JP2019029000A - Wakefulness maintenance device - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain a higher awakening effect.SOLUTION: A wakefulness maintenance device is provided with a stimulation control part 203 which generates a plurality of kinds of temperature stimulation such as temperature stimulation to the face of a driver, temperature stimulation from a driving seat to the body of the driver, and temperature stimulation to the hands of the driver in order to maintain wakefulness of the driver from an air conditioner 5 which generates the temperature stimulation, in which the stimulation control part is provided with a rotation control part 204 which causes the stimulation control part to perform rotation for changing intensity of the temperature stimulation so that the intensity of the plurality of kinds of temperature stimulation to be generated from the air conditioner 5 sequentially becomes stronger.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a wakefulness maintaining apparatus for maintaining a wakefulness state of a subject.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for maintaining a wakeful state by giving a stimulus to a driver is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for alternately applying temperature stimulation to the left and right hands and neck of a driver by blowing air from left and right outlets of an air conditioning system.

Japanese Patent No. 5601403

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, temperature stimulation is alternately applied to the driver's hand and neck, but the neck is not highly sensitive from the viewpoint of sensitivity of skin sensation, and a sufficient arousal effect can be obtained. There is no possibility.

  One object of this disclosure is to provide a wakefulness maintenance device that makes it possible to obtain a higher wakefulness effect.

  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 disclosure. Reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims indicate correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later as one aspect, and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. .

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the wakefulness maintaining device of the present disclosure provides a temperature stimulus to the subject's face for maintaining the subject's arousal state or a temperature to the subject's torso from the seat on which the subject is seated. A stimulation control unit (203) that generates a plurality of types of temperature stimulation from a stimulation device (5) that generates at least a plurality of types of temperature stimulation including stimulation and temperature stimulation on a subject's hand, the stimulation control unit includes: And a rotation control unit (204) for performing rotation for changing the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulator increases in order.

  According to this, in addition to the subject's hand, the body or the body, which is a body part that is particularly sensitive to temperature stimulation, is caused to perform temperature stimulation to maintain the subject's arousal state, so the higher Awakening effect can be obtained. In addition, since the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulator is changed in order to increase, it is difficult to get used to each stimulus and it is very difficult to get used to the stimulus. Therefore, even in this respect, it becomes possible to obtain a higher awakening effect.

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 the air conditioner. It is a figure which shows an example of a schematic structure of HCU20. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation control part 209. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation control part 209. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation control part 209. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation control part 209. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation control part 209. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation control part 209. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the arousal stimulus related process in HCU20. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the control switching related process in HCU20. It is a figure which shows an example of the degree of annoyance with respect to the temperature stimulus by the cold wind for every body part. It is a figure for demonstrating the arousal effect by rotating the intensity | strength of multiple types of temperature stimulation. It is a figure for demonstrating the awakening effect by changing the aspect of rotation, rotating the intensity | strength of multiple types of temperature stimulation. It is a figure which shows an example of a schematic structure of the fluctuation | variation control part 209a. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of fluctuation | variation attenuation | damping control in the fluctuation | variation control part 209a. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of fluctuation | variation attenuation | damping control in the fluctuation | variation control part 209a. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of fluctuation | variation amplification control in the fluctuation | variation control part 209a. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the rotation emphasis related process in the fluctuation control part 209a. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of control of the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control part.

  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 assistance 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, an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) locator 3, a peripheral monitoring sensor 4, an air conditioner. 5, vehicle control ECU6 and driving assistance ECU7 are included. It is assumed that the HMI system 2, the ADAS locator 3, the periphery monitoring sensor 4, the air conditioner 5, the vehicle control ECU 6, and the driving support ECU 7 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 ADAS locator 3 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, an inertial sensor, and a map database (hereinafter referred to as DB) storing map data. 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. The map DB is a non-volatile memory and stores map data such as link data, node data, and road shapes. Note that the map data may be configured to include a three-dimensional map including a road shape and a point group of feature points of the structure.

  The ADAS locator 3 sequentially measures the vehicle position of the vehicle on which the ADAS locator 3 is mounted by combining the positioning signal received by the GNSS receiver and the measurement result of the inertial sensor. The vehicle position may be measured by using a travel distance obtained from a pulse signal sequentially output from a wheel speed sensor mounted on the host vehicle. And the measured vehicle position is output to in-vehicle LAN. The ADAS locator 3 also reads map data from the map DB and outputs it to the in-vehicle LAN. In addition, map data is good also as a structure acquired from the server outside the own vehicle via an in-vehicle communication module, for example.

  The surroundings monitoring sensor 4 detects obstacles around the vehicle such as pedestrians, moving objects such as other vehicles, and stationary objects such as falling objects on the road. In addition, road markings such as travel lane markings around the vehicle are detected. The peripheral monitoring sensor 4 is, for example, a peripheral monitoring camera that images a predetermined range around the host vehicle, a millimeter wave radar that transmits an exploration wave to the predetermined range around the host vehicle, sonar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging). The peripheral monitoring camera sequentially outputs captured images that are sequentially captured to the driving support ECU 7 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 7 as sensing information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 5 includes a main air conditioning unit 50 and a seat air conditioning unit 51. The main air conditioning unit 50 includes an air conditioner ECU 500, a closing plate 501, an opening / closing motor 502, a lateral louver 503, and a lateral louver. Motor 504, vertical louver 505, vertical louver motor 506, blower 507, and temperature adjustment unit 508.

  The closing plate 501 is a movable closing plate for closing the wind flow channel upstream of the air blowing port. The opening / closing motor 502 is a motor that drives the closing plate 501.

  The horizontal louver 503 is provided on the upstream side of the air flow path from the air outlet and in the vicinity of the air outlet. The horizontal louver 503 includes a plurality of long plates formed to extend in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle. The plurality of long plates are arranged at intervals in the height direction of the host vehicle. Each long plate of the horizontal louver 503 is disposed so as to be rotatable about a shaft extending in the vehicle width direction. The lateral louver motor 504 is a motor for driving the shaft of each long plate of the horizontal louver 503, and includes, for example, a plurality of motors so that the shaft of each long plate can be individually driven.

  The vertical louver 505 is also provided on the upstream side of the air flow path from the air outlet and in the vicinity of the air outlet. The vertical louver 505 includes a plurality of long plates formed so as to extend in the height direction of the host vehicle. The plurality of long plates are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each long plate of the vertical louver 505 is arranged so as to be rotatable about a shaft extending in the height direction of the own vehicle. The vertical louver motor 506 is a motor for driving the shafts of the long plates of the vertical louver 505, and includes, for example, a plurality of motors so that the shafts of the long plates can be individually driven.

  By controlling the direction of the horizontal louver 503 by the horizontal louver motor 504, the vertical direction of the wind blown from the outlet located downstream of the horizontal louver 503 is adjusted. Further, the direction of the vertical louver 505 is controlled by the vertical louver motor 506, so that the horizontal direction of the wind blown from the blowout port located downstream of the vertical louver 505 is adjusted.

  Further, the vertical louver motor 506 rotates the long plates so that the interval between adjacent long plates of the vertical louver 505 becomes narrower toward the blowing direction, and the horizontal louver motor 504 controls the horizontal louver 503. By adjusting the long plates so that the interval between the adjacent long plates becomes narrower toward the blowing direction, it is possible to adjust the range of the blown-out air. On the other hand, by rotating each long plate so that the interval between the adjacent long plates of the vertical louver 505 and the interval between the adjacent long plates of the horizontal louver 503 become larger in the blowing direction, Adjustments can also be made to spread the range.

  The blower 507 adjusts the amount of air blown from the blowout port. The temperature adjustment unit 508 includes a heat exchanger and adjusts the temperature of the wind blown from the blowout port.

  The air conditioner ECU 500 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 air conditioner ECU 500 acquires the air conditioning request information output from the HCU 20, and adjusts the wind direction, the air volume, the wind concentration diffusion, the wind temperature, and the like based on the acquired air conditioning request information.

  The seat air-conditioning unit 51 is disposed inside the driver seat and performs air conditioning on the trunk of the driver seated on the driver seat via the driver seat. The seat air conditioning unit 51 is also controlled by the air conditioner ECU 500. As an example of the air conditioning system of the seat air-conditioning unit 51, a system may be used in which a duct is provided inside the driver's seat, and cooling or heating is performed by flowing cold air or warm air in the duct. In addition, for example, a suction port may be provided inside the driver's seat, and cooling may be performed by sucking air from the passenger compartment through the suction port.

  The vehicle control ECU 6 is an electronic control device that performs acceleration / deceleration control and / or steering control of the host vehicle. The vehicle control ECU 6 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 6 obtains detection signals output from sensors such as an accelerator position sensor, a brake pedal force sensor, a rudder angle sensor, and a wheel 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. Further, the vehicle control ECU 6 can output detection signals of the above-described sensors to the in-vehicle LAN.

  The driving assistance ECU 7 recognizes the traveling environment of the host vehicle from the vehicle position and map data of the host vehicle acquired from the ADAS locator 3, sensing information acquired from the surrounding monitoring sensor 4, and the like. Further, the driving support ECU 7 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 6 based on the recognized surrounding 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. Further, as driving support, the vehicle control ECU 6 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 surrounding environment or the sensing failure in the peripheral monitoring sensor 4, etc. It is preferable that alternation is possible.

  The HMI system 2 includes a human machine interface control unit (HCU) 20, a driver status monitor (DSM) 21, a display device 22, an audio output device 23, and an operation device 24. 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 (that is, sleepiness). This DSM 21 corresponds to a drowsiness detection device. In the present embodiment, the case where the DSM 21 detects the wakefulness by classifying into 6 levels of sleepiness of 0 to 5 will be described as an example. The sleepiness is divided into 6 levels, in descending order of arousal level: sleepiness level “0” that seems to be totally sleepless (in other words, awake state), sleepiness level “1” that seems to be a little sleepy, sleepiness that is likely to sleep Assume that the level is “2”, the sleepiness level “3” that seems to be quite sleepy, the sleepiness level “4” that seems to be very sleepy, and the sleepiness level “5” that is sleeping (in other words, a sleep state). The DSM 21 outputs the detected drowsiness to the HCU 20.

  Examples of the display device 22 include a combination meter, a CID (Center Information Display), a HUD (Head-Up Display), an LED, and a navigation device display. 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 23 include an audio speaker that outputs sound and a buzzer that outputs sound.

  The operation device 24 is a group of switches operated by the driver. For example, as the operation device 24, there are a steering switch provided in a spoke spoke portion of the own vehicle, a touch switch integrated with a display device 22 having a display, and the like. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the operation device 24 includes 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). Do.

  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 execution of this control program by the processor corresponds to the execution of a method corresponding to the control program. 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 a wakefulness maintenance device. 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 start trigger detection unit 201, a change trigger detection unit 202, and a stimulus control unit 203. The stimulus control unit 203 includes a rotation control unit 204 and a fluctuation control unit 209. The rotation control unit 204 includes an order control unit 205, a steepness control unit 206, a change cycle control unit 207, and an intensity control unit 208. The fluctuation control unit 209 includes a fluctuation cycle control unit 210 and a fluctuation width control. Part 211 is provided. Note that part 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 start trigger detection unit 201 detects a trigger (hereinafter referred to as a start trigger) for generating an arousal stimulus. For example, when the drowsiness detected by the DSM 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the start trigger detection unit 201 detects this as a start trigger. The threshold value referred to here is drowsiness to the extent that the driver needs to be awake when performing the driving operation by the driver, and may be drowsiness “2” as an example.

  The start trigger detection unit 201 detects this as a start trigger when an operation is received by the stimulus request switch of the operation device 24. The stimulus request switch may be operated by the driver when the driver wants to generate an arousal stimulus at his / her own timing. Furthermore, the start trigger detection unit 201 monitors the driving support ECU 7 to detect, as a start trigger, that the automation level of automatic driving switches from a level at which the driver is not obligated to monitor to a level at which the driver is obliged to monitor. It is good also as a structure.

  The change trigger detection unit 202 is a trigger that changes the manner in which the arousal stimulus is generated when the drowsiness detected by the DSM 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold value in a situation where the arousal stimulus is generated by the stimulus control unit 203 described later. Hereinafter, it is detected as a change trigger). The change trigger detection unit 202 corresponds to a trigger detection unit. The threshold value referred to here may be the same as or different from the threshold value used as the start trigger detection condition, but is the same in the present embodiment. In the change trigger detection unit 202, the stimulus control unit 203 starts generating the wakeful stimulus, and the stimulus control unit 203 performs the wakeup stimulus so that the change trigger can be detected after the driver's drowsiness is temporarily reduced. It is preferable to start the detection after a certain period of time such as several minutes after the start of occurrence.

  Further, the change trigger detection unit 202 counts the elapsed time since the stimulus control unit 203 starts generating the wakeful stimulus by, for example, a timer circuit or the like, and when this elapsed time reaches a specified time, this change trigger is detected. It is good also as a structure detected as. The specified time here is a time that can be set arbitrarily, such as several tens of minutes, and is, for example, a time estimated to get used to the awakening stimulus of the previous generation mode in the stimulus control unit 203. Should be set.

  When the start trigger detection unit 201 detects a start trigger, the stimulus control unit 203 simultaneously generates a plurality of types of arousal stimuli from a stimulator that generates the arousal stimulus. The air conditioner 5 is used as the stimulator. The stimulus control unit 203 controls the operation by outputting the air conditioning request information to the air conditioner ECU 500 of the air conditioner 5. As an example, the awakening stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5 is a temperature stimulus such as cold air. The temperature stimulus may be warm air as long as it has an awakening effect.

  As a kind of temperature stimulation, when the part of the human body which performs temperature stimulation is different, it is set as a different kind. In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 5 generates a plurality of types of arousal stimuli, such as a temperature stimulus with the face as the target site, a temperature stimulus with the hand as the target site, and a temperature stimulus with the torso as the target site. More specifically, the temperature stimulus with the face as the target site may be a temperature stimulus with the cheek as the target site. Further, the temperature stimulation with the hand as the target part may be configured to target only one hand or may be configured to target both hands. When both hands are targeted, the temperature stimulus having the left hand as the target site and the temperature stimulus having the right hand as the target site may be handled as different types of temperature stimuli. In the present embodiment, the left hand is the target site. The case where the temperature stimulus to be used and the temperature stimulus having the right hand as the target site are treated as the same type of temperature stimulus will be described as an example. Further, the temperature stimulus having the trunk as the target site may be rephrased as the temperature stimulus having the trunk as the target site.

  As an example, for the face and hands, a dedicated air outlet is provided in the vehicle so that the wind is directed to each of the face, left hand, and right hand, and the amount of cold air from each air outlet by the main air-conditioning unit 50 of the air conditioner 5; By adjusting the temperature, the temperature stimulus with the face as the target part and the temperature stimulus with the hand as the target part may be adjusted. Moreover, what is necessary is just to set it as the structure which adjusts the temperature stimulation which makes a fuselage the object part by adjusting the air volume and temperature of the cool air which cools a driver's seat by the seat air-conditioning part 51 of the air conditioner 5.

  In addition, about a face and a hand, it is not restricted to the structure which provides a dedicated blowing outlet in a vehicle so that a wind may face to each of a face, a left hand, and a right hand. For example, it is good also as a structure which blows toward the some object site | part from one blowing port by rotating each long plate of the horizontal louver 503 and the vertical louver 505 provided in one blowing port separately.

  In addition, the stimulation control unit 203 includes the rotation control unit 204 and the fluctuation control unit 209 as described above, and the rotation control unit 204 increases the intensity of the temperature stimulation by the air conditioner 5 in order for each of the plurality of target parts. Change (ie, rotate) the intensity of the temperature stimulus. When cold air is used as the temperature stimulus, the intensity of the temperature stimulus may be changed by changing the presence / absence of the wind, the air volume, the temperature of the wind, and the like. As an example, for the face and the hand, the direction of the cold air is sequentially changed so that the target part to which the cold air is directed is sequentially changed, while the fuselage is cooled by the cold air from the seat air conditioning unit 51 for the fuselage. What is necessary is just to rotate by changing presence or absence. In addition, when it is set as the structure which stimulates several target parts simultaneously, it adjusts so that it may rotate by adjusting so that an air volume may become strong in order for every target part, or it may adjust so that the temperature of cold air may become low in order for every target part. You can rotate it. In other words, at least a stimulus by air-conditioning wind is included as the temperature stimulus, and the stimulus control unit 203 includes the presence / absence of the temperature stimulus and the temperature so that the intensity of the temperature stimulus for each target region (that is, a plurality of types of temperature stimuli) increases in order. , And rotation to change at least one of the air volume.

  When warm air is used as the temperature stimulus, rotation may be performed by adjusting the temperature of the hot air in order for each target region. As an example, the adjustment that increases the air volume for each target region may be an adjustment that causes a difference in air volume of a certain level or more (for example, a difference of 1 m / s to 1.5 m / s or more) for each target site. Hereinafter, an example in which the air volume is expressed by the wind speed will be described. When the temperature of the conditioned air is used as the temperature stimulus, the adjustment that increases the strength for each target region may be an adjustment that causes a difference in temperature of the conditioned air that is equal to or greater than a certain value (for example, a difference of 10 ° C.) for each target region. .

  In addition, the fluctuation control unit 209 changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in the intensity of each temperature stimulus by the air conditioner 5. The fluctuation here refers to a state in which the intensity of the temperature stimulus periodically fluctuates up and down around the reference intensity, or a state in which the temperature stimulus is intermittently generated.

  Here, the control of the intensity of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control unit 204 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 4 to 9, the case where there are three types of temperature stimulus, temperature stimulus A for the face, temperature stimulus B for the hand, and temperature stimulus C for the torso will be described as an example. The vertical axis of the graphs of FIGS. 4 to 9 indicates intensity, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotation control unit 204 sequentially increases the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli by rotation. In the rotation control unit 204, when the intensity of a certain type of temperature stimulus is increased, the intensity of another type of temperature stimulus is decreased. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the intensity is increased in the order of temperature stimulus A to the face, temperature stimulus B to the hand, and temperature stimulus C to the torso.

  Further, the rotation control unit 204 uses the order control unit 205, the steepness control unit 206, the change cycle control unit 207, and the intensity control unit 208 to increase the timing, time, The upper limit and / or lower limit intensity and the rate of time change in intensity (ie, steepness) are controlled and switched. The rotation control unit 204 changes the generation mode of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 by this switching.

  The order control unit 205 controls the order of rotation for generating a temperature stimulus from the air conditioner 5. As an example, the order control unit 205 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, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the order control unit 205 increases the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 in order by rotation, as shown in FIG. This order is changed so that the ratio of the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face increases. According to this, since the rate at which the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face, which is a body part that is particularly sensitive to the temperature stimulus, increases, the awakening effect is further enhanced.

  In FIG. 5, the rotation in the order of “face”, “hand”, “torso”, “face”, “hand”, “torso” by default is “face”, “hand”, “face”, An example of switching to “torso”, “face”, “hand”, “face”, and “torso” in this order is shown. The order control unit 205 may be configured to switch the rotation order to an order other than the example shown in FIG. 5 as long as switching is performed so as to increase the rate at which the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face increases.

  The steepness control unit 206 controls the steepness of the intensity change when the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 is strongly changed by rotation. As an example, the steepness control unit 206 controls the steepness of the intensity change according to the default setting value of the time change rate when the intensity of the temperature stimulus stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20 is changed. do it.

  In addition, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the steepness control unit 206 has a greater steepness of the intensity change of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5, as shown in FIG. Switch to be. According to this, even when the awakening effect due to the temperature stimulus is diminished, by switching the sharpness of the intensity change more greatly, it becomes easier for the driver to be aware of the temperature stimulus, making it difficult to get used to the temperature stimulus and awakening It becomes possible to increase the effect.

  Note that, when the change trigger detection unit 202 detects the change trigger, the steepness control unit 206 converts the temperature stimulus to the face among the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 to the temperature to other parts. It is good also as a structure switched so that the steepness of an intensity | strength change may become larger compared with a stimulus. The temperature stimulation to other parts may be configured so as to switch the steepness of the intensity change or not.

  The change cycle control unit 207 controls a change cycle (hereinafter referred to as a change cycle) when the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 is strongly changed by rotation. As an example, the change cycle control unit 207 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.

  Further, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the change cycle control unit 207, as shown in FIG. 7, out of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5, The change cycle is switched so that the time when the intensity continuously increases becomes longer. According to this, since the time during which the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face, which is a body part that is particularly sensitive to the temperature stimulus, continuously increases increases, the awakening effect is further enhanced.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the change cycle control unit 207 switches the change cycle so that the time during which the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face continuously increases becomes longer, and the intensity of the temperature stimulus to other parts. It is preferable that the temperature stimulation time per rotation cycle itself is not changed by switching the change period so that the time during which the intensity continuously increases becomes relatively short. According to this, by increasing the time during which the intensity of the temperature stimulation on the face is continuously increased, the wakefulness effect is enhanced, but the temperature stimulation time for the entire target region is not changed, thereby cooling the driver. It becomes possible to suppress the passing.

  Note that the change cycle control unit 207, when switching the change cycle so that the time during which the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face continuously increases becomes longer, the intensity of the temperature stimulus to other parts continuously increases. It is good also as a structure which does not change time to become. Even in this case, the awakening effect can be enhanced.

  The intensity control unit 208 controls the upper and / or lower intensity of each temperature stimulus when the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 is strongly changed by rotation. The upper and lower limits of the temperature stimulus can be paraphrased as the strength when the strength is increased and the strength when the strength is decreased when the strength of the temperature stimulus is changed into two patterns of strength by rotation. . If the intensity control unit 208 is configured to control the upper and / or lower limit intensity of the temperature stimulus according to the default setting values of the upper and lower limit values of the temperature stimulus stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20. Good.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the intensity control unit 208 sets the upper and / or lower intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure switched so that the intensity | strength difference (henceforth change intensity | strength difference) of an upper limit and a minimum may become larger. According to this, even when the awakening effect due to the temperature stimulus is weakened, by changing the change intensity difference more greatly, it becomes easier for the driver to be aware of the temperature stimulus, and it becomes difficult to get used to the temperature stimulus and the awakening effect is improved. It becomes possible to increase. In addition, it is good also as a structure switched so that a change intensity difference may become larger by changing only the upper limit of intensity | strength, and it is good also as a structure switched so that a change intensity difference may become larger only by changing only the minimum intensity | strength. . In addition, it is good also as a structure switched so that change intensity | strength difference may become larger by changing both the upper limit and the minimum of intensity | strength.

  Further, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the intensity control unit 208, as shown in FIG. 8, out of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5, It is good also as a structure switched so that a change intensity difference may become larger compared with the temperature stimulation to another site | part. According to this, since the change intensity difference of the temperature stimulus to the face that is a body part that is particularly sensitive to the temperature stimulus becomes larger, the awakening effect is further enhanced. About the temperature stimulation to another site | part, it is good also as a structure which is not switched as a structure which switches a change intensity difference.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the intensity control unit 208 sets the upper and lower strengths of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. It is good also as a structure which switches so that intensity | strength may become larger, keeping a change intensity | strength difference constant. According to this, even when the arousal effect due to the temperature stimulus is diminished, by switching the intensity of the temperature stimulus to a greater level, it becomes easier for the driver to be aware of the temperature stimulus, making it less likely to get used to the temperature stimulus and the awakening effect Can be increased.

  In addition, when the change trigger detection unit 202 detects a change trigger, the intensity control unit 208 uses a temperature stimulus to the face among a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5, and a temperature stimulus to another part. It is good also as a structure switched while maintaining a change intensity difference so that the intensity | strength of an upper limit and a minimum may become larger compared with. According to this, since the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face, which is a body part that is particularly sensitive to the temperature stimulus, becomes greater, the awakening effect is further enhanced. About the temperature stimulation to another site | part, it is good also as a structure which is not switched as a structure which switches the intensity | strength of an upper limit and a minimum.

  Subsequently, the control of the intensity of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation control unit 209 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15, description will be made by taking as an example a case where there are three types of temperature stimuli: a temperature stimulus A for the face, a temperature stimulus B for the hand, and a temperature stimulus C for the torso. 10-15, the vertical axis | shaft has shown intensity | strength and the horizontal axis has shown time.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, the fluctuation control unit 209 changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in each intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. In FIG. 10, the reference intensity (the broken line in FIG. 10), which is the intensity according to the setting value used for the control in the rotation control unit 204, for each of the temperature stimulus A for the face, the temperature stimulus B for the hand, and the temperature stimulus C for the torso. This is an example in which the intensity is periodically changed up and down with the reference intensity as a center.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the fluctuation control unit 209 may be configured to intermittently generate each temperature stimulus based on the reference intensity (see the broken line in FIG. 11). When adopting a configuration that generates each temperature stimulus intermittently, at the timing when the temperature stimulus is applied to the face, each temperature stimulus is generated intermittently so as not to generate a temperature stimulus other than the face. Thus, it is possible to enhance the arousal effect by emphasizing temperature stimulation on the face.

  The fluctuation cycle control unit 210 calculates the fluctuation cycle (hereinafter referred to as fluctuation cycle) when changing the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in each intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5. Control. As an example, the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 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, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 is configured so that the fluctuation cycles of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 become shorter as shown in FIG. Switch. In FIG. 12 and the subsequent FIGS. 13 to 15, description will be given by taking as an example a case where fluctuations are generated by periodically changing the intensity up and down around the reference intensity. Pcf in FIG. 12 corresponds to the fluctuation cycle. According to this, even when the awakening effect due to the temperature stimulus is diminished, by switching so that the fluctuation cycle becomes shorter, it becomes easier for the driver to be aware of the temperature stimulus, and it becomes difficult to get used to the temperature stimulus and awaken It becomes possible to increase the effect.

  Further, when switching the fluctuation cycle (see Pcf in FIG. 13), the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 changes the fluctuation cycle after switching and the change cycle (see Pca in FIG. 13) controlled by the change cycle control unit 207. Compare 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 210 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 temperature stimulus intensity in the change period control unit 207 and the fluctuation of the temperature stimulus intensity in the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 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 211 controls the fluctuation width of the intensity of the temperature stimulus in this fluctuation when changing the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in each intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. To do. The fluctuation width can be rephrased as an intensity difference between the upper limit and the lower limit of the intensity of the temperature stimulus in the fluctuation. As an example, the fluctuation width control unit 211 may be configured to control the fluctuation width in accordance with the default setting value of the fluctuation width stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the HCU 20.

  Moreover, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the fluctuation width control unit 211 is configured so that the fluctuation widths of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 become larger as shown in FIG. Switch. Idf in FIG. 14 corresponds to the fluctuation cycle. According to this, even when the arousal effect due to the temperature stimulus is weakened, by switching so that the fluctuation width becomes larger, it becomes easier for the driver to be aware of the temperature stimulus, and it becomes difficult to cause habituation to the temperature stimulus and awaken It becomes possible to increase the effect. The fluctuation width may be changed by changing only the upper limit of the fluctuation width, or the fluctuation width may be changed by changing only the lower limit of the fluctuation width. It is good also as a structure which switches a fluctuation width by changing both.

  Further, when switching the fluctuation width (see Idf in FIG. 15), the fluctuation width control unit 211 changes the fluctuation width after switching and the change intensity difference controlled by the intensity control unit 208 (see Ida in FIG. 15). Compare 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 the fluctuation width is switched, the fluctuation width control unit 211 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 temperature stimulus intensity in the intensity control unit 208 and the fluctuation of the temperature stimulus intensity in the fluctuation width control unit 211 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.

<Wake stimulus related processing at HCU20>
Next, an example of a flow of processing related to control for generating a temperature stimulus in the HCU 20 (hereinafter referred to as wakefulness stimulus related processing) will be described using the flowchart of FIG. For example, the flowchart of FIG. 16 may be configured such that when the ignition power of the host vehicle is turned on, the power of the HCU 20 is also turned on.

  First, in step S1, when the start trigger detection unit 201 detects a start trigger for generating an arousal stimulus (YES in S1), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when the start trigger 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 S <b> 3, the stimulus control unit 203 simultaneously generates a plurality of types of temperature stimuli such as a temperature stimulus to the face, a temperature stimulus to the hand, and a temperature stimulus to the torso from the air conditioner 5. In step S <b> 4, the rotation control unit 204 rotates the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. That is, rotation is added to the temperature stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5. Further, the order when rotating the intensity of the temperature stimulus, the steepness of the intensity change, the change period, the upper limit and the lower limit of the intensity are in accordance with default setting values, the order control unit 205, the steepness control unit 206, and the change period control unit. 207 and the intensity control unit 208.

  In step S <b> 5, the fluctuation control unit 209 causes fluctuations in the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. That is, the fluctuation is added to the temperature stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5. Further, the fluctuation cycle and fluctuation width at the time of causing fluctuations in the intensity of the temperature stimulus are controlled by the fluctuation period control unit 210 and the fluctuation width control unit 211 according to the default setting values.

  In step S6, when the change trigger detection unit 202 detects as a change trigger that the specified time has elapsed since the temperature stimulus was generated in S3 (YES in S6), the process proceeds to step S9. In other words, the process proceeds to S9 on the assumption that the awakening effect due to the temperature stimulation so far may have faded. On the other hand, when the change trigger detection unit 202 has not detected that the specified time has elapsed since the temperature stimulus was generated in S3 (NO in S6), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, when the change trigger detection unit 202 detects that the drowsiness detected by the DSM 21 is greater than or equal to the threshold (YES in S7), the process proceeds to step S9. That is, it is assumed that the awakening effect is poor in the conventional temperature stimulation, and the process proceeds to S9. On the other hand, if the change trigger detection unit 202 does not detect that the sleepiness detected by the DSM 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold (NO in S7), the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, when it is the end timing of the arousal stimulus related process (YES in S8), the generation of the temperature stimulus from the air conditioner 5 is ended, and the awake stimulus related process is ended. On the other hand, if it is not the end timing of the arousal stimulus related process (NO in S8), the process returns to S6 and is repeated.

  In step S9, the stimulus control unit 203 performs control switching-related processing, changes the generation mode of the temperature stimulus from the previous generation mode, and proceeds to step S10. Here, an example of the flow of processing related to control switching will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S91, when the order control unit 205 increases the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 in order by rotation, the intensity of the temperature stimuli on the face is increased. Switch to increase the rate. In step S <b> 92, the change cycle control unit 207 switches the change cycle so that the time during which the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face continuously increases among the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 becomes longer.

  In step S93, the intensity control unit 208 switches the temperature stimulus to the face among the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 so that the intensity is greater than the temperature stimulus to other parts. In addition, it is good also as a structure which switches so that a change intensity | strength difference may become larger compared with the temperature stimulus to the other part among the temperature stimuli to the face among the multiple types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. In step S94, the steepness control unit 206 performs switching so that the steepness of the intensity change of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 becomes larger. In addition, it is good also as a structure which switches the temperature stimulation to a face among the several types of temperature stimulation generated from the air conditioner 5 so that the steepness of an intensity | strength change may become larger compared with the temperature stimulation to another site | part.

  In step S <b> 95, the fluctuation width control unit 211 switches the fluctuation widths of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 to be larger. In step S96, the fluctuation width control unit 211 compares the fluctuation width after switching in S95 with the current change intensity difference controlled by the intensity control unit 208. If the fluctuation width is less than the change intensity difference (YES in S96), the process proceeds to step S98. On the other hand, if the fluctuation width is equal to or greater than the change intensity difference (NO in S96), the process proceeds to step S97. In step S97, the fluctuation width control unit 211 changes the fluctuation width after switching in S95 to be smaller than the current change intensity difference while making the fluctuation width different from the fluctuation width before switching in S95.

  In step S98, the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 switches so that the fluctuation periods of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 become shorter. In step S99, the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 compares the fluctuation cycle after switching in S98 with the current change cycle controlled by the change cycle control unit 207. If the fluctuation cycle is less than the change cycle (YES in S99), the process proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, when the fluctuation cycle is equal to or longer than the change cycle (NO in S99), the process proceeds to step S100. In step S100, the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 changes the fluctuation period after switching in S98 to be shorter than the current change period while making it different from the fluctuation period before switching in S98.

  Returning to FIG. 16, in step S10, if the drowsiness detected by the DSM 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES in S10), the process returns to S9 and the process is repeated. That is, when the awakening effect by the previous control switching related process is not sufficient, the temperature stimulus generation mode is further changed by the control switching related process to enhance the awakening effect. On the other hand, when the drowsiness detected by the DSM 21 is less than the threshold (NO in S10), the process proceeds to step S11. The stimulus control unit 203 may determine whether the drowsiness detected by the DSM 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

  In addition, the process of S10 is good also as a structure performed on condition that the fixed time has passed since the change of the generation | occurrence | production mode of the temperature stimulus by the control switching related process in S9. The certain time referred to here may be a time that can be arbitrarily set.

  In step S11, the rotation control unit 204 and the fluctuation control unit 209 return the generation mode of the temperature stimulus changed in the control switching related process in S9 to the generation mode before detecting the change trigger in S6 or S7, and returns to step S12. Move.

  In step S12, when it is the end timing of the arousal stimulus related process (YES in S12), the generation of the temperature stimulus from the air conditioner 5 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 S12), the process returns to S10 and the process is repeated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 16, when a change trigger is detected, the order of rotating the intensity of the temperature stimulus, the sharpness of the intensity change, the change period, the upper and / or lower limit intensity, and the intensity of the temperature stimulus are shown. Although a configuration has been shown in which all the modes of occurrence of temperature stimulation such as a fluctuation cycle and a fluctuation width at the time of generating fluctuation are switched, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, while switching the generation mode of the temperature stimulus one by one, the stimulus control unit 203 determines whether or not the sleepiness detected by the DSM 21 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and switches when the determination that the sleepiness is greater than or equal to the threshold value continues. It is good also as a structure which increases the kind of generation | occurrence | production aspect of temperature stimulation one by one. In addition, the process of S96 and S97 in the flowchart of FIG. 17 may be omitted, or the process of S99 and S100 may be omitted.

  Further, when a change trigger is detected, only rotation of the rotation and fluctuation described above is performed until a predetermined time elapses, and fluctuation is also performed in addition to the rotation when the predetermined time elapses. It is good. The predetermined time mentioned here may be a time that can be arbitrarily set. The predetermined time may be longer than the above-mentioned specified time. If the predetermined time is longer than the above-mentioned specified time, the process of S5 is not performed until the predetermined time elapses. The process of S12 may be performed, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the process of S5 may be performed and the process of S9 to S12 may be performed.

  In addition, the change trigger detection unit 202 may be configured not to detect that a specified time has elapsed since the start of generation of the temperature stimulus in S3 as a change trigger. In this case, the flowchart of FIG. 16 may be configured to omit S6 and move from S5 to S7.

<Summary of Embodiment 1>
Here, FIG. 18 shows the degree of annoyance to the temperature stimulation by the cold air for each body part. The more sensitive the part, the easier it is to feel annoyance. As shown in FIG. 18, the most sensitive face of the face, hands, torso, and neck is the easiest to feel the annoyance, followed by the hand and torso. It is hard to feel annoyance with a low neck. As is clear from FIG. 18, the face, hands, and torso are highly sensitive to temperature stimuli, while the neck is very insensitive to temperature stimuli. The more annoying the temperature stimulus is, the more the driver's consciousness is directed to the temperature stimulus, and the awakening effect is enhanced.

  On the other hand, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, in addition to the driver's hand, the driver's awakening state is maintained not only on the driver's hand, but also on the face and body, which are body parts that are particularly sensitive to temperature stimulation. Since temperature stimulation is performed, a higher arousal effect can be obtained.

  In addition, since a plurality of types of temperature stimuli are generated at the same time, the driver is less likely to get used to the stimuli than when a single temperature stimulus is generated. Furthermore, since the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli is rotated and fluctuations are caused, it is difficult to get used to each temperature stimulus, and a higher awakening effect can be obtained.

  Here, an example of the arousal effect by rotating the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram comparing the awakening maintenance time when temperature stimulation is performed with a single cold air and the awakening maintenance time when the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimulation is rotated. In the example of FIG. 19, driving is continued in the driving simulator with a dozen people as subjects, temperature stimulation is started when the drowsiness level 2 is reached, and the state of drowsiness level 2 less than drowsiness level 2 after drowsiness level 2 is reached. The average value of the measurement result which measured the awakening maintenance time maintained is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 19, as a plurality of types of temperature stimulation, temperature stimulation by cold air for each target region such as a face, a hand, and a torso is used. In the example of FIG. 19, as an example of rotation for changing the intensity of the temperature stimulus for each target region, an example in which the amount of cold air is changed while the temperature of the cold air is fixed is shown. In the example of FIG. 19, the rotation is performed so that the airflow of the cold air to the target site where the intensity of the temperature stimulus is increased is about 1 m / s stronger than the airflow of the cold air to the other target site. In the example of FIG. 19, an example is shown in which processing in which S <b> 5 to S <b> 11 in the flowchart of FIG. 16 is omitted is executed. In addition, as temperature stimulation by a single cold wind, the experiment was conducted at a cold wind temperature of 15 ° C. and an air volume of 2.5 m / s.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the awakening maintenance time when rotating the intensity of multiple types of temperature stimulation is nearly twice as high as the awakening maintenance time when the temperature stimulation is performed by a single cold air, which is very high. Awakening effect is obtained.

  Furthermore, when the change trigger is detected in the situation where the temperature stimulus is generated, the generation mode of the temperature stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5 is changed, so even if the awakening effect is weakened by the use of rotation and fluctuation, By changing the mode of rotation and fluctuation, it becomes very difficult to get used to temperature stimulation. In particular, since the switching of the order when rotating the intensity of the temperature stimulus is considered to be easily recognized by the driver, it is likely that the driver is likely to feel uncomfortable, and in particular, it becomes difficult to get used to the temperature stimulus.

  Here, FIG. 20 is used to show an example of the awakening effect obtained by changing the mode of rotation when rotating the intensity of multiple types of temperature stimuli. FIG. 20 is a diagram comparing the wakefulness maintenance time in the case of performing temperature stimulation with a single cold air and the wakefulness maintenance time in the case of changing the mode for rotating the intensity of multiple types of temperature stimulation. Even in the example of FIG. 20, driving is continued in the driving simulator with a dozen people as subjects, and when the sleepiness level 2 is reached, the temperature stimulation is started, and the state of the sleepiness level 2 less than the sleepiness level 2 after the sleepiness level 2 is reached. The average value of the measurement result which measured the awakening maintenance time maintained is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 20, the experiment was performed under the same conditions as in the example of FIG. 19 except that the rotation mode was changed when the elapsed time from the start of rotation reached the specified time described above. It was. The example of FIG. 20 shows the result when the rotation mode is changed from a rotation with a low temperature stimulus intensity to a rotation with a strong temperature stimulus intensity as shown in FIG. The rotation with strong temperature stimulation was performed by lowering the temperature of the cold air by about 10 ° C. and increasing the air volume by about 1 to 1.5 m / s than the rotation with low temperature stimulation. More specifically, in a rotation with a strong temperature stimulus, the amount of cold air to the target site that increases the strength of the temperature stimulus in the rotation is about 1.5 m / s higher than a rotation with a weak temperature stimulus. On the other hand, the air volume of the cold air to the target part that weakens the intensity of the temperature stimulus in the rotation was increased by about 1 m / s. In the example of FIG. 20, an example in which processing in which S5, S7, and S8 in the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the awakening maintenance time when the rotation mode is changed while rotating the intensity of a plurality of types of temperature stimulation is tripled compared to the awakening maintenance time when the temperature stimulation is performed by a single cold air. It becomes close, and a very high awakening effect is obtained. Further, even when compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 19 in which the rotation mode is not changed, the wakefulness maintenance time is nearly 1.5 times, and a higher wakefulness effect is obtained. In addition, as a change of the aspect of rotation, as shown in FIG. 9, the result when changing from a rotation with a low temperature stimulus intensity to a rotation with a strong temperature stimulus intensity shows the same tendency.

  In addition, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, since the temperature stimulus is generated when the start trigger is detected by the start trigger detection unit 201, the driver can be given the temperature stimulus compared to the configuration in which the temperature stimulus is always generated. There are few opportunities and it is difficult to get used to temperature stimulation. Furthermore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the start trigger detection unit 201 detects that the automatic driving level is switched to a level that the driver is obligated to monitor as a start trigger. Therefore, even if the driver's arousal level is reduced due to the reduction of monitoring and driving operations during automatic driving, the awakening is required when the automation level is lowered and the driver's monitoring and driving operations are required. It becomes possible to make it.

(Embodiment 2)
Further, not only the configuration shown in the first embodiment, but also a configuration (hereinafter referred to as the second embodiment) that attenuates and amplifies fluctuations in accordance with the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation in the rotation control unit 204. Good. Hereinafter, the configuration of the second embodiment will be described.

  The driving support system 1 of the second embodiment is the same as the driving support system 1 of the first embodiment except that the stimulus control unit 203 of the HCU 20 includes a fluctuation control unit 209a instead of the fluctuation control unit 209. Here, a schematic configuration of the fluctuation control unit 209a will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the fluctuation control unit 209a includes a fluctuation cycle control unit 210a and a fluctuation width control unit 211a. The fluctuation cycle control unit 210a and the fluctuation width control unit 211a are the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 and the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 according to the first embodiment, except that the fluctuation cycle attenuation unit 210a and the fluctuation width control unit 211a perform fluctuation attenuation and amplification in accordance with the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control unit 204. This is the same as the fluctuation width control unit 211. Hereinafter, a configuration related to attenuation and amplification of the fluctuation in the fluctuation cycle control unit 210a and the fluctuation width control unit 211a, which is different from the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 and the fluctuation width control unit 211 of the first embodiment, will be described.

  First, the fluctuation cycle control unit 210a includes a fluctuation cycle extension unit 2101 and a fluctuation cycle reduction unit 2102 as shown in FIG. The fluctuation cycle extension unit 2101 switches the fluctuation cycle longer than before the change when the rotation control unit 204 changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus to be weak for rotation. By switching the fluctuation cycle for a long time, the fluctuation becomes less conspicuous for the driver, and it becomes easier for the driver to recognize the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus. The fluctuation cycle shortening unit 2102 switches the fluctuation cycle shorter than before the change when the rotation control unit 204 strongly changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation. By switching the fluctuation cycle short, the driver can more easily recognize the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus. Note that when the fluctuation cycle is switched, the fluctuation cycle control unit 210 a preferably switches the fluctuation cycle so that the fluctuation cycle is shorter than the change cycle controlled by the change cycle control unit 207.

  Subsequently, the fluctuation width control unit 211a includes a fluctuation width attenuating unit 2111 and a fluctuation width amplifying unit 2112 as shown in FIG. The fluctuation width attenuating unit 2111 switches the fluctuation width to be smaller than that before the change when the rotation control unit 204 changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation. By switching the fluctuation width to be small, the fluctuation becomes less conspicuous for the driver, and the driver can more easily recognize the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus. The fluctuation width amplifying unit 2112 switches the fluctuation width to be larger than that before the change when the rotation control unit 204 strongly changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation. When the fluctuation width is largely switched, it becomes easier for the driver to recognize the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus. When the fluctuation width is switched, the fluctuation width control unit 211a preferably switches the fluctuation width so that the fluctuation width is smaller than the change intensity difference controlled by the intensity control unit 208.

  When the fluctuation control unit 211a changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus weakly for rotation by the rotation control unit 204, as shown in FIG. 22, the driver changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus by stopping the fluctuation itself. It may be easy to recognize. In addition, when the rotation control unit 204 changes the temperature stimulus intensity weakly for rotation, the fluctuation control unit 209a switches the fluctuation cycle longer and switches the fluctuation width smaller as shown in FIG. Thus, the driver may easily recognize the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus. In addition, when the fluctuation control unit 209a changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation by the rotation control unit 204, as shown in FIG. 24, the fluctuation control unit 209a switches the fluctuation cycle shorter and the fluctuation width larger. A change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus may be easily recognized by the driver.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 25, a process related to attenuation and amplification of fluctuation in the fluctuation control unit 209a (hereinafter referred to as rotation emphasis related process) in accordance with the change of the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation in the rotation control unit 204. An example of the flow will be described. In FIG. 25, when the intensity of the temperature stimulus is changed weakly for rotation, the fluctuation cycle is changed longer and the fluctuation width is changed smaller, while the intensity of the temperature stimulus is changed strongly for rotation. An example will be described in which the cycle is switched shorter and the fluctuation width is switched larger.

  The flowchart of FIG. 25 may be configured to start when rotation is added to the temperature stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5 in the arousal stimulus related process of the HCU 20. The rotation emphasis related processing may be configured to be performed for each of a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated by the air conditioner 5.

  First, in step S21, when there is a change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus for the rotation control unit 204 (YES in S21), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, when there is no change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation in the rotation control unit 204 (NO in S21), the process proceeds to step S27. In step S22, when the change of the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation is a change to decrease the intensity (YES in S22), the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, when the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus for rotation is a change that increases the intensity (NO in S22), the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 23, the fluctuation cycle extension unit 2101 switches the fluctuation cycle longer than before the change of the intensity of the temperature stimulus for the temperature stimulus that weakens the intensity for rotation. In step S24, the fluctuation width attenuating unit 2111 switches the fluctuation width to be smaller than that before changing the intensity of the arousal stimulus for the temperature stimulus that weakens the intensity for rotation, and proceeds to step S27.

  On the other hand, in step S25, the fluctuation cycle shortening unit 2102 switches the fluctuation cycle to be shorter than that before the change of the intensity of the temperature stimulus, for the temperature stimulus that increases the intensity for rotation. In step S26, the fluctuation width amplifying unit 2112 switches the fluctuation width to be greater than that before the change of the intensity of the arousal stimulus for the temperature stimulus that increases the intensity for rotation, and proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, when it is the end timing of the rotation emphasis related process (YES in S27), the rotation emphasis related process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is not the end timing of the rotation emphasis related process (NO in S27), the process returns to S21 and is repeated. As an example of the end timing of the rotation emphasis related process, the arousal stimulus related process in the HCU 20 is completed.

  According to the above configuration, in addition to the effect of the configuration of the first embodiment, it is possible to achieve an effect that the driver can more easily recognize the change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus while adding the fluctuation to the temperature stimulus. . Specifically, when the intensity of the temperature stimulus changes, the temperature is attenuated by attenuating the fluctuation when it is weak, or by amplifying the fluctuation when the intensity is strong. Make it easier for the driver to recognize the rotation of the intensity of the stimulus. Therefore, it is possible to expect a high effect of preventing both habituation to two types of temperature stimulation such as rotation and fluctuation of the temperature stimulation, and it is possible to maintain the driver's arousal level high.

  In addition, although the structure which performs both attenuation | damping and amplification of fluctuation was shown here, it does not necessarily restrict to this. For example, the configuration may be such that the driver can easily recognize the rotation of the intensity of the temperature stimulus by performing any one of fluctuation attenuation and amplification. In addition, here, the configuration in which fluctuation attenuation and amplification are performed by switching the fluctuation cycle and fluctuation width is shown, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which fluctuation attenuation and amplification are performed by switching one of a fluctuation cycle and a fluctuation width.

  When switching only one of the fluctuation cycle and fluctuation width, switching the fluctuation width makes it easier for the driver to notice changes in the intensity of the temperature stimulus. More preferred. Further, by stopping the fluctuation itself as the fluctuation attenuation, it becomes easier for the driver to notice a change in the intensity of the temperature stimulus. Therefore, it is more preferable to stop the fluctuation itself as the fluctuation attenuation.

(Embodiment 3)
In addition, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the rotation control unit 204 always has a strong intensity of the temperature stimulus to the driver's trunk among a plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5. On the other hand, it is good also as a structure which performs rotation about the temperature irritation | stimulation other than a driver | operator's trunk | drum.

  Here, the control of the intensity of the temperature stimulus in the rotation control unit 204 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 26, the case where there are three types of temperature stimulus, temperature stimulus A for the face, temperature stimulus B for the hand, and temperature stimulus C for the torso will be described as an example. The vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 26 indicates intensity, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

  Until the change trigger detection unit 202 detects the change trigger, the rotation control unit 204 rotates the temperature stimulus A for the face, the temperature stimulus B for the hand, and the temperature stimulus C for the torso in order. On the other hand, when the change trigger is detected by the change trigger detection unit 202, the rotation control unit 204 changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus C with respect to the torso so as to be constantly increased and does not rotate as shown in FIG. Like that. According to this, since the awakening effect is further enhanced when the entire body of the driver is cooled, the awakening effect can be further enhanced by always increasing the intensity of the temperature stimulation by the cold air to the trunk.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, the rotation control unit 204 removes the temperature stimulus C for the torso from the rotation, and performs rotation so that the intensity increases in order for the temperature stimulus A for the face and the temperature stimulus B for the hand. Good. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure performed by the change period control part 207 of the rotation control part 204 to change so that the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulus C with respect to a trunk | body may always become strong. Further, the temperature control C for the body may be removed from the rotation by the order control unit 205 of the rotation control unit 204.

  Even with the configuration of the third embodiment, the body, which is a body part that is particularly sensitive to temperature stimulation, is caused to perform temperature stimulation for maintaining the driver's arousal state, so that a higher arousal effect can be obtained. Become. In addition, even in the configuration of the third embodiment, when a change trigger is detected in a situation where a temperature stimulus is generated, the generation mode of the temperature stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5 is changed, so that familiarity with the temperature stimulus occurs. It becomes difficult.

(Embodiment 4)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the driver is given the temperature stimulus by the wind generated from the air conditioner 5 is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it is good also as a structure which gives a driver | operator a temperature stimulus by wind other than the wind generated from the air conditioner 5 by using a Peltier device etc. For example, a temperature stimulus to the trunk may be given by a Peltier element provided on the driver's seat, or a temperature stimulus to the hand may be given by a Peltier element provided on the steering wheel.

(Embodiment 5)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration including the temperature stimulus to the trunk among the plurality of types of temperature stimulus generated from the air conditioner 5 is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it is good also as a structure which does not include the temperature stimulation to a fuselage among the multiple types of temperature stimulation generated from the air conditioner 5.

(Embodiment 6)
In the above-described embodiment, the rotation control unit 204 switches the order in which the intensity of the temperature stimulus is rotated, the steepness of the intensity change, the change period, the upper limit and / or the lower limit intensity. Not exclusively. For example, only a part of the order of rotating the intensity of the temperature stimulus, the steepness of the intensity change, the change period, the upper limit and / or the lower limit intensity may be switched.

(Embodiment 7)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the fluctuation control unit 209 switches the fluctuation cycle and the fluctuation width when the fluctuation is generated in the intensity of the temperature stimulus 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 temperature stimulus may be switched.

(Embodiment 8)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the stimulus control unit 203 includes the rotation control unit 204 and the fluctuation control unit 209 is shown, but the configuration is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the stimulus control unit 203 may not include the fluctuation control unit 209.

(Embodiment 9)
In the above-described embodiment, the start trigger detection unit 201 has a duty of monitoring that the drowsiness detected by the DSM 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold, that the operation is accepted by the stimulus request switch, and that the automation level of the automatic driving is monitored by the driver. Although the configuration in which switching to a level is detected as a start trigger has been shown, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, only a part of the above may be detected as a start trigger. Alternatively, the start trigger may be that the voice recognition device recognizes the voice command that the driver requests to generate the arousal stimulus.

(Embodiment 10)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which a plurality of types of temperature stimuli are simultaneously generated from the air conditioner 5 has been described, but the configuration is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, there may be a configuration in which there is a timing when the intensity of some of the temperature stimuli generated from the air conditioner 5 becomes zero. That is, it is good also as a structure which generate | occur | produces at least one part of multiple types of temperature stimulation from the air conditioner 5 simultaneously, and it is good also as a structure which generates all the multiple types of temperature stimulation from the air conditioner 5 in order at a different timing.

(Embodiment 11)
In the above-described embodiment, the temperature stimulus is described as an example of the awakening stimulus, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. As an arousal stimulus, light emission, sound, vibration, or the like may be used in addition to the temperature 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 22. FIG. As for the sound, a configuration in which a speaker, a buzzer, or the like in the audio output device 23 outputs an alarm sound or a buzzer sound may be used. 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.

Embodiment 12
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the drowsiness level of the driver is detected using the DSM 21 is described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it is good also as a structure which detects the degree of a driver's sleepiness from the measurement result measured with the measuring device which measures a driver | operator's biometric information. The detection of the degree of sleepiness from the measurement result measured by the measurement device may be configured to be performed by the HCU 20, for example.

  Examples of measurement devices and measurement results used to detect the degree of drowsiness include EEG measured by an electroencephalograph, heart rate measured by a heart rate monitor, heart rate fluctuation, pulse wave measured by a sphygmomanometer, and measured by an electrodermal activity meter Skin conductance. A known method may be used as a method for detecting the degree of sleepiness from the measurement result. The measuring device may be a wearable device that is worn by a driver and measures biological information, or may be provided on a steering wheel of a vehicle.

  In addition, it is good also as a structure which detects the degree of a driver's sleepiness from the information detected with the vehicle-mounted sensor mounted in the own vehicle. The detection of the degree of sleepiness from the information detected by the sensor mounted on the host vehicle may be configured to be performed by the HCU 20, for example. As an example of an in-vehicle sensor and information used for detecting the degree of drowsiness, there are a steering angle detected by a rudder angle sensor, a travel lane marking detected by a peripheral monitoring camera, and the like. A known method may be used as a method for detecting the degree of drowsiness from information detected by the in-vehicle sensor. For example, the degree of drowsiness can be detected from the rolling of the vehicle obtained from the position of the lane markings that are sequentially detected by the peripheral monitoring camera, or the amount of steering operation that is obtained from the steering angle that is sequentially detected by the rudder angle sensor. It is only necessary to detect the degree.

(Embodiment 13)
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. Moreover, it is good also as a structure used indoors, such as houses and facilities other than a mobile body. In this case, the target person who maintains the awakening state in the room corresponds to the target person.

  Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made 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 disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Driving support system, 2 HMI system, 3 ADAS locator, 4 Perimeter monitoring sensor, 5 Air-conditioner, 6 Vehicle control ECU, 7 Driving support ECU, 20 HCU (wakefulness maintenance apparatus), 21 DSM, 22 Display apparatus, 23 Sound output Device, 24 operation device, 50 main air conditioning unit, 51 seat air conditioning unit, 201 start trigger detection unit, 202 change trigger detection unit (trigger detection unit), 203 stimulus control unit, 204 rotation control unit, 205 order control unit, 206 steep Control unit, 207 change cycle control unit, 208 intensity control unit, 209, 209a fluctuation control unit, 210, 210a fluctuation cycle control unit, 211, 211a fluctuation width control unit, 2101 fluctuation cycle extension unit, 2102 fluctuation cycle reduction unit, 2111 Fluctuation attenuation unit, 2112 Fluctuation amplification unit

Claims (14)

A temperature stimulus to the subject's face to maintain the subject's arousal state or a temperature stimulus to the subject's torso from a seat on which the subject is seated; and a temperature stimulus to the subject's hand A stimulation control unit (203) that generates a plurality of types of temperature stimulation from a stimulation device (5) that generates at least two types of temperature stimulation,
The stimulus control unit includes a rotation control unit (204) that performs rotation for changing the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulator increases in order. . In a situation where the stimulus control unit generates the temperature stimulus, the degree of drowsiness detected using the drowsiness detection device (21) used to detect the degree of drowsiness of the subject is equal to or greater than a threshold value. And a trigger detection unit (202) for detecting, as a trigger, at least one of the fact that a specified time has elapsed since the generation of the temperature stimulus was started from the stimulation device,
The wakefulness maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation control unit changes a generation mode of the temperature stimulus generated from the stimulation device when the trigger detection unit detects the trigger.   The rotation control unit is configured to cause the trigger detection unit to trigger the trigger when the drowsiness level detected using a drowsiness detection device used to detect the drowsiness level of the target person is less than the threshold value. The wakefulness maintaining apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generation mode of the temperature stimulus detected and changed is returned to the generation mode before detecting the trigger. The stimulus control unit generates temperature stimuli from a plurality of types of temperature stimuli including temperature stimuli on the subject's face and temperature stimuli on the subject's hand. ,
The rotation control unit includes an order control unit (205) for switching the order when the rotation is performed so that the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimulations generated from the stimulation device is increased in order.
The said order control part increases the ratio from which the intensity | strength of the temperature stimulation to the said face in the rotation becomes strong by switching the said order, when the said trigger detection part detects the said trigger. Awakening maintenance device. The rotation control unit is a steepness control unit (206) that switches steepness of intensity change when the rotation is performed to change the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulation device so that the intensity increases in order. )
The wakefulness maintaining device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the steepness control unit switches the steepness of the intensity change to be larger when the trigger detection unit detects the trigger. The stimulus control unit includes a temperature stimulus to the subject's face for maintaining the awake state of the subject, a temperature stimulus to the subject's hand, and the subject from the seat on which the subject is seated. These stimuli are generated from a stimulator that generates multiple types of temperature stimuli, including temperature stimuli to the torso,
When the trigger detection unit detects the trigger, the rotation control unit constantly increases the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the subject's torso among the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulation device. 6. The awakening maintenance device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation is performed with respect to temperature stimulation other than the torso of the subject. The stimulus control unit generates temperature stimuli from a plurality of types of temperature stimuli including temperature stimuli on the subject's face and temperature stimuli on the subject's hand. ,
The rotation control unit includes a change cycle control unit (207) that switches a change cycle when the rotation is performed so that the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimulations generated from the stimulation device is increased in order. Prepared,
When the trigger detection unit detects the trigger, the change cycle control unit switches the change cycle to increase the time during which the intensity of the temperature stimulus to the face continuously increases in the rotation. The awakening maintenance apparatus of any one of Claims 2-6. The rotation control unit includes an upper limit and a lower limit of intensity for each temperature stimulus when the rotation is performed so that the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulator is increased in order. An intensity control unit (208) for switching the intensity difference;
The said intensity | strength control part makes the intensity | strength difference of the intensity | strength upper limit and lower limit about each temperature stimulus larger, when the said trigger detection part detects the said trigger. Awakening maintenance device. The rotation control unit, when causing the rotation to change so that the intensity of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulation device is increased in order, the intensity for each temperature stimulus is an upper limit of intensity An intensity control unit (208) that switches while maintaining the intensity difference from the lower limit,
The wakefulness maintaining apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the intensity control unit increases the intensity of each temperature stimulus when the trigger detection unit detects the trigger. The stimulus control unit further includes a fluctuation control unit (209) that changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that fluctuation occurs in the intensity of each of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulation device,
The wakefulness maintaining device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the fluctuation control unit changes a generation mode of the temperature stimulus generated from the stimulation device when the trigger detection unit detects the trigger. .   The fluctuation control unit detects the trigger by the trigger detection unit when the drowsiness level detected using the drowsiness detection device used to detect the drowsiness level of the target person is less than the threshold value. The wakefulness maintaining apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the generation mode of the temperature stimulus detected and changed is returned to the generation mode before the trigger is detected. The fluctuation control unit is a fluctuation cycle control unit that changes a cycle of the fluctuation when changing the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that fluctuations occur in the intensity of each of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulation device ( 210),
The wakefulness maintaining apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the fluctuation cycle control unit further reduces the fluctuation cycle when the trigger detection unit detects the trigger. The fluctuation control unit changes the intensity of the temperature stimulus so that the intensity of each of the plurality of types of temperature stimuli generated from the stimulating device fluctuates, and the fluctuation width of the intensity of the temperature stimulus in this fluctuation A fluctuation width control unit (211) for switching between
The wakefulness maintaining device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the fluctuation width control unit increases the fluctuation width when the trigger detection unit detects the trigger.   The wakefulness maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the stimulation control unit simultaneously generates a plurality of types of temperature stimulations from the stimulation device.

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