JP3543688B2 - Environmental control equipment and care homes - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an environment control device that realizes control of house equipment based on a resident's stress state, and a care house including the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device for controlling a physical quantity as a stimulus for providing a comfortable feeling by referring to a physiologic amount of a resident is widely used as a housing equipment. For example, there is one described in JP-A-3-95348. In this method, an electroencephalogram signal obtained by an electroencephalogram sensor attached to a resident is frequency-analyzed, and an air conditioner is controlled by power of an α-wave component. Further, there is a technique for detecting a human pulse wave described in JP-A-3-137448 or a technique for controlling an air conditioner by detecting a human skin potential level described in JP-A-4-103942. . These are all technologies for controlling an air conditioner using a human bioelectric signal.
[0003]
There is also a technology for detecting resident comfort without contacting bioelectric signals and controlling housing equipment. For example, there is a technique described in JP-A-7-55226. It detects the occupants' movements in a non-contact manner by means of infrared detection means, ultrasonic transmission / reception means, and imaging means, estimates the level of comfort from physiological and psychological states based on their movements, and estimates air conditioning, lighting, and other housing equipment. This is a technology for controlling equipment.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is difficult to evaluate the physical state in the first place with the above-described technology that detects only the brain wave or only the motion in the physical information. For example, in the above-described technology for detecting a motion and detecting a resident's physical condition in a non-contact manner, for example, even if a resident's supine position is detected, it is not possible to distinguish between a nap and a sickness, so that the occupant can precisely live from the behavior. It is difficult to estimate the physiological and psychological state of a person. Further, it is impossible to simultaneously process, accumulate, and evaluate data indicating the physiological and psychological states of a plurality of residents.
[0005]
Further, since environmental factors such as heat, light, and air quality have a combined effect on each other and affect the human body, there are combinations most effective for the human body.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention detects environmental conditions such as the degree of occupant's comfort and tension by using physiological information and behavioral information together, and performs environmental control that optimally controls housing equipment for the individual with respect to the physical conditions. The purpose is to provide equipment.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For the purposes achieved, environmental control devices where the present invention is attached to residents, and body motion detecting means having an acceleration detecting means for detecting an acceleration of the resident detects the physiological condition of the resident The physiological information detecting means and the recording means for recording, and the output of the physiological information detecting means is selected depending on the state of the occupant's physical movement based on the information from the body movement detecting means and the physiological information detecting means. Physical information identifying means for identifying the physical condition of the resident and outputting a set value of an environmental factor corresponding to the physical condition, communication means for communicating the physical information, and an indoor environment based on the physical information. And environmental factor control means for controlling the environmental factors.
[0008]
Further, the invention is characterized in that the physiological information detecting means detects a heart rate.
[0009]
Further, according to the present invention, the physical information specifying means has a clock, and determines the sleep time based on information output from the body movement detecting means and the physiological information detecting means. Control the indoor environment.
[0010]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the physical information specifying means has a physical information recording means and a physical information evaluation means.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the environmental factor control means has an environmental factor detecting means, and controls the environmental factor based on a difference between an environmental state detected by the environmental factor detecting means and an environmental factor set value. .
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the physical information specifying means has a frequency analyzing means of a heartbeat interval fluctuation cycle.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the factor controlled by the environmental factor control means is a factor related to any one of heat, illumination light, air quality, and sound.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes body movement detection for detecting body movement of a resident, that is, information on movements such as posture change and walking, and fine vibration of a trunk, particularly vertical acceleration of the trunk which is an action of antigravity muscles. Means 2 is a physiological information detecting means for detecting the resident's autonomic nervous system function, particularly cardiac function, and 3 is based on signals output from the body movement detecting means 1 and the physiological information detecting means 2, Physical information specifying means for identifying physical states including abnormal behaviors such as mental tension, relaxation, and fading, and cardiac function states, and outputting set values of environmental factors corresponding to the physical states. Communication means for mediating data communication with the environmental factor control means 5 and data communication between the environmental factor control means. Reference numeral 5 denotes an environmental factor control unit including at least one or more of a heat generator, a heat absorber, a blower, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a light source, a sound source, and a true air generator.
[0012]
Since the human autonomic nervous system function, particularly the heartbeat, is affected by body movement such as physical activity, body movement detection is indispensable for automatic measurement of heart function. Thus, the output from the physiological information detecting means 2 in the environment control device according to the present invention is characterized in that the physical information specifying means 3 is selected depending on the state of the occupant's body movement. This feature enables automatic detection of cardiac function and detection of stress response in the autonomic nervous system without being affected by body movement and body position. In addition, a control signal corresponding to the stress response detected via the communication unit 4 is transmitted to the environmental factor control unit 5 to perform an environmental factor control corresponding to the control signal, thereby alleviating acute stress.
[0013]
In the above configuration, the body movement detecting means 1 detects information on body movements of the occupants, that is, posture change, movement such as walking, and fine vibration of the trunk, and outputs the information to the physical information specifying means 3, and the physiological information detecting means 2 The resident's brain waves, eye movements, myoelectric potential, skin electroreflection, skin temperature, sweating reflex, and especially cardiac function are detected and output to the physical information specifying means 3, and the physical information specifying means 3 outputs the body motion information and From the physiological information, physiological information when the resident's body is at rest is extracted, and a resting physical state is calculated / estimated. As an example, an environmental control method in which the physical information specifying means 3 detects an acute stress response from body movement information and physiological information and alleviates acute stress will be described. When detecting an acute stress response, the physiological information detecting means 2 detects an R wave in an electrocardiogram. The physical information specifying means 3 monitors the input from the body movement detecting means 1 and stops the physiological information detecting means 2 when there is a body movement of a level accompanied by the movement of the center of gravity. Performs information detection. When the sitting state of the chair for 20 minutes is completed, the physical information specifying means 3 starts counting the R wave and measures the RR interval in the electrocardiogram. When the average RR interval is shorter than the normal value, or when the variation coefficient CVR-R of the RR interval standardized by the average value of the standard deviation of the RR interval is smaller than the normal value, the autonomic nervous function is enhanced than usual, Judge that a burden has been placed on the body's homeostasis function. At this time, the physical information specifying means 3 transmits an acute stress elimination signal to the environmental factor control means 5 via the communication means 4. The environmental factor control means 5 having received the acute stress relieving signal sets the indoor thermal environment setting value by air conditioning to PMV = 0, or the color temperature setting value of the lighting to about 3500 K (bulb color), or 10,000 atmospheres to the atmosphere near the resident. Perform at least one of the spraying of anions of at least pcs / cc.
[0014]
According to the above operation, the environmental control apparatus of the present invention provides the physical information specifying unit 3 with the resident's mind and body based on the body movement information input from the body movement detection unit 1 and the physiological information input from the physiological information detection unit 2. The state of tension and relaxation of the occupant are determined, and the environmental factor set value is calculated according to the state of tension and relaxation of the resident's mind and body. The environmental factor set value is transmitted to the environmental factor control means via the communication means 4. Then, the environmental factor control means 5 controls the environmental factor of the environment in which the resident is staying, and has an environmental factor control action suitable for the physiological state of the resident.
[0015]
Conventionally, in the field of thermal environment, it is known that an autonomous thermoregulatory reaction is minimized in a thermal neutral state. This means that the activity of the autonomic nervous system increases when it becomes colder or hotter than in the thermal neutral state, and shows a kind of stress response.However, in the thermal neutral state, the autonomic nervous system activity decreases, Stress response is minimized. In addition to the thermal environment, the correspondence between the color temperature of the illumination light source and the activity of the autonomic nervous system is shown. In addition, the action potential of nerve fibers in the living body and the cation dependency of muscle tone suggest that anion present in the air has a relaxing effect on the body. These facts show a close relationship between the household equipment such as air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and air purifiers and the human homeostatic function controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The environmental control apparatus according to the present invention focuses on this relation, and realizes environmental control suitable for the property of maintaining homeostasis of a person by using the household equipment.
[0016]
In the present embodiment, the body movement detecting means 1 includes an acceleration detecting means attached to the occupant's waist and a signal converting means, and the acceleration detecting means electrically converts the occupant's body movement detected as acceleration information. The signal is output to the signal conversion means as a signal, and the signal conversion means converts the electric signal for a certain period of time into a discrete numerical signal and outputs the signal to the physical information specifying means 3. The same effect can be obtained by using a means for detecting a body movement by image processing using an infrared sensor. In the present embodiment, the electrocardiogram detecting means including a plurality of electrodes is used as the physiological information detecting means, and the action potential of the myocardium is output to the body information specifying means. It is possible to measure the RR interval, which is time data, by using a microphone as motion detection means and a timer as time measurement means.
[0017]
Further, according to the physical information specifying means 4 in the environmental control device of the present invention, complex environmental control in which many environmental factors such as thermal environment, lighting environment, and air quality are intricately intertwined is replaced with unique physical information. Optimal control can be easily performed.
[0018]
The physical information specifying means 3 to which the acceleration information and the physiological information are simultaneously inputted, synchronizes the body motion / physiological information, and thereby obtains the active heart rate, the resting heart rate, the standing heart rate, the lying heart rate, and the like. Discrimination becomes possible, and it is possible to detect a human body state such as a nervous state, a flaccid state, and abnormal heart function.
[0019]
In addition, by connecting a plurality of environmental factor control means 5 in the environmental control apparatus of the present invention via the communication means 4, it is possible to simultaneously control the environment in the entire house. In the present embodiment, the physical information is specified by using a personal computer as the physical information evaluation means 3, but is limited to a personal computer as long as the device executes a similar physical information specifying program written on a recording medium. No need.
[0020]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an environment control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes body movement detection for detecting body movement of a resident, that is, information on movement such as posture change and walking, and fine vibration of the trunk, particularly vertical acceleration of the trunk which is an action of antigravity muscles. Means 2 is a physiological information detecting means for detecting the resident's autonomic nervous system function, particularly cardiac function, and 3 is based on signals output from the body movement detecting means 1 and the physiological information detecting means 2, Physical information specifying means for identifying physical states including abnormal behaviors such as mental tension, relaxation, and fading, and cardiac function states, and outputting set values of environmental factors corresponding to the physical states. Communication means for mediating data communication with the environmental factor control means 5 and data communication between the environmental factor control means. Reference numeral 5 denotes an environmental factor control unit including at least one or more of a heat generator, a heat absorber, a blower, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a light source, a sound source, and a true air generator. Reference numeral 6 denotes a detection interval setting unit that sets a time interval at which detection is performed by the body motion detection unit 1 and the physiological information detection unit 2.
[0021]
According to the detection interval setting means 6 in the environment control device according to the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily set the detection interval of the body motion detection by the body motion detection means 1 and the detection of the physiological information by the physiological information detection means 2. It becomes possible. As an example, a case in which a sleep abnormality is detected as an abnormal behavior in a daily life behavior of a resident for 72 hours by setting a detection interval by the detection interval setting means 6 in the present embodiment is shown. The determination of the sleep time by the physical information specifying means 3 of the present embodiment is based on the determination that the lying position for more than 4 hours is continuous between 20:00 and 10:00 the next day, and the minimum value of the heartbeat for the continuous 90 minutes is the past 12 hours. The time zone showing the lowest value was taken as the sleeping time. In such sleep time measurement, sleep less than 6 hours was determined to be insufficient sleep. In the present embodiment, the time is measured by a clock included in the physical information specifying means 3, the occupant's prone posture is measured by the body movement detecting means 1, and the heart rate is detected by the physiological information detecting means 2. Was. At this time, the body movement detecting means 1 and the physiological information detecting means 2 were set by the detection interval setting means 6 so as to measure for 30 seconds every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. For body movement, the change in acceleration for 30 seconds was used. For heartbeat, the heart rate was twice the number of heart beats for 30 seconds. Based on the above measurement, there were two cycles in which sleep was determined to be nighttime in 72 hours, of which one cycle was determined to be normal sleep for 8 hours and the other cycle was determined to be sleep deprivation for 4 hours and 30 minutes. At this time, if sleep deprivation is specified by the physical information specifying means 3, the physical information specifying means 3 transmits an acute stress relieving signal so that the subsequent environmental control does not cause tension of the autonomic nervous system for the resident. The information is transmitted to the environmental factor control means 5 via the means 4. The environmental factor control means 5 having received the acute stress relieving signal sets the indoor thermal environment setting value by air conditioning to PMV = 0, or the color temperature setting value of the lighting to about 3500 K (bulb color), or 10,000 atmospheres to the atmosphere near the resident. At least one of the spraying of anions or more per cc and the reproduction of music specified by the resident in advance is performed. In the present embodiment, the personal information is specified by using a personal computer as the physical information specifying means 3, but is limited to a personal computer as long as the device executes a similar physical information specifying program written on a recording medium. No need.
[0022]
(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, the sleep deprivation is determined from the immediately preceding sleep time. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the physical information specifying means 3 in the environment control device according to the present invention uses the body movement information and physiological information recording means 7 as shown in FIG. And the means for evaluating physical information 8, it is possible to hold a history related to normal sleep time and detect abnormal sleep by comparing the history with the latest sleep time data. For example, in the case where the continuous sleep time of the last 15 weeks held in the recording means 7 is at least 5.5 hours or more, but the day of less than 5.5 hours of continuous sleep time appears two or more days a week. Is regarded as a sleep abnormality, and an acute stress elimination signal is transmitted to the environmental factor control means 5 via the communication means 4. The environmental factor control means 5, which has received the acute stress relieving signal, sets the indoor thermal environment set value by air conditioning to PMV = 0 and, in addition, sets the color temperature set value of the lighting to about 3500K (bulb color) or the vicinity of the resident. At least one of spraying anion of 10,000 or more / cc in the atmosphere and spraying scent components using the essential oil of a tree with a sedative effect. In the present embodiment, the physical information is specified by using a personal computer as the physical information evaluation means 3, but is limited to a personal computer as long as the device executes a similar physical information specifying program written on a recording medium. No need.
[0023]
(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an environment control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes body movement detection for detecting body movement of a resident, that is, information on movement such as posture change and walking, and fine vibration of the trunk, particularly, acceleration in the vertical direction of the trunk, which is an action of antigravity muscles. Means 2 is a physiological information detecting means for detecting the resident's autonomic nervous system function, particularly cardiac function, and 3 is based on signals output from the body movement detecting means 1 and the physiological information detecting means 2, Physical information specifying means for identifying physical states including abnormal behaviors such as mental tension, relaxation, and fading, and cardiac function states, and outputting set values of environmental factors corresponding to the physical states. Communication means for mediating data communication with the environmental factor control means 6 and data communication between the environmental factor control means. Reference numeral 5 denotes an environmental factor control unit including at least one or more of a heat generator, a heat absorber, a blower, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a light source, a sound source, and a true air generator. Reference numeral 9 denotes information presenting means for presenting the result of the physical information identification by the physical information identifying means 3 to the resident. For example, according to the information presenting means 9 in the environmental control device according to the present invention, the information on the extrasystole, the history of atrial fibrillation, and the abnormal sleep, which are abnormal cardiac functions, recorded and retained in the physical information identifying means 3 can be used as the information. By displaying the information to the resident by the presenting means 10, early prevention of a physical abnormality can be promoted. In the present embodiment, the personal information is specified by using a personal computer as the physical information specifying means 3, but is limited to a personal computer as long as the device executes a similar physical information specifying program written on a recording medium. No need.
[0024]
(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an environment control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes body movement detection for detecting body movement of a resident, that is, information on movements such as posture change and walking, and fine vibration of the trunk, particularly vertical acceleration of the trunk which is an action of antigravity muscles. Means 2 is a physiological information detecting means for detecting the resident's autonomic nervous system function, particularly cardiac function, 3 is based on the signal output from the body movement detecting means 1 and the physiological information detecting means 2, Physical information specifying means for specifying physical states including mental tension, relaxation, abnormal behavior such as fainting, and cardiac function states, and outputting set values of environmental factors corresponding thereto. Communication means for mediating data communication with the environmental factor control means 6 and data communication between the environmental factor control means. Reference numeral 5 denotes an environmental factor control unit including at least one or more of a heat generator, a heat absorber, a blower, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a light source, a sound source, and a true air generator. 10 performs personal identification with respect to the physical information specifying means 3 with respect to the resident who inputs by the body movement detecting means 1 and the physiological information detecting means 2, and applies the personal identification information to the body movement information and the physiological information. It is a personal information specifying means that is given and output to the physical information specifying means 3. According to this configuration, the environmental control device of the present invention uses the physical information identifying unit 4 to compare the body movement information input from the body movement detection unit 1 and the physiological information input from the physiological information detection unit 2 with an individual. Personal identification information is provided by the identification means 3, the state of physical and mental tension and relaxation of the resident is determined for each individual from the body movement information and the physiological information to which the personal identification information is provided, and the physical and mental state of the resident is determined. The environmental factor set value is calculated according to the tension state and the relaxed state, and the environmental factor set value is transmitted to the environmental factor control means via the communication means, and is detected by the environmental factor detection means 7 in the environmental factor control means 6. There is an effect that the environmental factor of the environment in which the resident is staying is controlled by the difference between the current environmental state and the environmental factor set value. In the present embodiment, the physical information is specified by using a personal computer as the physical information evaluation means 3, but is limited to a personal computer as long as the device executes a similar physical information specifying program written on a recording medium. No need.
[0025]
(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an environment control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes body movement detection for detecting information on body movements of the occupants, that is, posture change, movements such as walking, and fine vibrations of the trunk, particularly vertical acceleration of the trunk which is an action of antigravity muscles. Means 2 is a physiological information detecting means for detecting the resident's autonomic nervous system function, particularly cardiac function, and 3 is based on signals output from the body movement detecting means 1 and the physiological information detecting means 2, Physical information specifying means for identifying physical states including abnormal behaviors such as mental tension, relaxation, and fading, and cardiac function states, and outputting set values of environmental factors corresponding to the physical states. Communication means for mediating data communication with the environmental factor control means 6 and data communication between the environmental factor control means. Reference numeral 5 denotes an environmental factor control unit including at least one or more of a heat generator, a heat absorber, a blower, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a light source, a sound source, and a true air generator. 11 is an environmental factor for detecting at least one of the environmental factors of the living space, such as air temperature, radiation temperature, humidity, wind speed, illuminance, and the amount of negative ions, and outputting the indicated value to the environmental factor control means 5. It is a detecting means. According to the above configuration of the environmental control device according to the present invention, the difference between the current environmental state detected by the environmental factor detecting means and the environmental factor set value indicates the relative environmental factor of the environment in which the resident is staying. Control becomes possible. In the present embodiment, the physical information is specified by using a personal computer as the physical information evaluation means 3, but is limited to a personal computer as long as the device executes a similar physical information specifying program written on a recording medium. No need.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the environment control device of the present invention, a body motion detecting unit that detects the occupant's behavior, a physiological information detecting unit that detects the occupant's physiological state, the occupant's behavior and the occupant The pattern of the combination with the physiological condition of the occupant is specified by the recording means for recording one or more patterns, and the physical condition of the resident in the recording means is specified by the information from the body movement detecting means and the physiological information detecting means. By providing the physical information specifying means, the communication means for communicating the physical information, and the environmental factor control means for controlling the indoor environment based on the physical information, the following excellent effects can be obtained. In other words, since the physical information of the resident is stored and detected, the housing equipment is optimally controlled for each individual with respect to the above physical condition, and the optimal environmental factor control for relaxation of tension, mental and physical activation, rest, etc. It can be carried out.
[0027]
In addition, since the environmental control device according to the present invention controls indoor environmental factors based on physical information of the occupants, the environmental control device can be selected from a complex combination of many environmental factors such as thermal environment, lighting environment, and air quality. An appropriate combination can be provided to the resident.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environmental control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an environmental control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an environmental control device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an environmental control device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram of environmental control equipment in 6 [Explanation of reference numerals]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 body movement detecting means 2 physiological information detecting means 3 physical information specifying means 4 communication means 5 environmental factor controlling means 6 detection interval setting means 7 recording means 8 evaluating means 9 information presenting means 10 personal information specifying means 11 environmental factor detecting means

Claims (7)

Attached to residents, and body motion detecting means having an acceleration detecting means for detecting an acceleration of the residents, and physiological information detecting means for detecting the physiological state of the resident, the physiological information detecting said body movement detecting means The physical condition of the resident is specified by selecting the output of the physiological information detecting means based on the state of the occupant's body movement based on the information output from the means, and the environmental factor corresponding to the physical condition is set. An environmental control device comprising: physical information specifying means for outputting a value; communication means for communicating the physical information; and environmental factor control means for controlling an indoor environment based on the physical information. The environment control device according to claim 1, wherein the physiological information detecting means detects a heart rate. The physical information specifying means has a clock, determines sleep time based on information output from the body movement detecting means and the physiological information detecting means, and controls the indoor environment when it is determined that sleep is insufficient. Item 6. The environmental control device according to Item 1. 2. The environment control device according to claim 1, wherein the physical information specifying means includes a physical information recording means and a physical information evaluation means. The environmental control device according to claim 1, wherein the environmental factor control means includes an environmental factor detection means, and controls the environmental factor based on a difference between an environmental state detected by the environmental factor detection means and an environmental factor set value. 3. The environment control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the physical information specifying means has a frequency analysis means for a heartbeat interval fluctuation cycle. The environmental control device according to claim 1, wherein the factor controlled by the environmental factor control means is a factor relating to any one of heat, illumination light, air quality, and sound.

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