JP7403081B2 - Device control system and device control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device control system and a device control method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a sleep evaluation system that can evaluate the sleep of a sleeper.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-054596

By the way, if the level of dementia of a resident in a facility such as a welfare facility for the elderly can be ascertained, the staff of the facility will be able to respond to the resident in accordance with the dementia level. As a method for determining the dementia level, a test method using a test sheet such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is known. However, such a method imposes a burden on the resident by requiring testing time, and it is difficult to frequently and continuously monitor the dementia level of the resident.

The present invention provides a device control system and a device control method that can control devices according to a subject's dementia level.

A device control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a sleep state of a subject, and an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a sleep state of a subject, and an acquisition unit that acquires information in a first period from a start timing of a target period to a timing belonging to the first half of the target period. a control unit that estimates the target person's dementia level based on the sleep time ratio of the target person determined based on the information obtained, and controls the device according to the estimated dementia level. , the target period is an actually measured period from the time the subject goes to bed to the time the subject wakes up.

A device control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a device control method executed by a computer, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a sleep state of a subject, and a step of acquiring information indicating a sleep state of a subject, and starting from a start timing of a target period to the first half of the target period. Estimating the dementia level of the subject based on the proportion of sleep time of the subject determined based on the acquired information, which occupies the first period up to the timing belonging to the above, and the estimated dementia level The target period is an actually measured period from the time the subject goes to bed to the time the subject wakes up.

According to the present invention, a device control system and a device control method that can control devices according to a subject's dementia level are realized.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operation example 1 of the support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correlation between the MMSE score and the sleep time ratio. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard for estimating the core symptom level. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the estimation results on the display unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the correlation between the overall TBS score and the sleep time ratio. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard for estimating the level of peripheral symptoms. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the second operation example of the support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the correlation between the number of days when the nursing care burden was felt to be heavy and the ratio of sleeping hours. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard for estimating a dementia level. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an overview of the device control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing temporal changes in brightness of the lighting device during scheduled operation. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an operation example of the device control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for controlling a lighting device of the device control system according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all inclusive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the present invention. Further, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the most significant concept will be described as arbitrary constituent elements.

Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
[Support system overview]
An overview of the support system according to the first embodiment will be explained below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the support system according to the first embodiment.

The support system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a system for supporting elderly people in a space 50 in a welfare facility for the elderly. The space 50 is, for example, a space within the private room of the subject A. The support system 10 includes a body movement sensor 20 and an information terminal 30. Specifically, the support system 10 estimates the sleep state of the subject A based on the amount of body movement detected by the body movement sensor 20. Further, the support system 10 estimates the dementia level of the subject A based on the estimated sleep state of the subject A.

In general, people do not necessarily stay asleep during the period from their bedtime to their wake-up time (hereinafter also referred to as the target period), and during the target period, they may wake up mid-way (stay in bed) or leave the bed. be. As a result of intensive study, the inventor determined that the percentage of actual sleeping time (excluding the time spent waking up in the middle of the day and the time spent out of bed) at the beginning of the target period (hereinafter simply referred to as "sleep") We found that there is a correlation between the amount of time spent (described as the percentage of time) and the level of dementia. The initial period of the target period refers to, for example, when the target period is divided equally into three periods: the first period, the second period following the first period, and the third period following the second period. The first period may be any period from the start timing of the target period to the timing belonging to the first half of the target period, and may be calculated by dividing the target period into any number of equal parts.

The support system 10 estimates the dementia level of the subject A based on such a sleep time ratio, and displays the estimation result on the display unit 33 of the information terminal 30. Thereby, the staff of the elderly welfare facility and the like can easily recognize the dementia level of subject A.

[Support system configuration]
The specific configuration of such a support system 10 will be described below, mainly with reference to FIG. 2.

The body movement sensor 20 is a sensor that measures the amount of body movement of the subject A. The body motion sensor 20 is installed within the space 50, for example. The body movement sensor 20 is a Doppler sensor that uses microwaves as detection waves, and can measure the amount of body movement of the subject A in a non-contact manner. The body movement sensor 20 also includes a communication unit (not shown) and transmits body movement information indicating the amount of body movement of the subject A to the information terminal 30 as information indirectly indicating the sleeping state of the subject A. . Note that the body motion sensor 20 is not limited to a non-contact type, but a contact type such as a mat shape, a wristwatch shape, a shape imitating clothing, or a shape worn near the ear, which detects the body pressure of the subject A. It may also be a type sensor.

The information terminal 30 estimates the dementia level of the subject A by performing information processing using the body movement information acquired from the body movement sensor 20. The information terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, but may also be a stationary terminal such as a personal computer. Specifically, the information terminal 30 includes a communication section 31, an estimation section 32, a display section 33, and a storage section 34.

The communication unit 31 is an example of an acquisition unit and acquires body movement information. Specifically, the communication unit 31 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the information terminal 30 to communicate with the body movement sensor 20. Note that the communication performed between the information terminal 30 and the body movement sensor 20 may be wired communication or wireless communication. The communication standard used for communication is also not particularly limited.

The estimation unit 32 performs information processing using the body movement information acquired by the communication unit 31. The specific details of the information processing performed by the estimation unit 32 will be described later. Specifically, the estimation unit 32 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, a dedicated circuit, or the like. The estimation unit 32 may be realized by a combination of two or more of a processor, a microcomputer, and a dedicated circuit.

The display unit 33 is an example of an output unit, and outputs the estimation result of the dementia level by the estimation unit 32. The display unit 33 displays an image showing the estimation result of the dementia level by the estimation unit 32 under the control of the estimation unit 32 . Specifically, the display unit 33 is a display including, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel as a display device. Note that the output section is not limited to the display section 33. The output unit may be a speaker that outputs the dementia level estimation result as audio, and the specific form of the output unit is not particularly limited.

The storage unit 34 is a storage device in which a program for estimating the dementia level, which is executed by the estimation unit 32, is stored. The storage unit 34 also stores criteria for estimating the dementia level. Specifically, the storage unit 34 is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[Support system operation example 1]
Next, a first example of operation of the support system 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operation example 1 of the support system 10.

First, the communication unit 31 acquires body movement information from the body movement sensor 20 (S11). The body movement information is, for example, information in which the measured value of the amount of body movement of the subject A is associated with the measurement time of the amount of body movement. The amount of body movement acquired by the communication unit 31 is stored in the storage unit 34.

Next, the estimation unit 32 estimates the sleep state of the subject A for each time (or time period) using the body movement information acquired in step S11 (S12). For example, the estimation unit 32 estimates that the subject A is in a sleeping state at a time when the amount of body movement of the subject A is less than a predetermined threshold, and estimates that the subject A is in a sleeping state at a time when the amount of body movement of the subject A is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold. It is estimated that subject A is not in a sleeping state (that is, subject A is in a mid-awake state or out of bed).

Next, the estimation unit 32 calculates the sleep time ratio (S13). The estimation unit 32 first identifies a target period. For example, the estimation unit 32 specifies the time when subject A is first estimated to be in a sleeping state after 8:00 p.m. as the start timing of the target period, and the time when subject A is first estimated to be in a sleeping state after 5:00 a.m. the next day. The time when the user becomes awake is specified as the end timing of the target period. In this way, the target period is, for example, a period actually measured based on the amount of body movement measured by a body movement sensor. Actual measurement here includes actual measurement based on estimation.

Note that the target period may be a predetermined period. According to the inventor's study, there is a correlation between the sleep time ratio and the dementia level even when the sleep time ratio is calculated from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am of the next day. From this result, it is thought that the level of dementia is related to whether a person sleeps early in the time when a healthy person should normally sleep. In other words, the level of dementia is thought to be related to the quality of sleep, not simply the length of sleep.

Subsequently, the estimation unit 32 equally divides the target period into three periods: a first period, a second period following the first period, and a third period following the second period. Note that the first period may be any period from the start timing of the target period to the timing belonging to the first half of the target period.

Then, the estimating unit 32 calculates the ratio of sleep time to the first period. The sleeping time here is the sleeping time based on the estimation result of the sleeping state by the estimation unit 32. In other words, this sleeping time is an estimated sleeping time. More specifically, the sleeping time is the total period during which the amount of body movement of the subject A is less than a predetermined threshold value, which is included in the first period.

The sleep time ratio can be calculated if one day's worth of body movement information is available (for example, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day); An average value of body motion information may be used. This improves the accuracy of calculating the sleep time ratio.

Next, the estimation unit 32 estimates the dementia level of subject A based on the sleep time ratio calculated in step S13 (S14). The dementia level is, for example, the core symptom level. As a result of the inventor's study, there is a correlation between the MMSE score indicating the core symptom level and the sleep time ratio as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correlation between the MMSE score and the sleep time ratio.

As shown in FIG. 4, there is a generally positive proportional relationship between the MMSE score and the sleep time ratio. The higher the MMSE score, the lower the tendency toward dementia and the lower the level of dementia. In other words, the lower the MMSE score, the higher the tendency toward dementia and the higher the core symptom level.

Therefore, in step S14, the estimating unit 32 estimates that the lower the sleep time ratio, the higher the core symptom level of the subject A. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, if the percentage of sleep time is 50% or more, which is the reference value, the core symptom level is estimated to be low, and if the percentage of sleep time is less than 50%, the core symptom level is estimated to be low. The core symptom level is estimated to be high. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard for estimating the core symptom level. Note that although the estimation standard in FIG. 5 estimates the core symptom level in two stages, such estimation standard is only an example. For example, the core symptom level may be estimated in three or more stages.

After that, the estimation unit 32 causes the display unit 33 to display the estimation result. That is, the display unit 33 displays the estimation result (S15). In other words, the display unit 33 outputs the estimation result of the dementia level. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the estimation results on the display unit 33. The image displayed on the display unit 33 in FIG. 6 is an image when the dementia level is estimated to be high. Note that the image shown in FIG. 6 is an example. For example, the display unit 33 may display an image showing the estimated MMSE score.

As explained above, according to the first operation example of the support system 10, the dementia level can be easily estimated based on the sleep time ratio. According to the support system 10, there is no need to frequently perform MMSE on the subject A. Therefore, it becomes easy to continuously monitor the daily dementia level.

Note that the dementia level may be a peripheral symptom level (in other words, a problem symptom level). That is, in step S14, the estimation unit 32 may estimate the peripheral symptom level of subject A's dementia. As a result of the inventor's study, there is a correlation as shown in FIG. 7 between the overall TBS score indicating the level of peripheral symptoms of dementia and the sleep time ratio. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the correlation between the overall TBS score and the sleep time ratio.

As shown in FIG. 7, there is generally a negative proportional relationship between the overall TBS score and the sleep time ratio. The higher the overall TBS score, the stronger the problem symptoms and the higher the level of peripheral symptoms. In other words, lower scores on the global TBS indicate weaker problem symptoms and lower peripheral symptom levels.

Therefore, in step S14, the estimating unit 32 estimates that the lower the sleep time ratio, the higher the peripheral symptom level of subject A. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, if the percentage of sleeping time is 40% or more, which is the reference value, the peripheral symptom level is estimated to be low, and if the percentage of sleeping time is less than 40%. The core symptom level is estimated to be high. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard for estimating the level of peripheral symptoms. Note that although the estimation standard in FIG. 8 estimates the peripheral symptom level in two stages, such estimation standard is only an example. For example, the peripheral symptom level may be estimated in three or more stages. In this case, in step S15, the display unit 33 displays the estimation result of the peripheral symptom level. In other words, the display unit 33 outputs the estimation result of the peripheral symptom level.

[Support system operation example 2]
Next, a second example of operation of the support system 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the second operation example of the support system 10. Note that in the following explanation of the second operation example, the explanation will focus on the differences from the first operation example.

Steps S11 to S13 are the same as in operation example 1. Following step S13, the estimating unit 32 estimates the magnitude of the care burden of the caregiver who cares for the subject A based on the sleep time ratio calculated in step S13 (S16). As a result of the inventor's study, there is a correlation as shown in FIG. 10 between the number of days in which a caregiver feels that the caregiver has a heavy caregiving burden per week and the ratio of sleeping hours. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the correlation between the number of days when the nursing care burden was felt to be heavy and the ratio of sleeping hours.

As shown in FIG. 10, there is generally a positive proportional relationship between the number of days when the nursing care burden was felt to be heavy and the ratio of sleeping hours.

Therefore, in step S16, the estimating unit 32 estimates that the lower the sleeping time ratio, the greater the care burden on the caregiver who cares for the subject A. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, if the percentage of sleeping time is 40% or more, which is the standard value, the nursing care burden is estimated to be small, and if the percentage of sleeping time is less than 50%, It is estimated that the nursing care burden is large. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard for estimating a dementia level. Note that although the estimation standard in FIG. 11 estimates the magnitude of nursing care burden in two stages, such estimation standard is only an example. For example, the magnitude of nursing care burden may be estimated in three or more levels. In addition, in step S15 following step S16, the display unit 33 outputs the estimated result of the magnitude of nursing care burden.

As explained above, according to the second operation example of the support system 10, the magnitude of the nursing care burden can be easily estimated based on the ratio of sleeping time.

[Effects etc.]
As explained above, the support system 10 includes the communication unit 31 that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject A, and the communication unit 31 that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject A, and the communication unit 31 that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject A, and the acquired an estimation unit 32 that estimates the dementia level of the subject A or the magnitude of the care burden of the caregiver who cares for the subject A, based on the sleep time ratio of the subject determined based on the information; A display section 33 that displays (that is, outputs) the estimation result of the section 32 is provided. The communication unit 31 is an example of an acquisition unit, and the display unit 33 is an example of an output unit.

Such a support system 10 can easily estimate the dementia level or the magnitude of the nursing care burden based on the sleep time ratio.

For example, the target period is an actually measured period from the time the subject goes to bed to the time the subject wakes up.

Such a support system 10 can calculate the sleep time ratio using the actually measured target period.

For example, the target period is a predetermined period.

Such a support system 10 can calculate the sleep time ratio using a predetermined target period.

For example, the estimation unit 32 estimates the dementia level of the subject A, and the display unit 33 displays the estimation result of the dementia level.

Such a support system 10 can easily estimate the dementia level based on the percentage of sleep time.

For example, the dementia level is the core symptom level of dementia.

Such a support system 10 can easily estimate the level of core symptoms of dementia based on the percentage of sleep time.

For example, the dementia level is the peripheral symptom level of dementia.

Such a support system 10 can easily estimate the peripheral symptom level of dementia based on the sleep time ratio.

For example, the estimating unit 32 estimates that the lower the sleep time ratio, the higher the dementia level of subject A.

Such a support system 10 can accurately estimate the dementia level based on the sleep time ratio.

For example, the estimation unit 32 estimates the magnitude of the nursing care burden on the caregiver, and the display unit 33 displays (outputs) the estimation result of the magnitude of the nursing care burden.

Such a support system 10 can easily estimate the magnitude of nursing care burden based on the ratio of sleeping time.

For example, the estimating unit 32 estimates that the smaller the sleeping time ratio, the greater the care burden on the caregiver.

Such a support system 10 can accurately estimate the magnitude of nursing care burden based on the ratio of sleeping time.

(Embodiment 2)
[Overview of equipment control system]
An overview of the device control system according to Embodiment 2 will be described below. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an overview of the device control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device control system according to the second embodiment. In Embodiment 2 below, descriptions of matters already described in Embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

The equipment control system 60 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is a system for controlling a lighting device 80 installed in a space 50 in a welfare facility for the elderly or the like. The space 50 is, for example, a space within the private room of the subject A. The device control system 60 specifically includes a body movement sensor 20, a lighting control device 70, and a lighting device 80. Specifically, the device control system 60 calculates the sleeping time ratio of the subject A using the same method as the support system 10, and controls the lighting device 80 based on the sleeping time ratio.

It is known that a person's biological rhythm has a deep relationship with the light that the person is exposed to. Human biological rhythms do not normally follow a 24-hour cycle, so even if you lead a normal life, your biological rhythms will gradually become out of sync. Daytime light plays a major role in correcting such deviations in biological rhythms. Light that enters the human eye is transmitted to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is the cell that controls the biological rhythm, and becomes the base point of the biological rhythm.

In the device control system 60, the lighting device 80 is dimmed according to a predetermined schedule to adjust the biological rhythm. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing temporal changes in brightness of the lighting device 80 during scheduled operation.

The lighting device 80 during scheduled operation emits brighter light than usual during the period from morning to around 2:00 pm during the day. This light serves to supplement the sunlight that humans should be exposed to. Such light is also called bioactive light. The brightness of general lighting is about 500 lx when converted to human face illuminance, but in phototherapy using such life-activating light, bright light with a human face illuminance of about 2500 lx is used for at least 2 hours. It is recommended to be irradiated to a certain extent. According to the inventor's findings, such light therapy is particularly effective for subjects with high levels of dementia.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the device control system 60 controls the brightness of the light emitted by the lighting device 80 (for example, the brightness during period T in FIG. 14) based on the sleep time ratio. Thereby, the device control system 60 can provide a lighting environment according to the dementia level.

[Equipment control system configuration]
The specific configuration of such a device control system 60 will be described below, mainly with reference to FIG. 13.

The body movement sensor 20 is a sensor that measures the amount of body movement of the subject A. The body motion sensor 20 is installed within the space 50, for example. The body movement sensor 20 is a Doppler sensor that uses microwaves as detection waves, and can measure the amount of body movement of the subject A in a non-contact manner. The body movement sensor 20 also includes a communication unit (not shown) and transmits body movement information indicating the amount of body movement of the subject A to the information terminal 30 as information indirectly indicating the sleeping state of the subject A. .

The lighting control device 70 controls the lighting device 80 by performing information processing using the body movement information acquired from the body movement sensor 20. The lighting control device 70 is, for example, a dedicated control device corresponding to the lighting device 80. The lighting control device 70 may be a general-purpose information terminal in which a dedicated application for controlling the lighting device 80 is installed. The lighting control device 70 may be installed outside the lighting device 80 or may be built into the lighting device 80. Specifically, the lighting control device 70 includes a communication section 71, a control section 72, and a storage section 73.

The communication unit 71 acquires body movement information. Furthermore, the communication unit 71 transmits a control signal to the lighting device 80. Specifically, the communication unit 31 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the lighting control device 70 to communicate with the body movement sensor 20 and the lighting device 80. Note that the communication performed between the lighting control device 70 and the body movement sensor 20 may be wired communication or wireless communication. The communication standard used for communication is also not particularly limited. The same applies to communication performed between the lighting control device 70 and the lighting device 80.

The control unit 72 performs information processing to control the lighting device 80 using the body movement information acquired by the communication unit 71. The specific details of the information processing performed by the control unit 72 will be described later. Specifically, the control unit 72 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, a dedicated circuit, or the like. The control unit 72 may be realized by a combination of two or more of a processor, a microcomputer, and a dedicated circuit.

The storage unit 73 is a storage device that stores a program executed by the control unit 72 to control the lighting device 80. Specifically, the storage section 73 is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

The lighting device 80 is a device to be controlled by the lighting control device 70. The lighting device 80 is, for example, a ceiling light having a circular shape in plan view, but may also be a long ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like.

[Example of operation of equipment control system]
Next, an example of the operation of the device control system 60 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the device control system 60.

First, the communication unit 71 acquires body movement information from the body movement sensor 20 (S31). The body movement information is, for example, information in which the measured value of the amount of body movement of the subject A is associated with the measurement time of the amount of body movement. The amount of body movement acquired by the communication unit 71 is stored in the storage unit 73.

Next, the control unit 72 estimates the sleep state of the subject A for each time (or time period) using the body movement information acquired in step S31 (S32). For example, the control unit 72 estimates that the subject A is in a sleeping state at a time when the amount of body movement of the subject A is less than a predetermined threshold, and at a time when the amount of body movement of the subject A is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold. In this case, it is estimated that the subject A is not in a sleeping state (that is, the subject A is in a partially awake state or an awake state).

Next, the control unit 72 calculates the sleep time ratio (S33). The control unit 72 first specifies a target period. For example, the control unit 72 specifies the time when subject A is first estimated to be in a sleeping state after 9:00 p.m. as the start timing of the target period, and the time when subject A is first estimated to be in a sleeping state after 5:00 a.m. the next day. The time when the user becomes awake is specified as the end timing of the target period. Note that the target period may be a predetermined period. The target period in this case is, for example, from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am of the next day.

Subsequently, the control unit 72 equally divides the target period into three periods: a first period, a second period following the first period, and a third period following the second period. Note that the first period may be any period from the start timing of the target period to the timing belonging to the first half of the target period.

Then, the control unit 72 calculates the ratio of sleep time to the first period. The sleeping time here is the sleeping time based on the sleep state estimation result of the control unit 72. In other words, this sleeping time is an estimated sleeping time. More specifically, the sleeping time is the total period during which the amount of body movement of the subject A is less than a predetermined threshold value, which is included in the first period.

The sleep time ratio can be calculated if one day's worth of body movement information is available at night (e.g., from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day); An average value of body motion information may be used. This improves the accuracy of calculating the sleep time ratio.

Next, the control unit 72 controls the lighting device 80 based on the sleep time ratio calculated in step S33 (S34). FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of controlling the lighting device 80.

As described in Embodiment 1, it is estimated that the higher the sleep time ratio, the higher the dementia level. Further, as explained at the beginning of the second embodiment, for subjects with a high level of dementia, light therapy that irradiates bright light with a human face illuminance of about 2500 lx is effective.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, when the percentage of sleep time is 40% or more and the dementia level is estimated to be low, the control unit 72 controls the control unit 72 to control the light of less than 2500lx in terms of human face illuminance. The illumination device 80 is used to irradiate the light. Specifically, the control unit 72 causes the communication unit 71 to transmit a control signal to the lighting device 80 to reduce the brightness of the lighting device 80 during period T (shown in FIG. 14) to less than 2500 lx in terms of human face illuminance. Control.

On the other hand, if the sleep time ratio is less than 40% and the dementia level is estimated to be high, the control unit 72 causes the lighting device 80 to emit light of 2500 lx in terms of human face illuminance. Specifically, the control unit 72 controls the brightness of the lighting device 80 during period T (shown in FIG. 14) to 2500 lx in terms of human face illuminance by causing the communication unit 71 to transmit a control signal to the lighting device 80. do.

As explained above, the device control system 60 can provide a lighting environment according to the dementia level based on the sleep time ratio.

Note that in the control method shown in FIG. 16, the brightness of the lighting device 80 is switched in two stages, but such a control method is only an example. For example, the brightness of the lighting device 80 may be switched in three or more levels.

Further, in the above operation example, the brightness of the lighting device 80 is controlled, but if the lighting device 80 is a lighting device that can be controlled in color, the color temperature of the lighting device 80 may be controlled. For subjects with a high level of dementia, exposure to light with a high color temperature and high blue component can have the same effect as exposure to bright light. Therefore, when the dementia level of subject A is estimated to be high, the control unit 72 causes the lighting device 80 to emit light with a higher color temperature than when the dementia level is estimated to be low. good. In this way, the control unit 72 may control the light emission state of the lighting device 80.

Further, in the device control system 60, the lighting device 80 is the device to be controlled, but other devices may be the device to be controlled.

[Effects etc.]
As explained above, the device control system 60 includes a communication unit 71 that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject A, and a communication unit 71 that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject A, and the communication unit 71 that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject A, and the communication unit 71 that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject A. and a control unit 72 that controls the device based on the sleep time ratio of the subject determined based on the information obtained. The communication unit 71 is an example of an acquisition unit.

Such a device control system 60 can perform device control according to the dementia level based on the sleep time ratio.

For example, the device is the lighting device 80, and the control unit 72 controls the light emission state of the lighting device 80.

Such a device control system 60 can provide a lighting environment according to the dementia level based on the sleep time ratio.

(Other embodiments)
Although the support system and device control system according to the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the embodiment described above, body movement information is used as information indicating a sleeping state, but information indicating a sleeping state is not limited to body movement information. For example, the information indicating the sleeping state may be biological information other than body movement information, such as brain wave information measured by an electroencephalograph or heart rate information measured by a heart rate monitor. Furthermore, when estimating the sleep state, sleep latency may be used instead of biological information. Sleep latency means the time the subject is in bed, and in this case, the time the subject is in bed is estimated to be the sleeping time.

Further, in the above embodiments, the information terminal or the lighting control device estimates the sleep state, but the sleep state is estimated by a sensor such as a body movement sensor, and the information terminal or the lighting control device estimates the sleep state from the sensor. Information that directly indicates the state may also be obtained. In this way, the information indicating the sleep state includes information indirectly indicating the sleep state and information directly indicating the sleep state.

Further, the communication method between devices described in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. When wireless communication is performed between devices, the wireless communication method (communication standard) is, for example, specified low power wireless using a frequency in the 920 MHz band, but Zigbee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Furthermore, wired communication may be performed between the devices instead of wireless communication. Specifically, the wired communication is communication using power line communication (PLC) or a wired LAN.

Further, in the above embodiments, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Further, the order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or the plurality of processes may be executed in parallel. Moreover, the distribution of components included in the support system to a plurality of devices is one example. For example, components included in one device may be included in another device. The support system may also be implemented as a single device. The same applies to equipment control systems.

Further, the support system of the above embodiment may be realized as a client server system. For example, the estimation of the sleep state, the calculation of the sleep time ratio, and the estimation of the dementia level in the above embodiment are performed by a server device located within or outside the facility, and the estimation result of the dementia level is The display may be performed on an information terminal that is a client device. Similarly, the device control system may be realized as a client server system.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the components such as the estimating section and the control section may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

Furthermore, components such as the estimating section and the control section may be realized by hardware. Each component may be specifically realized by a circuit or an integrated circuit. These circuits may constitute one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. Further, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

Further, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented in a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM. Further, the present invention may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be implemented as a method for estimating the level of dementia or the magnitude of nursing care burden, or as a method for controlling equipment. Further, the present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such an estimation method or a device control method, or may be realized as a non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded. good.

Other embodiments may be obtained by making various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or may be realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention also includes such forms.

10 Support System 20 Body Movement Sensor 31, 71 Communication Department (Acquisition Department)
32 Estimation section 33 Display section (output section)
50 Space 60 Equipment Control System 72 Control Unit 80 Lighting Device (Equipment)

Claims (2)

an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the sleep state of the subject;
The dementia level of the subject based on the proportion of sleep time of the subject determined based on the acquired information, which occupies the first period from the start timing of the subject period to the timing belonging to the first half of the subject period. and a control unit that estimates the dementia level and controls a lighting device installed on the ceiling according to the estimated dementia level,
The target period is an actually measured period from the target's bedtime to the target's wake-up time,
The control unit includes:
causing the lighting device to perform a scheduled operation of changing the light emission state of the lighting device according to time;
The scheduled operation is an operation of causing the lighting device to emit brighter light during at least part of a predetermined period from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. than during a period other than the predetermined period,
The control unit changes the brightness of light emitted by the lighting device during the predetermined period according to the estimated dementia level.
Equipment control system. A device control method executed by a computer, the method comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring information indicating the sleep state of the subject;
The dementia level of the subject based on the proportion of sleep time of the subject determined based on the acquired information, which occupies the first period from the start timing of the subject period to the timing belonging to the first half of the subject period. and a control step of estimating the dementia level and controlling a lighting device provided on the ceiling according to the estimated dementia level,
The target period is an actually measured period from the target's bedtime to the target's wake-up time,
In the control step,
causing the lighting device to perform a scheduled operation of changing the light emission state of the lighting device according to time;
The scheduled operation is an operation of causing the lighting device to emit brighter light during at least part of a predetermined period from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. than during a period other than the predetermined period,
In the control step, the brightness of light emitted by the lighting device during the predetermined period is changed according to the estimated dementia level.
Equipment control method.

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