JP2019008427A - Wakefulness maintaining device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable wakefulness effect on a driver to continue for a long time while suppressing the driver's discomfort feeling.SOLUTION: A wakefulness maintaining device includes: a main stimulus controlling unit 206 for making an air conditioner unit generate cool air as a wakefulness stimulus for maintaining a driver's wakefulness; and a sub stimulus controlling unit 207 for making an LED emit warm-colored light as a psychological guidance stimulus for guiding the driver's psychological state. The sub stimulus controlling unit 207 makes the warm-colored light emitted at the same time when the cool air is generated by the main stimulus controlling unit 206.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a wakefulness maintaining device for maintaining a wakefulness state of a subject.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a technique for maintaining a wakeful state by applying a stimulus to a driver to recover a wakeful state when a driver's drowsiness is detected. For example, in Patent Document 1, the driver's uncomfortable state is achieved by controlling the air volume, wind speed, temperature, blowing location, etc. of the air-conditioning wind to partially change the cabin space where the driver is located into different thermal environment states. Thus, a technique for maintaining a driver's awakening effect for a long time is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-155232

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the driver's discomfort increases when trying to maintain the driver's awakening effect for a long time. In addition, if a partially different thermal environment state in the vehicle interior space where the driver is located is alleviated in order to suppress the driver's discomfort, there is a problem that the driver's awakening effect cannot be maintained for a long time.

  One object of this disclosure is to provide a wakefulness maintaining device that makes it possible to continue the wakefulness effect for a longer time while suppressing driver discomfort.

  The above object is achieved by a combination of the features described in the independent claims, and the subclaims define further advantageous embodiments of the invention. Reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims indicate a correspondence relationship with specific means described in the embodiments described later as one aspect, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the wakefulness maintenance device of the present invention generates a wakeful stimulus from a main stimulator (91, 92) that generates a wakefulness stimulus that is a stimulus for maintaining the wakefulness state of the subject. Psychologically induced stimuli from the stimulation control unit (206) and the sub-stimulators (23, 24) that generate psychologically induced stimuli for inducing the psychological state of the subject who are physically different from the types of stimuli A sub-stimulus control unit (207) for generating a psychostimulation stimulus in addition to the generation of the arousal stimulus by the main stimulus control unit.

  According to this, the psychological stimulation generated by the sub-stimulation control unit is for inducing a psychological state, and the type of stimulation is physically different from the arousal stimulation. It is possible to induce the psychological state of the subject while suppressing the influence on the arousal state. The sub-stimulation control unit generates this psychologically induced stimulus in addition to the generation of the arousal stimulus in the main stimulus control unit, so that the reduction of the arousal effect due to the arousal stimulus is suppressed and the psychological state of the subject is relieved. It is possible to guide in the direction. Therefore, even when the subject is in an uncomfortable state due to the arousal stimulus, the arousal effect by the arousal stimulus can be continued for a longer time while suppressing the discomfort by the psychological stimulation.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a driving support system 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a schematic structure of HCU20. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a main stimulus control unit 206. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the awakening stimulus in the rotation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the awakening stimulus in the fluctuation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of selection of the psychological guidance stimulation according to the degree of discomfort and surrounding environmental conditions in the sub stimulus control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the arousal stimulus related process in HCU20.

  A plurality of embodiments for disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, among the embodiments, parts having the same functions as those shown in the drawings used in the explanation so far may be given the same reference numerals and explanation thereof may be omitted. is there. For the parts denoted by the same reference numerals, the description in other embodiments can be referred to.

(Embodiment 1)
<Schematic configuration of driving support system 1>
Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A driving support system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used in an automobile (hereinafter simply referred to as a vehicle), and includes an HMI (Human Machine Interface) system 2, a locator 3, a map database (hereinafter referred to as map DB) 4, and a surrounding monitoring sensor 5. , A driving support ECU 6, a vehicle state sensor 7, a vehicle control ECU 8, and an air conditioning system 9. It is assumed that the HMI system 2, the locator 3, the map DB 4, the driving support ECU 6, the vehicle state sensor 7, the vehicle control ECU 8, and the air conditioning system 9 are connected to, for example, an in-vehicle LAN. Hereinafter, a vehicle equipped with the driving support system 1 is referred to as a host vehicle.

  The locator 3 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver and an inertial sensor. The GNSS receiver receives positioning signals from a plurality of artificial satellites. The inertial sensor includes, for example, a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor. Locator 3 sequentially measures the position of the vehicle on which locator 3 is mounted by combining the positioning signal received by the GNSS receiver and the measurement result of the inertial sensor. In addition, it is good also as a structure which uses the travel distance calculated | required from the signal sequentially output from the vehicle speed sensor mounted in the own vehicle for positioning of a vehicle position.

  The map DB 4 is a non-volatile memory, for example, and stores map data such as link data, node data, road shapes, and structures. The map data may be configured to include a three-dimensional map composed of a road shape and a point cloud of structure feature points. The map data may be obtained from the outside of the vehicle using a communication module.

  The periphery monitoring sensor 5 detects obstacles around the vehicle such as a pedestrian, a moving object such as another vehicle, and a stationary object such as a falling object on the road. In addition, road markings such as travel lane markings around the vehicle are detected. The surrounding monitoring sensor 5 includes, for example, a surrounding monitoring camera that captures a predetermined range around the vehicle, a millimeter wave radar that transmits an exploration wave to the predetermined range around the vehicle, sonar, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging). The peripheral monitoring camera sequentially outputs captured images to be sequentially captured to the driving support ECU 6 as sensing information. A sensor that transmits an exploration wave such as sonar, millimeter wave radar, or LIDAR sequentially outputs a scanning result based on a received signal obtained when a reflected wave reflected by an obstacle is received to the driving support ECU 6 as sensing information.

  The driving support ECU 6 is an electronic control device that supports driving of the host vehicle. The driving assistance ECU 6 recognizes the traveling environment of the own vehicle from the vehicle position of the own vehicle acquired from the locator 3, the map data acquired from the map DB 4, the sensing information acquired from the periphery monitoring sensor 5, and the like. Further, the driving support ECU 6 performs driving support of the host vehicle by performing acceleration / deceleration control and / or steering control of the host vehicle in cooperation with the vehicle control ECU 8 based on the recognized traveling environment. As an example of driving assistance, there are assistance for driving the vehicle while maintaining the vehicle in its own lane, assistance for traveling the vehicle at a constant speed, assistance for automatically decelerating to avoid obstacles, and the like. In addition, as driving assistance, the vehicle control ECU 8 may automatically perform acceleration, braking, and steering so that automatic driving is performed. In the present embodiment, even when automatic driving is performed, depending on the end of traveling in the planned automatic driving section, the recognized driving environment, the sensing failure in the peripheral monitoring sensor 5, or the like, It is preferable that alternation is possible.

  The vehicle state sensor 7 is a sensor group for detecting a traveling state, an operation state, and the like of the host vehicle. The vehicle state sensor 7 includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the host vehicle, a steering sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering of the host vehicle, an accelerator position sensor that detects the opening degree of the accelerator pedal of the host vehicle, and a brake pedal of the host vehicle. There is a brake stroke sensor that detects the amount of depression. The vehicle state sensor 7 outputs the detection result to the in-vehicle LAN. The detection result of the vehicle state sensor 7 may be output to the in-vehicle LAN via an ECU mounted on the host vehicle.

  The vehicle control ECU 8 is an electronic control device that performs acceleration / deceleration control and / or steering control of the host vehicle. The vehicle control ECU 8 includes a steering ECU that performs steering control, a power unit control ECU that performs acceleration / deceleration control, a brake ECU, and the like. The vehicle control ECU 8 acquires detection signals output from sensors such as an accelerator position sensor, a brake stroke sensor, a rudder angle sensor, and a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the host vehicle, and performs electronic control throttle, brake actuator, EPS (Electric Power Steering) Outputs a control signal to each driving control device such as a motor.

  The air conditioning system 9 is an air conditioning system for a vehicle that acquires air conditioning request information including air conditioning related setting values set by a passenger of the own vehicle from the HCU 20 and adjusts the temperature, cleanliness, airflow, and the like in the passenger compartment. . The air conditioning system 9 includes an air conditioning control ECU 90, an air conditioner unit 91, and an aroma unit 92.

  The air conditioner unit 91 generates hot air and cold air that are supplied into the vehicle compartment from an air outlet provided in an instrument panel or the like. The aroma unit 92 atomizes aroma oil such as essential oil containing an aroma (aroma) component. As the fragrance component, a component having an arousal effect is used. The fragrance component atomized by the aroma unit 92 is mixed with the airflow generated by the air conditioner unit 91 and supplied to the passenger compartment. The air conditioner unit 91 and the aroma unit 92 also correspond to the main stimulator of the claims.

  The air conditioning control ECU 90 is mainly composed of a processor, a memory, an I / O, and a microcomputer having a bus connecting them, and executes various processes by executing a control program stored in the memory. The memory here is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that stores computer-readable programs and data in a non-temporary manner. The non-transitional tangible storage medium is realized by a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. The air conditioning control ECU 90 is connected to the in-vehicle LAN, and receives the air conditioning request information output from the HCU 20 to the in-vehicle LAN. The air conditioning control ECU 90 is connected to the air conditioner unit 91 and the aroma unit 92, and controls the operation of the air conditioner unit 91 and the aroma unit 92 based on the acquired air conditioning request information.

  The HMI system 2 includes a human machine interface control unit (HCU) 20, a driver status monitor (DSM) 21, a biosensor 22, a display device 23, an audio output device 24, and an operation device 25. The HMI system 2 receives an input operation from the driver, presents information to the driver, and monitors the state of the driver. This driver corresponds to the subject of the claims.

  The DSM 21 includes a near-infrared light source and a near-infrared camera, and a control unit that controls these. The DSM 21 is disposed, for example, on the upper surface of the instrument panel in a posture in which the near-infrared camera faces the driver's seat side of the own vehicle. The DSM 21 images a driver's head irradiated with near-infrared light from a near-infrared light source with a near-infrared camera. The image captured by the near-infrared camera is analyzed by the control unit. The control unit detects, for example, the driver's face direction and / or line-of-sight direction from the captured image.

  The DSM 21 extracts the degree of opening of the driver's eyes from the captured image and detects the driver's arousal level. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the DSM 21 detects the wakefulness by dividing it into 6 levels of 0 to 5 will be described as an example. The arousal level, which is divided into 6 levels, seems to be totally sleepless (in other words, it is awakened) “0”, somewhat sleepy “1”, sleepy “2”, and quite sleepy It is assumed that “3”, very sleepy “4”, and sleepiness (in other words, sleep state) “5”. “0” indicates no drowsiness, “1” to “5” indicate drowsiness, and the greater the numerical value, the higher the degree of drowsiness. The DSM 21 outputs the detected wakefulness level to the HCU 20.

  Further, the DSM 21 may be configured to detect a driver state other than sleepiness such as pleasant discomfort from the shape feature of the face part detected from the face image, the temporal change of the face part, and the like. Furthermore, it is preferable that the DSM 21 also detects the degree of driver status such as the degree of discomfort from the shape characteristics of the facial part, changes in the facial part over time, and the like. Hereinafter, the case where the degree of discomfort in the DSM 21 is detected in the order of discomfort levels “1” to “5” in order of increasing discomfort will be described as an example.

  The biometric sensor 22 measures biometric information such as the heart rate, pulse rate, body temperature, and / or blood pressure of the driver, and sequentially outputs the measured biometric information to the HCU 20. The biometric sensor 22 may be provided on the own vehicle such as provided on a steering wheel, a driver seat, or the like, or may be provided on a wearable device worn by the driver. When the biosensor 22 is provided in the wearable device worn by the driver, the HCU 20 may acquire the measurement result of the biosensor 22 via wireless communication, for example.

  Examples of the display device 23 include a combination meter, a CID (Center Information Display), a HUD (Head-Up Display), an LED, and a navigation device display (hereinafter referred to as a navigation screen). This display device 23 corresponds to the sub-stimulator of the claims. The combination meter is arranged in front of the driver's seat. The CID is arranged above the center cluster in the passenger compartment. The combination meter displays various images for information presentation on the display screen of the liquid crystal display based on the image data acquired from the HCU 20. The HUD projects image light based on the image data acquired from the HCU 20 onto a projection area defined by the windshield. The light of the image reflected on the vehicle interior side by the windshield is perceived by the driver sitting in the driver's seat. The driver can visually recognize the virtual image of the image projected by the HUD, overlapping the outside scene in front of the vehicle. The LED is provided on an instrument panel, a driver's seat step or the like, and light emission is controlled by the HCU 20. Examples of the sound output device 24 include an audio speaker that outputs sound and a buzzer that outputs sound. This audio output device 24 also corresponds to the sub-stimulator of the claims.

  The operation device 25 is a group of switches operated by the driver. For example, the operation device 25 includes a steering switch provided in a spoke spoke portion of the own vehicle, a touch switch integrated with a display device 23 having a display, and the like. In the present embodiment, the operation device 25 has a switch (hereinafter referred to as a stimulus request switch) for requesting the driver to generate a stimulus for maintaining arousal (hereinafter referred to as an arousal stimulus), and the driver is in an uncomfortable state. The following description will be made on the assumption that a switch (discomfort switch) for transmitting the message is included.

  The HCU 20 is mainly configured by a microcomputer including a processor, a memory, an I / O, and a bus connecting them, and executes various processes by executing a control program stored in the memory. The memory here is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that stores computer-readable programs and data in a non-temporary manner. The non-transitional tangible storage medium is realized by a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. The HCU 20 corresponds to the wakefulness maintaining device of the claims. Details of processing in the HCU 20 will be described later.

<Schematic configuration of HCU 20>
Next, the schematic configuration of the HCU 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The HCU 20 includes a biological information acquisition unit 201, a load estimation unit 202, a trigger detection unit 203, a main stimulus control unit 206, and a sub stimulus control unit 207. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the HCU 20 may be configured by hardware using one or a plurality of ICs. Also, some or all of the functional blocks provided in the HCU 20 may be realized by a combination of execution of software by a processor and hardware members.

  The biological information acquisition unit 201 acquires biological information measured by the biological sensor 22. The load estimation unit 202 estimates the driving load of the driver of the own vehicle. The load estimator 202 may be configured to estimate the degree of driving load by dividing it into more than two stages, but in the following, an example of a structure that estimates by dividing into two stages whether the driving load is high or not is given as an example. To explain. The driving load referred to here means a load due to work that must be processed by the driver during driving.

  For example, the load estimation unit 202 may be configured to estimate the driving load according to the traveling environment of the own vehicle. As the traveling environment of the vehicle used for estimation of the driving load, for example, what is recognized by the driving support ECU 6 from the sensing result of the surrounding monitoring sensor 5 may be used. As an example, when the degree of congestion around the host vehicle is equal to or greater than a threshold, it may be estimated that the driving load is high. For example, the load estimating unit 202 may specify the degree of congestion around the host vehicle from the traffic jam information acquired through the communication module. Further, it may be estimated that the driving load is high when the number of vehicles around the own vehicle is equal to or greater than the threshold in the driving environment recognized by the driving support ECU 6. In addition, when there are bicycles and pedestrians on the course of the vehicle, it may be estimated that the driving load is high, and the distance between the vehicle and the object of interest such as bicycles and pedestrians is the specified value. You may estimate that driving load is high in the following cases. In addition, the load estimation unit 202 may estimate the driving load according to the road type, road shape, and the like of the traveling path of the host vehicle. As an example, it may be estimated that the driving load is high when the host vehicle is traveling on a highway, or may be estimated that the driving load is high when the host vehicle is traveling on a curved road.

  Moreover, the load estimation part 202 may estimate a driving load according to the complexity of the driving operation of the driver of the own vehicle. As the complexity of the driving operation of the driver of the own vehicle, a transition of operation information of at least one of the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal, and the steering wheel of the own vehicle may be used. For example, the driving load may be estimated higher as the amount of change per unit time of the value detected by at least one of the accelerator position sensor, the brake stroke sensor, the steering angle sensor, and the vehicle speed sensor increases.

  The trigger detection unit 203 detects a predetermined trigger. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the trigger detection unit 203 includes a drowsiness detection unit 204 and a discomfort detection unit 205. The sleepiness detection unit 204 detects a trigger indicating sleepiness of the driver of the own vehicle. The discomfort detection unit 205 detects a trigger indicating discomfort of the driver of the own vehicle.

  For example, when the wakefulness detected by the DSM 21 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the sleepiness detection unit 204 detects it as a trigger indicating sleepiness. The threshold value referred to here may be a wakefulness level “2” that is drowsy enough to awaken when driving by a driver, or a wakefulness level “1” that is drowsy. Also good. In addition, the sleepiness detection unit 204 may be configured to detect as a trigger indicating sleepiness when an operation is received by a stimulus request switch of the operation device 25. The stimulus request switch may be operated by the driver when the driver wants to generate an arousal stimulus at his / her own timing. It is preferable that the drowsiness detection unit 204 also detects the drowsiness level when the drowsiness level information can be acquired as in the case where the level of arousal level can be acquired from the DSM 21. Note that the trigger indicating sleepiness detected by the sleepiness detection unit 204 is a trigger for starting an arousal stimulus described later.

  The discomfort detecting unit 205 detects a discomfort trigger when the DSM 21 detects a driver's discomfort. In addition, the discomfort detection unit 205 detects an unpleasant trigger when an operation is received with the discomfort switch of the operation device 25. It is preferable that the discomfort detection unit 205 also detects the degree of discomfort when information on the degree of discomfort can be acquired, such as when the discomfort level can be acquired from the DSM 21. In addition, the trigger which shows the discomfort detected by the discomfort detection part 205 becomes a trigger which starts the below-mentioned psychological stimulation.

  Note that the trigger detection unit 203 monitors the driving support ECU 6 to change the automatic driving automation level from a level that the driver is not obligated to monitor to a level that the driver is obligated to monitor before switching the level. It is good also as a structure detected as a trigger which starts the arousal stimulus mentioned later.

  When the sleepiness detection unit 204 detects a trigger indicating sleepiness, the main stimulus control unit 206 simultaneously generates a plurality of types of wakefulness stimuli from the main stimulus device that generates the wakefulness stimulus. The main stimulator includes an air conditioner unit 91 and an aroma unit 92. The main stimulus control unit 206 controls the operation of the air conditioner unit 91 and the aroma unit 92 by outputting air conditioning request information to the air conditioning control ECU 90.

  When the main stimulus control unit 206 detects as a predetermined trigger that the trigger detection unit 203 switches the automatic driving automation level from a level at which the driver is not obligated to monitor to a level at which the driver is obligated to monitor. The configuration may be such that awakening stimulation is started.

  As an example, the awakening stimulus generated from the air conditioner unit 91 is cold air. As an example, the arousal stimulus generated from the aroma unit 92 is a fragrance having an arousal effect. In addition, as a kind of arousal stimulus, when a part of a human body to be stimulated is different, a different kind of arousal stimulus is used. For example, the wind toward the neck and the wind toward the hand are different types of arousal stimuli. That is, the types of wakeful stimuli include not only physically different types such as wind and fragrance but also different types of stimulation sites.

  The main stimulus control unit 206 includes a rotation control unit 261 and a fluctuation control unit 266 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation control unit 261 includes an order control unit 262, a steepness control unit 263, a change cycle control unit 264, and an intensity difference control unit 265. The fluctuation control unit 266 includes the fluctuation cycle control. Part 267 and a fluctuation width control part 268 are provided.

  The rotation control unit 261 changes (that is, rotates) the intensity of the arousal stimulus so that the respective intensities of the plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulator increase in order. In addition, the fluctuation control unit 266 changes the intensity of the wake-up stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in the intensity of each of the plurality of types of wake-up stimuli generated from the main stimulator. The fluctuation here refers to a state in which the intensity of the arousal stimulus periodically fluctuates up and down around the reference intensity.

  In addition, when the sleepiness detection unit 204 also detects the degree of sleepiness, the main stimulus control unit 206 preferably increases the intensity of the wakefulness stimulus as the detected sleepiness level increases. For fluctuations generated by the fluctuation control unit 266, the reference intensity may be increased as the degree of sleepiness detected increases. When the arousal stimulus is wind, the temperature of the wind may be lowered or the air volume may be increased. When the arousal stimulus is aroma, the concentration of the aroma component may be increased. In the present embodiment, the following description will be given by taking as an example the case where the arousal stimulus is cold air directed to different parts of the driver.

  The main stimulus control unit 206, based on the biological information acquired from the biological sensor 22 by the biological information acquisition unit 201, increases the intensity of the awakening stimulus as the degree of sleepiness increases. It is preferable to limit the strength of the. As an example, it may be configured to stop increasing the intensity of the arousal stimulus when biometric information exceeding the threshold is obtained, such as a decrease in body temperature exceeding the threshold, a decrease in pulse, an increase in blood pressure, or the like. Here, the threshold value is a value that falls within the range of the standard biological information, and is preferably set so that the intensity of the arousal stimulus can be limited before the range of the standard biological information is exceeded. . According to this, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the physical condition of the driver due to the intensity of the arousal stimulus being too strong.

  Here, the control of the intensity of the arousal stimulus in the rotation control unit 261 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience, the case where there are three types of arousal stimuli A to C will be described as an example. The vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 4 indicates intensity, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotation control unit 261 sequentially increases the intensity of a plurality of types of arousal stimuli by rotation. That is, the generation modes of a plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulator are sequentially changed. In the rotation control unit 261, when the intensity of a certain type of arousal stimulus is increased, the intensity of the other type of arousal stimulus is decreased. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the intensity is increased in the order of the arousal stimulus A, the arousal stimulus B, and the arousal stimulus C.

  In addition, the rotation control unit 261 uses the order control unit 262, the steepness control unit 263, the change cycle control unit 264, and the intensity difference control unit 265 to increase the timing and magnitude of the intensity of the awakening stimulus in each main stimulation device. Then, the time change rate (that is, steepness) of intensity is controlled and switched. The rotation control unit 261 also changes the generation mode of a plurality of types of wakefulness stimuli generated from the main stimulator also by this switching.

  The order control unit 262 controls the order of rotation for generating a wake-up stimulus from each main stimulator. As an example, the order control unit 262 may be configured to control the rotation order according to a default setting value for the rotation order stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20.

  In addition, the order control unit 262 switches the order when the intensity of each of a plurality of types of wakefulness stimuli generated from the main stimulating device is increased in order by rotation when a predetermined condition is satisfied. As an example of the predetermined condition, there is a case where the drowsiness detection unit 204 detects drowsiness equal to or greater than a threshold value even though the main stimulus control unit 206 generates a wakeful stimulus. Note that the order control unit 262 may be configured to randomly switch the rotation order, or may be configured to switch in the reverse order of the default setting value.

  The steepness control unit 263 controls the steepness of the intensity change when the intensity of the arousal stimulus generated from each main stimulator is strongly changed by rotation. As an example, if the steepness control unit 263 is configured to control the rotation order according to the default setting value of the time change rate when changing the intensity of the wakefulness stimulus stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20. Good. Further, the steepness control unit 263 switches steepness of intensity changes of a plurality of types of wakefulness stimuli generated from the main stimulating device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. An example of the predetermined condition may be the same as that described in the order control unit 262. The switching of the steepness of the intensity change may be configured so as to increase the steepness, may be configured so as to decrease the steepness, or may be configured to switch the steepness randomly.

  The change cycle control unit 264 controls a change cycle (hereinafter referred to as a change cycle) when the intensity of the arousal stimulus generated from each main stimulator is strongly changed by rotation. As an example, the change cycle control unit 264 may be configured to control the change cycle according to the default setting value of the change cycle stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20. In addition, the change cycle control unit 264 switches the change cycle of a plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulator when a predetermined condition is satisfied. An example of the predetermined condition may be the same as that described in the order control unit 262. The change period may be switched so that the change period becomes shorter, may be changed so that the change period becomes longer, or may be changed randomly.

  The intensity difference control unit 265 calculates an intensity difference between the upper limit and the lower limit of each arousal stimulus (hereinafter, changed intensity difference) when the intensity of the arousal stimulus generated from each main stimulator is strongly changed by rotation. Control. The change intensity difference can be rephrased as an intensity difference between when the intensity is increased and when the intensity is decreased when the intensity of the arousal stimulus is changed into two patterns of strength and weakness by rotation. As an example, the intensity difference control unit 265 may be configured to control the change intensity difference according to the default setting value of the change intensity difference stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20.

  Moreover, the intensity difference control part 265 switches the change intensity | strength difference of the multiple types of arousal stimulus generated from a main stimulating device, when predetermined conditions are satisfy | filled. An example of the predetermined condition may be the same as that described in the order control unit 262. The change intensity difference may be switched so that the change intensity difference becomes large, may be changed so that the change intensity difference becomes small, or may be changed randomly. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which changes a change intensity difference by changing only the upper limit of intensity | strength, and it is good also as a structure which switches a change intensity difference by changing only the minimum intensity | strength, and both the upper limit and lower limit of an intensity | strength. It is good also as a structure which switches a change intensity difference by changing.

  Note that the steepness control unit 263, the change cycle control unit 264, and the intensity difference control unit 265 may have different values for each type of wakefulness stimulus.

  Subsequently, the control of the intensity of the awakening stimulus in the fluctuation control unit 266 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5 as well, for the sake of convenience, the case where there are three types of awakening stimuli A to C will be described as an example. The vertical axis of the graph of FIG. 5 indicates intensity, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fluctuation control unit 266 changes the intensity of the arousal stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in each intensity of the plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulator. That is, the generation modes of a plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulator are sequentially changed. In FIG. 5, with respect to each of the arousal stimulus A, the arousal stimulus B, and the arousal stimulus C, the reference is based on the intensity (see the broken line in FIG. 5) according to the setting value used for the control in the rotation control unit 261. Shows an example in which the intensity is periodically changed up and down.

  The fluctuation cycle control unit 267 controls the fluctuation period (hereinafter referred to as fluctuation period) when changing the intensity of the arousal stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in the intensity of each awake stimulus generated from each main stimulator. To do. As an example, the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 may be configured to control the fluctuation period according to the default setting value of the fluctuation period stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20.

  In addition, the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 switches the fluctuation cycle of the awakening stimulus generated from each main stimulation device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. An example of the predetermined condition may be the same as that described in the order control unit 262. The switching of the fluctuation cycle may be configured so as to shorten the fluctuation period, may be configured so as to increase the fluctuation period, or may be configured to switch the fluctuation period randomly.

  Further, when switching the fluctuation cycle, the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 compares the fluctuation cycle after switching with the change cycle controlled by the change cycle control unit 264. If the fluctuation period is equal to or longer than the change period, the fluctuation period after switching is changed to a fluctuation period shorter than the change period. That is, when switching the fluctuation cycle, the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 switches the fluctuation cycle so that the fluctuation cycle is shorter than the change cycle. This is because when the fluctuation cycle becomes longer than the change period, the rotation of the intensity of the arousal stimulus in the change period control unit 264 and the fluctuation of the intensity of the arousal stimulus in the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 are confused with the driver. This is because the effect of maintaining the arousal state due to the synergistic effect of the strong rotation and fluctuation is weakened.

  The fluctuation width control unit 268 controls the fluctuation width of the intensity of the arousal stimulus in this fluctuation when changing the intensity of the awakening stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in the intensity of each of the arousal stimuli generated from each main stimulator. . The fluctuation width can be paraphrased as an intensity difference between the upper limit and the lower limit of the intensity of the arousal stimulus in the fluctuation. As an example, the fluctuation width control unit 268 may be configured to control the fluctuation width according to the default setting value of the fluctuation width stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20.

  Further, the fluctuation width control unit 268 switches the fluctuation width of the awakening stimulus generated from each main stimulating device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. An example of the predetermined condition may be the same as that described in the order control unit 262. The switching of the fluctuation width may be configured so as to increase the fluctuation width, may be configured so as to decrease the fluctuation width, or may be configured to switch the fluctuation width randomly. Further, the fluctuation width may be changed by changing only the upper limit of the fluctuation width, the fluctuation width may be changed by changing only the lower limit of the fluctuation width, and the upper and lower limits of the fluctuation width may be changed. It is good also as a structure which switches a fluctuation width by changing both.

  Further, when switching the fluctuation width, the fluctuation width control unit 268 compares the fluctuation width after switching with the change intensity difference controlled by the intensity difference control unit 265. If the fluctuation width is equal to or greater than the change intensity difference, the fluctuation width after switching is changed to a fluctuation width in which the difference between the upper limit and the lower limit of the intensity is smaller than the change intensity difference. That is, when changing the fluctuation width, the fluctuation width control unit 268 switches the fluctuation width so that the fluctuation width becomes smaller than the change intensity difference. This is because when the fluctuation width becomes larger than the change intensity difference, the rotation of the intensity of the arousal stimulus in the intensity difference control unit 265 and the fluctuation of the intensity of the arousal stimulus in the fluctuation width control unit 268 are caused by the driver. This is because the effect of maintaining the arousal state due to the synergistic effect of intensity rotation and fluctuation is weakened.

  The sub-stimulation control unit 207 is a psychological guidance for inducing the driver's psychological state when the discomfort detection unit 205 detects a trigger indicating discomfort during the period in which the main stimulus control unit 206 generates the arousal stimulus. A psychostimulation stimulus is generated from the sub-stimulator that generates the stimulus. Examples of the sub-stimulator include a display device 23 and an audio output device 24. The discomfort detection unit 205 is preferably configured not to detect discomfort during a period in which the main stimulus control unit 206 does not generate an arousal stimulus. According to this, it is possible to perform psychological guidance stimulation with high accuracy only when the driver is uncomfortable with respect to the arousal stimulus.

  For example, as the psychological guidance stimulus, a stimulus estimated to induce the driver's psychological state in a pleasant direction may be used. According to this, even when the driver is in an uncomfortable state with respect to the arousal stimulus, it is possible to induce the driver's psychological state in a pleasant direction by the psychological guidance stimulus and suppress the driver's discomfort. Become. In addition, as the psychological guidance stimulus, a stimulus that is estimated to cause the driver to recall a sense opposite to the physical sense of the arousal stimulus may be used. According to this, it is possible to reduce discomfort due to the arousal stimulus by causing the driver to recall a sense opposite to the physical sense due to the arousal stimulus that makes the driver uncomfortable.

  In addition, as a psychological guidance stimulus, a stimulus that is estimated to induce the driver's psychological state in a pleasant direction and that causes the driver to recall a sense that contradicts the physical sensation caused by the arousal stimulus may be used. Good. Note that “recall” can be rephrased as “remember” or “remember”. The psychologically stimulated stimulus uses a stimulus physically different in type from the arousal stimulus so that it is difficult to reduce the awakening effect by the awakening stimulus.

  In the following, a case will be described as an example in which a stimulus that is estimated to cause the driver to recall a sense that is contrary to the physical sense of the arousal stimulus is used as the psychological guidance stimulus. In the example of the present embodiment, the arousal stimulus is a cold wind directed to different parts of the driver, so the psychologically induced stimulus is a stimulus that is presumed to cause the driver to feel a sense of warmness contrary to the sense of cold. It becomes.

  As an example, the psychological guidance stimulus generated from the display device 23 is a warm color light emission by an LED and a display of a southern or summer image on a combination meter, CID, navigation screen, or the like. As an example, the psychological stimulation generated from the audio output device 24 is an output of a natural sound from a speaker and an output of a music with the theme of summer.

  In addition, when the discomfort detection unit 205 also detects the degree of discomfort, the sub stimulation control unit 207 preferably increases the intensity of the psychological stimulation as the detected degree of discomfort increases. Note that the sub-stimulation control unit 207 may be configured not only to increase the intensity of the psychological stimulation, but also to change the type of the psychological stimulation.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the sub stimulation control unit 207 does not perform the kind of psychological stimulation that is estimated that the effect of the psychological guidance is weakened by the surrounding environment condition according to the surrounding environment condition of the own vehicle. For example, in an environment where the vehicle is irradiated with warm-colored light (hereinafter referred to as warm-colored light irradiation), such as when an orange light is lit in a tunnel, the warm-colored LED What is necessary is just not to perform light emission of a color. The determination of the presence or absence of the warm color light irradiation may be performed based on whether or not the driving environment recognized by the driving support ECU 6 is in a tunnel, or may be performed by recognizing an image of the periphery monitoring camera. In addition, the sub stimulation control unit 207 preferably does not perform the psychological stimulation when the load estimation unit 202 estimates that the driving load is high as the surrounding environment condition of the own vehicle. According to this, when the driving load is high and the driver should concentrate on driving, priority is given to keeping the arousal level high even in an uncomfortable state, rather than resolving the unpleasant state by a psychological stimulation. , Make it easier for the driver to concentrate on driving.

  Hereinafter, the sub-stimulation control unit 207 selects the psychological guidance stimulus to be used according to the degree of discomfort and the surrounding environment conditions, and performs the following explanation by taking the case of generating the psychological guidance stimulus as an example. The sub-stimulus control unit 207 is a correspondence relationship between the degree of discomfort and the surrounding environmental conditions, the type and intensity of the psychological guidance stimulus, the sub-stimulator to be used, and the stimulus presentation method, which are stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20. The psychological guidance stimulus to be used may be selected according to the degree of discomfort and the surrounding environmental conditions.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of selection of the psychological guidance stimulus according to the degree of discomfort and the surrounding environment condition in the sub stimulus control unit 207 will be described. The degree of discomfort is the discomfort levels “1” to “5” described above. FIG. 6 shows only some examples of selection for convenience.

  When the discomfort level is “1” and the surrounding environmental conditions satisfy “none” of warm color light irradiation and “low” operating load, the LED around the meter in the display device 23 emits pink light with weak light emission intensity. Select psychologically induced stimuli that cause a steady-state action. The LED around the meter is a peripheral visual field for the driver, and the light emitted from the LED indirectly becomes indirect light entering the driver's visual field. The pink light emission is a warm color light emission, which reminds the driver of a warm feeling.

  When the discomfort level is “1” and the driving load is “low”, a natural sound such as the sound of a low-pitched bird is output to the speaker of the sound output device 24 and the sound of the radio or the navigation device is output. Select psychological guidance stimuli that are superimposed and output even if they are. In addition to reducing the wind noise of the cold wind from the air outlets, natural sounds such as bird singing remind the driver of a warm feeling.

  When the discomfort level is “2” and the ambient environmental conditions satisfy the warm color light irradiation “none” and the driving load “low”, the LED around the meter and / or the LED at the foot of the driver's seat of the display device 23 is displayed. A psychological guidance stimulus that causes red light emission with a medium light emission intensity to be performed while changing the intensity is selected. The light emitted from the LED at the driver's seat becomes indirect light that indirectly enters the driver's field of view. Since the red light emission is a warm color light emission, the driver is reminded of the warm feeling. In addition, by swaying the red light emission, the driver is reminded of the feeling of warmth by making the image of flame.

  When the uncomfortable level is “3” and the surrounding environmental conditions satisfy “none” and “low” driving load during music reproduction in the vehicle, the speaker of the audio output device 24 has a medium volume. A psychological guidance stimulus is selected that superimposes and outputs the summer-themed music even when the navigation device's sound is output. The summer-themed music reminds the driver of the warmth and also relieves the driver of the warmth by reducing the wind noise of the cool air from the outlet.

  When the discomfort level is “3” and the surrounding environmental conditions satisfy the warm color light irradiation “none” and the driving load “low”, the combination meter, CID, and / or navigation screen of the display device 23 display Psychological guidance stimuli are selected to display a southern country image of a certain level of brightness on the screen margin, background, frame, etc., as a still image or a moving image. Southern images remind the driver of the warm feeling.

  When the discomfort level is “4” and the surrounding environmental conditions satisfy the warm color light irradiation “none” and the driving load “low”, the combination meter, the CID, and / or the navigation screen of the display device 23 are strongly displayed. Psychologically induced stimulation is selected to display a southern image of a moderate brightness on the margin, background, frame, etc., with still image strength or moving image display. Furthermore, a psychological guidance stimulus is selected in which the loudspeaker of the sound output device 24 superimposes and outputs a strong natural sound that matches the image of the southern country even when the sound of the radio or the navigation device is output. . The image of the southern country reminds the driver that it is warm, and the natural sound is reminiscent of the driver's sense of warmness by enhancing the image of the southern country in addition to reducing the wind noise of the cold wind from the outlet. Let

<Wake stimulus related processing at HCU20>
Next, an example of a flow of processing (hereinafter, awakening stimulus related processing) related to control for generating awakening stimulus in the HCU 20 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 7 may be configured such that, for example, when the ignition power of the host vehicle is turned on, the power of the HCU 20 is also turned on and started.

  First, in step S1, when the drowsiness detection unit 204 detects a trigger indicating sleepiness (YES in S1), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when the trigger indicating sleepiness is not detected (NO in S1), the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, if it is the end timing of the wakefulness stimulus related process (YES in S2), the wakefulness stimulus related process is ended. On the other hand, if it is not the end timing of the arousal stimulus related process (NO in S2), the process returns to S1 and the process is repeated. As an example of the end timing of the arousal stimulus related processing, the ignition power source of the own vehicle is turned off, and the automatic driving of the automation level without the driver's monitoring duty is switched.

  In step S3, the main stimulus control unit 206 simultaneously generates a plurality of types of wakeful stimuli from the main stimulator. In step S4, the rotation control unit 261 rotates the intensity of each of a plurality of types of awakening stimuli generated from the main stimulator. That is, rotation is added to a plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulator. Further, for the order of rotating the intensity of the arousal stimulus, the steepness of the intensity change, the change period, and the change intensity difference, the order control unit 262, the steepness control unit 263, the change period control unit 264, according to the default setting values, And the intensity difference control unit 265.

  In step S <b> 5, the fluctuation control unit 266 causes fluctuations in the intensity of a plurality of types of awakening stimuli generated from the main stimulation device. That is, fluctuations are added to a plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulator. Further, the fluctuation cycle and fluctuation width at the time of causing fluctuation in the intensity of the arousal stimulus are controlled by the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 and the fluctuation width control unit 268 according to the default setting values.

  In step S6, when the discomfort detection unit 205 detects a trigger indicating discomfort (YES in S6), the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when the trigger which shows discomfort is not detected (it is NO at S6), it moves to step S9. In step S7, as described above, the sub stimulus control unit 207 selects the psychological guidance stimulus to be used according to the degree of discomfort detected by the discomfort detection unit 205 and the surrounding environmental conditions of the host vehicle. In step S8, the sub stimulus control unit 207 generates the psychological guidance stimulus selected in S7. That is, psychological guidance stimulation is started. As a result, the psychological stimulation is generated in addition to the generation of the arousal stimulus.

  In step S9, when the drowsiness detection unit 204 detects again a trigger indicating sleepiness (YES in S9), the process proceeds to step S10. In other words, if the awakening effect is insufficient with the conventional awakening stimulation, the process proceeds to S10. On the other hand, if the drowsiness detection unit 204 has not detected a trigger indicating sleepiness (NO in S9), the process proceeds to S2. That is, when the driver is awakened by the arousal stimulus, the process proceeds to S2. In addition, the process of S9 is good also as a structure performed on condition that the fixed time has passed since the start of the awakening stimulus in S3. The certain time referred to here may be a time that can be arbitrarily set.

  In step S <b> 10, the order control unit 262 switches the order in which the strengths of the plurality of types of wakefulness stimuli generated from the main stimulating device are increased in order by rotation from the previous order. In step S11, the change cycle control unit 264 switches the change cycle of a plurality of types of awakening stimuli generated from the main stimulator from the change cycle so far. In order to enhance the awakening effect, it is preferable to switch so that the change period is shortened.

  In step S12, the intensity difference control unit 265 switches the change intensity difference of a plurality of types of arousal stimuli generated from the main stimulation device from the change intensity difference so far. In order to enhance the awakening effect, it is preferable to switch so that the change intensity difference becomes large. In step S13, the steepness control unit 263 switches the steepness of the intensity change of the plurality of types of wakefulness stimuli generated from the main stimulating device from the steepness so far. In order to enhance the awakening effect, it is preferable to switch so as to increase the steepness.

  In step S14, the fluctuation width control unit 268 switches the fluctuation widths of a plurality of types of awakening stimuli generated from the main stimulation device from the fluctuation widths so far. In order to enhance the awakening effect, it is preferable to switch so that the fluctuation width becomes large.

  In step S15, the fluctuation width control unit 268 compares the fluctuation width after switching in S14 with the current change intensity difference controlled by the intensity difference control unit 265. If the fluctuation width is less than the change intensity difference (YES in S15), the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the fluctuation width is equal to or greater than the change intensity difference (NO in S15), the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the fluctuation width control unit 268 changes the fluctuation width after switching in S14 to be smaller than the current change intensity difference while making the fluctuation width different from the fluctuation width before switching in S14.

  In step S <b> 17, the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 switches the fluctuation cycle of a plurality of types of awakening stimuli generated from the main stimulation device from the previous fluctuation cycle. In order to enhance the awakening effect, it is preferable to switch so that the fluctuation cycle is shortened.

  In step S18, the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 compares the fluctuation cycle after switching in S17 with the current change cycle controlled by the change cycle control unit 264. If the fluctuation cycle is less than the change cycle (YES in S18), the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, when the fluctuation cycle is equal to or longer than the change cycle (NO in S18), the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the fluctuation cycle control unit 267 changes the fluctuation period after switching in S17 to be shorter than the current change period while making it different from the fluctuation period before switching in S17.

  In step S20, when it is the end timing of the arousal stimulus related process (YES in S20), the generation of the arousal stimulus from the main stimulator is terminated, and the awake stimulus related process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is not the end timing of the arousal stimulus related process (NO in S20), the process returns to S6 and is repeated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the drowsiness detection unit 204 detects a drowsiness trigger in S <b> 9, the order of rotating the intensity of the arousal stimulus, the steepness of the intensity change, the change period, the change intensity difference, and Although a configuration has been shown in which all of the awakening stimulus generation modes such as the fluctuation cycle and fluctuation width when fluctuations are generated in the intensity of the awakening stimulus are shown, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, when the main stimulus control unit 206 determines whether or not the sleepiness detection unit 204 detects a trigger indicating sleepiness each time the generation mode of the arousal stimulus is switched one by one, and the detection of the trigger indicating sleepiness continues. It is good also as a structure which increases the kind of generation | occurrence | production aspect of the awakening stimulus to switch one by one.

  The sub stimulation control unit 207 may be configured to end the psychological stimulation when the discomfort detection unit 205 no longer detects a trigger indicating discomfort. Moreover, when the trigger which shows sleepiness is detected again in S9, it is good also as a structure which the sub stimulation control part 207 reduces the intensity | strength of a psychological guidance stimulation or complete | finishes a psychological guidance stimulation. In particular, when the drowsiness detection unit 204 detects a drowsiness trigger despite the processing of S10 to S19, the sub stimulation control unit 207 decreases the intensity of the psychological stimulation or ends the psychological stimulation. It is good also as a structure to make it do.

  Further, the processing of S15 and S16 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 may be omitted, or the processing of S18 and S19 may be omitted. In addition, it is good also as a structure which abbreviate | omits all or one part of the process of S10-S14, S17.

<Summary of Embodiment 1>
According to the configuration of the first embodiment, as described above, the driver's discomfort can be suppressed by the psychological guidance stimulus generated by the sub stimulus control unit 207. In addition, the psychological guidance stimulus is for inducing a psychological state, and since the type of the stimulus is physically different from the wakeful stimulus, the driver can suppress the influence on the driver's wakefulness state. It becomes possible to suppress discomfort. The sub-stimulation control unit 207 generates the psychological stimulation in addition to the generation of the arousal stimulus by the main stimulation control unit 206, so that the driver's psychological state is suppressed while suppressing the reduction of the arousal effect due to the arousal stimulus. Can be guided in a pleasant direction. Therefore, even when the subject is in an uncomfortable state due to the arousal stimulus, the arousal effect by the arousal stimulus can be continued for a longer time while suppressing the discomfort by the psychological stimulation.

  Further, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the sub stimulation control unit 207 generates a psychological guidance stimulus when the unpleasant detection unit 205 detects a trigger indicating unpleasantness, so that the psychological guidance is performed before the driver becomes unpleasant. Compared to the case where the stimulus is continuously generated, the user is less accustomed to the psychological guidance stimulus, and the effect of reducing discomfort by the psychological guidance stimulus can be further enhanced. In addition, when the discomfort detection unit 205 can also detect the degree of discomfort of the driver, the sub stimulation control unit 207 increases the intensity of the psychological stimulation as the degree of discomfort increases. As the degree of discomfort increases, the effect of reducing discomfort can be enhanced and the effect of suppressing discomfort can be enhanced.

  Furthermore, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, a plurality of types of arousal stimuli are generated at the same time, so that the driver is less likely to get used to the stimulation than when a single stimulus is generated. Moreover, since the intensity | strength of multiple types of arousal stimulus is rotated or a fluctuation is produced, the familiarity about each arousal stimulus is hard to arise. Furthermore, when the wakefulness effect by the wakeful stimulus is weakened, the order of rotating the strength of the wakeful stimulus, the steepness of the intensity change, the change period, the change intensity difference, and the fluctuation when causing the fluctuation of the wakefulness stimulus intensity Since the cycle and fluctuation width are switched, it becomes very difficult to get used to the arousal stimulus. In particular, the switching of the order when rotating the intensity of the arousal stimulus is considered to be easily recognized by the driver, so that the driver is likely to feel uncomfortable, and it is considered that it is particularly difficult to get used to the arousal stimulus. As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, habituation to the awakening stimulus is less likely to occur, so that the driver's awakening effect can be continued for a longer time.

  In addition, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the driver gives the arousal stimulus as compared with the configuration in which the awakening stimulus is always generated in order to generate the arousal stimulus when the sleepiness detection unit 204 detects the trigger indicating sleepiness. There are few opportunities to be used and it is difficult to get used to arousal stimuli.

(Embodiment 2)
In the above-described embodiment, the rotation control unit 261 switches the order of rotating the intensity of the arousal stimulus, the steepness of the intensity change, the change period, and the change intensity difference, but the configuration is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, only a part of the order of rotating the intensity of the arousal stimulus, the steepness of the intensity change, the change cycle, and the change intensity difference may be switched.

(Embodiment 3)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the fluctuation control unit 266 switches the fluctuation cycle and the fluctuation width when the fluctuation in the intensity of the arousal stimulus is generated has been described. For example, only one of a fluctuation cycle and a fluctuation width at the time of causing fluctuation in the intensity of the arousal stimulus may be switched.

(Embodiment 4)
In the above-described embodiment, the main stimulus control unit 206 includes the rotation control unit 261 and the fluctuation control unit 266. However, the configuration is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the main stimulus control unit 206 may include only one of the rotation control unit 261 and the fluctuation control unit 266.

(Embodiment 5)
In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of types of arousal stimuli are generated at the same time has been shown, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, there may be a configuration in which there is a timing at which the intensity of some of the arousal stimuli among the plurality of types of arousal stimuli becomes zero. That is, it is good also as a structure which generate | occur | produces at least one part of several types of arousal stimuli simultaneously, and it is good also as a structure which generates all of a plurality of types of arousal stimuli in order at different timing.

(Embodiment 6)
In the above-described embodiment, wind and aroma have been described as examples of arousal stimuli, but are not necessarily limited thereto. In addition to wind and fragrance, a configuration using light emission, sound, vibration, or the like may be used as the awakening stimulus. About light emission, what is necessary is just to set it as the structure which performs light emission of the wavelength considered to have an awakening effect from LED etc. of the display apparatus 23. FIG. In this case, the display device 23 corresponds to the main stimulator. As for the sound, a configuration in which a speaker, a buzzer, or the like in the audio output device 24 outputs an alarm sound or a buzzer sound may be used. In this case, the audio output device 24 corresponds to the main stimulator. The vibration may be configured to vibrate a vibrator provided at a location where the driver of the own vehicle contacts, such as a steering wheel or a driver seat. In this case, the vibrator corresponds to the main stimulator. When light emission is used as the arousal stimulus, light emission is not used as the psychological stimulation, and when sound is used as the awakening stimulus, no sound is used as the psychological stimulation.

(Embodiment 7)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the main stimulus control unit 206 generates a plurality of types of arousal stimuli has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the main stimulus control unit 206 may be configured to generate only one type of arousal stimulus.

(Embodiment 8)
Although the sub-stimulation control unit 207 increases the intensity of the psychological stimulation as the degree of discomfort detected by the discomfort detection unit 205 increases in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the sub-stimulation control unit 207 may be configured to constantly generate a psychoinductive stimulus having a constant intensity regardless of the degree of discomfort when the discomfort detection unit 205 detects a trigger indicating discomfort.

(Embodiment 9)
In the above-described embodiment, the sub-stimulation control unit 207 generates a psychological guidance stimulus when the discomfort detection unit 205 detects a trigger indicating discomfort, but the configuration is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the sub-stimulation control unit 207 generates a psychological guidance stimulus in spite of whether the main stimulus control unit 206 generates a wake-up stimulus regardless of whether or not the discomfort detection unit 205 detects a trigger indicating discomfort. A configuration may be adopted.

(Embodiment 10)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the main stimulus control unit 206 increases the intensity serving as the reference for the arousal stimulus according to the increase in the degree of sleepiness detected by the sleepiness detection unit 204 is shown, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. . For example, the main stimulus control unit 206 may be configured such that the intensity serving as a reference for the arousal stimulus is constant regardless of the degree of sleepiness.

(Embodiment 11)
In the above-described embodiment, the explanation has been given by taking light emission and sound as examples of the psychological stimulation, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a fragrance may be used as the psychological stimulation. When using a fragrance as the psychological stimulation, for example, a fragrance estimated to have an effect of relaxing the driver may be used. In the case where fragrance is used as the psychological stimulation, fragrance is not used as the arousal stimulus.

Embodiment 12
In the above-described embodiment, the sub-stimulation control unit 207 has been configured to generate a plurality of types of psychological guidance stimuli, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the sub stimulus control unit 207 may be configured to generate only one type of psychological guidance stimulus.

(Embodiment 13)
In the above-described embodiment, the psychological guidance stimulus for the case where the awakening stimulus is cold wind has been described as an example, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Even if the arousal stimulus is light emission, sound, vibration, etc. other than cold wind, it is estimated that the psychological guidance stimulus is physically different from the arousal stimulus and induces the driver's psychological state in a pleasant direction Stimulus may be used. This psychological stimulation is for inducing a psychological state, and since the type of stimulation is physically different from the arousal stimulus, the influence of the subject on the arousal state is suppressed, It is possible to induce the psychological state in a pleasant direction. Therefore, even when the subject is in an uncomfortable state due to the arousal stimulus, the arousal effect by the arousal stimulus can be continued for a longer period of time while suppressing the discomfort by the psychological stimulation.

(Embodiment 14)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the drowsiness detection unit 204 detects that the drowsiness of the driver detected by the DSM 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold is used as a trigger indicating drowsiness, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the drowsiness detection unit 204 may detect that the driver's sleepiness detected from the measurement result measured by the biometric sensor 22 is equal to or greater than a threshold value as a trigger indicating sleepiness. The detection of drowsiness from the measurement result measured by the biological sensor 22 may be configured to be performed by the HCU 20, for example.

  As an example of the biosensor 22 used for detecting drowsiness and the measurement result, an electroencephalogram measured by an electroencephalograph, a heart rate measured by a heart rate monitor, a heart rate fluctuation, a pulse wave measured by a sphygmomanometer, and an electrocutaneous activity meter are used. There is skin conductance. A known method may be used as a method for detecting drowsiness from the measurement result.

  In addition, the sleepiness detection unit 204 may detect that the driver's sleepiness detected from the information detected by the vehicle state sensor 7 and the periphery monitoring sensor 5 is equal to or greater than a threshold value as a trigger. The drowsiness detection from the information detected by the vehicle state sensor 7 may be configured to be performed by the HCU 20, for example. As an example of sensors and information used for detecting drowsiness, there are a steering angle detected by a rudder angle sensor, a travel lane line detected by a peripheral monitoring camera, and the like. For example, drowsiness can be detected from the rolling of the vehicle obtained from the position of the lane markings detected sequentially by the surrounding surveillance camera, or drowsiness can be detected from the amount of steering operation variation obtained from the steering angle detected sequentially by the steering angle sensor. You can do it.

(Embodiment 15)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the discomfort detection unit 205 detects that the driver's discomfort is detected by the DSM 21 as a trigger indicating discomfort has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the discomfort detection unit 205 may detect that the driver's discomfort is detected from the measurement result measured by the biosensor 22 as a trigger. The detection of discomfort from the measurement result measured by the biosensor 22 may be performed by the HCU 20, for example. Examples of the biosensor 22 used for detecting discomfort and the measurement result include an electroencephalogram measured by an electroencephalograph, a pulse wave measured by a pulse wave meter, and the like. Moreover, what is necessary is just to use a well-known method about the detection method of the discomfort from a measurement result.

(Embodiment 16)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the HCU 20 performs the awakening stimulus related process is shown, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which the awakening stimulus-related processing is performed by the HCU 20 and another ECU may be employed, or a configuration in which the awakening stimulus-related processing is performed by another ECU may be employed. For example, the air conditioning control ECU 90 is responsible for processing related to the main stimulus control unit 206 in the wakefulness stimulation related processing, and the HCU 20 and / or meter ECU is responsible for processing related to the sub stimulation control unit 207 in the wakefulness stimulation related processing. It is good.

(Embodiment 17)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the driving support system 1 is used in an automobile is shown, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. The driving support system 1 can be used in various moving bodies. For example, the driving support system 1 may be configured to be used in a vehicle other than an automobile such as a railway vehicle or a motorbike, or a moving body other than a vehicle such as an aircraft or a ship. It is good also as a structure used by. Further, the present invention may be configured to be used in a room such as a house or facility other than a moving body. In this case, the target person who maintains the awakening state in the room corresponds to the target person in the claims.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Driving support system, 2 HMI system, 3 locator, 4 Map DB, 5 Perimeter monitoring sensor, 6 Driving support ECU, 7 Vehicle state sensor, 8 Vehicle control ECU, 9 Air conditioning system, 20 HCU (wakefulness maintenance device), 21 DSM , 22 Biological sensor, 23 Display device (sub stimulation device, main stimulation device), 24 Audio output device (sub stimulation device, main stimulation device), 25 Operation device, 90 Air conditioning control ECU, 91 Air conditioning unit (main stimulation device), 92 Aroma unit (main stimulation device, sub stimulation device), 201 biological information acquisition unit, 202 load estimation unit, 203 trigger detection unit, 204 drowsiness detection unit, 205 discomfort detection unit, 206 main stimulation control unit, 207 sub stimulation control unit 261 Rotation control unit 162 Order control unit 263 Controlled unit, 264 changing the frequency controller, 265 intensity difference control unit, 266 fluctuation control unit, 267 fluctuation cycle control unit, 268 fluctuation width controller

Claims (12)

A main stimulus control unit (206) that generates the arousal stimulus from a main stimulator (91, 92) that generates an arousal stimulus that is a stimulus for maintaining the arousal state of the subject;
A sub-stimulus that generates the psychologically induced stimulus from a sub-stimulator (23, 24) that generates a psychologically induced stimulus for inducing the psychological state of the subject, the type of the stimulus being physically different from the arousal stimulus A control unit (207),
The sub-stimulus control unit is a wakefulness maintenance device that generates the psychologically induced stimulus in addition to the wakefulness stimulus generated by the main stimulus control unit.   The wakefulness maintaining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub-stimulation control unit generates a stimulus that is estimated to induce the psychological state of the subject in a pleasant direction as the psychological guidance stimulus.   3. The arousal maintenance according to claim 1, wherein the sub-stimulation control unit generates a stimulus that is estimated to cause the subject to recall a sense that is contrary to a physical sense of the arousal stimulus as the psychologically induced stimulus. apparatus. A discomfort detection unit (205) for detecting a trigger indicating discomfort of the subject in a period in which the main stimulus control unit generates the arousal stimulus;
The main stimulus control unit continuously generates the arousal stimulus even when the discomfort detection unit detects a trigger indicating the subject's discomfort,
The awakening according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sub stimulus control unit starts the psychological stimulation by detecting the trigger indicating the subject's discomfort by the discomfort detecting unit. Maintenance device. Used in mobiles,
The main stimulus control unit generates the awakening stimulus that is a stimulus for maintaining the awakening state of the driver of the moving body as the subject.
A load estimation unit (202) for estimating a driving load of the driver;
The sub stimulus control unit is a case where the discomfort detecting unit detects a trigger indicating the subject's discomfort and the driving load estimated by the load estimating unit is less than a threshold value In other words, the driver's driving load estimated by the load estimating unit is equal to or greater than a threshold even when the psychological stimulation is started and the trigger indicating the subject's discomfort is detected by the discomfort detecting unit. The alertness maintaining apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the psychological stimulation is not performed. The discomfort detection unit detects the degree of discomfort when detecting a trigger indicating the discomfort,
The wakefulness maintaining device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sub stimulation control unit increases the intensity of the psychological stimulation as the degree of discomfort detected by the discomfort detection unit increases. A drowsiness detection unit (204) for detecting a trigger indicating sleepiness of the subject,
The wakefulness maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main stimulus control unit starts the wakefulness stimulus when the sleepiness detection unit detects a trigger indicating sleepiness of the subject. The drowsiness detection unit detects the degree of drowsiness when detecting a trigger indicating the drowsiness,
The wakefulness maintaining apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the main stimulus control unit increases the intensity of the wakefulness stimulus in accordance with an increase in the degree of sleepiness detected by the sleepiness detection unit. A biological information acquisition unit (201) for acquiring biological information of the subject,
The wakefulness maintaining device according to claim 8, wherein the main stimulus control unit limits the intensity of the wakefulness stimulus based on the biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit.   The main stimulation control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the main stimulation control unit generates a plurality of different types of stimulations for maintaining the awakening state of the subject as the awakening stimulation from the main stimulation device. Awakening maintenance device.   The wakefulness maintaining device according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the main stimulus control unit sequentially changes a generation mode of the wakefulness stimulus generated from each of the plurality of main stimulus devices.   The sub-stimulation control unit generates a plurality of different types of stimuli for inducing a psychological state of the target person from the sub-stimulation device as the psychological guidance stimulus. Awakening maintenance device.

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