JP2022067295A - Sleep controller - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sleep controller capable of achieving effective short time nap aiming at sleepiness elimination and concentration improvement after awakening.SOLUTION: A first total time is a total time calculated by totaling time when a sleep depth of an occupant continues in a stage 1 during sleep of the occupant, and a second total time is a total time calculated by totaling time when a sleep depth of the occupant continues in a stage 2 during sleep of the occupant. A sleep controller 10 causes a sleep depth in the stage 2 to appear so as to make the second total time shorter than the first total time during sleep of the occupant. Due to the appearance of a sleep depth in the stage 2, the occupant can obtain deep sleep in a short time, and due to a relation that the second total time is shorter than the first total time, inconvenience caused by a sleep depth becoming deeper from the stage 2 can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to achieve effective short time nap aiming at sleepiness elimination and concentration improvement after awakening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a sleep control device that controls the sleep of a subject.

As this type of sleep control device, for example, the sleep control device described in Patent Document 1 has been conventionally known. The sleep control device described in Patent Document 1 is provided by a speaker or an in-vehicle lighting device when awakening conditions determined based on a nap purpose are satisfied while maintaining a user's sleep stage at a predetermined sleep stage. Gives a stimulus to awaken the user. The sleep stage of the user represents the sleep depth of the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-82377

Specifically, the sleep control device of Patent Document 1 sequentially grasps the sleep stage of the user during sleep. When the sleep stage of the user is shallower than the target value, the sleep control device of Patent Document 1 provides the user with a comfortable stimulus for deepening the sleep stage of the user, for example. In addition, when the sleep stage of the user is deeper than the target value, it is appropriate for the user so that the sleep stage of the user is not entered into the deeper sleep stage and the user is not awakened. Gives a stimulus.

However, in the simple sleep depth control method as described above performed by the sleep control device of Patent Document 1, the user's sleep depth can be appropriately maintained in a short nap and the comfort after awakening can be ensured. It turned out to be inadequate. As a result of detailed examination by the inventors, the above was found.

In view of the above points, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sleep control device capable of realizing an effective short-time nap aiming at, for example, relieving drowsiness after awakening and improving concentration.

In order to achieve the above object, the sleep control device according to claim 1 is
A sleep control device that controls the sleep of the subject (12).
A sleep onset control unit (S107) that causes the subject to fall asleep and sets the subject's sleep depth to stage 1 or stage 2 by giving a predetermined sleep-onset stimulus to the subject by a stimulator (31).
After the subject is put to sleep by the sleep onset control unit, the subject is given a predetermined sleep maintenance stimulus by a stimulator to maintain the subject's sleep depth in the range from stage 1 to stage 2. It is equipped with a sleep maintenance control unit (S108) that maintains the sleep of the subject.
The sleep maintenance control unit is the time during which the subject's sleep depth is continued in stage 2 rather than the first total time, which is the sum of the times during which the subject's sleep depth is continued in stage 1. The sleep depth of stage 2 is made to appear so that the second total time, which is the sum of the above, is shorter.

In this way, the subject can obtain deep sleep in a short time due to the appearance of the sleep depth in stage 2, as compared with the case where the sleep depth during sleep is simply maintained in stage 1, for example. Further, since there is a relationship that the second total time is shorter than the first total time, for example, compared with the case where the relationship that the second total time is longer than the first total time is established. , The possibility that the sleep depth transitions to stage 3 or stage 4 can be reduced. That is, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the sleep depth becoming too deep. As a result, for example, it is possible to realize an effective short-time nap aimed at eliminating drowsiness after awakening and improving concentration.

The reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component or the like indicate an example of the correspondence between the component or the like and the specific component or the like described in the embodiment described later.

In the first embodiment, it is a block diagram which showed the sleep control device and the peripheral device electrically connected to the sleep control device. In the first embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which showed the occupant who sits on a seat and takes a nap for a short time. In the first embodiment, it is a perspective view which showed the vehicle interior of the vehicle which mounts a sleep control device. In the first embodiment, it is a time chart showing the tempo of the sleep-onset sound output as an auditory stimulus from the seat speaker when the occupant falls asleep. In the first embodiment, it is a time chart showing the tempo of the awakening sound output as an auditory stimulus from the seat speaker when the occupant is awake. In the first embodiment, it is a time chart schematically showing the first sleep-onset stimulus and the second sleep-onset stimulus given to the occupant when the occupant falls asleep. In the first embodiment, it is a time chart showing the sleep depth when the occupant is made to take a nap for a short time by the sleep control device. In the first embodiment, it is a flowchart which showed the control process which the sleep control apparatus executes in order to make an occupant take a nap for a short time. In the first embodiment, it is a flowchart which showed the subroutine which is executed in step S108 of FIG. It is an image diagram comparing the average reaction rate in the PVT evaluation between the case where the short-time nap of the first embodiment is performed and the case where the short-time nap of the comparative example is performed. In the first embodiment, it is a figure which showed the option which a respondent can choose in the questionnaire about falling asleep which was performed in order to verify the effect of the short nap by the control process of FIGS. 8 and 9. In the first embodiment, it is a figure which showed the option which a respondent can choose in the questionnaire about awakening performed in order to verify the effect of the short nap by the control process of FIGS. 8 and 9. It is a time chart which showed the change image of the sleep depth at the time of falling asleep for each of the case where the short-time nap of the first embodiment was performed and the case where the short-time nap of the comparative example was performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments including other embodiments described later, the same or equal parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
The sleep control device 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an electronic control device mounted on a vehicle. For example, the sleep control device 10 is composed of a microcomputer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and is a computer program stored in a semiconductor memory such as ROM, RAM, which is a non-transitional substantive storage medium. To execute. That is, the sleep control device 10 executes various control processes according to the computer program.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sleep control device 10 controls the sleep of the occupant 12 (specifically, a short nap of the occupant 12). In short, the occupant 12 is a subject whose sleep is controlled, and the sleep control device 10 executes sleep control for causing the occupant 12 to take a short nap. That is, the sleep control device 10 executes a control process for realizing a short-time nap of the occupant 12. The short-time nap of the occupant 12 is a nap of about 5 to 30 minutes, and the occupant 12 has various effects such as relaxation, relieving drowsiness, recovery from fatigue, and improvement of concentration by performing the short-time nap. That is, a nap effect) can be obtained.

Here, when the sleep of a person such as the occupant 12 is explained, the sleep state of the person is divided into REM sleep and non-REM sleep having a deeper sleep depth than the REM sleep. In non-rem sleep, the sleep depth, which is the depth of sleep, is divided into four stages, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4, which are classified based on the waveform of the brain wave. This "stage" is an index indicating the sleep depth of non-rem sleep. And, in the order of stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4, it means that the larger the number attached to the "stage" in the order of stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4, the deeper the sleep depth. ..

As the vehicle on which the sleep control device 10 is mounted, various vehicles such as a passenger car, a commercial vehicle, and a MaaS vehicle can be assumed. Further, as the occupant 12 who takes a nap for a short time by using the sleep control device 10, various occupants such as a driver, an occupant other than the driver, and an occupant of an autonomous driving vehicle can be assumed. The above "MaaS" is an abbreviation for "Mobility as a Service".

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the sleep control device 10 is electrically connected to an input device 14 to be input-operated by the occupant 12, a state detection camera 15, and a biosensor 16 as input devices. .. Electrical signals indicating various information are input to the sleep control device 10 from these input devices.

The arrows on both ends of FIG. 3 indicate the direction of the vehicle on which the sleep control device 10 is mounted. That is, in FIG. 3, the vehicle front-rear direction D1 which is the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the vehicle vertical direction D2 which is the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the vehicle left-right direction D3 which is the left-right direction of the vehicle are indicated by arrows at both ends. There is. These directions D1, D2, and D3 are directions that intersect each other, strictly speaking, directions that are perpendicular to each other.

The input device 14 is a device for the occupant 12 to input various information to the sleep control device 10, and is provided at a position in the vehicle interior where the occupant 12 can easily operate. The input device 14 has, for example, a touch panel, a push button, a microphone, or the like, and outputs the occupant input information input by the occupant 12 to the sleep control device 10 as an electric signal.

The state detection camera 15 is a photographing device provided in the vehicle interior, and photographs the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 in front of the vehicle interior. For example, the state detection camera 15 is provided in the vicinity of the instrument panel 18 and the rear-view mirror arranged in front of the vehicle interior.

The state detection camera 15 also has a function as an infrared camera. The state detection camera 15 is, for example, a camera that captures the position of the occupant 12, the eye movement of the occupant 12, the facial expression of the occupant 12, the surface temperature of each part of the occupant 12, the temperature of each part in the vehicle interior, and the like. The detection information can be detected. The state detection camera 15 outputs the detected camera detection information as an electric signal to the sleep control device 10.

The biosensor 16 is built in each of the pair of sheets 17. The biosensor 16 can non-invasively detect the biometric information of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17. The biological information is, for example, information indicating the heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, respiratory rate per unit time, skin potential, oxygen saturation, chest wall movement, abdominal wall movement, and the like of the occupant 12. The biological sensor 16 outputs the detected biological information of the occupant 12 to the sleep control device 10 as an electric signal.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the sleep control device 10, the seat 17, the radiant heater 20, the scent device 21, the seat heater 22, the seat blower 23, the seat speaker 24, and the massage mechanism 25 are controlled devices. It is electrically connected as. Further, the tactile vibration skin 26, the vibration skin heater 27, the display device 28, the lighting 29, the air conditioning device 30, and the dimming film 35 are also electrically connected to the sleep control device 10 as control target devices. The sleep control device 10 outputs an electric signal for controlling the operation of the controlled target device to these controlled target devices.

Seat 17, radiant heater 20, scent device 21, seat heater 22, seat blower 23, seat speaker 24, massage mechanism 25, tactile vibration skin 26, vibration skin heater 27, display device 28, lighting 29, air conditioner 30, and adjustment. Each of the optical films 35 corresponds to the stimulator 31. The stimulator 31 is a device that gives the occupant 12 a stimulus for controlling the short-time nap of the occupant 12 in the sleep control for the occupant 12. Therefore, the vehicle of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of stimulators 31.

The seat 17 has a backrest portion 171 that supports the back of the seated occupant 12, and a seat portion 172 that supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant 12. Further, the seat 17 has a headrest 173 that supports the head of the occupant 12, a necklace 174 that supports the neck of the occupant 12, and an ottoman 175 that supports the lower leg of the occupant 12. Each part of the seat 17 operates according to a command from the sleep control device 10. For example, the reclining angle of the backrest portion 171 (in other words, the seat angle), the holding state of the neck by the necklace 174, the holding state of the head by the headrest 173, the posture of the ottoman 175, and the like can be determined from the sleep control device 10. It changes according to the instruction of.

The radiant heater 20 is provided integrally with the interior material in the vehicle interior, and is arranged, for example, near the lower part of the steering column that supports the steering wheel 32. The radiant heater 20 warms the lower limbs of the occupant 12 seated in the driver's seat of the pair of seats 17 in accordance with the command from the sleep control device 10.

The scent device 21 is a device capable of drifting various scents in the vehicle interior. The scent device 21 causes a scent of a type determined according to a command from the sleep control device 10 to float in the vehicle interior with an output amount determined according to the command.

The seat heater 22, the seat blower 23, the seat speaker 24, and the massage mechanism 25 are built in each of the pair of seats 17. The seat heater 22 warms the back, waist, or buttocks of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 in accordance with a command from the sleep control device 10.

The seat blower 23 blows air from the seat skin in contact with the seated occupant 12 in the seat 17 in accordance with a command from the sleep control device 10. The seat speaker 24 emits, for example, a sound having a predetermined tempo to the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 according to a command from the sleep control device 10. The massage mechanism 25 gives a stimulus such as tapping or rubbing to the back, waist, or buttocks of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 according to the command from the sleep control device 10.

The tactile vibration skin 26 has an interior skin portion forming a part of the interior material on the surface of the center console 33, and an actuator provided on the side opposite to the surface side of the interior skin portion. The tactile vibration skin 26 can give a tactile stimulus that changes periodically to the palm of the occupant 12 or the like that touches the interior skin portion of the tactile vibration skin 26 by the operation of the actuator. The tactile vibration epidermis 26 gives a tactile stimulus to the palm of the occupant 12 who touches the tactile vibration epidermis 26 in accordance with a command from the sleep control device 10.

The vibration skin heater 27 is a heating device for heating the interior skin portion forming the surface of the tactile vibration skin 26, and is provided at the same place as the tactile vibration skin 26 in the center console 33. That is, the vibration skin heater 27 warms the palm of the occupant 12 who touches the tactile vibration skin 26 in accordance with the command from the sleep control device 10.

The display device 28 displays an image on, for example, a window, a ceiling, an instrument panel, or a steering wheel 32 according to a command from the sleep control device 10.

The lighting 29 is provided, for example, near the ceiling, the center console 33, and the feet of the occupant 12. The lighting 29 adjusts the brightness and the light color of various parts in the vehicle interior according to the command from the sleep control device 10.
The light control film 35 is provided on a windshield, which is one of the windows of the vehicle interior, and adjusts the transmittance of the windshield according to a command from the sleep control device 10.

The air conditioner 30 is a device that air-conditions the interior of the vehicle, and is arranged in, for example, the instrument panel 18. The air-conditioning device 30 blows out temperature-controlled air-conditioned air from a plurality of air outlets 30a provided in the vehicle interior in accordance with a command from the sleep control device 10. The air outlet 30a is open so as to face the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17, and is provided inside, for example, the instrument panel 18, the center console 33, and the left and right doors.

The sleep control device 10 gives various stimuli to the occupant 12 by using any one or all of the above-mentioned plurality of stimulators 31 in the sleep control performed by the sleep control device 10. When various stimuli given to the occupant 12 in the sleep control are classified, the various stimuli include visual stimuli, auditory stimuli, olfactory stimuli, tactile stimuli, warm / cold stimuli, and posture change stimuli.

The sleep control performed by the sleep control device 10 includes a sleep onset process that causes the awake occupant 12 to fall asleep, a sleep maintenance process that maintains the sleep of the occupant 12 after the sleep onset, and an awakening that awakens the sleeping occupant 12. It can be divided into three processes, a process. Then, when the sleep control is started, the sleep onset process, the sleep maintenance process, and the awakening process automatically proceed in this order.

The visual stimulus is a stimulus given to the vision of the occupant 12. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 uses the light control film 35 and the lighting 29 of the windshield to adjust the visual stimulus in the sleep control, and the light that hits the face of the occupant 12 and the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle through the window. It controls the size of external information such as the scenery entering the room and the light outside the vehicle. Then, the sleep control device 10 provides images from the display device 28 according to each process of the sleep onset process, the sleep maintenance process, and the awakening process.

To explain an example of adjusting the visual stimulus, for example, in the sleep onset process, warm-colored fluctuation light that changes due to 1 / f fluctuation or the like is provided by the illumination 29 as indirect illumination. Further, external information such as scenery and outside light is suppressed by controlling the transmittance of the light control film 35 or the like of the windshield. Further, the display device 28 outputs an image urging the occupant 12 to fall asleep (for example, a warm color image, a fluctuation image having a frequency of about 0.1 Hz, or a vague image).

In the sleep maintenance process following the sleep onset process, for example, the illuminance of the illumination 29 is reduced to the extent that the occupant 12 is not awakened, and the image provision by the display device 28 is stopped. In addition, the light-shielded state of the sleep onset process is maintained as it is even in the sleep maintenance process.

In the arousal process following the sleep maintenance process, for example, the retinal stimulation of the occupant 12 by light is gradually increased. This is carried out in detail by one or both of the following method (i) and method (ii). The method (i) is to gradually change the color of the light emitted by the illumination 29 from a warm color system (for example, a color temperature of 2000K to 3500K) to a cool color system (for example, a color temperature of 5500K to 6500K). Further, the method (ii) is to gradually increase the illuminance near the face of the occupant 12 from, for example, about 1 lux to about 100 lux or more.

Further, the color and illuminance of the light emitted by the illumination 29 may be automatically adjusted based on the information such as the blink of the occupant 12 obtained by the state detection camera 15.

Further, in the awakening process, suppression of external information such as scenery and outside light by controlling the transmittance of the light control film 35 or the like is alleviated or eliminated, so that light is collected from the window. For example, the lighting state from the window is returned to the normal state before the occupant 12 falls asleep. Further, the display device 28 outputs an image urging the occupant 12 to awaken (for example, a cold-colored image or a clear image).

Next, the auditory stimulus given to the occupant 12 in sleep control will be described. The auditory stimulus is a stimulus given to the auditory sense of the occupant 12. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 uses the seat speaker 24 to impart sound or music based on the heartbeat of the occupant 12 to the occupant 12 in the adjustment of the auditory stimulus in the sleep control. The heartbeat of the occupant 12 is generally about 70 BPM in normal times. Further, the heartbeat of the occupant 12 is detected by, for example, the biological sensor 16, and the sleep control device 10 adjusts the auditory stimulus based on the detected heartbeat. The above "BPM" is an abbreviation for "Beats Per Minute" and is a unit of tempo.

To explain an example of the adjustment of auditory stimuli, for example, in the process of falling asleep, as shown in FIG. 4, the sound of falling asleep gradually slows down from the tempo synchronized with the heartbeat (in other words, the heartbeat rhythm) of the occupant 12. Is output from the seat speaker 24. In addition, Thb of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 described later shows the tempo of the heartbeat of the occupant 12 (for example, the tempo of about 70 BPM).

At this time, it is preferable to gradually reduce the number of sounds and the sound of the attack feeling together with the decrease in tempo without lowering the volume. In addition, the sound quality should be in the relationship of "treble <bass", and if it is music, it should be monotonous, without a song, quiet and slow.

As described above, when the occupant 12 is put to sleep, the sleep control device 10 uses the above-mentioned sleep-onset sound whose tempo changes as shown by the solid line L1s in FIG. 4 as a predetermined sleep-onset stimulus for the occupant 12. Output from the speaker 24. The sleep control device 10 induces the occupant 12 to breathe by the sound of falling asleep. Further, the sleep control device 10 promotes the brain wave of the occupant 12 to transition to the low frequency side by the sleep onset sound, and brings a relaxing effect to the occupant 12.

In the sleep maintenance process following the sleep onset process, for example, sound stimulation as an auditory stimulus is continued at a predetermined tempo slower than the heartbeat of the occupant 12 (for example, a tempo slower than 70 BPM). The sound stimulus is output from the seat speaker 24 at a volume that does not impose a load on the occupant 12 to continue sleeping. Also, the number of sound stimuli in the sleep maintenance process remains reduced, for example in the sleep onset process. Sound stimuli in the sleep maintenance process are reduced relative to sound stimuli in the sleep onset process. The sound stimulus in the sleep maintenance process may be, for example, monotonous music.

In the awakening process following the sleep maintenance process, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the awakening sound whose tempo gradually increases from the tempo synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12 is output from the seat speaker 24. At this time, it is preferable that the awakening sound is a low-pitched sound with a feeling of attack. Further, the number of sound stimuli in the awakening process is preferably larger than the number of sound stimuli in the sleep maintenance process.

As described above, when the occupant 12 is awakened, the sleep control device 10 uses the above-mentioned awakening sound whose tempo changes as shown by the solid line L2s in FIG. 5 as a predetermined awakening stimulus for the occupant 12. Output from the speaker 24.

Further, in the sleep onset process and the awakening process, the sleep control device 10 may output a pre-recorded voice or sound of interest to the occupant 12 from the seat speaker 24 as an auditory stimulus. Examples of voices or sounds that the occupant 12 is interested in include the sound of a person's fetal movement in the case of a sleep onset process, and the voice of the occupant 12's mother, the voice of a favorite person, or the awakening in the case of an awakening process. Sound and the like are exemplified.

Next, the olfactory stimulus given to the occupant 12 in sleep control will be described. The olfactory stimulus is a stimulus given to the olfactory sense of the occupant 12, for example, a stimulus by a scent. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 releases a predetermined scent from the scent device 21 into the vehicle interior in the adjustment of the olfactory stimulus in the sleep control.

For example, in the sleep onset process, the sleep control device 10 releases a sedative scent, such as the scent of lavender, chamomile, or cypress, from the scent device 21 into the vehicle interior. Further, in the awakening process, a scent of arousal action such as the scent of jasmine, peppermint, or grapefruit is released from the scent device 21 into the vehicle interior.

When the predetermined scent is discharged from the scent device 21 into the vehicle interior in this way, it is preferable to release the scent from the scent device 21 at random timings. This is to suppress the occupant 12's habituation to the scent and to be able to continuously provide the olfactory stimulation by the scent.

In addition, the preference for the scent of a plurality of individuals who can be the occupant 12 is stored in advance, and the individual authentication of the occupant 12 is performed by the state detection camera 15 so as to match the preference of the individual who has become the occupant 12. In addition, the amount of air released including the scent may be adjusted.

Next, the tactile stimulus given to the occupant 12 in sleep control will be described. The tactile stimulus is a stimulus given to the tactile sensation of the occupant 12. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 uses the tactile vibration epidermis 26 and the massage mechanism 25 to apply a stimulus accompanied by a predetermined pressure change to a predetermined portion of the occupant 12 in the adjustment of the tactile stimulus in the sleep control.

To explain an example of the adjustment of the tactile stimulus, for example, in the sleep onset process, the sleep control device 10 periodically changes the pressure applied to the palm of the occupant 12 as shown by the solid line Lp in FIG. It is given by the tactile vibration epidermis 26. At this time, the stimulation to the palm is preferably a pressure fluctuation that induces the breathing of the occupant 12 so that the respiratory rate per minute is smaller than that before the stimulation. Further, the cycle of pressure fluctuation that causes stimulation to the palm may be changed while monitoring the respiratory rate per minute detected by the biological sensor 16 of FIG.

Further, along with the stimulation to the palm, the sleep control device 10 uses the massage mechanism 25 to give a stimulation accompanied by a periodic pressure change to the contact portion with the seat 17 centering on the back of the occupant 12. .. A stimulus with a periodic pressure change on the palm corresponds to, for example, acupuncture points, and a stimulus with a periodic pressure change on the contact portion with the sheet 17 centered on the back corresponds to, for example, stretching.

Further, in the awakening process, a predetermined pressure is applied to the contact portion of the occupant 12 with respect to the seat 17 (for example, the back of the occupant 12) by the massage mechanism 25 at a predetermined timing.

Next, the hot / cold stimulus given to the occupant 12 in sleep control will be described. The hot / cold stimulus is a stimulus given to the temperature sensation of the occupant 12. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 uses the whole body temperature distribution (specifically, the skin temperature distribution) of the occupant 12 as the sleep onset process, the sleep maintenance process, and the awakening process in the adjustment of the hot / cold stimulus in the sleep control. Make the temperature distribution suitable for each process. For this, for example, a radiant heater 20, a seat heater 22, a seat blower 23, a vibration skin heater 27, and an air conditioner 30 are used. The sleep control device 10 also controls the ventilation of the air conditioner 30 suitable for each process of the sleep onset process, the sleep maintenance process, and the awakening process.

The temperature distribution of the whole body of the occupant 12 is detected by the state detection camera 15, and the sleep control device 10 adjusts the heating / cooling stimulus based on the detected temperature distribution of the whole body.

To explain an example of the adjustment of the hot / cold stimulus, for example, in the sleep onset process, it is basic to bring the occupant 12 into a state of head cold foot fever, and the lower limbs, palms, and neck of the occupant 12 are warmed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the sleep control device 10 warms the end of the body of the occupant 12 so that the temperature Tte of the end of the upper limb is higher than the temperature Tam of the arm. The stimulus is given by the vibrating epidermis heater 27. The end of the upper limb is the part composed of the palm and the fingers, and the end does not include the arm. Then, as with the second sleep stimulus, the foot, which is the end of the lower limbs, is also warmed. That is, the sleep control device 10 blows warm air from the foot outlet of the air conditioner 30 to warm the feet of the occupant 12 so that the temperature of the feet is higher than the temperature of the legs.

Further, in the sleep onset process, the head of the occupant 12 is set to have a temperature relatively lower than that of the lower limbs to the extent that the occupant 12 is not cooled, and the occupant 12 is blown so as not to give a feeling of wind speed.

In the sleep maintenance process following the sleep onset process, for example, the temperature distribution of the whole body of the occupant 12 is set to be a uniform temperature distribution throughout the body. The air conditioner 30 blows air from the air conditioner 30 with a breeze that does not give a feeling of wind speed to the occupant 12 in order not to generate a stimulus to awaken the occupant 12 and to prevent heat from being trapped around the occupant 12.

In the awakening process following the sleep maintenance process, for example, cold air that causes the occupant 12 to feel the wind speed is blown out from the air conditioner 30 or the headrest outlet 173a provided in the headrest 173 of FIG. Twelve necks and heads are chilled.

Next, the posture change stimulus given to the occupant 12 in sleep control will be described. The posture change stimulus is a stimulus given to the occupant 12 by changing the posture of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 aims to reduce the muscle burden on the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17, ease of breathing, and reduction of the blood circulation burden in adjusting the posture change stimulus in sleep control. The operation and reclining angle of each part of 17 are controlled. Then, the sleep control device 10 puts the occupant 12 to sleep under the control of the seat 17 and invites the occupant 12 to sleep.

In the seat angle control for adjusting the seat angle which is the reclining angle of the backrest portion 171, the sleep control device 10 automatically controls a series of operations until the occupant 12 falls asleep, is guided to sleep, and is awakened without discomfort. The seat 17 in FIG. 2 is illustrated with the seat angle when the occupant 12 falls asleep.

To explain an example of the control of the seat 17 that gives the occupant 12 a posture change stimulus, for example, in the sleep onset process, the occupant 12 is in a posture suitable for falling asleep, it is easy to breathe, and the muscle burden on the occupant 12 is reduced. Each part of the sheet 17 is adjusted so as to be. Specifically, as each part of the seat 17, the backrest part 171 and the seat part 172, the headrest 173, the necklace 174, and the ottoman 175 are adjusted respectively.

Specifically, the neck of the occupant 12 is held by the necklace 174, and the neck is warmed by the heater built into the necklace 174. Then, the body temperature of the occupant 12 is adjusted to a temperature suitable for falling asleep by the seat heater 22, and the occupant 12 is guided to the stage 1 of sleep.

In the sleep maintenance process following the sleep onset process, for example, the sleep control device 10 tilts the backrest portion 171 further backward than during the sleep onset process, thereby further reducing the muscle burden of the occupant 12 as compared with the sleep onset process. Aim and disperse the body pressure applied to the sheet 17.

Then, in order to reduce the burden on the neck of the occupant 12 during sleep, the sleep control device 10 releases the holding of the neck by the necklace 174 and causes the headrest 173 to hold the entire head of the occupant 12. As a result, the sleep control device 10 assists the sleep of the occupant 12.

In the awakening process following the sleep maintenance process, for example, the sleep control device 10 raises the backrest 171 more than in the sleep maintenance process and at the same time lowers the seat 172.

Further, the sleep control device 10 releases the holding of the head of the occupant 12 by the headrest 173, while causing the necklace 174 to hold the neck of the occupant 12. Next, the sleep control device 10 loosens the body of the occupant 12 and refreshes the occupant 12 by controlling the air bag incorporated in the backrest portion 171 and the seat portion 172. This encourages the occupant 12 to wake up more comfortably. After the occupant 12 is awakened, the seat 17 returns to the predetermined position.

The sleep control device 10 gives the occupant 12 any or all of the various stimuli described above in each of the sleep onset process, the sleep maintenance process, and the awakening process in the sleep control for the occupant 12. As a result, the sleep control device 10 causes the occupant 12 to take a short nap, and changes the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in the short nap as shown in FIG. 7.

Specifically, in FIG. 7, at the time of t1, the occupant 12 has fallen asleep from the awake state of awakening and has entered the sleep of the stage 1. That is, the time point t1 is the time point at which the occupant 12 has completed falling asleep. The completion of sleep onset of the occupant 12 means that the occupant 12 falls asleep and enters a sleep state in which the occupant 12 has entered sleep.

At the time point t2 following the time point t1, the sleep depth in the sleep of the occupant 12 transitions from stage 1 to stage 2, and at the time point t3 next to the time point t2, the sleep depth transitions from stage 2 to stage 1. At the time of t4 following the time of t3, the sleep depth in the sleep of the occupant 12 transitions from stage 1 to stage 2 again, and at the time of t5 next to the time of t4, the sleep depth transitions from stage 2 to stage 1. ..

Then, at the time of t6, which is next to the time of t5, the sleeping occupant 12 is awakened at the sleep depth of stage 1, and the occupant 12 is awakened. That is, the time point t6 is the time point at which the awakening of the occupant 12 is completed. In the time chart of FIG. 7, the period from the time point t1 to the time point t6 is a period during which the occupant 12 is sleeping, and corresponds to the sleep time Ts in which the occupant 12 continues to sleep after falling asleep.

In order to control the sleep of the occupant 12 as shown in FIG. 7, the sleep control device 10 executes the control process shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process performed by the sleep control device 10 of the present embodiment. The control process of FIG. 8 is periodically and repeatedly executed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sleep control device 10 first determines in step S101 whether or not the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap by the manual operation of the occupant 12.

For example, the input device 14 of FIG. 1 is provided with a manual sleep onset switch operated by the occupant 12 when the occupant 12 takes a short nap. Then, when the manual sleep onset switch is operated by the occupant 12, the sleep control device 10 determines that the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap by the manual operation of the occupant 12.

If it is determined in step S101 of FIG. 8 that the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap by the manual operation of the occupant 12, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupant 12 does not select to take a nap for a short time by the manual operation of the occupant 12, the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the sleep control device 10 acquires camera detection information obtained from the state detection camera 15. Then, the sleep control device 10 detects the drowsiness state, which is the drowsiness state caused by the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17, based on the camera detection information. For example, the drowsiness state of the occupant 12 is estimated based on the eye movement of the occupant 12, the facial expression of the occupant 12, and the like. Following step S102, the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the sleep control device 10 determines whether or not the occupant 12 is drowsy, that is, whether or not the occupant 12 has drowsiness, based on the detection result of the drowsiness state in step S102.

If it is determined in step S103 that the occupant 12 is drowsy, that is, if it is determined that the occupant 12 is drowsy, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupant 12 is not drowsy, that is, if it is determined that the occupant 12 is not drowsy, the process proceeds to step S101.

In step S104, the sleep control device 10 proposes to the occupant 12 to take a short nap. For example, the sleep control device 10 proposes to perform a short-time nap by displaying a predetermined display recommending a short-time nap at a predetermined position in the vehicle interior by the display device 28 of FIG. The predetermined display recommending the short nap disappears, for example, at the end of the determination performed in the next step S105. Following step S104 in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the sleep control device 10 determines whether or not the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap in response to the proposal for the short nap in step S104.

For example, a nap selection switch operated by the occupant 12 when the occupant 12 selects to take a short nap, and a nap refusal operated by the occupant 12 when the occupant 12 selects not to take a short nap. A switch is provided in the input device 14 of FIG. Then, when the nap selection switch is operated by the occupant 12, the sleep control device 10 determines that the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap.

On the other hand, when the nap refusal switch is operated by the occupant 12, the sleep control device 10 determines that the occupant 12 has selected not to take a nap for a short time. Further, even if a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the nap selection switch and the nap refusal switch are not operated and the short nap is proposed, the sleep control device 10 does not allow the occupant 12 to take a short nap. Judge that you have selected.

If it is determined in step S105 of FIG. 8 that the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupant 12 has selected not to take a nap for a short time, the flowchart of FIG. 8 ends.

In step S106, the sleep control device 10 determines that the occupant 12 is to take a short nap. Following step S106, the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, the sleep control device 10 executes control to put the occupant 12 to sleep by using the stimulator 31. That is, the sleep control device 10 causes the occupant 12 to fall asleep by giving a predetermined stimulus for falling asleep to the occupant 12, and sets the sleep depth of the occupant 12 to stage 1 or stage 2. Then, as shown by being surrounded by the ellipse B1 in FIG. 7, at the time of t1, the sleep control device 10 causes the occupant 12 to fall asleep early without causing REM sleep.

At this time, the sleep control device 10 gives a predetermined sleep onset stimulus while recognizing the sleep depth of the occupant 12. For example, the sleep-onset stimulus is experimentally determined in advance to be suitable for causing the occupant 12 to fall asleep, and is adjusted within a certain range according to the progress of the occupant 12's sleep onset. It has become.

The sleep depth of the occupant 12 is ideally recognized by continuously detecting the brain wave of the occupant 12. However, in the present embodiment, as an alternative, the sleep depth of the occupant 12 continuously determines the heart rate, the respiratory rate, the facial expression including the eyeball, the posture, the body temperature, etc. of the occupant 12 by the state detection camera 15 and the biological sensor 16. Recognized by detecting.

Further, at the time of t1 in FIG. 7, the occupant 12 has changed from the awake state to the sleep state of stage 1, but the occupant 12 may change from the awake state to the sleep state of stage 2.

This step S107 corresponds to the above-mentioned sleep-onset process, and various stimuli in the above-mentioned sleep-onset process are applied to the occupant 12 in the process of step S107. Therefore, the predetermined sleep-onset stimulus given to the occupant 12 in step S107 includes any or all of the various stimuli in the sleep-onset process described above. That is, the stimulus for falling asleep given to the occupant 12 in step S107 is, in other words, a stimulus given to the occupant 12 in order to put the occupant 12 to sleep when the occupant 12 falls asleep. In the present embodiment, for example, the sound stimulus by the sleep-onset sound, the first sleep-onset stimulus, and the second sleep-onset stimulus are all included in the sleep-onset stimulus given to the occupant 12 in step S107.

Further, in step S107, the stimulator 31 of FIG. 1 gives the occupant 12 a visual stimulus, an auditory stimulus, an olfactory stimulus, a tactile stimulus, a warm / cold stimulus, and a posture when the occupant 12 falls asleep according to a command from the sleep control device 10. Two or more of the change stimuli are given at the same timing. To give an example of this, for example, the sleep control device 10 gives the first sleep onset stimulus, which is one of the tactile stimuli, to the occupant 12 by the tactile vibration epidermis 26, and is one of the hot and cold stimuli. The second sleep onset stimulus is given by the vibrating epidermis heater 27. That is, when the occupant 12 is put to sleep, the sleep control device 10 gives the occupant 12 the first sleep onset stimulus while giving the occupant 12 the second sleep onset stimulus by the tactile vibration epidermis 26 and the vibration epidermis heater 27 as the stimulator 31. give. In addition, the above-mentioned "mutually aligned timing" means that, more specifically, the time when two or more kinds of stimuli are given to the occupant 12 overlaps at least partially with each other.

The process of step S107 ends when the sleep depth of the occupant 12 reaches stage 1 or stage 2 (for example, at t1 in FIG. 7). Then, after step S107, the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, the sleep control device 10 executes control for the sleep control device 10 to maintain the sleep of the occupant 12 who has fallen asleep by using the stimulator 31 after the occupant 12 has fallen asleep. Specifically, the flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed as a subroutine.

In step S201 of FIG. 9, the sleep control device 10 gives a predetermined sleep maintenance stimulus to the occupant 12 by the stimulator 31. If the sleep control device 10 has already started the sleep maintenance stimulus, the sleep control device 10 continues to give the sleep maintenance stimulus. That is, at the time of proceeding from step S107 to step S108 in FIG. 8, the sleep control device 10 smoothly switches the stimulus to the occupant 12 from the stimulus for falling asleep to the stimulus for maintaining sleep.

Then, in step S201 of FIG. 9, the sleep control device 10 gives the stimulus for maintaining the predetermined sleep, so that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is maintained in the range from stage 1 to stage 2, and the sleep of the occupant 12 is maintained. To maintain.

At this time, the sleep control device 10 gives a predetermined sleep maintenance stimulus while recognizing the sleep depth of the occupant 12. For example, the sleep maintenance stimulus is preliminarily experimentally determined to be suitable for maintaining the sleep of the occupant 12 while maintaining the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in the range from stage 1 to stage 2. Then, the stimulus for maintaining sleep is adjusted within a certain range according to the sleep depth of the occupant 12 during sleep.

Specifically, in step S201, the sleep control device 10 performs the following by adjusting the stimulus for maintaining sleep by a method set experimentally in advance.

First, the sleep control device 10 causes the sleep depth of stage 2 to appear so that the second total time T2s is shorter than the first total time T1s during the sleep of the occupant 12. The first total time T1s is the total time obtained by totaling the time during which the sleep depth of the occupant 12 continues in the stage 1 while the occupant 12 is sleeping. That is, in FIG. 7, the first total time T1s is the elapsed time T1a from the time t1 to the time t2, the elapsed time T1b from the time t3 to the time t4, and the elapsed time T1c from the time t5 to the time t6. Is the total time. Further, the second total time T2s is the total time obtained by totaling the time during which the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is continued in the stage 2 while the occupant 12 is sleeping. That is, in FIG. 7, the second total time T2s is the total time obtained by totaling the elapsed time T2a from the t2 time point to the t3 time point and the elapsed time T2b from the t4 time point to the t5 time point.

In short, as shown by being surrounded by the ellipse B2 in FIG. 7, the sleep control device 10 basically maintains the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in the stage 1 while the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is maintained in the stage 2 while the occupant 12 is sleeping. Make it appear temporarily. In other words, for example, the sleep control device 10 intermittently causes the sleep depth of the stage 2 to appear a plurality of times. As a result, the concentration of the occupant 12 after awakening is improved. The second total time T2s is preferably about 5 minutes at the longest.

Here, looking at FIG. 7 in detail, the elapsed time T1a from the time point t1 to the time point t2 corresponds to the first continuous time T1x in which the sleep depth is continuous in the stage 1 during the sleep of the occupant 12. When the elapsed time T1a corresponds to the first continuous time T1x, the second continuous time T2x in which the sleep depth continues in the stage 2 following the first continuous time T1x after the lapse of the first continuous time T1x is the time point t2. The elapsed time T2a from to t3 time point corresponds to this. The elapsed times T1a and T2a have a magnitude relationship of "T1a> T2a".

Further, the elapsed time T1b from the time point t3 to the time point t4 also corresponds to the above-mentioned first continuous time T1x. When the elapsed time T1b corresponds to the first continuous time T1x, the elapsed time T2b from the time t4 to the time t5 corresponds to the second continuous time T2x following the first continuous time T1x. The elapsed times T1b and T2b have a magnitude relationship of "T1b> T2b".

As described above, the sleep control device 10 is set in the stage 2 so that the second continuous time T2x following the first continuous time T1x is shorter than the first continuous time T1x over the entire sleep period of the occupant 12. Temporarily make sleep depth appear.

The sleep control device 10 also performs the following by adjusting the stimulus for maintaining sleep. The sleep control device 10 prevents the sleep depth of the occupant 12 from transitioning to the stage 3 or the stage 4 as shown by the broken line LDa in FIG. 7. At the same time, the sleep control device 10 also prevents the sleep of the occupant 12 from transitioning to REM sleep as shown by the broken line LDb. That is, the sleep control device 10 maintains the sleep of the occupant 12 so that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is neither stage 3 nor stage 4 and REM sleep does not appear.

Further, the sleep control device 10 adjusts the stimulus for maintaining sleep so that the sleep depth alternately reciprocates between the stage 1 and the stage 2 a plurality of times during the sleep of the occupant 12. .. By doing so, the second total time T2s can be lengthened to some extent while shortening the individual elapsed times T2a and T2b in which the sleep depth is continuous in stage 2.

Step S108 of FIG. 8 in which step S201 of FIG. 9 is executed corresponds to the sleep maintenance process described above, and various stimuli in the sleep maintenance process described above are performed by the occupant 12 in the process of step S201 of FIG. Is given to. Therefore, the predetermined sleep maintenance stimulus given to the occupant 12 in step S201 includes any or all of the various stimuli in the sleep maintenance process described above. That is, the sleep-maintaining stimulus given to the occupant 12 in step S201 is, in other words, a stimulus given to the occupant 12 in order to maintain the sleep of the occupant 12 during the sleep of the occupant 12.

Further, in step S201, the stimulator 31 of FIG. 1 receives a visual stimulus, an auditory stimulus, an olfactory stimulus, a tactile stimulus, and a warm / cold stimulus to the occupant 12 during the sleep of the occupant 12 according to a command from the sleep control device 10. Two or more of the posture change stimuli are given at the same timing. For example, while the occupant 12 is sleeping, a sound stimulus at a predetermined tempo slower than the occupant 12's heartbeat is output from the seat speaker 24 as an auditory stimulus, and the air blown from the air conditioner 30 is sent to the occupant 12. On the other hand, it is continued as a hot / cold stimulus with a breeze that does not give a feeling of wind speed.

Following step S201 in FIG. 9, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the sleep control device 10 determines whether or not there is a sign that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 shifts from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep during sleep.

For example, an electroencephalogram or heartbeat pattern showing a sign that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 shifts to stage 3 or stage 4 is experimentally obtained and stored as a first determination pattern in advance. Then, when the electroencephalogram or heartbeat status obtained based on the detection results of the state detection camera 15 and the biological sensor 16 matches the first determination pattern, the sleep control device 10 determines the sleep depth of the occupant 12. It is determined that a sign of moving to stage 3 or stage 4 has appeared.

Similarly, a pattern of brain waves or heartbeats showing a sign that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 shifts to REM sleep is experimentally obtained and stored as a second determination pattern in advance. Then, when the electroencephalogram or heartbeat status obtained based on the detection results of the state detection camera 15 and the biological sensor 16 matches the second determination pattern, the sleep control device 10 determines the sleep depth of the occupant 12. Determine that there are signs of transition to REM sleep.

If it is determined in step S202 of FIG. 9 that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 shows signs of shifting from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep, the subroutine of FIG. 9 ends. Then, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and proceeds to step S109.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 of FIG. 9 that there is no sign that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 shifts from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep, the process proceeds to step S203. ..

In step S203 of FIG. 9, the sleep control device 10 determines whether or not the elapsed time Tps from the time t1 when the occupant 12 has completed falling asleep has reached the predetermined end determination time Ted.

The end determination time Ted is a parameter for determining that the stimulus for maintaining sleep is terminated. The end determination time Ted is set experimentally in advance so that a nap effect such as improvement of concentration after awakening can be sufficiently obtained by a short nap performed by the control process of FIGS. 8 and 9. Specifically, the sleep time Ts of the occupant 12 in the short nap realized by the control processes of FIGS. 8 and 9 is preferably 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less, and more preferably 10 minutes or more. And within 20 minutes. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the end determination time Ted is set so that the sleep time Ts in the short nap is 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less.

Further, when the elapsed time Tps from the completion of falling asleep reaches the end determination time Ted, the occupant 12 is still sleeping and is before the time t6 in FIG. 7, so that the end determination time Ted is shown in FIG. Sleep time is shorter than Ts. The end determination time Ted may be a variable value, but in the present embodiment, it is a constant value.

In step S203, when it is determined that the elapsed time Tps from the completion of falling asleep has reached the end determination time Ted, the subroutine of FIG. 9 ends. Then, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and proceeds to step S109.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 of FIG. 9 that the elapsed time Tps from the completion of falling asleep has not yet reached the end determination time Ted, the process proceeds to step S201.

In step S109 of FIG. 8, the sleep control device 10 executes control to awaken the occupant 12 by using the stimulator 31. That is, the sleep control device 10 awakens the sleeping occupant 12 by giving a predetermined awakening stimulus to the sleeping occupant 12 by the stimulating device 31. That is, at the time of proceeding from step S108 to step S109, the sleep control device 10 smoothly switches the stimulus to the occupant 12 from the stimulus for maintaining sleep to the stimulus for awakening.

Then, in step S109, as shown by being surrounded by the ellipse B3 in FIG. 7, at the time of t6, the sleep control device 10 awakens the occupant 12 without causing REM sleep. As a result, the occupant 12 can be comfortably awakened.

At this time, the sleep control device 10 gives a predetermined arousal stimulus while recognizing the sleep depth of the occupant 12. For example, the awakening stimulus is experimentally determined in advance to be suitable for comfortably awakening the occupant 12, and is adjusted within a certain range according to the progress of the awakening of the occupant 12. It has become like.

Further, at the time of t6 in FIG. 7, the occupant 12 is in the awake state from the sleep state of the stage 1, but may be in the awake state from the sleep state of the stage 2.

Here, step S109 of FIG. 8 is executed when the determination in step S203 of FIG. 9 is “YES”, and the end determination time Ted used for the determination in step S203 is the sleep time in a short nap. Ts is set to be 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less. Therefore, it can be said that the sleep control device 10 awakens the sleeping occupant 12 so that the sleep time Ts is 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less.

Further, step S109 in FIG. 8 is executed when the determination in step S203 of FIG. 9 is "NO" but the determination in step S202 of FIG. 9 is "YES". Therefore, when the sleep control device 10 shows a sign that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 shifts from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep during sleep, the sleep control device 10 occupies the occupant regardless of the sleep time Ts. It can be said to awaken 12.

This step S109 corresponds to the above-mentioned awakening process, and various stimuli in the above-mentioned awakening process are given to the occupant 12 in the process of step S109. Therefore, the predetermined arousal stimulus given to the occupant 12 in step S109 includes any or all of the various stimuli in the awakening process described above. That is, the awakening stimulus given to the occupant 12 in step S109 is, in other words, a stimulus given to the occupant 12 in order to awaken the occupant 12 when the occupant 12 is awakened. In the present embodiment, for example, the above-mentioned sound stimulus by the awakening sound is included in the awakening stimulus given to the occupant 12 in step S109.

Further, in step S109, the stimulator 31 of FIG. 1 gives the occupant 12 a visual stimulus, an auditory stimulus, an olfactory stimulus, a tactile stimulus, a hot / cold stimulus, and a posture when the occupant 12 is awake, in accordance with a command from the sleep control device 10. Two or more of the change stimuli are given at the same timing. To give an example of this, for example, the sleep control device 10 gives the occupant 12 a stimulus that gradually changes the color of the light emitted by the illumination 29 from a warm color system to a cold color system as a visual stimulus, while giving the scent of arousal action to the occupant. As an olfactory stimulus for 12, the scent device 21 is released into the vehicle interior.

The process of step S109 ends when the sleeping occupant 12 becomes awake (for example, at t6 in FIG. 7). Then, when the process of step S109 is completed, the stimulus for awakening is stopped, and the flowchart of FIG. 8 ends.

The processing in each step of FIGS. 8 and 9 described above constitutes a functional unit that realizes each function. This also applies to the flowchart described later.

Further, step S107 in FIG. 8 corresponds to the sleep onset control unit, step S108 corresponds to the sleep maintenance control unit, and step S109 corresponds to the awakening control unit. The sleep control device 10 functionally includes a sleep onset control unit, a sleep maintenance control unit, and an awakening control unit.

A PVT evaluation was performed to verify the effect of the short nap by the control process of FIGS. 8 and 9 described above. "PVT" is an abbreviation for "Psychomotor Vigilance Task". This PVT evaluation is a method for objectively evaluating performance and cognitive function based on reaction and operation time, and is a method developed at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States and used to improve human error due to lack of sleep and fatigue.

Specifically, a comparative example in which a short-time nap of the present embodiment by the control process of FIGS. 8 and 9 is performed and a comparative example of simply sleeping without giving any stimuli for falling asleep, maintaining sleep, and awakening. PVT evaluation was performed on the subjects corresponding to the occupant 12 in each case of taking a short nap. The results of the evaluation are as follows. The composition of the subjects in the PVT evaluation is as follows: the number of subjects is 20, the male-female ratio of the subjects is 50%, and the ages of the subjects are a wide range of ages such as 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. It is a layer.

As a result of PVT evaluation, both the average reaction rate (that is, MeanRRT) and the number of errors (that is, Lapses) used as an index of PVT evaluation are comparative examples when the short nap of the present embodiment is performed. A large improvement effect was observed compared to the case of taking a short nap. "Mean RRT" is an abbreviation for "mean reciprocal response time".

Specifically, when the short-time nap of the present embodiment was performed, the average reaction rate in the PVT evaluation was 90% or more of all the subjects as compared with the case of performing the short-time nap of the comparative example. Improved with. For example, the average reaction rate is considered to improve according to the sleep time Ts as shown in FIG.

Regarding the number of errors in the PVT evaluation, when the short-time nap of the present embodiment was performed, a significant error reduction effect was obtained among all the subjects as compared with the case of performing the short-time nap of the comparative example. It was confirmed by more than a percentage of people.

Further, in order to verify the effect of the short-time nap by the control processing of FIGS. 8 and 9, a subjective evaluation questionnaire was conducted from a plurality of viewpoints.

Specifically, a subjective evaluation questionnaire was conducted for each of the case where the short-time nap of the present embodiment was performed and the case where the short-time nap of the above comparative example was performed. The results of the subjective evaluation questionnaire are as follows. The composition of the respondents to this questionnaire is the same as the composition of the subjects in the PVT evaluation.

Among the subjective evaluation questionnaires, in the questionnaire about falling asleep, as shown in FIG. 11, three options of "I couldn't sleep", "I was out of control", and "I slept" were prepared. As a result of the questionnaire, when the short nap of this embodiment was performed, more than 80% of all the respondents answered that they "sleeped". When the short-time nap of the present embodiment is performed, the same effect or improvement effect is seen in 80% or more of all the respondents as compared with the case of performing the short-time nap of the comparative example. Was done.

In addition, in the questionnaire about arousal among the subjective evaluation questionnaires, six options were prepared as shown in FIG. In other words, in the questionnaire about the awakening, "very unpleasant awakening", "unpleasant awakening", "somewhat unpleasant awakening", "somewhat refreshing", "refreshing" and "very refreshing" The option was prepared. As a result of the questionnaire, when a short nap of this embodiment was performed, more than 80% of all the respondents were "slightly refreshed", "refreshed", or "very refreshed". I answered. When the short-time nap of the present embodiment was performed, an improvement effect was observed in 80% or more of all the respondents as compared with the case of performing the short-time nap of the comparative example.

Further, in order to verify the effect of the short-time nap by the control process of FIGS. 8 and 9, the reachability of falling asleep at the time of falling asleep was verified.

Specifically, the time to reach sleep, which is the elapsed time from the start of falling asleep to the completion of falling asleep, between the case of performing the short-time nap of the present embodiment and the case of performing the short-time nap of the above comparative example. It was compared. The time when the subject falls asleep is the time when the manual sleep onset switch provided in the input device 14 of FIG. 1 is operated by the subject. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the time when the occupant falls asleep is the time when it is determined in step S101 of FIG. 8 that the occupant 12 as the subject has selected to take a short nap by the manual operation of the occupant 12. Further, the time when the sleep onset is completed is the time when the awakened subject has completed the sleep onset, that is, in FIG. 13, the time when the awakened subject has become the stage 1 sleep. The composition of the subjects in the verification of the reachability to fall asleep is the same as the composition of the subjects in the PVT evaluation.

As a result of verification of the reachability to fall asleep, when the short nap of the present embodiment was performed, about half of all the subjects were able to fall asleep in about 1 minute. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the short-time nap of the present embodiment is performed, 90% or more of all the subjects fall asleep as compared with the case of performing the short-time nap of the comparative example. The arrival time has been shortened. In FIG. 13, the change in sleep depth during sleep onset in the present embodiment is indicated by the solid line L3, and the time to reach sleep onset is indicated by arrow A3. Further, the change in sleep depth during sleep onset in the comparative example is indicated by the broken line L4, and the time to reach sleep onset is indicated by arrow A4.

In addition, in order to verify the effect of the short nap by the control process of FIGS. 8 and 9, the sustainability of sleep was verified. The composition of the subjects in this verification of sleep persistence is the same as the composition of the subjects in the PVT evaluation.

As a result of the verification of the sustainability of the sleep, the following multiple cases were confirmed in more than 70% of all the subjects when the short nap of the comparative example was performed. One of the plurality of cases is that the subject awakens within 10 minutes after falling asleep due to the disturbance. In addition, in the other of the plurality of cases, the subject's sleep depth becomes stage 3 or higher and the subject cannot easily wake up, or even if he / she can wake up, he / she becomes uncomfortable awakening and becomes tired after awakening. It means that a feeling will be generated. On the other hand, no such case was confirmed when the short nap of the present embodiment was performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first total time T1s is the total time during which the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is continued in the stage 1 during the sleep of the occupant 12. The second total time T2s is the total time obtained by totaling the time during which the sleep depth of the occupant 12 continues in the stage 2 while the occupant 12 is sleeping. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the sleep control device 10 causes the sleep depth of stage 2 to appear so that the second total time T2s is shorter than the first total time T1s during the sleep of the occupant 12. ..

Therefore, for example, the appearance of the sleep depth in stage 2 allows the occupant 12 to obtain deep sleep in a short time as compared with the case where the sleep depth during sleep is simply maintained in stage 1. Further, since there is a relationship that the second total time T2s is shorter than the first total time T1s, for example, when the relationship that the second total time T2s is longer than the first total time T1s is established. In comparison, the possibility of the sleep depth transitioning to stage 3 or stage 4 can be reduced. That is, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the sleep depth becoming too deep.

As a result, for example, it is possible to realize an effective short-time nap aimed at relaxing after awakening, relieving drowsiness, recovering from fatigue, and improving concentration. For example, a better effect of short-time nap can be obtained as compared with the short-time nap by simple control of sleep depth performed by the sleep control device of Patent Document 1.

(1) Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the sleep control device 10 does not set the sleep depth of the occupant 12 to stage 3 or stage 4, and does not cause REM sleep to appear. , Maintain the sleep of occupant 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the continuation of light sleep caused by the appearance of REM sleep. Then, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the transition of the sleep depth to the stage 3 or the stage 4, that is, the inconvenience caused by the sleep depth becoming too deep. For example, the inconvenience is that the occupant 12 does not awaken even if the occupant 12 receives the stimulus for awakening in step S109 of FIG. ..

(2) Further, according to the present embodiment, the predetermined stimulus for falling asleep given to the occupant 12 in step S107 of FIG. 8 is applied to the palm of the occupant 12 as shown by the solid line Lp of FIG. It includes a first sleep-onset stimulus that periodically changes the pressure. The stimulus for falling asleep also includes a second stimulus for falling asleep that warms the end portion of the body of the occupant 12 so that the temperature Tte of the end portion of the upper limb becomes higher than the temperature Tam of the arm. When the occupant 12 is put to sleep, the sleep control device 10 gives the occupant 12 the first sleep onset stimulus while giving the occupant 12 the second sleep onset stimulus by the tactile vibration epidermis 26 and the vibration epidermis heater 27 as the stimulator 31.

By giving the second sleep-onset stimulus when the occupant 12 falls asleep in this way, the peripheral blood vessel of the occupant 12 can be expanded and heat dissipation from the periphery of the peripheral blood vessel can be promoted. As a result, the core body temperature of the occupant 12 is lowered, and the occupant 12 is likely to fall asleep.

Further, by giving the second sleep-onset stimulus when the occupant 12 falls asleep, the first sleep-onset stimulus is easily recognized by the occupant 12, and the respiratory guidance of the occupant 12 by the first sleep-onset stimulus becomes easy.

(3) Further, according to the present embodiment, when the occupant 12 is put to sleep, in step S107 of FIG. 8, the sleep control device 10 seats the occupant 12 with the sound of falling asleep as a predetermined stimulus for falling asleep. Output from the speaker 24. The sleep-onset sound is a sound whose tempo gradually slows down from the tempo synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12, as shown in the solid line L1s in FIG. Therefore, the breathing of the occupant 12 is induced by the sleep-onset sound, and the breathing of the occupant 12 can be gradually slowed down to promote the occupant 12 to fall asleep.

(4) Further, according to the present embodiment, in step S109 of FIG. 8, the sleep control device 10 gives a predetermined awakening stimulus to the sleeping occupant 12 by the stimulator 31 during sleep. Awaken occupant 12. Therefore, it is possible to control the sleep time Ts of the occupant 12 who has fallen asleep.

(5) Further, according to the present embodiment, the sleep control device 10 awakens the sleeping occupant 12 so that the sleep time Ts is 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less. Therefore, it is possible to provide the occupant 12 with a short-time nap that can obtain an appropriate effect such as improvement of concentration after awakening.

For example, if the sleep time Ts is less than 5 minutes, the sleep time Ts is too short to obtain the effect of sleep. Further, when the sleep time Ts exceeds 30 minutes, it becomes unsuitable for a short nap provided to the occupant 12 of the vehicle.

(6) Further, according to the present embodiment, in step S107 of FIG. 8, the sleep control device 10 puts the occupant 12 to sleep without causing REM sleep to appear. Further, in step S109, the sleep control device 10 awakens the sleeping occupant 12 without causing REM sleep. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a light sleep during the sleep time Ts and provide a comfortable sleep to the occupant 12.

(7) Further, according to the present embodiment, when the sleep control device 10 shows a sign that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 shifts from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep during sleep. In step S109 of FIG. 8, the occupant 12 is awakened. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the effect of the short-time nap from becoming insufficient due to the shallow sleep depth, and to avoid the inconvenience caused by the sleep depth becoming too deep.

(8) Further, according to the present embodiment, the stimulator 31 of FIG. 1 provides visual stimulus, auditory stimulus, olfactory stimulus, tactile stimulus, warm / cold stimulus, and posture change stimulus to the occupant 12 when the occupant 12 falls asleep. Two or more of these stimuli are given at the same timing. This is true not only when the occupant 12 falls asleep, but also when the occupant 12 is sleeping and when the occupant 12 is awake.

Therefore, the effect of the stimulus given to the occupant 12 can be obtained in a short time as compared with the case where one kind of stimulus is given in order.

(9) Further, according to the present embodiment, when the occupant 12 is awakened, in step S109 of FIG. 8, the sleep control device 10 seats the occupant 12 with the awakening sound as a predetermined awakening stimulus. Output from the speaker 24. The awakening sound is a sound whose tempo gradually increases from the tempo synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12, as shown in the solid line L2s in FIG. Therefore, the breathing of the occupant 12 is induced by the above-mentioned awakening sound, and the breathing of the occupant 12 can be gradually accelerated to promote the awakening of the occupant 12.

Here, in the time chart of FIG. 7, the time during which the sleep depth is continuous in stage 1 during the sleep of the occupant 12 is defined as the first continuous time T1x. Then, the time during which the sleep depth continues in stage 2 following the first continuous time T1x after the lapse of the first continuous time T1x is defined as the second continuous time T2x. In that case, according to the present embodiment, the sleep control device 10 has a shorter second continuous time T2x following the first continuous time T1x than the first continuous time T1x over the entire sleep period of the occupant 12. As such, the sleep depth of stage 2 is made to appear temporarily. Therefore, for example, even if the sleeping occupant 12 is inadvertently awakened, it is possible to establish a situation in which the second total time T2s is shorter than the first total time T1s described above.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the occupant 12 is triggered by the determination in step S203 of FIG. 9 that the elapsed time Tps from the completion of falling asleep of the occupant 12 has reached the predetermined end determination time Ted. Awakening control is performed, which is just one example. For example, the sleep control device 10 may awaken the occupant 12 according to the timer setting by the occupant 12, or may awaken the occupant 12 according to the setting according to the destination in conjunction with the car navigation system. Further, the sleep control device 10 may learn the past sleep state of the occupant 12 and awaken the occupant 12 at the learned awakening timing.

(2) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, step S202 is provided in the flowchart of FIG. 9, but the step S202 is not an indispensable configuration. If there is no step S202 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the process proceeds to step S203 after step S201.

(3) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the sleep control device 10 controls the sleep depth by the stimulus from the stimulator 31 while monitoring the sleep depth during the sleep of the occupant 12, as shown in FIG. Is an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the pattern of the stimulus that changes the sleep depth is experimentally set in advance, and the sleep control device 10 is set in advance without monitoring the sleep depth during the sleep of the occupant 12. The stimulus according to the stimulus pattern may be given from the stimulator 31 to the occupant 12.

(4) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, in the time chart of FIG. 7, the sleep depth transitions from stage 1 to stage 2 twice during the sleep of the occupant 12, but the transition from stage 1 to stage 2 May be once or may be three or more times.

(5) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the sleep control device 10 does not have to be an independent device, and may be a control unit included in the electronic control device as a functional part of the in-vehicle electronic control device. not.

(6) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9 is realized by a computer program, but it may be realized by hardware.

(7) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the seat blower 23 of FIG. 1 blows air from the seat skin in contact with the seated occupant 12 of the seat 17 of FIG. 2, which is an example. For example, conversely, the seat blower 23 may be of a type that sucks air into the seat 17 from the seat skin.

(8) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented. Further, in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential except when it is clearly stated that they are essential or when they are clearly considered to be essential in principle. ..

Further, in the above embodiment, when numerical values such as the number, numerical values, quantities, and ranges of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, when it is clearly stated that they are particularly essential, and when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle. It is not limited to the specific number except in cases such as. Further, in the above embodiment, when the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, etc. are referred to, except for the case where it is clearly stated and the case where the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. are limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle. The material, shape, positional relationship, etc. are not limited.

Further, the sleep control device 10 as a control unit and the method thereof described in the present disclosure are configured by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or a plurality of functions embodied by a computer program. It may be realized by the provided dedicated computer. Alternatively, the controls and methods thereof described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring the processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and method thereof described in the present disclosure may be a combination of a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions and a processor composed of one or more hardware logic circuits. It may be realized by one or more dedicated computers configured. Further, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitional tangible recording medium as an instruction executed by the computer.

10 Sleep control device 12 Crew (target person)
31 Stimulator

Claims (10)

A sleep control device that controls the sleep of the subject (12).
A sleep onset control unit (S107) that causes the subject to fall asleep and sets the sleep depth of the subject to stage 1 or stage 2 by giving a predetermined sleep onset stimulus to the subject by a stimulator (31). ,
After the subject is put to sleep by the sleep onset control unit, the subject is given a predetermined sleep maintenance stimulus by the stimulator to increase the sleep depth of the subject from stage 1 to stage 2. It is equipped with a sleep maintenance control unit (S108) that maintains the sleep of the subject while maintaining the range.
In the sleep maintenance control unit, the sleep depth of the subject continues in the stage 2 than the first total time obtained by totaling the time during which the sleep depth of the subject continues in the stage 1 during the sleep of the subject. A sleep control device that causes the sleep depth of stage 2 to appear so that the second total time, which is the sum of the times to be performed, is shorter. The sleep according to claim 1, wherein the sleep maintenance control unit maintains the sleep of the subject so that the sleep depth of the subject is neither stage 3 nor stage 4 and REM sleep does not appear. Control device. The stimulus for falling asleep includes a first stimulus for falling asleep that periodically changes the pressure applied to the palm of the subject, and the temperature (Tte) of the end of the upper limb of the subject's body is the temperature of the arm (Tam). ) Includes a second sleep stimulus that warms the end so that it is higher than
The sleep according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the subject falls asleep, the sleep onset control unit gives the subject the first sleep onset stimulus while giving the second sleep onset stimulus to the subject by the stimulator. Control device. When the subject falls asleep, the sleep-onset control unit uses the sleep-onset sound, which gradually slows down from the tempo synchronized with the subject's heartbeat, as a stimulus for the subject to fall asleep. The sleep control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is output from the stimulator. Any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an awakening control unit (S109) that awakens the sleeping subject by giving a predetermined awakening stimulus to the sleeping subject by the stimulator. The sleep control device described in one. The fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the awakening control unit awakens the sleeping subject so that the sleep time (Ts) at which the subject continues to sleep is 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less. Sleep control device. The sleep onset control unit causes the subject to fall asleep without causing REM sleep.
The sleep control device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the awakening control unit awakens the subject during sleep without causing REM sleep. The awakening control unit awakens the subject when there is a sign that the sleep depth of the subject shifts from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep during sleep. Item 6. The sleep control device according to any one of Items 5 to 7. The stimulator includes a visual stimulus given to the visual sense of the subject, an auditory stimulus given to the auditory sense of the subject, an olfactory stimulus given to the sense of smell of the subject, and a tactile stimulus given to the tactile sense of the subject. At the timing when two or more types of stimuli, a hot / cold stimulus given to the subject's sense of temperature and a posture change stimulus given to the subject by changing the subject's posture, are mutually aligned, the subject's The sleep control device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, which is given to the subject when falling asleep, sleeping, or awakening. When the subject is awakened, the awakening control unit uses the awakening sound, in which the tempo gradually increases from the tempo synchronized with the subject's heartbeat, as a stimulus for the awakening. The sleep control device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, which is output from the stimulator.

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