JP2019006363A - Easiness-to-sleep estimation device and awakening guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the awakening degree of a person by enabling awakening guidance by various devices in a process before the person feels sleepy.SOLUTION: An easiness-to-sleep estimation device 1 includes a sensor 2 for detecting at least one of information on the heat of a person and the ambient environment of the person, and an estimation part 3 for estimating the degree of easiness to sleep of the person in each person on the basis of a detection result of the sensor 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a sleepiness estimation device and an arousal guidance system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an awakening guidance control device that induces a person's awakening so as to wake up the person's sleepiness. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that stimulates a person with heat and induces awakening of the person by controlling air conditioning. Further, for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 disclose devices that stimulate a person by sound and control the sound to induce the person's awakening. Patent Document 4 discloses a device that stimulates a person with a scent by inducing a scent of the person by controlling a device that generates the scent.

JP 2005-186657 A JP 2009-31905 A JP-A-11-109985 JP-A-11-310053

  However, the conventional apparatus for inducing arousal of a person induces the awakening of the person after detecting the sleepiness of the person. In other words, since awakening is induced after a person once becomes sleepy, it takes a long time to increase the degree of arousal.

  For this reason, this indication aims at raising a person's arousal level by enabling arousal induction by various devices in the stage before a person produces sleepiness.

  In order to solve the above problem, a sleepiness estimation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is based on a sensor that detects at least one of information related to a person's heat and the surrounding environment of the person, and a detection result of the sensor. And an estimation unit that estimates the degree of human sleepiness for each individual.

  Further, a wake-up guidance system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided for changing the surrounding environment of a person based on the sleepiness estimation device and the degree of sleepiness estimated by the sleepiness estimation device. And a control device that controls the device to induce the awakening of the person.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to induce wakefulness by various devices in a stage before a person becomes drowsy, and to increase a person's arousal level.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness estimator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation state of the thermal image sensor according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the thermal image of the person acquired with the thermal image sensor of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of thermal image capturing by the thermal image sensor according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a human thermal image acquired by the thermal image sensor 21 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of sleepiness and the amount of heat release. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of sleepiness and the environmental temperature (air temperature). FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the sleepiness estimation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 estimates the degree of sleepiness of a person. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for estimating the degree of ease of sleepiness according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for estimating the degree of ease of sleepiness according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness estimator according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation state of the illuminance sensor according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of sleepiness and the illuminance. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness estimator according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness susceptibility estimation apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a graph showing the amount of change in sleepiness level after a predetermined time when the heat dissipation amount of a person is 33 W / m ² . FIG. 17 is a graph showing the amount of change in sleepiness level after a predetermined time when the heat dissipation amount of a person is 50 W / m ² . FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the awakening guidance system according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of human comfort and the amount of heat radiation. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the awakening guidance system according to the ninth embodiment.

(Outline of this disclosure)
In order to solve the above problem, a sleepiness estimation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is based on a sensor that detects at least one of information related to a person's heat and the surrounding environment of the person, and a detection result of the sensor. And an estimation unit that estimates the degree of human sleepiness for each individual.

  According to this, based on at least one of the information related to the heat of the person and the surrounding environment of the person detected by the sensor, the estimation unit estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness for each person. That is, even if a person does not have sleepiness, the degree of ease of sleepiness at that time can be estimated for each individual based on the information about the person's heat or the surrounding environment. Therefore, if such a sleepiness estimator is employed in an awakening guidance system, it is possible to induce awakening by various devices before a person becomes sleepy. Thereby, a person's arousal level can be raised.

  The sensor may include a thermal image sensor that acquires a human thermal image as information related to human heat.

  Here, the thermal image sensor can easily acquire a thermal image for each individual. For this reason, it is possible to easily estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness for each individual based on the thermal image of the person acquired by the thermal image sensor.

  In addition, the estimation unit calculates the amount of heat radiation or thermal sensation of a person from the thermal image acquired by the thermal image sensor, and estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness for each individual based on the amount of thermal radiation or thermal sensation. Good.

  Here, it is known that the tendency of the degree of ease of sleepiness tends to appear in the amount of heat radiation or thermal sensation of a person. That is, since the estimation unit estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person based on the amount of heat radiation or thermal sensation of the person, the degree of ease of sleepiness can be accurately estimated.

  The sensor may include an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance around the person as the surrounding environment of the person.

  According to this, by detecting the illuminance around the person, it is possible to estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person.

  The sensor may include a gas sensor that detects the concentration of a gas component around the person as the environment around the person.

  According to this, it is possible to estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person by detecting gas components around the person.

  Moreover, you may provide the alerting | reporting part which alert | reports the ease of becoming sleepy.

  According to this, since the notification unit reports the degree of sleepiness, the estimated degree of sleepiness can be notified to a person. The degree of ease of sleepiness that a person is not aware of can be grasped by this notification and reflected in future sleepiness measures.

  The awakening guidance system controls a device for changing a person's surrounding environment based on the sleepiness estimation device and the sleepiness degree estimated by the sleepiness estimation device. And a control device that induces awakening.

  According to this, the control device can drive a device for inducing a person's awakening in a manner corresponding to the degree of sleepiness. Therefore, it is possible to induce wakefulness by the device before the person becomes sleepy. Thereby, a person's arousal level can be raised.

  In addition, a comfort level detection device that detects the comfort level of a person may be provided, and the control device may control the device based on the comfort level detected by the comfort level detection device and the degree of sleepiness.

  According to this, since the control device controls the device based on the comfort level detected by the comfort level detection device and the degree of ease of sleepiness, the wakefulness guidance is performed while reproducing the environment in which a person feels comfortable. Is possible.

  The device may also include a lighting device.

  According to this, it is possible to induce human awakening by controlling the lighting device.

  In addition, the lighting device may irradiate pulsed light having a duty ratio of 0.00001 or more and 0.1 or less at a frequency of 0.1 Hz or more and 1 Hz or less when awakening is induced.

  According to this, when awakening is induced, pulse light with a duty ratio of 0.00001 or more and 0.1 or less is emitted from the lighting device at a frequency of 0.1 Hz or more and 1 Hz or less. It can be carried out.

  The device may also include an audio device.

  According to this, a person's arousal can be induced by controlling the acoustic device.

  Further, the acoustic device can output sounds having different frequencies on the left and right sides of a person, and when awakening is induced, the sound frequencies on the left and right may be differentiated within a range of 30 Hz or less.

  According to this, at the time of wakefulness induction, since the difference in sound frequency between the left and right of the acoustic device is 30 Hz or less, the wakefulness can be efficiently induced.

  The device may include a vibration device that applies vibration to a person.

  According to this, a person's arousal can be induced by controlling the vibration device.

  Moreover, the vibration device may generate vibrations in a frequency band that stimulates a human muscle spindle when awakening is induced.

  According to this, at the time of wakefulness induction, vibrations in a frequency band that stimulates human muscle spindles are generated from the vibration device, so that wakefulness can be efficiently induced.

  Further, the device may include an air conditioner.

  According to this, a person's awakening can be induced by controlling the air conditioner.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below is a comprehensive or specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, numerical values, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, and steps and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as arbitrary constituent elements.

  Each figure is a mimetic diagram and is not necessarily illustrated strictly. Accordingly, the scales and the like do not necessarily match in each drawing. In each figure, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
[Estimation device for sleepiness]
<Configuration>
First, the sleepiness estimation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness estimator according to the first embodiment.

  The sleepiness estimation device 1 detects at least one of the information related to the heat of a person and the surrounding environment of the person and estimates the degree of sleepiness of the person for each person based on the detection result. It is. Here, the “degree of sleepiness” is an index indicating the degree to which the person who is the detection target is attacked by drowsiness from a state where drowsiness is not generated. In other words, it can be said that a person who is estimated to have a low degree of sleepiness is less likely to suffer from drowsiness at the present time. The phrase “hard to be attacked by sleepiness” includes a long time until sleepiness is felt, slow progress of sleepiness during a predetermined time, and attack by shallow sleepiness. On the other hand, it can be said that a person who is estimated to have a high degree of sleepiness is likely to be sleepy at this time. “Easily attacked by sleepiness” includes a short time until sleepiness is felt, rapid progress of sleepiness during a predetermined time, and attack by deep sleepiness.

  The details of the sleepiness estimation device 1 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sleepiness estimation device 1 includes a sensor 2, an estimation unit 3, and a notification unit 4.

  The sensor 2 is a sensor that detects information related to human heat. In the present embodiment, the sensor 2 includes a thermal image sensor 21 that acquires a thermal image of the person as information related to the heat of the person. Specifically, the thermal image sensor 21 is a thermo camera that measures infrared rays emitted by a person by acquiring a thermal image by imaging with infrared rays.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation state of the thermal image sensor 21 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a human thermal image G1 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal image sensor 21 is installed on a desk 150. When one person P1 exists in the imaging range R of the thermal image sensor 21, the thermal image G1 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of thermal image capturing by the thermal image sensor 21 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of human thermal images G2 and G3 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when two people P2 and P3 exist in the imaging range R of the thermal image sensor 21, as shown in FIG. 5, the thermal images of a plurality of people are included in one image. G2 and G3 are included. That is, it is possible to acquire thermal images G2 and G3 for a plurality of people with one imaging.

  Based on the thermal images G1, G2, and G3 acquired by the sensor 2, the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of ease of getting a person sleepy. Specifically, the estimation unit 3 is electrically connected to the sensor 2 and acquires thermal images G1, G2, and G3 from the sensor 2. The estimation unit 3 calculates the heat radiation amount of a person from the thermal images G1, G2, and G3, and estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness for each individual based on the heat radiation amount. When there is one thermal image G1 in one image, the estimation unit 3 calculates the amount of heat released by one person from the thermal image G1. Moreover, when there are a plurality of thermal images G2 and G3 in one image, the estimation unit 3 calculates the heat radiation amount of the plurality of people from the thermal images G2 and G3. A known calculation method can be used to calculate the heat dissipation amount.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of sleepiness and the amount of heat release. This graph summarizes the results of evaluating the degree of ease of sleepiness while obtaining the amount of heat released by the subject under each thermal condition by changing the amount of clothing of the subject and the environmental temperature (thermal condition). Specifically, the subject has been evaluated for the degree of ease of sleepiness under five thermal conditions. Thermal condition 1 is thick and the ambient temperature is 22 ° C. The thermal condition 2 is thin and the ambient temperature is 22 ° C. Thermal condition 3 is mid-wear (amount of clothes between thick and thin), and the environmental temperature is 22 ° C. Thermal condition 4 is middle wear and the ambient temperature is 28 ° C. The thermal condition 5 is middle wear and the environmental temperature is 16 ° C. For example, the clothing amount for thick clothing is 1.5 clo, the clothing amount for middle clothing is 1.0 clo, and the clothing amount for thin clothing is 0.5 clo.

  Then, the facial expression of the subject is photographed under each thermal condition, and the sleepiness level after a predetermined time under each thermal condition is obtained from the characteristics of the facial expression after the predetermined time has elapsed under each thermal condition, and the value is obtained as sleepiness under the thermal condition. The degree of ease of evaluation was evaluated. Further, under each thermal condition, a thermal image G1 of the subject was acquired by the thermal image sensor 21, and the heat release amount was calculated based on the thermal image G1. The evaluation results and the heat radiation amounts of the respective thermal conditions are summarized in the graph of FIG. 6, and these approximate curves L were obtained. Based on the approximate curve L, it is possible to estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness from the heat radiation amount.

  In addition, it is also possible to evaluate the degree of ease of sleepiness based on, for example, other physical characteristics indicating signs that sleepiness will be attacked in the future. It is also possible to evaluate the degree of ease of sleepiness based on the report of the subject.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of sleepiness and the environmental temperature (air temperature). This graph summarizes the results of evaluating the environmental temperature under each thermal condition and the degree of ease of sleepiness of the subject by changing the amount of clothing of the subject and the environmental temperature. The evaluation method for each condition and the degree of sleepiness is the same as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the thermal conditions 1 to 3 have different degrees of ease of sleepiness even if the environmental temperature is the same. This indicates that the degree of ease of sleepiness varies depending on the amount of clothes even if the environmental temperature is constant. For this reason, it can be seen that the ease of sleepiness cannot be determined on a one-to-one basis on the basis of the environmental temperature.

  On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 6 described above, the amount of clothes does not affect the relationship between the amount of heat release and the degree of sleepiness, and the degree of ease of sleepiness from the amount of heat release is calculated based on the approximate curve L. Can be estimated. For this reason, even if the amount of clothes varies from person to person, it is possible to estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person by obtaining the amount of heat radiation for each person.

  The estimation unit 3 is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program stored in a storage unit that can communicate with the CPU. Examples of the storage unit include ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like.

  The notification unit 4 notifies the degree of sleepiness estimated by the estimation unit 3. Specifically, the notification unit 4 is electrically connected to the estimation unit 3 and acquires the degree of ease of sleepiness from the estimation unit 3. The notification unit 4 is a display device such as a display, for example, and displays the degree of ease of sleepiness with characters, pictures, symbols, and the like and notifies the surroundings. In addition, the alerting | reporting part 4 may be acoustic apparatuses, such as a speaker, which perform auditory alerting | reporting, for example, and the means other than that may not be limited to a display, an acoustic apparatus, etc.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the sleepiness ease estimation device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the sleepiness estimation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment estimates the degree of sleepiness of a person.

  First, the thermal image sensor 21 acquires a human thermal image G1 (step S1). The estimating unit 3 calculates the heat radiation amount of a person based on the thermal image G1 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21 (step S2). Next, the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness based on the approximate curve L (step S3). In addition, when the thermal images G2 and G3 of a plurality of persons are acquired in step S1, the estimation unit 3 repeats steps S2 and S3 for the number of persons, and estimates the degree of sleepiness for each individual.

  Then, the alerting | reporting part 4 alert | reports the degree of the sleepiness degree for every individual which the estimation part 3 estimated to the circumference (step S4). At the time of this notification, the degree of ease of sleepiness of each individual may be notified individually. In addition, notification may be given only when the average value of the degree of sleepiness of multiple persons exceeds a certain reference value, and the standard value is exceeded in the degree of ease of sleepiness of multiple persons Notification may be made only when there is a degree of ease of sleepiness.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness for each person based on the information related to the heat of the person detected by the sensor 2. That is, even for a person who is not drowsy, the degree of ease of sleepiness at that time can be estimated for each person based on the information related to the heat of the person. Therefore, if such a sleepiness susceptibility estimation apparatus 1 is employed in an awakening guidance system, awakening guidance by various devices can be performed for each individual before a person becomes sleepy. Thereby, a person's arousal level can be raised for every individual.

  Here, the thermal image sensor 21 can easily acquire the thermal images G1, G2, and G3 for each individual. For this reason, it is possible to easily estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness for each individual based on the thermal images G1, G2, and G3 of the person acquired by the thermal image sensor 21.

  Further, as described above, it has been found that there is a correlation between the degree of sleepiness and the amount of heat released by a person. Thereby, since the estimation part 3 estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person based on the amount of heat radiation of the person, the degree of ease of sleepiness can be accurately estimated.

  Moreover, since the alerting | reporting part 4 can alert | report the sleepiness degree for every individual, it can alert | report the estimated ease of sleepiness for every individual. The degree of ease of sleepiness that a person is not aware of can be grasped by this notification and reflected in future sleepiness measures.

(Embodiment 2)
In the said Embodiment 1, the case where the ease of becoming sleepy was estimated for every person from the amount of heat radiation of the person was illustrated. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the degree of ease of sleepiness is estimated for each individual based on a person's thermal sensation (hot / cold feeling). In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for estimating the degree of ease of sleepiness according to the second embodiment.

  First, the thermal image sensor 21 acquires a human thermal image G1 (step S11). The estimation unit 3 estimates a human thermal sensation based on the thermal image G1 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21. Specifically, the estimation unit 3 estimates the thermal sensation by detecting the skin temperature of the portion exposed from the clothing based on the thermal image G1 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21 (step S12). Depending on the part of the human body, it is known that the skin temperature of the part has a high correlation with the thermal sensation. An example of the site having a high correlation with thermal sensation is the nose. The value obtained by subtracting the skin temperature of the nose from the skin temperature of the forehead also shows a high correlation with the thermal sensation. The estimation part 3 calculates | requires the skin temperature of the site | part required in order to estimate thermal sensation from the thermal image G1, and estimates thermal sensation from the result. In addition, other well-known methods can be used for estimation of thermal sensation, and the method is not limited to the above-described method.

  Next, the estimating unit 3 estimates the degree of sleepiness based on the thermal sensation (step S13). Here, the case where thermal sensation is converted into a heat release amount and the degree of ease of sleepiness is estimated from the heat release amount. It is known that there is a predetermined relationship between thermal sensation and heat dissipation. The predetermined relationship is detailed in, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 (Non-Patent Document 1: Hideaki Ishigaki, two others, “Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Human Heat Balance and Psychological Response (Part 3)”, [online ], 1999, Nissei Magazine (S46), [Search May 31, 2017], Internet <URL: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/seikisho1966/36/3/36_3_S46 / _pdf>). The estimation unit 3 converts the thermal sensation into a heat radiation amount based on a predetermined relationship. Thereafter, the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of ease of sleepiness based on the approximate curve L based on the heat radiation amount.

  Then, the alerting | reporting part 4 alert | reports the degree of the sleepiness degree for every individual which the estimation part 3 estimated to the circumference (step S14).

  According to the present embodiment, since the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of sleepiness of the person based on the thermal sensation of the person, the degree of ease of sleepiness can be accurately estimated.

  In addition, although the method of calculating the amount of heat dissipation once in order to estimate the degree of sleepiness from the thermal sensation is illustrated here, there is a certain correlation between the thermal sensation and the degree of sleepiness. It is shown that. That is, it is naturally possible to obtain the relationship between the degree of sleepiness directly from the thermal sensation without using the heat dissipation amount, and the degree of ease of sleepiness may be calculated directly from the thermal sensation from that relationship. Other measures may be used, and the means is not limited as long as the degree of ease of sleepiness is calculated based on thermal sensation.

  Further, here, the degree of ease of sleepiness is calculated by obtaining the thermal sensation of the corresponding person P1 from the thermal image G1, but this is the same even when there are a plurality of persons, and when there are a plurality of persons. It is possible to individually estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness of each person based on the thermal sensation of a plurality of persons.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, the case where the degree of sleepiness is estimated from the estimated thermal sensation has been described. In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which a thermal sensation is estimated based on the heat radiation amount, and the degree of ease of sleepiness is estimated from the thermal sensation. That is, in the third embodiment, the estimation unit 3 stores in advance the relationship between the thermal sensation and the degree of sleepiness. Assume that the relationship between the thermal sensation and the degree of sleepiness is appropriately set based on various experiments, simulations, empirical rules, and the like. For example, it is desirable to adopt this method when the relationship between the thermal sensation and the degree of sleepiness is higher than the relationship between the amount of heat release and the degree of sleepiness.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for estimating the degree of ease of sleepiness according to the third embodiment. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

  First, the thermal image sensor 21 acquires a human thermal image G1 (step S21). The estimating unit 3 calculates the heat radiation amount of the person based on the thermal image G1 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21 (step S22). Next, the estimation unit 3 estimates the thermal sensation of the person based on the amount of heat released from the person (step S23). Specifically, the estimation unit 3 estimates the thermal sensation from the heat dissipation amount based on the predetermined relationship exemplified in the third embodiment.

  Then, the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of human sleepiness from the thermal feeling based on the relationship between the thermal feeling and the degree of sleepiness (step S24). Then, the alerting | reporting part 4 alert | reports the degree of the sleepiness degree for every individual which the estimation part 3 estimated to the circumference (step S25).

  According to the present embodiment, the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of sleepiness of the person based on the thermal sensation calculated from the amount of heat released from the person, and therefore accurately estimates the degree of sleepiness of the person. Is possible.

  In addition, here, the amount of heat radiation of the corresponding person P1 is calculated from the thermal image G1, and the degree of ease of sleepiness is calculated. Of course, this is the same even when there are a plurality of persons. It is possible to individually estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness of each person based on the heat radiation amount of a plurality of persons.

(Embodiment 4)
In the first embodiment, the case where the degree of ease of sleepiness is estimated from the information related to the heat of the person acquired by the sensor 2 has been described as an example. In the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which the degree of ease of getting sleepy is estimated from the surrounding environment of the person acquired by the sensor 2a. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness easiness estimation device 1A according to the fourth embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the sensor 2a of the sleepiness estimation device 1A is a sensor that detects the surrounding environment of a person. In the present embodiment, the sensor 2a includes an illuminance sensor 22 that detects the illuminance around the person as the surrounding environment of the person.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation state of the illuminance sensor 22 according to the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of persons P4 and P5 exist in another space partitioned by a wall W. Each space may not be completely partitioned. Each space is illuminated by external light from a window (not shown) and illumination light from a lighting device (not shown). And the illumination intensity sensor 22 is each installed on the desk 150 in each space. Thereby, each illumination intensity sensor 22 detects the illumination intensity in each space. That is, each illuminance sensor 22 can detect the illuminance around each of the people P4 and P5.

  FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of sleepiness and the illuminance. As shown in FIG. 13, when the illuminance is lower than about 40 lux, the degree of sleepiness is stable in a high state. On the other hand, when the illuminance is higher than about 200 lux, the degree of sleepiness is stable in a low state. And as the illuminance increases from about 40 lux to about 200 lux, the degree of ease of sleepiness decreases sharply.

  The estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of sleepiness based on the ambient illuminance gained by the sensor 2a based on the relationship between the degree of sleepiness and the illuminance shown in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, by detecting the illuminance around the people P4 and P5, it is possible to estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness of the people P4 and P5 for each individual.

(Embodiment 5)
In the said Embodiment 4, the case where the ease of sleepiness was estimated based on the illumination intensity which is one of the surrounding environments of a person was illustrated and demonstrated. In the fifth embodiment, a case will be described in which the degree of sleepiness is estimated based on the concentration of gas components around a person, which is one of the surrounding environments of the person. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness easy estimation device 1B according to the fifth embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the sensor 2 b of the sleepiness estimation device 1 </ b> B is a sensor that detects a human surrounding environment. In the present embodiment, the sensor 2b includes a gas sensor 23 that detects the concentration of a gas component around the person as the surrounding environment of the person. The gas sensor 23 is a gas sensor that detects the concentration of at least one of carbon dioxide and oxygen, for example. In addition, the gas sensor 23 should just be installed so that the density | concentration of the gas component of each divided space can be detected separately. Each space may not be completely partitioned.

  Here, when the concentration of carbon dioxide is high in the human environment, the degree of ease of sleepiness tends to increase. Similarly, as the oxygen concentration decreases, the degree of sleepiness tends to increase. Based on this relationship, the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of ease of getting sleepy from the concentration of surrounding gas components obtained by the sensor 2b.

  According to the present embodiment, by detecting the concentration of gas components around a person, it is possible to estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person for each individual.

  The gas sensor 23 may be a gas sensor that can detect the concentrations of a plurality of gas components, or may be a sensor that can detect the concentration of a specific gas component, such as an oxygen sensor or a carbon dioxide sensor. .

(Embodiment 6)
In the first embodiment, the case where the sleepiness estimation apparatus 1 estimates only the sleepiness degree is illustrated. In the sixth embodiment, a case where the sleepiness estimation apparatus 1C estimates the degree of sleepiness and sleepiness will be described. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sleepiness easiness estimation device 1C according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the sleepiness estimation device 1 </ b> C has a configuration in which an imaging unit 30, a sleepiness estimation unit 40, and a sleepiness prediction unit 50 are added to the sleepiness estimation device 1 of the first embodiment. ing.

  The imaging unit 30 is a camera for imaging the face of the person P1. Examples of the imaging unit 30 include a camera using a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, a camera using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and the like.

  The sleepiness estimation unit 40 detects a sleepiness level indicating the sleepiness level of the person P1. For example, the sleepiness estimation unit 40 has an interface for acquiring a moving image including the person P1 captured by the imaging unit 30 connected to the sleepiness estimation unit 40, and detects the sleepiness level of the person P1 from the moving image. . The sleepiness estimation unit 40 outputs the sleepiness level of the person P1 to the sleepiness prediction unit 50. A method for detecting the sleepiness level of the person P1 is not particularly limited. For example, the sleepiness level can be detected from the moving image information of the face of the person P1. Specifically, the sleepiness level is estimated from the blinking motion included in the moving image information of the face of the person P1. It can be estimated that the sleepiness level is low when the blinking period of the person P1 is stable, the blinking level of the person P1 is slow, and the blinking period is short and frequently performed, the sleepiness level is high.

  The sleepiness prediction unit 50 predicts the future sleepiness level of the person P1 based on the degree of sleepiness estimated by the estimation unit 3 and the sleepiness level estimated by the sleepiness estimation unit 40. For example, when the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person P1 is high, the sleepiness prediction unit 50 predicts a value obtained by increasing the current sleepiness level of the person P1 relatively high as a future sleepiness level. On the other hand, when the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person P1 is low, the drowsiness prediction unit 50 uses a value obtained by lowering the current sleepiness level of the person P1 or slightly increasing the current sleepiness level in the future. Predict as sleepiness level. The sleepiness prediction unit 50 outputs the predicted sleepiness level to the notification unit 4. Thereby, the future sleepiness level of the predicted person P1 is notified by the notification unit 4.

Here, examples of other methods for predicting sleepiness will be described. Based on the thermal image G <b> 1 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21, the estimation unit 3 calculates the heat radiation amount of the photographed person. The estimation unit 3 stores in advance a sleepiness level fluctuation amount after a predetermined time corresponding to the heat radiation amount. For example, FIG. 16 shows the amount of fluctuation in sleepiness level after a predetermined time when the heat radiation amount of a person is 33 W / m ² . In addition to the relationship illustrated in FIG. 16, the estimation unit 3 stores in advance a drowsiness level fluctuation amount after a predetermined time corresponding to each heat release amount.

Then, assuming that the amount of heat released by the person calculated by the estimation unit 3 is 33 W / m ² , the estimation unit 3 predicts the amount of change in sleepiness level after a predetermined time based on the graph shown in FIG. That is, the estimation unit 3 estimates that the drowsiness level increases by about 1.5 after about 5 minutes and the drowsiness level increases by about 2.3 after about 10 minutes. Here, the drowsiness level is expressed in five stages, and the greater the value, the stronger the drowsiness. In this way, it is possible to predict how the sleepiness level thereafter varies depending on the amount of heat released.

Here, the case where the heat dissipation amount is 33 W / m ² has been described. However, if the estimation unit 3 also stores the amount of sleepiness level fluctuation after another predetermined amount of heat dissipation in accordance with each heat dissipation amount, The amount of fluctuation in sleepiness level can be estimated. For example, colder environment, that is, if the heat radiation amount of human increases (e.g. heat radiation amount is 50 W / m ^2), as shown in FIG. 17, the heat radiation amount is a predetermined time after the case of 33 W / m ² The amount of fluctuation in sleepiness level is small. Thereby, even if time passes, it is estimated that the fluctuation amount of a sleepiness level is relatively small. For example, when driving a car, on the route to the destination set by car navigation etc., it is possible to display how much sleepiness is reached at which point based on the estimated arrival time on each route Is possible. The driver can consider which place to take a break by referring to this display. Of course, based on this information, the car navigation system may perform a notification that prompts the driver to take a break or the like.

  In addition, here, it has been described that the amount of fluctuation in sleepiness after a predetermined time is estimated based on the amount of heat release, but of course, it may not be the amount of heat release, and for example, ambient temperature may be used. If the ambient temperature is a slightly warm environment with an ambient temperature of about 25 ° C., the person is more likely to feel sleepy than a low temperature environment with an ambient temperature of, for example, 15 ° C. or less. For this reason, the sleepiness after the predetermined time can be estimated according to the outside air temperature by measuring the fluctuation amount of the sleepiness after the predetermined time at each temperature. Of course, if there is a factor that affects human sleepiness other than ambient temperature, the fluctuation amount of sleepiness after a predetermined time in each condition is measured in advance based on that factor. Sleepiness after time can be estimated.

  When heat dissipation is used as a factor that affects human sleepiness, it is known that the amount of heat dissipation has a correlation that does not depend on the thermal sensation of the person and the amount of clothes. There is an advantage that sleepiness after a predetermined time can be estimated regardless of whether the clothes are lightly worn.

  Further, here, the drowsiness is predicted based on the heat release amount obtained from the thermal image, but other than this, the illuminance sensor and the gas sensor are used to calculate the amount of fluctuation of the drowsiness level after a predetermined time. The amount of change in sleepiness level after a predetermined time may be estimated based on illuminance and gas concentration. For example, in the case of illuminance, the person is less likely to sleep when the surroundings are bright, and the person is more likely to become sleepy when the surroundings are dark. In particular, when driving a car, there is an advantage that a person's sleepiness transition can be accurately predicted based on the illuminance at that time.

  On the other hand, for example, when the gas is carbon dioxide, the person is likely to be sleepy when the concentration of the carbon dioxide gas is high, and the person is difficult to sleep when the concentration is low. Thus, when the inside air is circulated during driving of the vehicle and the carbon dioxide gas rises, the human sleepiness can be accurately predicted from the change in the carbon dioxide gas concentration.

  The sleepiness prediction using the sleepiness level fluctuation amount after a predetermined time according to the heat release amount can be performed by the sleepiness prediction unit 50.

  Similar to the estimation unit 3, the sleepiness estimation unit 40 and the sleepiness prediction unit 50 are realized by, for example, a CPU and a control program stored in a storage unit that can communicate with the CPU.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, sleepiness estimation device 1C predicts the future sleepiness level based on the current sleepiness level of person P1 and the degree of sleepiness. This future sleepiness level can be reflected in future sleepiness measures.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the current sleepiness level is estimated from a moving image including the person P1 is exemplified. However, any method may be used for estimating the drowsiness level. For example, it is possible to estimate the drowsiness level using the heart rate, skin conductance, skin temperature, brain waves, etc. of the person P1.

  In the method using the heartbeat, for example, the sympathetic nerve / parasympathetic nerve (LF / HF) may be obtained from the interval between the R wave of the heartbeat and the R wave (RR interval) to estimate the drowsiness level. LF / HF tends to be lower when a person becomes sleepy.

  In the method using the skin conductance, for example, the sleepiness level may be estimated by obtaining the amount of mental sweating from the skin conductance. Mental sweating tends to decrease when a person becomes sleepy.

  In the method using the skin temperature, the drowsiness level may be estimated from the peripheral skin temperature such as a fingertip. Peripheral skin temperature tends to rise when a person becomes sleepy.

  In the method using the electroencephalogram, for example, the drowsiness level may be estimated from the α wave amplitude and the α wave ratio. The α wave amplitude and α wave ratio tend to increase when a person becomes sleepy.

(Embodiment 7)
[Awakening guidance system]
In the seventh embodiment, a case will be described in which the sleepiness estimation device is employed in an awakening guidance system. In addition, although the case where the sleepiness ease estimation apparatus 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 is employ | adopted as a wakefulness guidance system is demonstrated here, the sleepiness ease estimation apparatus of other embodiment is employ | adopted for a wakefulness guidance system. May be. The awakening guidance system is installed, for example, in a vehicle such as an automobile or in a room such as an office.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the awakening guidance system 100 according to the seventh embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the awakening guidance system 100 includes a sleepiness estimator 1 and a device 200 for changing the surrounding environment of the person P1.

The control device 110 controls the device 200 based on the degree of sleepiness estimated by the sleepiness estimation device 1 to induce the awakening of the persons P1, P2, and P3. Specifically, the control device 110 is communicably connected to the sleepiness estimation device 1 and the device 200. The control device 110 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and the CPU 200 controls the device 200 based on the degree of ease of sleepiness by developing and executing a control program stored in the ROM on the RAM. To do. For example, the control device 110 controls the device 200 in the normal mode when the sleepiness degree is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and when the sleepiness degree exceeds a predetermined value, the awakening for inducing the awakening The device 200 is controlled in the guidance mode. Here, the predetermined value is a threshold value for operating the device 200 in the awakening induction mode, and may be arbitrarily changed by the user.

  The device 200 includes, for example, a lighting device 210, an acoustic device 220, a vibration device 230, and an air conditioner 240.

  The lighting device 210 can be dimmed based on the control of the control device 110. The illumination device 210 performs illumination with a higher awakening induction effect in the awakening induction mode than in the normal mode. Specifically, in the awakening induction mode, the lighting device 210 can induce the awakening of the person P1 by emitting light brighter than in the normal mode. In the awakening induction mode, the blue light contained in the light is increased more than in the normal mode to induce the awakening of the person P1, or the person P1 is awakened with pulsed light having a lower duty ratio than in the normal mode. It is also possible to employ a second method of guiding.

  Specifically, in the first method, the illumination device 210 may irradiate the person P1 with light having a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm. Thereby, the awakening of the person P1 can be induced efficiently.

  Further, in the second method, the awakening of the person P1 is induced with pulsed light having a lower duty ratio than that in the normal mode. For example, when the awakening guidance system 100 is provided in the vehicle, Awakening can be induced while preventing the face of P1 from shining and conspicuous. In particular, in the second method, the lighting device 210 may emit pulsed light with a duty ratio of 0.00001 or more and 0.1 or less at a frequency of 0.1 Hz or more and 1 Hz or less (first condition). Awakening can be induced more efficiently by irradiating the person P1 with such light. Also in this second method, the lighting device 210 may irradiate the person P1 with light having a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm.

  The sound device 220 can adjust the sound to be output based on the control of the control device 110. The sound device 220 outputs a sound having a higher awakening induction effect in the awakening induction mode than in the normal mode. The sound having a high awakening induction effect includes making the volume higher than in the normal mode or playing a song having a high awakening induction effect.

  Further, in the case of the acoustic device 220 that can output sounds with different frequencies on the left and right in the person P1, the acoustic device 220 makes a difference in the range of the sound frequencies on the left and right in the awakening guidance mode within 30 Hz or less. (Second condition). Thus, if there is a difference between the frequencies of the left and right sounds, the awakening of the person P1 can be efficiently induced.

  The vibration device 230 applies vibration to the person P1 based on the control of the control device 110. Examples of the vibration device 230 include a vibration actuator and a vibration damper. The vibration device 230 is non-vibrating in the normal mode and vibrates in the awakening guidance mode. Specifically, it is preferable that the vibration device 230 generates vibrations in a frequency band that stimulates the muscle spindle of the person P1 in the awakening induction mode (third condition). When the muscle spindle is stimulated by vibration, the brainstem reticulum activation system in the brain is activated. Since the brainstem network-like activation system is involved in human awakening, when the brainstem network-like activation system is activated, the awakening of the person P1 is induced.

  In addition, examples of the installation location of the vibration device 230 in the vehicle include a seat and a steering. In addition, examples of the installation location of the vibration device 230 in a room include a chair, a writing instrument, and an operation device (such as a mouse and a keyboard).

  The air conditioner 240 performs air conditioning based on the control of the control device 110. The air conditioner 240 performs air conditioning having a higher awakening induction effect in the awakening induction mode than in the normal mode. Specifically, in the awakening induction mode, the air conditioner 240 can induce the awakening of the person P1 by setting the temperature to be lower than that in the normal mode. Further, the air conditioner 240 may induce the awakening of the person P1 by lowering the sensible temperature by applying the wind to the person P1 in the awakening guidance mode. Further, the air conditioner 240 may not only lower the temperature but also raise or lower the temperature at predetermined time intervals to induce the awakening of the person P1. In this case, the time interval may be 5 minutes or more and 60 minutes or less, and the temperature rise / fall range may be 2 ° C. or more and 15 ° C. or less.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, control device 110 can control lighting device 210 to induce awakening of person P1.

  In addition, when awakening is induced, pulse light with a duty ratio of 0.00001 or more and 0.1 or less is emitted from the lighting device 210 at a frequency of 0.1 Hz or more and 1 Hz or less, so that the induction of awakening can be performed efficiently. Can do.

  In addition, the control device 110 controls the acoustic device 220 to induce human awakening.

  Further, at the time of awakening induction, the difference in sound frequency between the left and right of the acoustic device 220 is 30 Hz or less, so that awakening can be efficiently induced.

  In addition, the control device 110 can control the vibration device 230 to induce human awakening.

  Further, at the time of awakening induction, vibrations in a frequency band that stimulates the muscle spindle of the person P1 are generated from the vibration device 230, so that awakening can be efficiently induced.

  In addition, the control device 110 can control the air conditioner 240 to induce human awakening.

  In the present embodiment, the device 200 (the lighting device 210, the acoustic device 220, the vibration device 230, and the air conditioner 240) is set in the awakening induction mode according to the sleepiness degree estimated by the sleepiness estimation device 1. The case where it operates with was illustrated. However, the device 200 may operate in the awakening induction mode without being linked to the sleepiness easiness estimation device 1. For example, there is a case where the device 200 operates in the awakening guidance mode by being individually operated by a person. Forced regardless of the situation around the device 200 (no sleepiness, sleepiness, high sleepiness, low sleepiness, etc.) It is possible to induce wakefulness. In particular, it is preferable that the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition described above can efficiently induce wakefulness. Thus, in the wakefulness guidance system that performs wakefulness guidance without considering the degree of sleepiness, the sleepiness ease estimation device 1 may be omitted.

  In addition, when the sleepiness easiness estimation device 1C according to Embodiment 6 is employed in the wakefulness guidance system, the operation of the device 200 may be controlled based on the predicted future sleepiness level.

(Embodiment 8)
In the said Embodiment 7, the case where the control apparatus 110 controlled the apparatus 200 based on the ease of becoming sleepy was illustrated. In the seventh embodiment, a case will be described in which the control device 110 controls the device 200 based on the degree of sleepiness and the comfort level of the person P1. In the following description, the same parts as those in the above-described eighth embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

  In the eighth embodiment, the estimation unit 3 also estimates the comfort level of the person P1 from the thermal image G1 acquired by the thermal image sensor 21.

  FIG. 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the comfort level of the person P1 and the heat radiation amount. This graph summarizes the results of evaluating the degree of comfort as well as determining the amount of heat released by the subject under each thermal condition by changing the amount of clothing of the subject and the environmental temperature. Specifically, the subject has been evaluated for the degree of ease of sleepiness under five thermal conditions. Thermal conditions 1 to 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The test subject evaluated the comfort level in five stages under each thermal condition. When the comfort level is 0, it is in a state where it cannot be determined that the user is comfortable or uncomfortable. When the comfort level is positive, it indicates that the comfort level increases as the level increases. When the comfort level is negative, it indicates that the lower the level, the more uncomfortable. The average value for a plurality of evaluation results was obtained, the average value and the heat radiation amount were summarized in the graph of FIG. 19, and these approximate curves L1 were obtained. Based on the approximate curve L1, the estimation unit 3 can estimate the comfort level from the heat radiation amount.

  When controlling the device 200 in the wake-up guidance mode, the control device 110 controls the operation of the device 200 using the comfort level estimated by the estimation unit 3. Specifically, the control device 110 monitors the comfort level estimated by the estimation unit 3, and controls the air conditioner 240 so that the comfort level becomes larger than a predetermined value.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control device 110 controls the device 200 based on the comfort level detected by the ease of sleepiness estimation device 1 and the ease of sleepiness. It is possible to induce wakefulness while reproducing the environment that you feel.

(Embodiment 9)
In the eighth embodiment, when the estimation unit 3 estimates the degree of sleepiness and the comfort level based on the heat radiation amount, that is, the comfort level estimation device 1 detects the comfort level of the person P1. The case of functioning as a degree detection device is illustrated. In the ninth embodiment, a case will be described in which the awakening guidance system has a dedicated comfort level estimation unit that detects the comfort level of the person P1. In the following description, portions equivalent to those in the sixth and seventh embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an awakening guidance system 100D according to the ninth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the awakening guidance system 100D includes a sleepiness estimation device 1C, a device 200 for changing the surrounding environment of the person P1, and a comfort level estimation unit 300 that estimates the comfort level of the person P1. I have. In the awakening guidance system 100D, the comfort level estimation unit 300 calculates the amount of heat released from the person P1 based on the thermal image G1 including the person P1 measured by the thermal image sensor 21, and the comfort level of the person P1 is calculated based on the graph of FIG. Calculate the degree. Furthermore, from the future sleepiness level predicted by the sleepiness easiness estimation device 1C in FIG. 20 and the comfort level obtained by the comfort level estimation unit 300, the future sleepiness level and the current sleepiness are maintained while maintaining the comfort level. The level can be lowered as much as possible. For example, the air conditioner 240 may be controlled so that the comfort level is greater than zero. In this case, by controlling the heat dissipation amount to be as large as possible within a range where the heat dissipation amount does not exceed 46 W / m ^2, it is possible to realize an environment in which it is difficult to sleep while maintaining comfort. Of course, the predetermined value of the comfort level may not be 0, and may be set by the user. For example, if the comfort level is set to be greater than -1, the awakening level can be increased even if the comfort level is slightly reduced, and if the comfort level is set to be greater than 0, the comfort level is increased. As a result, the arousal level can be increased as much as possible.

  In addition, although the device 200 is controlled by the control device 110 based on future sleepiness and comfort level, the current sleepiness estimated by the sleepiness estimation unit 40 and the comfort level estimated by the comfort level estimation unit 300 are calculated. The device 200 may be controlled based on this. In this way, it is possible to control the current sleepiness as low as possible while maintaining the comfort level.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the sleepiness estimation device and the wakefulness guidance system according to the present disclosure have been described based on the above embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, it is realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, or forms obtained by subjecting each embodiment to various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art. Forms are also included in the present disclosure.

  For example, in the first to fifth embodiments, the thermal image sensor 21, the illuminance sensor 22, and the gas sensor 23 are individually provided in the sensors 2, 2a, and 2b. However, the thermal image sensor, the illuminance sensor, and the gas sensor are exemplified. At least two of the above may be provided in the sensor. Thereby, it is possible to estimate the degree of ease of sleepiness in combination using the detection result of each sensor.

  In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the awakening guidance system 100 includes a plurality of devices (the lighting device 210, the acoustic device 220, the vibration device 230, and the air conditioner 240) for changing the surrounding environment of a person. Although the case has been illustrated, the awakening guidance system only needs to include at least one device for changing the surrounding environment of the person. In addition, if the device for changing the surrounding environment of the person can induce the awakening of the person by changing the surrounding environment, the devices other than the exemplified lighting device 210, acoustic device 220, vibration device 230, and air conditioner 240 are used. It is also possible to use equipment.

  Further, for example, the present disclosure can be realized not only as a sleepiness estimation device or a wake-up guidance system, but also as a step including a process performed by each component of the sleepiness estimation device or the wake-up guidance system, and its It can also be realized as a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded. The program may be recorded in advance on a recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

  That is, the above-described comprehensive or specific aspect may be realized by a system, an apparatus, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium, and any of the system, the apparatus, the integrated circuit, the computer program, and the recording medium It may be realized by various combinations.

  The present disclosure is used for a system that operates a device that induces a person's awakening according to the current situation of the person.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C Estimation device 2, 2a, 2b Sensor 3 Estimation unit 4 Notification unit 21 Thermal image sensor 22 Illuminance sensor 23 Gas sensor 30 Imaging unit 40 Drowsiness estimation unit 50 Drowsiness prediction unit 100 Awakening guidance system 110 Control device 150 200 Equipment 210 Illuminating device 220 Acoustic device 230 Vibration device 240 Air conditioning device 300 Comfort level estimation part G1, G2, G3 Thermal image L, L1 Approximate curve P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 Person R Imaging range

Claims (15)

A sensor that detects at least one of information about a person's heat and the surrounding environment of the person,
A sleepiness ease estimation apparatus comprising: an estimation unit that estimates, for each individual, the degree of ease of sleepiness of the person based on a detection result of the sensor. The sleepiness easiness estimation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a thermal image sensor that acquires a thermal image of the person as information related to the heat of the person. The estimation unit calculates the amount of heat radiation or thermal sensation of the person from the thermal image acquired by the thermal image sensor, and determines the degree of ease of sleepiness for each individual based on the amount of thermal radiation or thermal sensation. The device for estimating ease of sleepiness according to claim 2. The sleepiness estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor includes an illuminance sensor that detects illuminance around the person as the surrounding environment of the person. The sleepiness estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor includes a gas sensor that detects a concentration of a gas component around the person as a surrounding environment of the person. The sleepiness estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the degree of sleepiness. The sleepiness easiness estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A control device for inducing arousal of the person by controlling a device for changing the surrounding environment of the person based on the degree of ease of sleepiness estimated by the ease of sleepiness estimation device system. Comprising a comfort level detection device for detecting the comfort level of the person,
The awakening guidance system according to claim 7, wherein the control device controls the device based on the comfort level detected by the comfort level detection device and the degree of ease of sleepiness. The awakening guidance system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the device includes a lighting device. The awakening guidance system according to claim 9, wherein the lighting device emits pulsed light having a duty ratio of 0.00001 or more and 0.1 or less at a frequency of 0.1 Hz or more and 1 Hz or less at the time of waking induction. The awakening guidance system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the device includes an audio device. The wakefulness induction system according to claim 11, wherein the sound device is capable of outputting sounds having different frequencies on the left and right sides of the person, and differentiating the sound frequencies on the left and right in a range of 30 Hz or less during wakefulness induction. The wakefulness induction system according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the device includes a vibration device that applies vibration to the person. The awakening induction system according to claim 13, wherein the vibration device generates vibrations in a frequency band that stimulates the person's muscle spindle during induction of awakening. The awakening guidance system according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the device includes an air conditioner.