JP2018167038A - Meditation assist device and meditation assist system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a meditation assist device and a meditation assist system for assisting meditation.SOLUTION: A meditation assist device (100) used by being carried by hand includes a sound output part (1) for outputting a sound whose volume varies for guiding a timing of breathing, and a vibration generation part (3) for generating vibration whose magnitude varies for guiding a timing of breathing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

  The present invention relates to a meditation assistance device and a meditation assistance system.

  In recent years, meditation has been attracting attention against the backdrop of mandatory stress checks in companies, digital fatigue and reduced concentration due to multi-devices. It is becoming scientifically clear that meditation changes in the brain, and even short meditations have effects such as reducing stress and improving concentration.

  However, meditation is not always easy, and there are problems such as not knowing the correct way or difficult to continue. The applicant does not know a known literature invention for dealing with such problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a meditation assistance device and a meditation assistance system that assist meditation.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a meditation assistance device that is used by hand, a sound output unit that outputs a sound whose volume varies to guide the timing of breathing, and a guide for timing of breathing There is provided a meditation assisting device comprising: a vibration generating unit that generates a vibration whose size varies.

  It is desirable that the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the volume and vibration in the first period of the unit period, respectively, and decrease the volume and vibration in the second period of the unit period.

  As an example, the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit may decrease the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period, or increase the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period, respectively.

  As another example, the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit may increase the volume and vibration for each unit period for the first predetermined time, and then decrease the volume and vibration for each unit period, For the first predetermined time, the volume and vibration may be reduced for each unit period, and thereafter, the volume and vibration may be increased for each unit period.

  The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit may vary the volume and the magnitude of vibration according to vital data of a user who has the meditation assistance device.

  As an example, the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the volume and vibration in the first period in the unit period, respectively decrease the volume and vibration in the second period in the unit period, and The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit reduce the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period by a variation amount according to the vital data, or reduce the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period. You may enlarge each with the fluctuation amount according to data.

  As another example, the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the volume and vibration in the first period of the unit period, respectively, decrease the volume and vibration in the second period of the unit period, and The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the reference level of volume and vibration for each unit period for the first predetermined time, and then set the reference level of volume and vibration for the unit period after the vital data. The volume and vibration reference levels are reduced for each unit period for the first predetermined time, and thereafter the volume and vibration reference levels for each unit period are reduced. You may enlarge each with the fluctuation amount according to data.

  A control unit that determines whether or not the meditation state is good according to the vital data, and the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit vary the volume and vibration according to whether or not the meditation state is good. May be.

  As an example, the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the volume and vibration in the first period in the unit period, respectively decrease the volume and vibration in the second period in the unit period, and If the meditation state is good, the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit respectively reduce the volume level and vibration reference level in the unit period to be smaller than the current volume level and vibration reference level in the unit period. Is not good, the volume and vibration reference levels in the subsequent unit period may be increased from the current volume and vibration reference levels in the unit period.

The meditation assistance device may include a vital sensor that detects the vital data.
The casing of the meditation assistance device preferably has a bottom surface and two slopes.
It is desirable that a cocoon is used for at least a part of the meditation assistance device.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a meditation assistance system comprising the meditation assistance device and a vital sensor that detects vital data of a user having the meditation assistance device.

  Can assist in meditation.

The front view of the meditation assistance apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The side view of the meditation assistance apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The rear view perspective view of the meditation assistance apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the use condition of the meditation assistance apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows typically the magnitude | size fluctuation | variation in the unit period T of the output sound volume and the produced | generated vibration. The figure which shows typically the 1st example of the change for every unit period of the volume of the sound output, and the magnitude | size of the produced | generated vibration. The figure which shows typically the 2nd example of the change for every unit period of the volume of the sound output, and the magnitude | size of the produced | generated vibration. The figure which shows typically the 3rd example of the change of the volume of the sound output, and the magnitude | size of the vibration produced | generated. The figure which shows typically the 4th example of the change of the volume of the sound output, and the magnitude | size of the vibration produced | generated. The front view of the meditation assistance apparatus 101 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The side view of the meditation assistance apparatus 101 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the processing operation of the meditation assistance apparatus 101. The schematic diagram explaining the change of a volume and vibration at the time of following this flowchart. The flowchart which shows another example of the processing operation of the meditation assistance apparatus 101. The schematic diagram explaining the change of a volume and vibration at the time of following this flowchart.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1A to 1C are a front view, a side view, and a rear view perspective view of the meditation assistance device 100 according to the first embodiment, respectively. FIG. 1D is a diagram illustrating a usage state of the meditation assistance device 100.

  During normal meditation, four fingers other than the thumbs of both hands are overlapped, and the thumbs are put together to form a legal boundary mark (see FIG. 1D). The meditation assisting device 100 is used by being inserted into the central space of the legal boundaries. That is, the housing of the meditation assistance device 100 has a bottom surface 11 that comes into contact with fingers other than the thumb in the legal boundaries, and two slopes 12a and 12b that come into contact with the left and right thumbs, respectively. With such a shape, the finger fits to the meditation assistance device 100 during meditation.

  More specifically, the housing of the meditation assistance device 100 has a bottom surface 11, two slopes 12 a and 12 b extending from both ends of the bottom surface 11, a front surface 13, and a back surface 14 smaller than the front surface 13. The front surface 13 and the back surface 14 are so-called onigiri type, which is a roughly triangular shape having a base and two oblique sides, more precisely, rounded corners of the triangle. The bottom surface 11 is connected to the bottom side of the front surface 13 and the bottom side of the back surface 14. The two inclined surfaces 12a and 12b are connected to the oblique side of the front surface 13 and the oblique side of the back surface 14 to form side surfaces. In the present specification, the surface facing the user side at the time of meditation is called a back surface 14.

  Although there is nothing in normal meditation, meditation with such a meditation assisting device 100 held in hand promotes consciousness toward the lower abdomen and correct posture with emphasis on the lower abdomen (alignment) ).

  For at least a part of the meditation assistance device 100 (preferably a casing), wood such as firewood that exhibits a relaxation effect with a specific scent is preferably used, but resin or the like may be used to reduce costs.

  The meditation assistance apparatus 100 includes, for example, a sound output unit 1 provided on the back surface 14 thereof, and a volume adjustment unit 2 for the user to adjust the output volume (see FIG. 1C).

  The sound output unit 1 is typically an earphone insertion slot, but may be a speaker. The sound output unit 1 outputs BGM such as wave sound, wind blowing trees, and singing balls in addition to arbitrary music to guide the timing of breathing during meditation (breathing). The sound output unit 1 may output a guidance sound supervised by an expert.

  The volume adjusting unit 2 includes, for example, a button 2a for increasing the volume and a button 2a for decreasing the volume.

  Moreover, the meditation assistance apparatus 100 is provided with the vibration production | generation part 3 provided in the inside, for example. The vibration generation unit 3 vibrates the meditation assisting device 100 using, for example, a built-in vibration motor in order to guide the timing of breathing (breathing) and to promote concentration of consciousness (centering). The generated vibration is transmitted to the finger.

  The meditation assistance device 100 may be a smartphone, but it is more preferable that it is not. This is because smartphones may not be able to concentrate on meditation due to the reception of emails or the operation of apps. That is, it is desirable that the meditation assistance device 100 does not have a reception function, does not generate sound other than the sound output by the sound output unit 1, and does not generate vibration other than the vibration generated by the vibration generation unit 3.

  Although not shown, the meditation assistance device 100 may be provided with a wired connection interface such as a USB terminal so that data can be transmitted to and received from an external device, or the battery that drives the meditation assistance device 100 can be charged. Good.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the fluctuation in the magnitude of the output sound volume and the generated vibration in the unit period T. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents volume (particularly the volume of BGM) and the magnitude of vibration. In the unit period T, a period in which the volume and vibration gradually increase to guide inhaling (hereinafter referred to as an inspiration period) t1 to t2, and a volume and vibration in order to guide breathing out. The period (henceforth exhalation period) t2-t3 which becomes small is included. Note that the order of the inspiration period and the exhalation period may be reversed.

  During the inspiration period t1 to t2, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 increase the volume and vibration, respectively. In accordance with this, the user may inhale. During the inspiration period t1 to t2, the sound output unit 1 may output a guidance voice so as to inhale.

  In the exhalation period t2 to t3, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 reduce the volume and vibration, respectively. In accordance with this, the user may exhale. In the exhalation period t2 to t3, the sound output unit 1 may output a guidance voice so as to exhale.

  Depending on the school, a period for stopping breathing may be provided between the inspiration period t1 to t2 and the exhalation period t2 to t3. In that case, a period in which the volume and vibration are constant may be provided between the inspiration period t1 to t2 and the exhalation period t2 to t3.

  As described above, the breathing rhythm is guided by fluctuations in the volume output by the sound output unit 1 and the magnitude of vibration generated by the vibration generation unit 3. The specific time of the inspiration period t1 to t2 and the exhalation period t2 to t3 may be set as appropriate, and may be a fixed value or can be adjusted by the user. As an example, the inspiration period t1 to t2 is 5 seconds. And the exhalation period t2 to t3 is 10 seconds.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically illustrating a first example of a change in unit volume of a volume of output sound and a magnitude of generated vibration. In this example, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 reduce the volume level and the vibration reference level for each of the unit periods T1, T2, and T3. The reference level is, for example, the volume and vibration at each initial time t11, t13, t15 (arrow A in the figure) in each unit period T1, T2, T3, and the maximum volume (maximum vibration in each unit period T1, T2, T3). ) And the minimum volume (minimum vibration) (arrow B in the figure).

  In FIG. 3A, the minimum volume and the maximum volume in the subsequent unit period are smaller than the minimum volume and the maximum volume in a certain unit period, respectively. The volume decreases until the minimum volume in each unit period reaches a lower limit value (a fixed value or may be determined according to adjustment by the volume adjustment unit 2). The same applies to vibration.

FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically illustrating a second example of the change in the volume of the output sound and the magnitude of the generated vibration for each unit period. In this example, contrary to FIG. 3A, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 increase the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period.

  FIG. 3C is a diagram schematically illustrating a third example of a change in the volume of the output sound and the magnitude of the generated vibration. In this example, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 increase the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period in the first one or a plurality of unit periods (e.g., corresponding to several tens of seconds), and thereafter, as in FIG. Make it smaller.

  FIG. 3D is a diagram schematically illustrating a fourth example of the change in the volume of the output sound and the magnitude of the generated vibration. In this example, contrary to FIG. 3C, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 reduce the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period in the first one or a plurality of unit periods (e.g., corresponding to several tens of seconds), respectively. Thereafter, the size is increased as in FIG. 3B.

  3A to 3D described above are merely examples. In addition, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 may stop sound output and vibration generation in a relatively short specified time (for example, about 3 minutes) so that the user can meditate habitually. Sound output and vibration generation may be continued unless the user instructs to stop.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, alignment is supported by holding the meditation assisting apparatus 100 in the hand, and adjustment is supported by the sound output from the sound output unit 1, and vibration generated by the vibration generation unit 3. Supports breathing and preparation. Therefore, meditation (especially respiratory rhythm) can be assisted appropriately.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment to be described next relates to a meditation assistance device including a vital sensor. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  4A and 4B are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the meditation assistance apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment. The meditation assistance apparatus 101 in this embodiment further includes, for example, a vital sensor 4 (FIG. 4B) provided on the slope 12 b for detecting user vital data, and a control unit 5 (FIG. 4A) provided therein. ing. Changes in vital data are seen, such as the better meditation or the lower the stress, the lower the pulse and electrocardiogram. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the state of meditation from vital data.

  The vital sensor 4 may be a pulse sensor that is provided on one inclined surface 12b of the meditation assistance device 101 and detects a pulse by touching the thumb. Alternatively, the vital sensor 4 may be an electrocardiographic sensor that is provided on both slopes 12a and 12b and detects an electrocardiogram by touching the thumbs of both hands. There are no particular restrictions on the vital data to be detected, and there may be various relationships between the vital data and the state of meditation, but in the following, as an example, the pulse and electrocardiogram are detected as the meditation becomes better. It will be described as going down.

  The control unit 5 controls the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 according to the vital data detected by the vital sensor 4. That is, the sound output unit 1 of the present embodiment varies the volume according to the vital data, and the vibration generation unit 3 varies the magnitude of the vibration according to the vital data.

  The control unit 5 may cause an LED (not shown) provided in front of the meditation assistance device 101 to emit light according to the detected vital data (or a calmness level or a stress value predicted from the vital data). In addition, the control unit 5 may transmit the detected vital data or the like by wired (for example, USB) or wireless communication so that it can be managed and browsed by a smartphone application or a website.

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing operation of the meditation assistance apparatus 101. FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram for explaining changes in sound volume and vibration when this flowchart is followed. This example is an application of FIG. 3A in the first embodiment in which the volume level and the vibration reference level are reduced for each unit period.

  The control unit 5 determines whether or not the meditation state is good based on the vital data (step S1 in FIG. 5A). As an example, the control unit 5 can make a determination by comparing vital data with a predetermined threshold. More specifically, if the pulse or electrocardiogram is less than a predetermined value, the controller 5 determines that the meditation state is good, If it exceeds the value, it may be determined that the meditation state is not good. As another example, the control unit 5 compares the previously detected vital data with the vital data detected this time, and meditates when the transition is favorable (for example, when the pulse or heart rate is reduced). It may be determined that the state is good.

  If it is determined that the meditation state is good (YES in step S1), the control unit 5 sets the volume and vibration fluctuation amount (decrease amount) to relatively large values (step S2a). If it is determined that the meditation state is not good (NO in step S1), the control unit 5 sets the volume and vibration fluctuation amount (decrease amount) to relatively small values (step S2b). In accordance with the set fluctuation amount, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 reduce the volume level and the vibration reference level in the next unit period, respectively (step S3).

  That is, when the meditation state is good, the reference level in the subsequent unit period T12 is relatively greatly reduced compared to the reference level in a certain unit period T11 (solid line in FIG. 5B). On the other hand, when the meditation state is not good, the reference level in the subsequent unit period T12 is relatively smaller than the reference level in a certain unit period T11 (broken line in FIG. 5B).

  Here, if the specified time has passed since the sound output and the vibration generation (YES in step S4), the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 respectively stop the sound output and the vibration generation (step S5). Then, the processing operation of the meditation assistance device 101 ends.

  If the specified time has not elapsed (NO in step S4), if the minimum value of the volume and vibration has not reached the lower limit (NO in step S6), step S1 and subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, if the lower limit has been reached (YES in step S6), the volume and vibration no longer vary, and a constant volume is output until a specified time has elapsed (YES in step S4), and vibration is generated.

  Note that, in steps S1, S2a, and S2b in FIG. 5A, the control unit 5 determines the amount of variation in multiple stages according to the meditation state, in other words, according to the vital data, not the binary value indicating whether the meditation state is good. It may be set. For example, the better the meditation state (the lower the pulse or heart rate), the larger the variation amount may be set. Further, sound output and vibration generation may be continued without setting the specified time.

  The example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is an application of FIG. 3A, but FIG. 3B in the first embodiment, in which the volume level and the vibration reference level are increased for each unit period, is applied in the same way. Also good.

In addition, the reference level of FIG. 3C in the first embodiment may be applied in which the volume and vibration reference levels are first increased and then decreased. In this case, for example, the reference level of volume and vibration may be initially increased regardless of vital data, and thereafter, the reference level of volume and vibration may be reduced by applying the process of FIG. 5A. Furthermore, FIG. 3D in the first embodiment, in which the reference level of volume and vibration is first reduced and then increased, may be applied in the same way.

  FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing another example of the processing operation of the meditation assistance apparatus 101. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram for explaining changes in volume and vibration when this flowchart is followed. In this example, sound volume and vibration are more strongly linked with vital data.

  The control unit 5 determines whether or not the meditation state is good based on the vital data (step S11 in FIG. 6A).

  If the meditation state is good (YES in step S11) and the volume and vibration have not reached the lower limit values (NO in step S12a), the control unit 5 determines to decrease the reference level of the volume and vibration. In response to this, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 make the volume level and the vibration reference level in the next unit period T22 smaller than the current unit period T21, respectively (step S13a, broken line in FIG. 6B). The controller 5 may set the lowering range larger as the meditation state is better (as the pulse or heart rate is lower).

  On the other hand, if the meditation state is not good (NO in step S11), and the volume and vibration have not reached the upper limit values (NO in step S12b), the control unit 5 determines to increase the reference level of the volume and vibration. . In response to this, the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 respectively increase the volume level and the vibration reference level in the next unit period T22 from the current unit period T21 (step S13b, solid line in FIG. 6B). The control unit 5 may set the raising range larger as the meditation state is not good (as the pulse or heart rate is higher).

Here, if the specified time has elapsed since the sound output and the vibration generation (YES in step S14), the sound output unit 1 and the vibration generation unit 3 stop the sound output and the vibration generation, respectively (step S15). Then, the processing operation of the meditation assistance device 101 ends. If the specified time has not elapsed (NO in step S14), step S11 and subsequent steps are repeated. Note that sound output and vibration generation may be continued without setting the specified time.
Thus, in the second embodiment, since the volume and vibration are controlled according to vital data, meditation can be further assisted.

  In the second embodiment, the vital sensor 4 is not touched with the thumb, but may be touched with another part, for example, an index finger supporting the meditation assistance device 101. In that case, the vital sensor 4 may be provided on the bottom surface 11.

  The vital sensor 4 is not provided in the meditation assistance device 101 but is an external device (for example, a wearable device), and the detected vital data is transmitted to the control unit 5 of the meditation assistance device 101 by wired or wireless communication. May be. In this case, the vital sensor 4 and the meditation assistance device 101 constitute a meditation assistance system. When the vital sensor 4 is externally attached, not only the pulse and the electrocardiogram but also various vital data such as an electroencephalogram can be detected and used.

  The embodiment described above is described for the purpose of enabling the person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs to implement the present invention. Various modifications of the above embodiment can be naturally made by those skilled in the art, and the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be the widest scope according to the technical idea defined by the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,101 Meditation assistance apparatus 1 Sound output part 2 Volume adjustment part 2a, 2b Button 3 Vibration generation part 4 Vital sensor 5 Control part 11 Bottom face 12a, 12b Slope 13 Front face 14 Back face

Claims (13)

A meditation aid that can be used in your hand
A sound output unit that outputs a sound whose volume varies to guide the timing of breathing;
A meditation assistance device comprising: a vibration generation unit that generates a vibration whose magnitude varies to guide the timing of breathing. The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit are
In the first period of the unit period, increase the volume and vibration,
The meditation assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the volume and the vibration are reduced in the second period of the unit period. The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit are
Decrease the volume level and vibration reference level for each unit period,
Increase the volume level and vibration reference level for each unit period,
The meditation assistance device according to claim 2. The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit are
For the first predetermined time, the volume and vibration are increased for each unit period, and thereafter, the volume and vibration are decreased for each unit period.
For the first predetermined time, the volume and vibration are reduced for each unit period, and thereafter, the volume and vibration are increased for each unit period.
The meditation assistance device according to claim 2.   The meditation assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit respectively change a volume and a magnitude of vibration according to vital data of a user having the meditation assistance device. The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the volume and the vibration in the first period in the unit period, respectively decrease the volume and the vibration in the second period in the unit period, and
The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit are
Decrease the volume level and vibration reference level for each unit period by the amount of variation according to the vital data,
Increasing the volume level and vibration reference level for each unit period by the amount of variation according to the vital data,
The meditation assistance device according to claim 5. The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the volume and the vibration in the first period in the unit period, respectively decrease the volume and the vibration in the second period in the unit period, and
The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit are
For the first predetermined time, the volume level and the vibration reference level are increased for each unit period, and thereafter, the volume level and the vibration reference level are decreased for each unit period by a variation amount corresponding to the vital data, or ,
The initial predetermined time decreases the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period, and thereafter increases the volume level and the vibration reference level for each unit period by a variation amount according to the vital data,
The meditation assistance device according to claim 5. A control unit for determining whether the meditation state is good or not according to the vital data;
The meditation assistance device according to claim 5, wherein the sound output unit and the vibration generation unit vary the volume and the vibration according to whether or not the meditation state is good. The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit increase the volume and the vibration in the first period in the unit period, respectively decrease the volume and the vibration in the second period in the unit period, and
The sound output unit and the vibration generation unit are
If the meditation state is good, the volume level and vibration reference level in the subsequent unit period are made smaller than the volume level and vibration reference level in the current unit period, respectively.
If the meditation state is not good, the volume and vibration reference levels in the subsequent unit period are made larger than the current volume and vibration reference levels in the unit period, respectively.
The meditation assistance device according to claim 8.   The meditation assistance device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising a vital sensor that detects the vital data.   The meditation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the casing of the meditation assistance device has a bottom surface and two slopes.   The meditation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a cocoon is used for at least a part of the meditation assistance device. A meditation assistance device according to any one of claims 5 to 9,
A vital sensor for detecting vital data of a user having the meditation assistance device;
Meditation assistance system with