JP2022155614A - Empathy measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of measuring empathy between subjects accurately from a brain wave.SOLUTION: In an empathy measuring method, a computer acquires first brain wave data of a first subject and second brain wave data of a second subject synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1,000 microseconds, calculates correlation between the first brain wave data and the second brain wave data, and estimates empathy to a content between the first subject and the second subject.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an empathy measuring method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, research has been conducted on a method of simultaneously measuring electroencephalograms of a plurality of subjects who are experiencing content such as a movie or class, and examining synchronization between the electroencephalograms thus measured. As an example, in Non-Patent Document 1, when 12 students who are taking a class are equipped with electroencephalographs and the brain activities of 12 students are measured at the same time during the class, , has been shown to synchronize brain waves among students. In the study of Non-Patent Document 1, cognitive empathy for the class was measured by having students answer a question sheet after finishing the class, and there was a correlation between the measured cognitive empathy and the degree of electroencephalogram synchrony. It is shown that there is

Suzanne Dikker, Lu Wan, Ido Davidesco, Lisa Kaggen, Matthias Oostrik, James McClintock, Jess Rowland, Georgios Michalareas, Jay J.Van Bavel, Mingzhou Ding, David Poeppel, "Brain-to-Brain Synchrony Tracks Real-World Dynamic Group Interactions" in the Classroom", Current Biology, Volume 27, Issue 9, 8 May 2017, Pages R346-R348

The inventors of the present invention have found that the conventional method for measuring empathy from electroencephalograms has the following problems. In other words, in the conventional method, the time synchronization accuracy of the electroencephalographs that are simultaneously measuring is low (on the order of several milliseconds). The accuracy of the degree of synchronization that is used is lowered. Therefore, in the conventional method, after calculating the degree of synchrony between all pairs, the average value of the calculated degree of synchrony of all pairs is calculated, and the degree of empathy is derived from the calculated average value of the degree of synchrony. This was intended to improve the accuracy of empathy measurement. Therefore, the degree of empathy to be measured relates to all subjects, and it is difficult to accurately measure the degree of empathy between subjects in individual pairs.

In one aspect, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for accurately measuring empathy between subjects from electroencephalograms.

The present invention adopts the following configurations in order to solve the above-described problems.

That is, in the empathy measurement method according to one aspect of the present invention, the computer measures the first electroencephalogram data of the first subject and the second electroencephalogram data of the second subject while the computer is experiencing the content. wherein the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data are synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds, and between the step and the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data calculating a correlation; estimating a degree of empathy for the content between the first subject and the second subject based on the calculated correlation; and the estimated empathy and outputting information about the degree.

The inventors of the present invention have found, according to experimental examples described later, that synchronized electroencephalogram data with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds can accurately derive the degree of empathy for content between the first subject and the second subject. I found that Electroencephalogram data synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds can be obtained, for example, by applying the calibration method (time correction method) proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-057169 (Patent No. 6376911) to an electroencephalograph. can be done. Therefore, according to the said structure, the empathy degree with respect to the content between a 1st test subject and a 2nd test subject can be accurately measured from an electroencephalogram.

In the empathy measurement method according to the above aspect, each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is 1 to 1 on the frontal side of the head center of each of the first subject and the second subject. First measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in a frequency band of 30 Hz may be included, and the empathy level may include a negative mood-related component. According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy including the negative mood-related component for the content between the first subject and the second subject.

In the method for measuring empathy according to the above aspect, the first measurement data may be obtained by measuring brain waves in a frequency band of 8 to 12 Hz, and the components related to negative mood are anger, It may indicate a degree of confusion, depression and/or tension. According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy for the content between the first subject and the second subject, which includes a component indicating at least one of anger, confusion, depression, and tension. can.

In the empathy measurement method according to the above aspect, each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is 1 to 1 on the occipital side of the head center of each of the first subject and the second subject. Second measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in a frequency band of 30 Hz may be included, and the empathy level may include a negative mood-related component. According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy including the negative mood-related component for the content between the first subject and the second subject.

In the empathy measurement method according to the above aspect, each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is 8 to 8 on the occipital side of the head center of each of the first subject and the second subject. Second measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in a frequency band of 12 Hz may be included, and the level of empathy may include a component related to the level of comprehension of the content. According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy including the component related to the degree of understanding of the content between the first subject and the second subject.

In the empathy measurement method according to the above aspect, each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is 1 to 1 on the occipital side of the head center of each of the first subject and the second subject. It may include second measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in a frequency band of 30 Hz, 4 to 8 Hz, or 12 to 30 Hz, and the empathy level is a component related to the degree of arousal when experiencing the content. may contain According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy including the component related to the degree of arousal to the content between the first subject and the second subject.

As another aspect of the empathy level measuring method according to each of the above aspects, one aspect of the present invention may be an information processing device or an information processing system that realizes all or part of each of the above configurations. It may be a program, or a storage medium that stores such a program and is readable by a computer, other device, machine, or the like. Here, a computer-readable storage medium is a medium that stores information such as a program by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for accurately measuring the degree of empathy between subjects from electroencephalograms.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a scene to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the empathy measurement device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of the software configuration of the empathy measurement device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the empathy level measuring device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the result of calculating the correlation between the results of the questionnaire regarding the contents of each subject and the degree of synchrony of the electroencephalogram data. FIG. 6 shows the result of calculating the correlation between the change in mood (response result of POMS2) and the degree of synchronism of electroencephalogram data due to content usage of each subject.

Hereinafter, an embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment") according to one aspect of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. However, this embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention in every respect. It goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. That is, in implementing the present invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately employed. Although the data appearing in this embodiment are explained in terms of natural language, more specifically, they are specified in computer-recognizable pseudo-language, commands, parameters, machine language, and the like.

§1 Application Example FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a scene to which the present invention is applied. The empathy measurement device 1 is a computer configured to acquire electroencephalogram data of a plurality of subjects and derive empathy between the subjects from the acquired electroencephalogram data.

First, the empathy measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment measures the first electroencephalogram data 31 of the first subject S1 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 of the second subject S2 while experiencing the content. to get The first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 are synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds. The first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 may be measured using an electroencephalograph E. FIG. The type of electroencephalograph E is not particularly limited as long as it can measure electroencephalograms of the subject, and may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment. In one example, the electroencephalograph E may be a wired or wireless electroencephalograph that employs dish electrodes coated with conductive gel, dry electrodes that do not require gel, or the like.

The type of content may not be particularly limited as long as it can be shared by a plurality of people, and may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment. In one example, the content may be moving images such as movies, lecture videos, virtual reality, and the like. In another example, the content may be events such as classes, plays, concerts, sporting events, games, and the like. When measuring the degree of empathy for target content, the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 are allowed to experience common content. As an example, when the electroencephalograms of each subject (S1, S2) are measured simultaneously, each subject (S1, S2) may experience the target content at the same time. As another example, when comparing with previously acquired electroencephalogram data, each subject (S1, S2) may experience the target content at different times.

Electroencephalogram data is obtained by measuring electrical brain activity in time series. That is, electroencephalogram data is generated by plotting measured values of brain activity in time series. "Synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds" means that the sample points (measurement time of the electroencephalograph E) are synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds in a plurality of electroencephalographs, or the sample points of the electroencephalographs and the time in the content are synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds. A sample point (measurement point) is a point where a measured value is plotted. As an example of the synchronization method, when the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 experience the content at the same time and the electroencephalograms of the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 are measured at the same time, for example , by adjusting the timing of the sample point (measurement time of the electroencephalograph E) according to the calibration method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-057169 (Patent No. 6376911), the second synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds. 1 electroencephalogram data 31 and 2nd electroencephalogram data 32 can be acquired. As another example, when the electroencephalograms of the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 are not measured simultaneously, the content and each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) are separated by less than 1000 microseconds by the above calibration method. Synchronize with precision. This makes it possible to acquire the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds based on the time in the content. When synchronizing electroencephalogram data via content in this way, it is preferable that the content be reproducible at a given time and with a given content, such as moving images.

Next, the empathy measuring device 1 calculates the correlation (hereinafter also referred to as "synchronization") between the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32. FIG. The empathy level measuring device 1 estimates the empathy level for the content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 based on the calculated correlation. The degree of empathy refers to the degree of similarity in brain activity resulting from, for example, understanding, interest, arousal, and mood changes between pairs. The higher the correlation between the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32, the higher the empathy value may be evaluated, and the lower the correlation, the lower the empathy value may be evaluated. The degree of empathy may be represented by a continuous value, or may be represented by a discrete value (eg, 3-level evaluation, 5-level evaluation, 10-level evaluation, etc.). Then, the empathy level measuring device 1 outputs information about the estimated empathy level.

As described above, in the present embodiment, based on the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds, the content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 is Derive the degree of empathy for If they are synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds, the correlation between the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 can be accurately calculated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy for content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 from the electroencephalograms without averaging for all subjects.

§2 Configuration example [Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the empathy measurement device 1 according to this embodiment. The empathy measurement device 1 according to this embodiment is a computer to which a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an external interface 13, an input device 14, an output device 15, and a drive 16 are electrically connected. In addition, in FIG. 2, the external interface is described as "external I/F".

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a hardware processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and is configured to execute information processing based on programs and various data. be. A CPU is an example of a processor resource. The storage unit 12 is an example of a memory resource, and is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores various information such as the measurement program 81 .

The measurement program 81 performs information processing (FIG. 4 to be described later) for deriving the degree of empathy for the content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 from the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32. It is a program to be executed by the measuring device 1 . The measurement program 81 contains a series of instructions for the information processing. Details will be described later.

The external interface 13 is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a dedicated port, or the like, and is an interface for connecting with an external device. The type and number of external interfaces 13 may be arbitrarily selected. When obtaining electroencephalogram data directly from the electroencephalograph E, the empathy measurement device 1 may be connected to the electroencephalograph E via the external interface 13 . Note that the method of connecting the empathy measurement device 1 and the electroencephalograph E may not be limited to such an example. As another example, the empathy measurement device 1 and the electroencephalograph E (or another computer connected to the electroencephalograph E) each have a communication interface (eg, Wifi (registered trademark) module, Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, etc.) If provided, the empathy measurement device 1 and the electroencephalograph E may be connected via a network.

The input device 14 is, for example, a device for performing input such as a mouse, keyboard, or microphone. Also, the output device 15 is, for example, a device for outputting such as a display and a speaker. The input device 14 and the output device 15 may be integrally configured by a touch panel display. The operator can operate the empathy measurement device 1 by using the input device 14 and the output device 15 .

The drive 16 is, for example, a CD drive, a DVD drive, or the like, and is a drive device for reading various information such as programs stored in the storage medium 91 . The storage medium 91 stores information such as programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical or chemical action so that computers, other devices, machines, etc. can read various information such as programs. It is a medium that accumulates by The measurement program 81 may be stored in the storage medium 91 . The empathy measurement device 1 may acquire the measurement program 81 from the storage medium 91 . In FIG. 2, as an example of the storage medium 91, a disk-type storage medium such as a CD or DVD is illustrated. However, the type of storage medium 91 is not limited to the disk type, and may be other than the disk type. As a storage medium other than the disk type, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory can be cited. The type of drive 16 may be arbitrarily selected according to the type of storage medium 91 .

Regarding the specific hardware configuration of the empathy measurement device 1, it is possible to omit, replace, and add components as appropriate according to the embodiment. For example, control unit 11 may include multiple hardware processors. The hardware processor may consist of a microprocessor, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The storage unit 12 may be configured by the RAM and ROM included in the control unit 11, or may be configured by another computer (for example, a mobile terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer)). At least one of the external interface 13, the input device 14, the output device 15 and the drive 16 may be omitted. The degree of empathy measurement device 1 may be composed of a plurality of computers. In this case, the hardware configuration of each computer may or may not match. In addition, the empathy measurement device 1 is an information processing device designed exclusively for the provided service, a general-purpose server device, a desktop PC, a mobile terminal (for example, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet PC), etc. good too.

[Software configuration]
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of the software configuration of the empathy measurement device 1 according to this embodiment. The control unit 11 of the empathy measurement device 1 executes commands included in the measurement program 81 stored in the storage unit 12 by means of the CPU. Thus, the empathy measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment operates as a computer including the data acquisition unit 111, the correlation calculator 112, the empathy estimation unit 113, and the output unit 114 as software modules.

The data acquisition unit 111 is configured to acquire the first electroencephalogram data 31 of the first subject S1 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 of the second subject S2 measured while experiencing the content. . The correlation calculator 112 is configured to calculate the correlation between the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 . The empathy estimation unit 113 is configured to estimate the empathy for the content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 based on the calculated correlation. The output unit 114 is configured to output information about the estimated empathy level.

Each software module of the empathy measurement device 1 will be described in detail in operation examples described later. In this embodiment, an example in which each software module of the empathy measurement device 1 is implemented by a general-purpose CPU is described. However, some or all of the software modules may be implemented by one or more dedicated processors. Further, regarding the software configuration of the empathy measurement device 1, omission, replacement, and addition of software modules may be performed as appropriate according to the embodiment.

§3 Operation Example FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the empathy measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment. The processing procedure of the empathy level measuring device 1 described below is an example of the empathy level measuring method. However, the processing procedure of the empathy degree measuring device 1 described below is merely an example, and each step may be changed as much as possible. Further, in the following processing procedures, steps may be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate according to the embodiment.

(Step S101)
In step S101, the control unit 11 operates as the data acquisition unit 111, and measures the first electroencephalogram data 31 of the first subject S1 and the second electroencephalogram data 31 of the second subject S2 while experiencing the content. Acquire electroencephalogram data 32 .

In this embodiment, the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 may be appropriately generated so as to be synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds. As described above, in one example, while experiencing the target content at the same time, by simultaneously measuring the electroencephalograms of the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 by the above calibration method, The first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 synchronized with an accuracy of . In another example, synchronization may be achieved between the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 via the target content with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds. When synchronizing via content, electroencephalogram measurements for each subject (S1, S2) may be performed at the same time or at different times.

In the present embodiment, the route for acquiring data may not be particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment. In one example, the control unit 11 may acquire the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 from the electroencephalograph E directly. In another example, the control unit 11 may acquire at least one of the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 from another computer via a network, the storage medium 91, or the like. At least one of the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 may be stored in a database. The database may be held in any storage area such as the storage unit 12, the storage medium 91, or an external storage device, for example. The external storage device may be, for example, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), an external storage device, or the like.

The position on the head where electroencephalograms are measured may be appropriately determined from a range in which brain activity related to content can be measured. In one example of this embodiment, the positions on the head where electroencephalograms are measured may include at least one of positions on the frontal side of the center of the head and positions on the occipital side of the center of the head. The position on the frontal side of the center of the head may be, for example, Fz. The position on the occipital side of the center of the head may be, for example, Oz.

The frequency band for measurement may be appropriately selected from bands in which brain activity related to content can be measured. In one example of this embodiment, the frequency band measured may be 1-30 Hz. Measuring brain waves in the frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz is at least one of 1 to 4 Hz (delta waves), 4 to 8 Hz (theta waves), 8 to 12 Hz (alpha waves), and 12 to 30 Hz (beta waves) and/or measuring electroencephalograms in the entire range of 1 to 30 Hz.

In one example, each of the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 measures electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz on the frontal side of the center of the head of each of the first subject S1 and the second subject. may include frontal measurement data obtained by Also, the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 are obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz on the occipital side of the head center of each of the first subject S1 and the second subject S1. may include occipital measurement data obtained in . The frontal measurement data is an example of "first measurement data", and the occipital measurement data is an example of "second measurement data".

The frontal measurement data included in each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) are electroencephalograms in the frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz, 1 to 4 Hz (delta waves), 4 to 8 Hz (theta waves), or 8 to 12 Hz (alpha waves). may be obtained by measuring The frontometry data may be obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band of 8-12 Hz (alpha waves). Frontometry data may be obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band of 4-8 Hz (theta waves) or 8-12 Hz (alpha waves). The frontometry data may be obtained by measuring brain waves in the entire 1-30 Hz or 4-8 Hz (theta) frequency band.

The occipital measurement data included in each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) may be obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz or 1 to 4 Hz (delta waves). The occipital measurement data was obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency bands of 1 to 30 Hz, 1 to 4 Hz (delta waves), 4 to 8 Hz (theta waves), or 12 to 30 Hz (beta waves). you can Occipital measurement data may be obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency bands of 1-30 Hz, 1-4 Hz (delta waves), or 12-30 Hz (beta waves). The occipital measurement data may be obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band of 8-12 Hz (alpha waves). Occipital measurement data may be obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in the frequency bands of 1-30 Hz, 4-8 Hz (theta waves), or 12-30 Hz (beta waves). Occipital measurement data may be obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz or 4 to 8 Hz (theta waves).

Note that the number of subjects whose electroencephalograms are measured need not be limited to two. The control unit 11 may acquire electroencephalogram data from three or more subjects. The control unit 11 extracts two subjects whose empathy is to be measured from three or more subjects (that is, generates a pair of subjects), and the extracted two subjects The electroencephalogram data may be obtained as first electroencephalogram data 31 and second electroencephalogram data 32 . After acquiring the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32, the control unit 11 proceeds to the next step S102.

(Step S102)
In step S<b>102 , the control section 11 operates as the correlation calculation section 112 and calculates the correlation between the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 . In one example, the control unit 11 may calculate the correlation using an analysis method such as Pearson's correlation analysis, Spearman's correlation analysis, or canonical correlation analysis. As another example, the control unit 11 may calculate a phase locking value (PLV) as the correlation. After calculating the correlation, the control unit 11 proceeds to the next step S103.

(Step S103)
In step S103, the control unit 11 estimates the degree of empathy for the content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 based on the calculated correlation. The control unit 11 estimates a higher empathy value as the calculated correlation is higher, and estimates a lower empathy value as the calculated correlation is lower.

In one example, the relationship between correlation and empathy may be given accordingly, depending on the embodiment. The relationship between correlation and empathy may be expressed by, for example, a predetermined rule, conditional expression, function expression, trained model obtained by machine learning, or the like. The control unit 11 may derive the degree of empathy from the correlation by executing predetermined arithmetic processing based on the given relationship. In another example, the control unit 11 may employ the calculated correlation value as it is as the empathy value.

Experimental examples described later show that there is a high correlation between the correlation (synchronization) of a specific frequency band of electroencephalogram data measured in a specific range and a specific component of empathy. Therefore, in the present embodiment, this knowledge is adopted, and in step S101, the control unit 11 controls the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data respectively including measurement data of a specific frequency band measured in a specific range. Data 32 may be obtained, and accordingly, in this step S103, empathy levels including specific components may be estimated.

As an example, each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is obtained by measuring an electroencephalogram in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz on the frontal side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2). may include frontal measurement data obtained in . Accordingly, in this step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including components related to negative moods.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is 1 to 30 Hz on the frontal side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2), 1 to 4 Hz (delta wave), 4 to It may include frontal measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band of 8 Hz (theta waves) or 8-12 Hz (alpha waves). Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 estimates the degree of empathy including, as components relating to negative mood, a component indicating at least one of depression (depression-depression) and overall negative mood. you can

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is an electroencephalogram in a frequency band of 8 to 12 Hz (alpha waves) on the frontal side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2). may include frontal measurement data obtained by Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 selects anger (anger-hostility), confusion (confusion-bewilderment), depression (depression-depression), tension (tension-anxiety), and An empathy score may be estimated that includes components indicative of at least one degree of overall negative mood.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is 4 to 8 Hz (theta waves) or 8 to 12 Hz (alpha waves) on the frontal side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2). may include frontal measurement data obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in the frequency band of Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including a component indicating the degree of confusion (confusion-bewilderment) as a component relating to negative mood.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz all or 4 to 8 Hz (theta wave) on the frontal side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2) may include frontal measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves of Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including a component indicating the degree of interest in the content.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz on the occipital side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2). may include occipital measurement data. Accordingly, in this step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including components related to negative moods.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz all or 1 to 4 Hz (delta wave) on the occipital side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2) may include occipital measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves of Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 selects at least one of confusion (confusion-bewilderment), fatigue (fatigue-lethargy), discomfort (comfort/discomfort), and overall negative mood as components related to the negative mood. A degree of empathy may be estimated that includes components that indicate either degree.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 above is 1 to 30 Hz on the occipital side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2), 1 to 4 Hz (delta wave), 4 to Occipital measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band of 8 Hz (theta waves) or 12-30 Hz (beta waves) may be included. Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including a component indicating the degree of fatigue (fatigue-lethargy) as a component relating to negative mood.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is 1 to 30 Hz, 1 to 4 Hz (delta wave), or 12 Hz on the occipital side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2). Occipital measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band of ~30 Hz (beta waves) may be included. Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including a component indicating the degree of confusion (confusion-bewilderment) as a component relating to negative mood.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in step S101 is obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 8 to 12 Hz (alpha waves) on the occipital side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2). may include occipital measurement data obtained by Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including a component related to the degree of understanding of the content.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in the above step S101 is 1 to 30 Hz on the occipital side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2), 4 to 8 Hz (theta wave), or 12 Occipital measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band of ~30 Hz (beta waves) may be included. Accordingly, in this step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including a component related to the degree of arousal while experiencing the content.

Each electroencephalogram data (31, 32) acquired in the above step S101 is a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz all or 4 to 8 Hz (theta wave) on the occipital side of the center of the head of each subject (S1, S2) may include occipital measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves of Accordingly, in step S103, the control unit 11 may estimate the degree of empathy including a component related to the fun of the content.

After estimating the degree of empathy, the control unit 11 advances the process to the next step S104.

(Step S104)
In step S104, the control unit 11 outputs information about the estimated degree of empathy. The information output destination is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment. The output destination may be the RAM, the storage unit 12, the output device 15, an output device of another computer, or the like.

The information output format may be appropriately determined according to the embodiment. In one example, the control unit 11 may output the estimated degree of empathy as it is. In another example, the control unit 11 may execute arbitrary information processing based on the obtained estimation result. The control unit 11 may output the result of executing the information processing as the information regarding the estimated degree of empathy. As a specific example, in step S101, the control unit 11 acquires electroencephalogram data of three or more subjects, and through the processes in steps S102 and S103, pairs generated from three or more subjects You may estimate the degree of empathy for each. Accordingly, in step S104, the control unit 11 may extract one or more pairs having a high degree of empathy among the pairs whose degree of empathy is estimated, as an example of the arbitrary information processing. One or more pairs with a high degree of empathy are the pairs from the top (the pair with the highest degree of empathy) to the n-th (n is a natural number of 1 or more) when arranged in order from the one with the highest degree of empathy, or the pair with the degree of empathy It may consist of pairs above or above the threshold. The control unit 11 may output information indicating one or more extracted pairs with a high degree of empathy.

When the output of the information about the empathy level estimation result is completed, the control unit 11 terminates the processing procedure according to this operation example.

[feature]
As described above, the empathy measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment executes the series of processes of steps S101 to S103, thereby synchronizing the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 31 with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds. Based on the data 32, the degree of empathy for the content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 is derived. If they are synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds, the correlation between the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32 can be accurately calculated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy for content between the first subject S1 and the second subject S2 from the electroencephalograms without averaging for all subjects. Further, according to the present embodiment, in the processes of steps S102 and S103, specific components are extracted from the first electroencephalogram data 31 and the second electroencephalogram data 32, which respectively include measurement data in specific frequency bands measured in specific ranges. It is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy including (for example, components related to negative mood).

§4 Modifications Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the above description is merely an example of the present invention in every respect. It goes without saying that various modifications or variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

§5 Experimental example In order to verify whether or not it is possible to accurately measure the degree of empathy for content between the first subject and the second subject using electroencephalogram data synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds, the following An electroencephalogram measurement experiment was performed under these conditions.

<Experimental conditions>
・Subjects: 4 to 7 people (20s to 50s)
・ Contents: Specified movie work (viewed in the theater room)
・Electroencephalograph: Wireless electroencephalograph ・Measurement points of brain waves: Fz (frontal side), Oz (occipital side)
・Synchronization accuracy: less than 1000 microseconds

In the electroencephalogram measurement experiment, each subject was gathered in a theater room, and the electroencephalogram of each subject was simultaneously measured while viewing the movie work. A calibration method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-057169 (Patent No. 6376911) was adopted as the synchronization method. Thus, electroencephalogram data for each subject was obtained. Subsequently, the degree of synchrony (correlation) of electroencephalogram data was calculated for each pair (21 pairs in the case of 7 subjects). Pearson's correlation analysis was adopted as a method for calculating the degree of synchrony. In addition, each subject was asked to answer a questionnaire and a POMS2 test sheet after viewing the movie. As items to measure the degree of empathy in the questionnaire, we adopted items that ask about degree of interest in content, viewing experience of movies of the same genre, degree of pleasure/discomfort, degree of arousal, interest, satisfaction, and degree of understanding. A commercially available POMS2 test paper was used. Then, the correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient and p-value of the correlation coefficient) between the obtained answer results and the degree of synchrony of the electroencephalogram data was calculated.

FIG. 5 shows the result of calculating the correlation between the results of the questionnaire for each subject and the degree of synchrony of electroencephalogram data. FIG. 6 shows the result of calculating the correlation between the answer result of POMS2 of each subject and the degree of synchrony of electroencephalogram data.

Regarding the electroencephalogram data measured on the frontal side, from the calculation results of the correlation with the response results of POMS2 shown in FIG. A high correlation was found between the components. In particular, the degree of brain wave synchrony in the frequency bands of 1-30 Hz, 1-4 Hz (delta waves), 4-8 Hz (theta waves), and 8-12 Hz (alpha waves) measured on the frontal side is associated with depression (depressive -depression) and total negative mood, respectively. Synchronization of brain waves in the 8-12 Hz (alpha wave) frequency band measured at the frontal side is anger (anger-hostility), confusion (confusion-bewilderment), depression (depression-depression), and tension (tension-anxiety). , and total negative mood. Synchronization of brain waves in the frequency bands of 4-8 Hz (theta waves) and 8-12 Hz (alpha waves) measured on the frontal side was found to be significantly correlated with the degree of confusion (confusion - bewilderment). . In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the degree of brain wave synchrony in the 1 to 30 Hz and 4 to 8 Hz (theta waves) frequency bands measured on the frontal side has a significantly high correlation with the degree of interest in the content. I found out.

On the other hand, regarding the electroencephalogram data measured on the occipital side, from the calculation results of the correlation with the response results shown in FIGS. It was found that there is a high correlation with components related to mood. In particular, the synchrony of electroencephalograms in the whole 1-30 Hz and 1-4 Hz (delta wave) frequency bands measured on the occipital side were confused (confusion-embarrassment), fatigue (fatigue-lethargy), and discomfort (comfort/discomfort). and the degree of total negative mood were significantly correlated with each other. The degree of brain wave synchrony in the frequency bands of 1-30 Hz, 1-4 Hz (delta waves), 4-8 Hz (theta waves), and 12-30 Hz (beta waves) measured on the occipital side is associated with fatigue (fatigue-lethargy). ) and the correlation was found to be significantly high. Synchronization of brain waves in the frequency bands of 1 to 30 Hz, 1 to 4 Hz (delta waves), and 12 to 30 Hz (beta waves) measured on the occipital side is significantly correlated with the degree of confusion (confusion - bewilderment). was found to be high. It was found that the degree of brain wave synchrony in the frequency band of 8 to 12 Hz (alpha waves) measured on the occipital side has a significantly high correlation with the degree of comprehension of the content. Synchronization of brain waves in the frequency bands of 1 to 30 Hz, 4 to 8 Hz (theta waves), and 12 to 30 Hz (beta waves) measured on the occipital side correlates with the degree of arousal when experiencing content. was found to be significantly higher. It was found that the degree of brain wave synchrony in the 1 to 30 Hz and 4 to 8 Hz (theta wave) frequency bands measured on the occipital side has a significantly high correlation with the degree of interest in content.

If the correlation is high, the degree of empathy can be measured with high accuracy. Therefore, from these results, it was found that the electroencephalogram data synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds can accurately measure the degree of empathy for the content between the first subject and the second subject. In addition, it was found that a specific component of empathy can be measured from the correlation (synchronization) of a specific frequency band of electroencephalogram data measured in a specific range.

1 ... empathy degree measuring device,
11... control unit, 12... storage unit, 13... external interface,
14... input device, 15... output device, 16... drive,
81... measurement program, 91... storage medium,
111 ... data acquisition unit, 112 ... correlation calculation unit,
113 ... empathy degree estimation unit, 114 ... output unit,
E... electroencephalograph, S1... first subject, S2... second subject

Claims (6)

the computer
obtaining first electroencephalogram data of a first subject and second electroencephalogram data of a second subject measured while experiencing the content, wherein the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data are obtained; the data is synchronized with an accuracy of less than 1000 microseconds;
calculating a correlation between the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data;
estimating a degree of empathy for the content between the first subject and the second subject based on the calculated correlation;
outputting information about the estimated empathy level;
run the
Empathy measurement method. Each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz on the frontal side of the center of the head of each of the first subject and the second subject. including the obtained first measurement data,
The empathy level includes a component related to negative mood,
The empathy measuring method according to claim 1. The first measurement data is obtained by measuring brain waves in a frequency band of 8 to 12 Hz,
the negative mood component indicates a degree of anger, confusion, depression, and/or tension;
The empathy degree measuring method according to claim 2. Each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 1 to 30 Hz on the occipital side of the center of the head of each of the first subject and the second subject. including the obtained second measurement data,
The empathy level includes a component related to negative mood,
The empathy degree measuring method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is obtained by measuring electroencephalograms in a frequency band of 8 to 12 Hz on the occipital side of the center of the head of each of the first subject and the second subject. including the obtained second measurement data,
The degree of empathy includes a component related to the degree of understanding of the content,
The empathy degree measuring method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Each of the first electroencephalogram data and the second electroencephalogram data is 1 to 30 Hz, 4 to 8 Hz, or 12 to 30 Hz on the occipital side of the head center of each of the first subject and the second subject. Including second measurement data obtained by measuring brain waves in the frequency band,
The empathy level includes a component related to the degree of arousal when experiencing the content,
The empathy degree measuring method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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