quality and content of the stimulus that affects how the provided stimulus gives the guided person, the physiological state of the guided person is changed. Can be. That is, a stimulus associated with a physiological condition can be given. It should be noted that dark images of music, video, and the like can be statistically determined in advance by performing a questionnaire survey on a large number of subjects.
[0115]
Also, by turning on, off, and blinking a light bulb or a colored light bulb or the like, light or color may be used to stimulate the visual sense to induce a physiological state to a desired state, or a transducer or The physiological state may be guided to a target state by the vibration of the vibrator. In the case of light, it is also possible to induce a physiological state by changing the luminance as in the case of the image.
[0116]
Further, for example, the sense of smell is stimulated by spraying a perfume, the taste of a drink to be provided is automatically changed, and the taste is stimulated. May be provided with a stimulus.
[0117]
Thus, it is possible to use various stimuli that stimulate the so-called five senses of hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch in various modes. Then, as in the case of the first and second embodiments described above, a plurality of stimuli may be used in combination, or only a sound stimulus or a video stimulus may be used. Of course, only a single stimulus may be used.
[0118]
[Other examples of biometric information]
As described in the first and second embodiments, the biological information of the guidance target person includes heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, or heart rate, pulse rate, respiration cycle, and unconscious respiration depth. It has been described that various measurable heart rate information, pulse information, and respiration information can be used. However, biological information is not limited to this.
[0119]
As described above, for example, heart rate information, pulse information, respiration information, blood pressure information, electrocardiogram information, brain wave information, skin sweat information, skin resistance information, body motion information, magnetoencephalogram information, myoelectric information, body surface temperature Various types of measurable biological information, such as pupil diameter, microvibration information, biochemical reaction information, and the like, which change according to the physiological state, can be used. In other words, the various biological information described above is a vibration sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like attached to the body of the guidance target person, or by a method such as detecting current from an electrode attached to the body of the guidance target person, It can be measured accurately.
[0120]
As described above, which of the biological information to use is determined in advance by conducting tests on a plurality of subjects as to what biological information is more responsive in accordance with the intended physiological state, as described above. By doing so, it is possible to use optimal biological information. Of course, the number of pieces of biometric information to be used is not limited to one, and a plurality of pieces of biometric information may be measured and used at the same time so that the physiological state can be grasped more accurately.
[0121]
Therefore, for example, what is the biological information that changes according to the mental state such as depression or sore state, what is the biological information that changes according to the physiological state such as pain or itching, or sad or angry? By grasping in advance some biological information that changes according to the emotional state such as mood, etc. through tests on a plurality of subjects, guidance is provided using that biological information as a guideline, so that mental state, physiological It is possible to guide both the mental state and the emotional state in the target direction.
[0122]
In other words, induction from a nervous state to a relaxed state, conversely, a state from a relaxed state to a nervous state, a relief of pain, a state from a normal state to a sad mood, or a state from a normal state to an angry mood, etc. It is possible to perform guidance to.
[0123]
Therefore, a relaxed state can easily appear, a tension state can easily appear to improve the processing ability, pain and itching can be alleviated, and an emotional state can be induced. By doing so, it is possible to bring effects such as making it easier for the actor to perform better. That is, it is possible to control various physiological states which are difficult to control depending on human intentions.
[0124]
In addition, the type of stimulus that can change the biological information more effectively is determined in advance by a test on a plurality of subjects, so that more effective guidance processing is performed. You can do so.
[0125]
Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the target heart rate value itself is used as the information indicating the guidance direction and magnitude of the target physiological state, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, by creating the association table between the physiological state and the biological information, the levels 1, 2, 3,... In the relaxed state, the levels 1, 2, 3,. Information indicating the direction and size of a desired physiological state, such as 2, 3,..., A sleep-inducing state, can also be input.
[0126]
In addition, the input information is not only information indicating the guidance direction and size of the target physiological condition, but also receives various information such as the age and gender of the guidance target person and receives the physiological condition according to the information. It is also possible to adjust the change in the stimulus given to induce. Such a case can be realized by changing data used in the physiological state guidance processing program executed by the CPU 11 of the main body unit 1 according to various conditions.
[0127]
Also, for example, if the stimulus to be used is two of a stimulus by sound and a vibration to be given to the hand, and the stimulus to be applied and the biological information to be measured are selected, such as the biological information to be measured to be a pulse rate, It is also possible to configure a very small biological information guiding device suitable for carrying.
[0128]
In the case of such a small physiological condition guiding device, for example, it is brought into an examination hall or a conference room and used there, and the excited physiological condition is a stable physiological condition. To be able to be guided to a physiological state in which the person is out.
[0129]
Further, as in the case of the first and second embodiments described above, a relatively large system including an image, a movable model, and a transducer is provided. Can be provided as one of the facilities.
[0130]
Also, of the physiological state guiding device shown in FIG. 1, a portion other than the sensation providing device portion is provided, and as the sensation providing device portion, an existing device such as a stereo set or a home theater system is used. Is also possible. Of course, the biological sensor unit 3 is also provided as an external device, and a device including only the main body device unit 1 and the key operation unit 2 is provided as a physiological state guidance device. The biological sensor and the sensation providing device are provided externally or It is also possible to use an already used one.
[0131]
The range in which the physiological state can be guided is a predetermined range that does not affect the health of the target person, and the physiological state is not guided in a predetermined direction more than necessary. Needless to say. This is because the physiological condition inducing device obtains the biological information of the guidance target person.Based on this, it is possible to prevent unnecessary guidance, and to input the information on the first intended physiological condition. This can be dealt with by not accepting an instruction input that greatly changes the physiological state.
[0132]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, after alleviating the current physiological state, by performing retraction to the target physiological state, the physiological state is effectively induced, and reliably and securely. The target physiological state can be smoothly induced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device to which the present invention is applied.
3 is a diagram illustrating biological information of a guidance target person and an output value of a stimulus given to the guidance target person when the operation illustrated in FIG. 2 is performed.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining another operation of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating biological information of a guidance target person and an output value of a stimulus given to the guidance target person when the operation illustrated in FIG. 4 is performed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body part, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14, 15 ... A / D converter, 16 (1), 16 (2), 16 (3) ... D / A converter, 2 ... Key operation unit, 3 ... Biosensor, 4 (1), 4 (2), 4 (3) ... Sensor presentation unit, 411 ... Rhythm generator, etc. 412 ... Amplifier, 413 ... Speaker, 421 ... Video generation , 422 ... signal processing unit, 423 ... display element, 4n1 ... drive control unit, 4n2 ... movable model

Claims (10)

Sensation providing means for stimulating at least one of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch;
Detecting means for detecting biological information of a guidance target person who intends to induce a physiological condition,
Based on the detection result from the detection unit, the sensory sense is provided so as to provide a stimulus for giving the stimulus to the induction target person a stimulus that causes the physiology state of the induction target person indicated by the detection result to be the same as the physiological state. First control means for controlling the providing means;
After the homogenous period, a second control unit that controls the sensory presentation unit is provided so as to provide a pull-in period for providing a stimulus so as to draw the physiological state of the guidance target person into a target state. A physiological state guiding device characterized by the following. The physiological condition inducing device according to claim 1,
The physiological state guidance device, wherein the second control means controls the sensation presentation means so as to change a stimulus given to the guidance target person in a predetermined manner. The physiological condition inducing device according to claim 1,
The second control means controls the sensation presenting means so as to tune or associate with a detection result from the detection means, change a stimulus given to the guidance target person, and draw the stimulus to a target physiological state. A physiological condition inducing device characterized by the above-mentioned. The physiological condition inducing device according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3,
The biological information detected by the detection means includes heart rate information, pulse information, respiration information, blood pressure information, electrocardiogram information, brain wave information, skin sweat information, skin resistance information, body motion information, magnetoencephalogram information, and electromyography information. A physiological condition inducing device, which is at least one of body temperature, pupil diameter, microvibration information, and biochemical reaction information. The physiological condition inducing device according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3,
The physiological state inducing device, wherein the sensation providing means is capable of providing at least two or more types of stimuli to the guidance target person. A detection step of detecting biological information of a guidance target person who intends to induce a physiological condition,
Based on the detection result detected in the detection step, a homogenous step to provide a homogenous period that provides a stimulus to emerge a physiological state that is the same as the physiological state of the guidance target person indicated by the detection result,
A retraction phase step of providing a retraction phase for applying a stimulus to bring the physiological condition of the guidance target person into a target state after the homogenous phase. It is a physiological condition induction method according to claim 6,
In the pull-in period step, a stimulus given to the guidance target person is changed in a predetermined manner. It is a physiological condition induction method according to claim 6,
A physiological state characterized in that, in the pull-in period step, a stimulus to be given to the guidance target person is changed in synchronization with or associated with the detection result detected in the detection step to draw in a target physiological state. Guidance method. The physiological state induction method according to claim 6, 7, or 8,
The biological information detected in the detection step includes heart rate information, pulse information, respiration information, blood pressure information, electrocardiogram information, brain wave information, skin sweat information, skin resistance information, body motion information, magnetoencephalogram information, and electromyography information. A physiological condition inducing method comprising at least one of body temperature, pupil diameter, microvibration information, and biochemical reaction information. The physiological state induction method according to claim 6, 7, or 8,
A physiological state guidance method, wherein at least two kinds of stimuli are provided to the guidance target person in the tuning period step and the pull-in period step.

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