JP2948115B2 - Arousal maintenance device and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an arousal maintaining device for preventing a decrease in arousal of a human by presenting a sound stimulus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art During monotonous work or driving a vehicle,
It is easy for the worker or the driver to fall awake and fall asleep, which has been a problem. As a technique for preventing such a decrease in arousal, a technique for maintaining awake state by intermittently presenting music has already been applied (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 6-37492).
issue). In this method, as shown in FIG. 55, physical stimuli such as sound, vibration, heat, fragrance, light, massage, and magnetic force are intermittently presented with a stimulus duration of 5 seconds to 3 minutes before becoming sleepy. It is. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the human from falling into the awakened state and maintain the normal awake state.

[0003]

However, in the case where a device for reducing the reduction in arousal in an automobile is realized by using the car audio by the above-mentioned method, the reduction in the effect of maintaining the arousal and the preference of the driver for music. For example, in the following five cases, problems regarding dissatisfaction and the like due to insufficient correspondence arise.

(A) When intermittent music is generated.

(B) When the intermittent music mode is activated.

(C) The “music / music” inherent in car audio
When the function of "hearing information" is compatible with the function of maintaining alertness by the above technology.

[0007] (D) When the user becomes sleepy even if the music is intermittently presented.

(E) When reproducing a recording medium on which intermittent music is recorded.

The details of the problem will be described below for each of the above cases. (A) When Intermittent Music is Generated When intermittent music is generated using a car audio system, the following problems occur with respect to a reduction in the awakening maintenance effect and dissatisfaction.

(1) Recording media (CD,
(MD, tape, etc.) contains a song that has a gentle melody and makes it sleepy. Would.

(2) Recording media (CD,
MD, tape, etc.)
The same songs are always presented in the same order, and the music becomes accustomed and the effect of maintaining awakening is reduced.

(3) When a radio is used as a medium for intermittent music and long-distance driving is performed, the frequency of a radio station differs depending on the region, so that reception may not be possible during traveling.

(4) If the presentation-pause time is constant, it is not possible to cope with the driver's preference if he wants to listen to one more song longer. In addition, if the pause section is long, the user may become sleepy, and the awakening maintaining effect may be reduced.

(5) The music recorded on the recording medium or the music broadcast from the radio has different sound levels depending on stations or recording media. Therefore, if the volume is simply kept constant, the listening sound pressure of the driver is different every time, and in the case of a song having a low sound pressure level, the awakening maintaining effect is reduced. (B) When Activating the Intermittent Music Mode (1) Regarding the method of activating intermittent music, in order to obtain the original awakening effect of intermittent music, it is activated when it is determined that a monotonous driving situation has occurred before falling asleep. It is desirable to do.
However, even when the driver activates by pressing the start switch, the driver may become sleepy and then press it. In this case, the original effect cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

(2) Regarding the method of activating intermittent music, there is a delay of several seconds to several tens of seconds between the time when the switch is pressed and the time when the music is selected at random and the reproduction is started, so that the awakening effect can be obtained immediately. Absent. When the switch is pressed after becoming sleepy, it is necessary to immediately present the music in order to obtain the effect quickly.

(3) Regarding the method of activating intermittent music, especially in the case of automatic activation, if the volume is low and the volume is activated, the sound may be low and the driver may not notice the activation itself. At startup, the volume must be automatically adjusted to a certain size. (C) When the function of "listening to music and information" inherent in car audio and the function of maintaining arousal by the above technology are compatible (1) When driving while listening to intermittent music, When a tune that the user wants to listen to is reproduced, a desire to “listen to the end” arises when a predetermined presentation time is over.

(2) When the fellow passenger is sleeping, or when the fellow passenger is presented with an unpleasant tune, the passenger may not want to hear it.

(3) When driving while listening to intermittent music, it is possible that while listening to the music, one may inadvertently forget to hear the traffic information that he / she wishes to “listen to”.

(4) When using intermittent music, it is desirable that there are many types of music. Therefore, it is preferable to insert a CD in which many optimal songs are recorded in order to obtain the alertness maintaining effect in the CD changer. But,
On the other hand, it is necessary to insert a CD that the user wants to listen to with normal car audio, and the insertion of a CD to be used in each case involves batting. (D) When the patient becomes sleepy even if the music is intermittently presented (1) Originally, the purpose of the intermittent music is to maintain an awake state without discomfort.
When the patient becomes sleepy due to fatigue or the like, it may be slightly uncomfortable. (E) When playing back a recording medium on which intermittent music is recorded (1) When recording intermittent music on a recording medium, the music environment changes when listening to the music even if the same tune is simply recorded intermittently. The awakening maintenance effect cannot be exhibited due to the habituation effect.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a wakefulness maintaining device that exhibits a wakefulness maintaining effect without a sense of incongruity.

[0021]

Means for Solving the Problems and

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the awakening maintenance device according to the present invention, when generating intermittent music, does not merely present media or music in an intermittent order, but plays music having a high awakening maintaining effect in advance. A function to randomly select the song or media to be played, and a function to automatically adjust the sound pressure of each presentation sound to a constant level so that the effect of maintaining arousal will not be reduced by half even when used for a long time. To

The radio station always selects a receivable station so that the acoustic stimulation does not stop .

Furthermore, a function of freely setting the presentation-pause time within a certain range is provided, so that it can respond to the driver's preference.

When the intermittent music mode is activated, the driving time, the car audio use time, and the intermittent music can be automatically activated before the driver falls asleep.
Alternatively, if the time after the conversation is interrupted continues for a predetermined time or more, the intermittent music is automatically activated.

Further, in order to obtain an awakening effect immediately after the start-up, the sound pressure at the start-up is adjusted to a preset sound pressure, and a function of presenting music immediately after the start-up is provided.

In addition, the “music / music” inherent in car audio
When the function of "hearing information" is compatible with the function of maintaining awakening, and when the user wants to listen to the music being played back to the end, the user presses a switch to provide a function of presenting only that music to the end. Also, if you do not want to listen to music to the passengers, turn off the normal indoor speaker, switch to a pillow speaker that makes sound at the driver's ear, and reduce the sound pressure, so that the driver's listening sound pressure remains constant, It has the function of lowering the listening sound pressure of passengers.

For traffic information, 1620 Hz
And a function for automatically switching to traffic information only when the traffic information is received at a certain intensity or more is added.

Further, a cassette deck or M that can record intermittent music so that a CD that the user wants to listen to in the normal car audio mode can always be inserted into the changer magazine.
Equipped with a D player, the driver has the ability to create intermittent music software. Thus, once recording is performed, when the intermittent music is to be used from the next time, the recorded recording medium can be reproduced, and the CD that the user always wants to listen to can be put in the magazine.

If the user becomes sleepy even when the music is intermittently presented, the user can press the switch to shorten the intermittent interval to increase the degree of change, or increase the volume of the sound and increase the volume at the ear. Switch to an audible pillow speaker. As a result, the intensity of the stimulus (stimulus value: loudness or degree of change) is increased, and the arousal effect is increased.

When reproducing the recording medium on which the intermittent music is recorded, the intermittent music recording medium is recorded so that the difference in tempo is equal to or greater than a certain value so that adjacent music pieces have different tunes. Alternatively, recording is performed so that adjacent musical pieces have different performance forms (instrument configuration, timbre configuration).

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. (First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the sound pressure is automatically adjusted every time each music is performed, and the sound pressure in the driver's seat is controlled to be constant.

When music is changed one after another and presented intermittently, since the level of each CD or each music is different,
In a song with a low level, the loudness of the sound is reduced, and the effect of maintaining awakening is reduced.

The alertness maintaining apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes:
As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 12, the CD changer 1
3, a changeover switch 14, an AGC (auto gain controller) 15, an amplifier 16, and a speaker 17.

The alertness maintaining apparatus thus configured operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When using a normal car stereo, the changeover switch 14 is set to bypass the AGC 15 (step S1). When the awakening maintenance device is activated and the presentation of the intermittent music is started (step S2), the control device 12 switches the changeover switch 14 so that the audio signal of the CD changer 13 passes through the AGC 15 (step S3).

After that, the music is displayed intermittently on CD.
The changer 13 is controlled (step S4). AGC
The audio signal that has been made to have a constant sound pressure by the
Is reproduced by the speaker 17 via the.

The presentation interval and presentation time of the intermittent sound or music are set to 30 seconds, respectively. It has been confirmed by the present inventors that the presentation time and the presentation interval of 30 seconds are time intervals having a high awakening maintaining effect in view of the human arousal cycle. (Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, different sound stimuli are randomly selected from one music source, or are randomly selected from two or more different media.

In the awakening maintenance device that presents sounds intermittently, if the sound presented every time is the same or can be predicted by the driver, an accustomed effect occurs and the awakening effect decreases. Therefore, in order to prevent such an accustomed effect, the sound to be presented is changed randomly each time, or the sound equipment in the car audio or the receiving station of the radio is changed randomly each time, so that the awakening effect is maintained.

In this embodiment, there are two cases, that is, a case where a song is randomly selected from one medium and a case where one medium is selected from a plurality of media. (1) When a tune is selected at random from one medium: As shown in FIG. 3, the awakening maintaining device 20 includes a CD changer 21, a CD control device 22 for controlling the CD changer 21, and an amplifying CD sound. , And a speaker 24 for reproducing the output of the amplifier.

This alertness maintaining device operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The CD control device 22 randomly sets the number of CDs to be reproduced and the order of the music in advance so that the same music is not continuously reproduced, and schedules the intermittent presentation time for reproducing the same (see FIG. 5 for an example). (Steps S5 to S8).

When the awakening maintaining device 20 is activated and the reproduction is started (step S9 YES), the CD control device 22 controls the CD changer 21 for reproducing the music based on a preset schedule as shown in FIG. A control signal is sent to the CD changer 21.

In response to the control signal, the CD changer 21 reproduces the music to be reproduced from the beginning and stops at the reproduction end time.

The amplifier 23 amplifies this CD audio output,
The speaker 24 is driven to reproduce sound.

When the reproduction of one section is completed, the CD control unit 22 reproduces the next music one after another at a designated time based on the schedule by the count of the internal timer (step S10). (2) When One Media is Selected from Two or More Media The arousal maintenance device 30 includes a radio 31,
A cassette deck 32, a CD player 33, a switch 34 for switching these audio devices, a switch controller 35 for controlling the switch 34, an amplifier 36 for amplifying the switched sound, and a speaker 37 for reproducing the output of the amplifier. It is composed of

The alertness maintaining device 30 configured as described above
Operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The switching control unit 35 randomly sets in advance the audio equipment to be used (a receiving station stored in advance for a radio, the music to be reproduced for a CD) and a schedule together with the intermittent presentation time. 8
) Is specified. At this time, a setting is made so that the same audio equipment, receiving station, and music piece to be reproduced are not continuously selected (steps S11 to S21).

When the awakening maintenance device 30 is activated (step S22 YES), the switching control device 35, based on a schedule set in advance as shown in FIG. The player selects one of the players 33 (including the music), and switches the switching signal to the switch 34, the radio 31, and the CD.
Send to player 33.

The changeover switch 34 switches the selected sound to be sent to the amplifier 36 in accordance with the changeover signal.

When the radio 31 is selected, the radio 31
Switches the frequency so that the selected receiving station can receive. When the CD player 33 is selected, the CD player 33 reproduces the selected music. Cassette deck 3
When 2 is selected, the cassette deck 32 starts reproduction.

When the playback end time comes, each audio device stops outputting sound.

The amplifier 36 amplifies the switched audio output and drives the speaker 37 to reproduce sound.

When the reproduction of one section is completed, the switching control device 35 selects the next audio equipment or the receiving station / playback program based on the schedule by the count of the internal timer, and reproduces one after another at the designated time. (Step S23). (Third Embodiment) The third embodiment relates to a recording medium on which adjacent music pieces are selected and recorded so that the tempo thereof is changed to 10 or more.

In a music piece recorded intermittently as shown in FIG. 9, a certain value (Tm: beats per minute) in a tempo is included in several music pieces (N) adjacent before and after music playback as shown in FIG. ) Recording on a recording medium such that a song having the above difference exists.

By reproducing such a recording medium by using audio equipment, it is possible to obtain an alertness maintaining effect without requiring a special control device. (Fourth Embodiment) embodiment of the fourth, adjacent the tempo of the song in the order in presentation is related arousal maintainer you presented so that to change the 10 or more.

In the awakening maintenance device that presents music intermittently using car audio, if the presented music is only of the same tune, the sound environment changes little and the intermittent awakening maintenance effect is effectively maintained. Can not do. In the present embodiment, at least one of three adjacent songs in the intermittent presentation is displayed.
By selecting / playing a song from a CD changer so that the tempo difference of the song or more becomes 10 or more, music of different melody is presented at regular intervals, and the effect of maintaining awakening can be maintained for a long time Has been.

In the music recorded intermittently as shown in FIG. 11, several adjacent music (N) before and after the music is reproduced as shown in FIG.
Are recorded on the recording medium such that a music piece having a difference in tempo greater than or equal to a certain value (Tm: beats per minute) is present.

As shown in FIG. 13, the awakening maintaining device 40 includes a CD changer 41 for reproducing music, an amplifier 42 for amplifying an audio signal, a speaker 43 for converting a signal into sound,
Switch 44 for turning on / off the sound of the CD changer 41, a controller 45 for controlling the CD changer 41, and a frequency analyzer 4 for extracting the tempo of the music
And 6.

The operation of the embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Before presenting the intermittent music, the controller 45 performs the following processing in order to recognize the tempos of all the songs of the CDs inserted in the CD changer 41 in advance.

First, the changeover switch 44 is set to the amplifier 42
To the frequency analyzer 46 (step S3).
1).

A control signal for sequentially reproducing all the music pieces of the CD inserted in the CD changer 41 only for the entire 10-second head of the music piece is issued (step S32).

An analysis command is issued to the frequency analysis device 46 during reproduction of each music piece. Then, the tempo of each song extracted by the frequency analysis device is stored (steps S33 to S35).

When the tempos of all the songs have been stored, a random table of the reproduction order is created so that at least one of the three adjacent songs has a difference of 10 or more (step S36).

On the basis of the random table thus prepared, C is set so that music is intermittently presented (presentation for 30 seconds−pause for 30 seconds).
The D changer 41 is controlled (steps S37 to S38).

The amplifier amplifies the audio signal of the CD changer 41 and drives the speaker 43. (Fifth Embodiment) The fifth embodiment relates to a recording medium in which the musical instruments or sound sources of adjacent music pieces are varied.

In the music stored intermittently as shown in FIG. 15, the number (N) of adjacent music before and after the music is reproduced as shown in FIG.
Are recorded on the recording medium such that the musical composition of the musical instrument to be played or the musical composition of the electronic musical instrument is different in the case of the electronic musical instrument.

The term “organization” refers to a combination of instruments or sound sources used to play a certain musical piece,
It means the combination of instruments or sound sources that play the longest simultaneously in a song. The reason is that the only definition of an instrument or combination of sound sources used to play a piece of music is that all instruments are played in part and most are played by a particular instrument, or that a particular instrument This is because it is possible to consider a method in which all the instruments come apart while playing and enter the place without getting in the way. (Sixth Embodiment) The sixth embodiment relates to an alertness maintaining device for switching the number of CD changers so that adjacent music pieces have different playing styles.

In an awakening maintenance device that presents music intermittently using car audio, if the presented music is only of the same tune, the sound environment is poorly changed and the intermittent awakening maintenance effect is effectively exhibited. Can not do. In the present embodiment, CDs having different playing styles are inserted in advance into a CD changer magazine, and at the time of intermittent playback, the magazines are switched at random so that the playing styles of adjacent music pieces are different, and random music selection is performed.

In the music recorded intermittently as shown in FIG. 17, CDs are formed so that the composition of the musical instruments which the adjacent music plays during music reproduction or the composition of the sound source of the electronic musical instrument differs as shown in FIG. Switch changer magazine.

The term “organization” means a combination of musical instruments or sound sources used to play a certain music,
It means the combination of instruments or sound sources that play the longest simultaneously in a song. The reason is that the only definition of an instrument or combination of sound sources used to play a piece of music is that all instruments are played in part and most are played by a particular instrument, or that a particular instrument This is because it is possible to consider a method in which all the instruments come apart while playing and enter the place without getting in the way.

As shown in FIG. 19, the awakening maintaining device 50 includes a CD changer 51, an amplifier 52, and a speaker 5.
3. Controller 54 for controlling CD changer 51
It is composed of

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus 50 of this embodiment. First, CDs having different playing modes are inserted into the CD changer 51 in advance (step S41). Next, the controller 54 accesses all the CDs inserted in the CD changer 51,
The number of music pieces recorded on each CD is recognized (steps S42 and S43). Then, a music to be reproduced from a different CD is randomly selected and intermittently reproduced each time so that adjacent musical pieces have different playing modes during intermittent reproduction. This intermittent reproduction is performed, for example, at an interval of 30 seconds presentation-30 seconds pause (steps S44 to S49). (Seventh Embodiment) The seventh embodiment relates to an alertness maintaining apparatus having an auto-scan function of a radio station in long-distance driving.

When the awakening maintenance device of a car is realized by using car audio, a radio is used as a medium for intermittent music, and when the vehicle is driven for a long distance, the frequency of the radio station differs depending on the region. The broadcast may not be able to be received on the way. As a result, a problem arises in that the sound source is continuously stopped, and the awakening effect is reduced.

Therefore, when a certain radio station becomes unreceivable, by providing an "auto scan function" for automatically selecting another receivable broadcasting station, the sound source is kept constant and the awakening effect is prevented from lowering. I do.

As shown in FIG. 21, the awakening maintaining device 60 includes a receiving unit 61 for receiving a radio wave from a broadcasting station, and a receiving unit 61.
A reception frequency setting unit 62 for setting the reception frequency of the received signal, a reception power calculation unit 63 for calculating the reception power, a tuner unit 65 having a reception frequency control unit 64 for controlling the operation of the reception frequency setting unit, It is configured by an awakening maintenance device activation switch 66 for activating the device 60, and an amplifier and a speaker (not shown).

The tuner section 65 with the intermittent music auto scan function operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG. .

First, when the user turns on the radio and selects a broadcast station (step S51), the radio wave of the broadcast station is received (step S52). The reception unit 61 receives a radio wave, and the reception power calculation unit 63 calculates an average reception power Pa for T seconds (step S53). At the same time, the received broadcast source is output to the amplifier.

If the activation switch of the awakening maintenance device 60 is ON (step S54 YES), the reception frequency control unit 64 changes the reception frequency according to the average reception power for T seconds from the reception power calculation unit 63. Parameters are calculated for setting. That is, when the average reception power for T seconds is higher than the preset reception power threshold value Pt, a parameter Fc for instructing the reception frequency setting unit 62 to continue reception in that state is output (steps S55 to S55). S56). On the other hand, when the average reception power for T seconds is lower than Pt (step S5).
5NO) outputs a parameter Fn for giving an instruction to the reception frequency setting unit 62 to set a new frequency (step S57).

Receiving frequency setting section 62 receives parameter Fn or Fc output from receiving frequency control section 64, and sets a receiving frequency according to the parameter. That is, when the parameter Fn is input (step S58)
(NO) changes the reception frequency in ascending order every T seconds, and instructs the reception unit 61 to perform reception at that frequency (step S59). However, when the reception frequency has reached the upper limit (YES in step S60), it returns to the lower limit (step S60).
61) Perform similar operation. On the other hand, when the parameter Fc has been input (step S58 YES), reception is continued at the same frequency without instructing to change the frequency. When the activation switch 66 of the awakening maintenance device 60 is OFF, the parameter Fc is always output (step S5).
4off).

Receiving section 61 receives broadcast radio waves in accordance with the reception frequency instruction value from reception frequency setting section 62,
The reception signal is output to the reception power calculation unit 63 and an external amplifier.

When the reception strength is reduced by each unit performing such an operation, an operation of automatically selecting a frequency at which a sufficient reception strength is obtained is performed. (Eighth Embodiment) In the eighth embodiment, when the user becomes sleepy, the sound pressure of the sound stimulus is increased to a slightly uncomfortable level, the presentation interval is shortened, and the music is switched to a pillow speaker. The present invention relates to a wakefulness maintenance device.

Even if the awakening maintaining device is used, when the patient becomes sleepy due to fatigue or the like, the sound pressure is increased to a slightly unpleasant level in order to increase the magnitude and change of the stimulus.
Shorten the presentation interval and switch to a pillow speaker so that it can be heard at the ear, and play intermittent music.

As shown in FIG. 23, the awakening maintaining device 70 has an input switch 71, a music setting switch 72 for setting a music to be reproduced, a CD control device 73 for controlling a CD changer, a CD changer 74, and amplifies the sound of the CD. To set the sound pressure unit 75, the amplifier 76, and the sound pressure amplification amount to shorten the presentation interval, and to reproduce the output of the speaker control device 77 for selecting the speaker, the speaker switch 78 for switching the speaker, and the amplifier 76. Speaker 79
Consists of

Awakening device 70 constructed as described above
Operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The driver sets the input switch 71 in advance.
The number and order of the number of CDs of the up-tempo music that is output when is pressed are set (step S71).

In step S72, audio such as a CD, tape, radio and the like is reproduced normally.

When the input switch 71 is pressed (step S73 YES), the CD control device 73 searches for a set music piece from a CD set in advance.

After the music has been searched, the CD control unit 73 sends a control signal for reproducing the searched music to the CD changer 74.

The CD changer 74 selects and reproduces the music to be reproduced according to the control signal. By pressing the input switch 71, the speaker control device 77 sends a volume switching signal of the set sound pressure to the amplifier 76, and
The playback-stop time of the changer 74 is reduced to half of the conventional time (step S75), and a speaker switching signal is sent to the speaker switch 78 (step S76). Songs played from the CD changer 74
The sound pressure is adjusted to the sound pressure set by the sound pressure unit 75.

The amplifier uses this CD whose presentation interval has been shortened.
The audio output is amplified, and the speaker 79 is driven to reproduce the sound (step S77).

A pillow speaker is selected and output by a speaker changeover switch 78. (Ninth Embodiment) The ninth embodiment shows another example in which the presentation interval of the sound stimulus is shortened when the arousal is reduced.

FIG. 25 shows the structure of an embodiment in which the presentation interval of the sound stimulus for preventing drowsiness is shortened in the time period when the biological activity level falls and the user becomes sleepy in the awakening maintenance device of the automobile. The arousal maintenance device of the present embodiment is roughly composed of a speaker 81, an amplifier 82, a sound reproduction device 83, a sound reproduction device control circuit 84, and a biological rhythm determination circuit 85.

These are electrically connected, and the biological rhythm determination circuit 85 is used to calculate the sound stimulus presentation interval shortening time length according to the degree of decrease in the biological activity level. The sound reproduction device control circuit 84 shortens the sound stimulus presentation interval based on the shortened time length sent from the biological rhythm determination circuit 85, and is used for controlling the operation and stop of the sound reproduction device 83.

In the present embodiment, the sound stimulus presentation interval is controlled in accordance with a change in the biological activity level caused by a human-specific biological rhythm. The biological activity level A is the time t
, And A = f (t). Further, a time length T for controlling the presentation interval of the sound stimulus, which is optimal for a certain biological activity level, exists in a relation of a function g, and T = g (A). Here, the control method of T is as follows: (1) When the biological activity level A is equal to or less than a certain threshold L, the fixed amount is increased. (2) When A is equal to or less than L, the larger the value of A, the larger the value. (3) Regardless of the threshold value, the value is increased as A is lower. And so on.

The biological rhythm determining circuit 85 is a sound reproducing device 83
Is activated immediately after it stops (ie, when no sound stimulus is presented), so that it is usually in a wait state with WAIT applied. WAI sent from sound reproduction device control circuit 84
When the biological rhythm determination circuit 85 receives the T release signal, the WA
IT is canceled and the current time is referred to. The biological activity level corresponding to the time is stored in the memory of the biological rhythm determining circuit 85, and the biological activity level is determined based on the current time. Still another memory stores a sound stimulus presentation interval shortening time length T corresponding to the biological activity level,
A sound stimulus presentation interval shortening control value Tc at that time is determined based on the calculated biological activity level. And Tc
Is transmitted to the sound reproducing device control circuit 84, and the sound reproducing device control circuit 84 receiving the signal controls the sound stimulus presentation interval to be shortened by Tc. Then, when a predetermined sound stimulus non-presentation time elapses, the sound reproducing device 83 operates to start presenting a sound stimulus. (Tenth Embodiment) The tenth embodiment relates to an awakening maintaining apparatus that allows a user to listen to the last tune when a desired tune is played.

In the awakening maintenance device of a car, if a sound stimulus (music, natural sound, etc.) desired to be heard for a long time is presented during the presentation of the sound stimulus for maintaining the awake state, the sound can be heard for a longer time than a predetermined time. (Continuous Presentation Mode) The structure of the embodiment is shown in FIG. The alertness maintaining device 90 is roughly composed of a speaker 91, an amplifier 92, a sound reproducing device 93, and a sound reproducing device control circuit 94. These are electrically connected, and the sound reproducing device control circuit 94 is used for controlling the operation and stop of the sound reproducing device 93.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation and operation of this embodiment.

The sound reproducing device 93 operates (step S8).
1) When the sound stimulus is presented, the timer T starts and measures the sound stimulus presentation time (step S82). Normally, the sound stimulus is presented for Δt (see FIG. 28), during which time
It is determined whether or not the switch of the continuous presentation mode (the mode in which the sound stimulus is presented longer than a predetermined time) is turned on (step S83). If the switch remains OFF, Δ
When the sound stimulus is presented by t, the sound reproducing device 93 stops, and the timer stops (steps S83 to S8).
6). If the switch is turned on during the sound stimulus presentation (step S83 YES), the continuous presentation mode starts (step S87). In this mode, it is determined whether or not the switch is turned off during the presentation of the sound stimulus (step S88), and if the switch is turned off (step S88).
88 YES), exits the continuous presentation mode and exits to the sound reproducing device 93.
Stops. Even if the switch is not turned off, if the sound stimulus being presented has been reproduced to the end of the recording portion (YES in step S89), the sound reproducing device 93 exits the continuous presentation mode and stops. (Eleventh Embodiment) This eleventh embodiment relates to an awakening maintaining apparatus having a function of designating the order of music by omitting music that may become sleepy in advance.

[0099] In an awakening apparatus for an automobile that presents sounds intermittently, in the case of music that is likely to become sleepy, an awakening maintaining effect cannot be obtained. Therefore, the music which is likely to be sleepy is omitted in advance and reproduced. Also, if it is desired to limit the order of songs based on personal preference, the order of songs can be designated in advance. Furthermore, it is time-consuming and troublesome to make the same selection and order of music every time. Therefore, the setting contents are stored in the alertness maintaining device so that they can be referred to at the next use.

As shown in FIG. 29, the alertness maintaining device 100 includes a CD changer 101 and a CD changer 101.
Control device 102, a setting device 103 for previously setting music selection of a CD and setting of a music order, a setting content storage device 104 for storing setting contents until next use,
It comprises a setting content display device 105 for displaying the setting content, an amplifier 106 for amplifying the sound of the CD, and a speaker 107 for reproducing the output of the amplifier 106.

The arousal maintenance device 100 operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the system is started, the CD controller 1
In step 02, all CDs inserted in the CD changer 101 are accessed in order, and the following procedure is performed.

It is determined whether or not a song to be omitted in the past is set by comparing the number of songs, time information of each song, and the stored contents (step S91).

In the case of a CD set in the past, the set contents are displayed on the set contents display device 105 (step S9).
2).

In the case of a CD that has not been set in the past, a new message is set (step S94). In the case of a CD that has been set in the past, a message asking whether to change the setting (step S94) is set. The content is displayed on the content display device 105, and the user inputs an answer through the setting device 103.

When a new setting or a setting change is to be performed, the music to be omitted is input by the setting device 103. (Step S95) When new setting or setting change is performed, the information is stored in the setting content storage device 104 together with the number of music pieces of the CD and time data of each music piece.

Next, the CD control device 102 displays on the setting content display device 105 a message asking whether the music order to be reproduced is to be designated or randomized, and the setting device 103
To select the song order or random, and when the song order is designated, the order is input (step S98).

If the music order of the selected CD is set as specified, the CD control device 102 sets the schedule of the intermittent presentation time in the order set (an example is shown in FIG. 31).
Is determined. If the song order is set at random, a CD to be played at random is selected from the CDs inserted in the CD changer 101, and a song other than the song in which the song order of the music to be played is omitted is selected. The schedule of the intermittent presentation time is determined in such an order that the same music is not continuously reproduced (step S99).

When the reproduction is started, the CD controller 102
A control signal of a CD changer for reproducing music is sent to the CD changer 101 based on the preset schedule of the CD changer 101. The CD changer 101 reproduces the music to be reproduced from the beginning by this control signal,
It stops when the playback end time comes. The amplifier 106 amplifies the CD audio output and drives the speaker 107 to reproduce sound. When the reproduction of one section ends, the CD control device 102 reproduces the next music one after another at a designated time based on the schedule by the count of an internal timer (step S100). (Twelfth Embodiment) The twelfth embodiment relates to an awakening maintaining apparatus having a function of presenting a tune that is always being listened to every certain number of tunes.

[0110] In the alertness maintaining device that intermittently presents music selected at random, the alertness maintaining effect can be improved by using the music that is always being listened to. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the music that is always being listened to by a normal car stereo is presented for each music having a certain range (for example, every 10 to 15 music).

As shown in FIG. 32, the awakening maintaining device 110 includes a CD changer 111, an amplifier 112, a speaker 113, a controller 114 for controlling the CD changer 111, and a changeover switch 115 for specifying a normal audio mode and an intermittent music mode. Become.

The alertness maintaining device 110 thus configured
Operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the changeover switch 115 is in the normal audio mode (NO in step S101), the controller 114 always counts the number of times of reproduction of each music, and counts the highest number of music pieces (for example, the top five music pieces).
Are listed up (step S109).

When the changeover switch 115 is set to the intermittent music mode (step S101 YES), the controller 114 repeats the following processing, and stores and sets the music order in the table.

A random number of intervals (the number of music pieces) at which music pieces that are frequently listened to is inserted is generated within a certain range. For example, one random number is generated from 10 to 15 (step S102).

The order of the generated random numbers is randomly selected from among the songs other than those frequently heard, and the number of the songs and the song number are stored in a table (steps S103 to S10).
6).

The controller 114 intermittently reproduces and presents intermittent music according to the music order table set as described above. Also, the amplifier 112 and the speaker 113
The audio signal reproduced by the CD changer 111 is converted into a sound and presented to the driver (steps S107 to S108). (Thirteenth Embodiment) The thirteenth embodiment relates to a method for detecting the activation timing when the awakening maintenance device is automatically activated.

There are several methods for detecting the start timing, and each method will be described below in order. (1) A case in which the operation is automatically started after a certain period of time has elapsed after the seat has been seated or the normal reproduction of the car audio has been started, and the operation ends with the engine stopped.

In the system in which the driver turns on when activating the awakening maintenance device, the device is activated after becoming sleepy, and the effect is reduced. Therefore, the operation is automatically started after a certain time from the start of the operation or after a certain time from the start of using the car audio, and the operation ends when the engine is stopped.

Awakening maintaining device 120 of the thirteenth embodiment
As shown in FIG. 34, a driving start detecting unit 121 that detects the start of driving based on the load applied to the seat, the start of the engine, and the vehicle speed, and a driving start determined from a signal detected by the driving start detecting unit 121 The operation time measuring unit 122 measures the elapsed time from the start, sends a signal to the stimulus presentation unit from the elapsed time, and stops the stimulus when the engine is stopped.
And a stimulus presentation unit 1 that automatically presents a stimulus based on a signal from the use time measurement unit 124 that measures the time since the start of using the car audio and a driving time measurement unit 122.
23 and a speaker 125 that emits a sound in accordance with a signal from the stimulus presentation section 123.

FIG. 35 is an overall flowchart of the operation of the awakening maintenance device 120, FIG. 36 is a flowchart of the traveling start detection unit 121, and FIG. 37 is an overall time chart.
Shown in (2) When it is determined that the operation is monotonous, the operation is started.

In the method of turning on the switch when the awakening maintenance device is activated, the awakening maintenance device is activated after becoming sleepy, and the effect is reduced. Then, when it is determined that the operation is monotonous, the operation is automatically started.

As shown in FIG. 38, the awakening maintaining device 130 includes a driving operation detecting section 131 for detecting a driving operation of the driver such as a steering wheel operation, an accelerator opening, a shift operation, a turn signal operation, etc. Lateral deviation,
Vehicle behavior detector 1 for detecting vehicle behavior such as acceleration / deceleration acceleration
32, a driving operation detecting unit 131, a vehicle behavior detecting unit 132
Driving determination unit 1 that determines whether the driver is performing monotonic driving based on the driving operation signal and the vehicle behavior signal detected by the control unit, and outputs a stimulus presentation start trigger.
33, a stimulus presentation unit 134 that outputs an audio signal for preventing snoozing in response to an input of a stimulus presentation start trigger from the monotonous driving determination unit 133, and a speaker 135 that emits a sound stimulus according to the signal from the stimulus presentation unit 134. It is configured.

FIG. 39 is an overall flowchart of the operation of the awakening maintenance device 130, FIG. 39 is a flowchart of the monotonous operation determination unit 133, and FIG. 40 is an overall time chart.
Shown in (3) In a vehicle awakening maintenance device which detects conversation and automatically starts operation when there is no conversation, and stops operation when there is conversation, there is a passenger, and there is a passenger. If the driver has a conversation with the driver, it can be determined that the driver is in a high arousal state. Therefore, when the conversation with the fellow passenger is interrupted, the operation is automatically started, and when the conversation starts again, the operation is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 41, the awakening maintenance device 140 includes a car audio 141 and a controller 1 for controlling the car audio 141 so as to present sound intermittently.
42, a microphone 143 for picking up sounds in the passenger compartment, a pressure sensor 144 installed in the seat for determining whether there is a passenger, and a determining circuit (controller 142) for determining whether there is a conversation in the passenger compartment. Built in)
It consists of

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the operation of the arousal maintenance device 140.

When the driver or the like operates the audio device (steps S111 and S112), the controller 142 operates.
Is initialized, and waits for a device operation request. The operation request is
For example, the driver himself may make an operation request by using a switch. If there is no operation request (step S113 NO),
Normal audio can be heard (step S11)
4). When there is a device operation request (step S113Y
ES) is a pressure sensor 144 set on the occupant's seat.
Thus, it is determined that there is a passenger, and if there is a passenger (step S115 YES), the following operation is performed.

The sound inside the vehicle is input by the microphone 143 set in the vehicle (step S118). In order to determine whether or not a conversation is being conducted with a passenger, the sound output from the car audio is canceled out of the sound input from the microphone 143 (step S119), and the result is filtered by an audio band (step S119). If the power is larger than the predetermined reference value, it is determined that there is a conversation (step S121 ≧), and the operation is interrupted (steps S122 to S124). Then, the operation of the apparatus is started a predetermined time after the time when the conversation disappears (step S121 <) (step S125 to step S1).
27) If the conversation is detected again, the operation is interrupted. (Fourteenth Embodiment) The fourteenth embodiment relates to an awakening maintaining apparatus having a function of immediately starting reproduction by turning on an intermittent music mode switch.

The music recorded on the commercially available recording medium is
In a music intermittent playback device that repeats music selection at random, playback from a random playback position for a certain time, and then pauses for a certain time, it takes time to control the music when it is played, and until the playback of the first music Eliminate the need for time.

Music recorded on a commercially available recording medium is
In an intermittent playback device for music that repeats random selection, playback from a random playback position for a certain period of time, and then pauses for a certain period of time, the first song immediately after a signal for starting the intermittent playback of a song is input , The music is selected at random, but the reproduction is always performed from the beginning of the music. This eliminates the need for a fast-forward time for playback from the middle of the song, and allows the intermittent playback of the song to start immediately after the start button operation.

As shown in FIG. 43, the alertness maintaining device 150 includes a start signal generator 151, a stop signal generator 152,
The recording medium reproducing device 153 includes a recording medium reproducing device control device 154, an amplifier 155, and a speaker 156.

The awakening maintenance device 150 operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The control device of the recording medium reproducing device performs the following operation.

When a start signal is input from the start signal generator 151 (step S131), music on the recording medium is randomly selected for the recording medium reproducing device 153 (step S132), and the music number and reproduction are performed. A start signal is sent (step S133).

After outputting the pause signal (step S135), the music on the recording medium is randomly selected by the recording medium reproducing device 153 (step S136), the fast-forward time is determined to a random reproduction position, and the music number is determined. And a signal to enter the fast forward time and the standby state (step S13).
7).

When 30 seconds have elapsed after the output of the pause signal (YES in step S138), a signal is sent to the recording medium reproducing device 153 to start reproducing the music piece on standby (step S133). However, in the meantime, the stop signal generator 15
When the stop signal from the control unit 2 is input (step S14)
0), a stop signal is sent to the recording medium reproducing device 153 (step S141).

On the other hand, the recording medium reproducing device 153 performs the following operation.

When a music number is received from the control device 154 of the recording medium reproducing device, the music corresponding to the number is selected (step S132).

When a reproduction signal is received from the control device 154 of the recording medium reproduction device, reproduction is started (step S13).
3).

When the pause signal is received from the control device 154 of the recording medium reproducing apparatus, the reproduction is temporarily stopped (step S).
135).

When a stop signal is received from the control device 154 of the recording medium reproducing device, the reproduction is stopped (step S14).
1).

When the fast-forward time is received from the control device 154 of the recording medium reproducing apparatus, the music is fast-forwarded from the beginning of the music by the fast-forward time to be in a reproduction standby state (step S137).

The amplifier 155 amplifies the audio signal output from the recording medium reproducing device 153 and sends it to the speaker 156. (Fifteenth Embodiment) The fifteenth embodiment relates to a wake-up maintaining device which has a directional speaker dedicated to a driver and has a function effective only for the driver.

[0144] In the device for maintaining awakening of a car that presents intermittent sounds, intermittent music is not required for passengers.
On the contrary, a harsh stimulus may be provided. Therefore, a high-directional pillow speaker dedicated to the driver is set so as to be effective only for the driver.

As shown in FIG. 45, the alertness maintaining device 160 is a car audio system 1 which is a normal audio device.
61, an intermittent music presentation system 162, and switches JCT1 and JCT2 for switching outputs from both systems.
An amplifier 163 that amplifies the output sound and outputs the amplified sound to a speaker, a pillow speaker 164 that is installed on the driver's seat and has high directivity, and a pressure sensor 165 for determining whether a passenger is present in the seat. A controller 166 monitors the state of the car audio, determines whether there is a passenger, and controls switching between JCT1 and JCT2 in accordance with the operation status of the intermittent music system.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus 160.

When the driver or the like operates the audio device (steps S151 and S152), the controller is initialized and waits for an operation request for the intermittent music system. For example, the driver of the intermittent music system may request the operation by a switch. When there is no operation request (step S153 NO), the user can listen to the normal audio 161 (steps S154 to S157).
If there is a request for operation of the intermittent music system 162 (step S153 YES to step S158), it is determined from the pressure sensor 165 set in the occupant's seat that there is a passenger, and if there is no passenger (step S159N).
O), JCT1 and JCT2 are switched so that all speakers in the vehicle compartment can output the output of the intermittent music system 162 (steps S160 to S163). At this time, if there is a passenger (step S159 YES), JCT2 is output to pillow speaker 164 so that the output of intermittent music system 162 can be heard only by the driver.
And the other passengers can hear the normal car audio (steps S164 to S16).
7). Also, by adjusting the volume of the amplifier, the volume can be adjusted according to the passenger's preference. (Sixteenth Embodiment) In the sixteenth embodiment, even when the awakening maintenance device is operating, the traffic information is automatically switched to a traffic information when a 1620 (Hz) signal is received so that necessary traffic information is not overlooked. The present invention relates to a device for maintaining arousal that adjusts sound pressure (to a large volume).

When using intermittent music, the user may want to hear traffic information but miss timing. Therefore, when traffic information is received, the music is automatically switched from intermittent music to traffic information. When the switch is turned off or the reception intensity is weakened, the mode automatically returns to the intermittent music mode.

As shown in FIG. 47, the alertness maintaining device 170 includes signal intensity measuring units 172 and 1620 (Hz) for measuring the signal intensity of the 1620 (Hz) dedicated tuners 171 and 1620 (Hz) for receiving 1620 (Hz). )
Media switching control unit 173 for selecting the media, media switching switch 17 for switching to another media
4. Sound pressure unit 175 for adjusting sound pressure of traffic information, amplifier 176, speaker 177 for reproducing the output of amplifier 176, on / off switch 178 for arbitrarily turning on / off traffic information, sound source And a playback device 179 such as a CD, a tape, and a radio.

The awakening maintenance device 170 operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The traffic information is started, and the reception of the traffic information is started by the tuner dedicated to 1620 (Hz).

Normal audio is reproduced on a CD, tape, or the like (step S171).

The signal intensity measuring section 172 calculates
(Hz) is measured (step S172), and when it exceeds a certain value or by pressing the On switch 178 (step S173YES), the traffic information is selected and set by the media switching control unit 173. Switch to sound pressure (Vol. Large). The media changeover switch switches from normal audio to traffic information (step S174).

The sound pressure is adjusted to the set sound pressure by the sound pressure unit 175 (step S175), and the traffic information is output by the speaker 177 (step S176).

The signal intensity measuring section 172 calculates
(Hz) is less than a certain value or when o
By pressing the ff switch 178 (step S17)
7), the reception of the traffic information is terminated by the media switching control unit 173, and the state returns to the normal audio reproduction state (step S171). (Seventeenth Embodiment) The seventeenth embodiment relates to an alertness maintaining apparatus having a function of recording intermittent music in advance.

[0156] In the device for maintaining awakening of an automobile that intermittently presents sounds, it is desirable that the types of music used for intermittent music be many. Therefore, in the case of intermittent music using a CD changer, it is ideal to generate intermittent music using all of the inserted CDs, and it is preferable for the CD changer to obtain an alertness maintaining effect. However, on the other hand, it is also necessary to insert a CD that the user wants to listen to with normal car audio (calm mood music, etc.), and the insertion of the CD used in each case causes batting.

As shown in FIG. 49, the awakening maintaining device 180 includes a recording setting device 181 for setting the number of CDs of music to be recorded and a music order, and a display device 18 for displaying the music to be recorded.
2. CD changer controller 183 for controlling the CD changer, CD changer 184, auto gain controller 185 for adjusting sound pressure to an optimum value, amplifier 18
6, a speaker 187 for outputting music, and a cassette deck 188 for recording music.

The awakening maintenance device 180 operates as follows in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0159] Of the CDs prepared in advance, the number of CDs and the number of the CDs to be listened to at the time of intermittent music presentation are set by the recording setting device 181 (step S181).
When the setting is completed (YES in step S182), the recording on the cassette deck 188 is started (step S18).
3).

The set music is controlled by the CD changer control unit 183 so as to be automatically displayed intermittently every 30 seconds.

The display device 182 displays the number of CDs and the music number of the music at the time of reproduction.

The set song is a CD changer 184
, And is adjusted to a substantially constant sound pressure by the auto gain controller 185.

In the cassette deck 188, recording is performed with a substantially constant sound pressure (steps S184 to S187). The simultaneously recorded music is output by the amplifier 186 and the speaker 187. (Eighteenth Embodiment) The eighteenth embodiment relates to an alertness maintaining apparatus having a function of freely setting a presentation-pause interval.

In the intermittent music presentation, at a preset presentation-pause interval (for example, 30 seconds presentation-30 seconds pause), the presentation time is short and there is a case (a person) who wants to listen to music a little more. In addition, there is a case (a person) who wants to listen to the next music early because the pause time is long.

In order to cope with such individual differences in tastes and differences due to situations, a function is provided for freely setting the presentation-pause interval.

As shown in FIG. 51, the awakening maintaining device 190 includes a pause time setting section 192 having a pause time setting dial 191, a presentation time setting section 194 having a presentation time setting dial 193, It comprises a timing control section 195 for setting the presentation-pause timing based on the signal, a volume control section 196 for adjusting the volume, and a sound source, amplifier and speaker (not shown).

The alertness maintaining device 190 operates as follows.

The driver operates the pause time setting dial 19
1. Operate the presentation time setting dial 193 to set a desired time.

The pause time setting section 192 converts the value indicated by the pause time setting dial 191 into a pause time timing parameter TR as shown in FIG. 52 and outputs it. The presentation time setting unit 194 converts the indicated value of the presentation time setting dial 193 into a presentation time timing parameter TS and outputs it.

The timing control section 195 outputs a parameter P for controlling the volume at the timing of TR and TS.

The volume control section 196 amplifies and outputs the input audio source signal according to the parameter P. (Nineteenth Embodiment) The nineteenth embodiment relates to an awakening maintaining apparatus having a function of optimizing a starting sound pressure level.

At the time of starting the intermittent music, it is assumed that the volume level is set too low, or that the recording level of the sound source varies, and it is not possible to provide a sufficient level of stimulation to the hearing. Sometimes awakening effect is not obtained.

Therefore, at the time of starting the intermittent music, a function of always outputting a sound of an appropriate level without being affected by the volume level immediately before that or the recording level of the sound source is added.

The awakening maintaining apparatus 200 includes a drive power preset section 201, a drive power comparison section 202, a drive power calculation section 203, and an intermittent music sound source output section 204.
, A drive power control unit 205, an intermittent music activation switch 206, and a speaker 207.

The alertness maintaining apparatus 200 thus configured
Operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the driving power preset section 201,
The average speaker drive power (Pp) for T seconds at which the appropriate volume is set in advance by the user is stored (step S1190).

After this and the intermittent music activation switch 206 are pressed (step S191), the average speaker drive power (Pp) for T seconds is calculated by the drive power calculator 203 (steps S192 to S194), and the drive power is calculated. The comparison is performed by the comparison unit 202 (step S19).
5) A parameter Cp = f (Ps-P) for controlling the output power to be equal to Pp according to the difference Ps-Pp.
p) is sent to the drive power control unit 205 (step S).
196).

The drive power control section 205 is controlled by the parameter Cp and performs an output such that Ps = Pp (step S197). Until T seconds have elapsed, the latest parameter Cp0 is used as a temporary parameter and output (step S198). As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, an effective alertness maintaining effect can be obtained without giving a feeling of strangeness to humans.

The present invention can be applied to a modification or a modification of the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, a case where music is used as a sound stimulus has been mainly described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a simple sound other than music may be presented.

Although the wake-up maintaining device for the vehicle is mainly described, the present invention can also be used as a wake-up maintaining device for a monotonous work other than the vehicle-mounted wake-up work, for example, a monitoring operation.

[0182]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a wakefulness maintaining device that exhibits a wakefulness maintaining effect without a sense of incongruity.

[0183]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintenance device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schedule of intermittent presentation time of music.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an intermittent presentation time schedule.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state where music is intermittently recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a tempo difference between songs.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where music is intermittently recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a tempo difference between songs.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintenance device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state where music is intermittently recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific example of musical instrument organization.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state where music is intermittently recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of musical instrument organization.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintenance device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wakefulness maintenance device according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing timings of sound presentation and non-presentation.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a music reproduction schedule.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wakefulness maintenance device according to a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the operation of the arousal maintenance device of the twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first example of an awakening maintenance device according to a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the first example of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a traveling start detection unit and a driving time measurement unit of the first example of the awakening maintenance device according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a timing chart showing the operation of the first example of the awakening maintenance device according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second example of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the entire operation of the second example of the awakening maintenance device according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a timing chart showing an operation of the second example of the awakening maintenance device according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third example of the awakening maintenance device according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a third example of the awakening maintenance device according to the thirteenth embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the operation of the arousal maintenance device of the fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining apparatus according to a fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing the operation of the arousal maintenance device of the fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to a sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness maintaining apparatus according to a seventeenth embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the operation of the arousal maintenance device of the seventeenth embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an alertness maintaining device according to an eighteenth embodiment.

FIG. 52 is a timing chart showing the operation of the arousal maintenance device of the eighteenth embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wakefulness maintenance device according to a nineteenth embodiment.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness maintaining apparatus according to the nineteenth embodiment.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a state in which a physical stimulus is intermittently presented.

[Explanation of symbols]

13,21,41,51,74,101,111,184 C
D changer 12,22,35,54,73,94,102,114,14
2,154,166,173,183 Controller 16,23,36,42,52,76,82,92,106,1
12,155,163,176,186 Amplifier 17,24,37,43,53,79,81,91,107,1
13,125,135,156,164,177,187,2
07 Speaker

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Motonori Ishibashi 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Inside Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Keiko Ichikawa 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Matsu (72) Inventor Yamazaki Saki Yoshiyuki 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Mazda Corporation (56) References JP-A-8-26051 (JP, A) JP-A Sho 58-69576 (JP, A) JP-A-7-222802 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B60K 28/06 B60R 21/00 626 A61M 21/00 310 A61M 21/00 330

Claims (21)

(57) [Claims] 1. A wakefulness maintaining device for maintaining a human wakefulness state by a sound stimulus, comprising: switching means for switching between a plurality of different audio devices to audio devices; and switching between the plurality of audio devices at a predetermined cycle. ,
Control means for controlling the switching means so as to intermittently present a sound stimulus for a predetermined period of time. 2. The alertness maintaining device is mounted on a vehicle, and has a sound pressure adjusting means for automatically adjusting sound pressures from the plurality of audio devices to a predetermined sound pressure in a driver's seat of a vehicle. 2. The arousal according to claim 1, further comprising: a bypass unit that bypasses the sound pressure adjusting unit, wherein a sound stimulus is presented via the sound pressure adjusting unit when the alertness maintaining device is operated. Maintenance device. 3. The alertness maintaining device is mounted on a vehicle, and the plurality of audio devices are at least two of a car radio, a compact disc player, a mini disc player, and a cassette deck. The alertness maintaining device according to claim 1. 4. The control means controls at least one of shortening an intermittent sound stimulus presentation interval, increasing sound pressure, and switching to a speaker having high directivity according to a decrease in a biological activity level. The arousal maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the device is operated. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changeover switch for operating the music as a sound stimulus when the music is intermittently presented so as to continuously present the music. Arousal maintenance device according to item 1. 6. The alertness maintaining apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a manual switch for fixing a kind of music as a sound stimulus. 7. The alertness maintaining apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects and presents music frequently reproduced on the audio device. 8. The awakening maintenance device is for use in a vehicle, and the control means is configured to determine when the driving duration of the vehicle is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, when it is determined that the driving is monotonous, or when it is determined that the awakening is reduced. The alertness maintaining device according to claim 1, wherein the alertness maintaining device is automatically activated when any one of the conversations is interrupted for a predetermined time or more. 9. The arousal maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein an interval of intermittent sound presentation is about 30 seconds and a presentation time is about 30 seconds. 10. A predetermined number of music from a recording medium on which a plurality of music is recorded , and
The type of music that has the order of presentation within the close range is different
And a predetermined presentation time for each of the predetermined number of music.
Only after the presentation time has elapsed,
Pause the music presentation for a predetermined pause of equal length,
The awakening maintenance device, wherein the presentation and the pause are intermittently repeated at a predetermined cycle . 11. The music type is a music tempo.
Music having a presentation order within the predetermined proximity range
The awakening maintenance apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is selected to have a tempo difference of 10 or more . 12. The music type is a timbre, and
Music having a presentation order within a predetermined proximity range has a different timbre.
The arousal maintenance device according to claim 10 , wherein the device is selected to be: 13. The presentation time is approximately 30 seconds.
Claim downtime is characterized by a substantially 30 seconds 10
Arousal maintenance device according to item 1. 14. Recording of a plurality of music pieces in a reproducible manner.
A recording medium, comprising:
A first plurality of music, whose order is within a predetermined proximity range,
Tempo difference in the first plurality of music is equal to or greater than a predetermined value
Is selected according to the recording order, and
The presentation time at the time of reproduction of each of the first plurality of music is
Recording set to be approximately equal to the pause between songs
A recording medium characterized by being recorded. 15. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tempo difference is 10 or more.
The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein: 16. The presentation time is approximately 30 seconds.
15. The pause time is approximately 30 seconds.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 17. Recording of a plurality of music pieces in a reproducible manner.
A recording medium, comprising:
A first plurality of music, whose order is within a predetermined proximity range,
The first plurality of music pieces are selected so that their timbres are different, and
The first plurality of music recorded according to a recording order;
At the time of playback of each song
Note that the recording is set so that they are approximately equal.
Recording medium 18. The presentation time is approximately 30 seconds.
18. The idle time is approximately 30 seconds.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 19. A waking maintaining device for presenting acoustic stimulus from a predetermined period intermittently radio in a predetermined cycle, arousal maintained, characterized in that to change the selection of the broadcasting station at the predetermined <br/> period apparatus. 20. The alertness maintaining apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when the reception strength of the selected broadcasting station decreases, the selected station is changed to another station. 21. An intermittent sound presentation interval of about 30 seconds;
20. The presentation time is about 30 seconds.
Arousal maintenance device according to item 1.