Sleep control device

Abstract

The sleep control device of the present application controls sleep of a subject (12), and includes a sleep-onset control section (S107) and a sleep-maintenance control section (S108). The sleep-onset control section causes the subject to fall asleep and the sleep depth of the subject to be stage 1 or stage 2 by administering a prescribed sleep-onset stimulus to the subject using a stimulus device (31). The sleep-maintenance control section maintains the sleep depth of the subject in the range of stage 1 to stage 2 and maintains the sleep of the subject by administering a prescribed sleep-maintenance stimulus to the subject using the stimulus device after the subject has fallen asleep by the sleep-onset control section. In addition, the sleep-maintenance control section causes the sleep depth of stage 2 to occur in the sleep of the subject so that the second total time, which is the total of the time during which the sleep depth of the subject is stage 2, is shorter than the first total time, which is the total of the time during which the sleep depth of the subject is stage 1.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-175928 filed on October 20, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a sleep control device that controls sleep of a subject. BACKGROUND

[0004] As such a sleep control device, for example, a sleep control device described in Patent Literature 1 has been known conventionally. The sleep control device described in Patent Literature 1 maintains a sleep stage of a user at a prescribed sleep stage, and in a case where a wake-up condition decided on the basis of a nap purpose is satisfied, gives the user a stimulus for wake-up through a speaker, a vehicle-mounted lighting device. Further, the sleep stage of the user indicates a sleep depth of the user.

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-82377

[0006] Specifically, the sleep control device of Patent Literature 1 grasps the sleep stage of the user in sleep in order. The sleep control device of Patent Literature 1 gives the user a comfortable stimulus for deepening the sleep stage of the user, for example, in a case where the sleep stage of the user is shallow with respect to a target value. In addition, in a case where the sleep stage of the user is deep with respect to the target value, a moderate stimulus is given to the user to make the sleep stage of the user not enter a deeper sleep stage, and not to wake up the user.

[0007] However, in the above-described simple sleep depth control method performed by the sleep control device of Patent Literature 1, it is insufficient in appropriately maintaining the sleep depth of the user in a short-time nap, or in ensuring comfort after wake-up. The inventors found the above situation as a result of detailed studies. SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure, in view of the above, aims to provide, for example, a sleep control device that can achieve an effective short-time nap targeting at elimination of sleepiness after wake-up and improvement of concentration.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sleep control device that controls sleep of a subject includes:

[0010] a sleep-in control section that causes the subject to sleep and makes a sleep depth of the subject be stage 1 or stage 2 by giving the subject a prescribed sleep-in stimulus using a stimulus device; and

[0011] The sleep maintenance control section maintains the sleep depth of the subject in the range of stage 1 to stage 2 and maintains the sleep of the subject by giving a prescribed sleep maintenance stimulus to the subject using the stimulus device after the subject falls asleep by the falling-asleep control section,

[0012] The sleep maintenance control section makes the sleep depth of stage 2 appear in the sleep of the subject to be shorter on the second aggregate time of the aggregate of the time during which the sleep depth of the subject is maintained in stage 2 than on the first aggregate time of the aggregate of the time during which the sleep depth of the subject is maintained in stage 1.

[0013] If so, the subject is able to obtain deeper sleep in a short time by the appearance of the sleep depth of stage 2 compared to, for example, the case where the sleep depth in sleep is simply maintained in stage 1. In addition, since there is a relationship where the first aggregate time is shorter than the second aggregate time, the possibility of the sleep depth migrating to stage 3 or stage 4 can be reduced compared to, for example, the case where the opposite relationship where the second aggregate time is longer than the first aggregate time holds. That is, adverse situations due to the sleep depth being too deep can be avoided. As a result, an effective short nap aimed at, for example, drowsiness elimination after awakening and concentration improvement can be realized.

[0014] Further, the reference numerals in parentheses attached to each constituent element or the like indicate one example of the correspondence relationship of the constituent element or the like to the specific constituent element or the like described in the embodiments described later. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a sleep control device and a surrounding device electrically connected to the sleep control device in the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing an occupant sitting on a seat and taking a short nap in the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of a passenger compartment of a vehicle on which the sleep control device is mounted in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 is a time chart showing the rhythm of a falling-asleep time sound output from a seat speaker as an auditory stimulus at the time of falling asleep of the occupant in the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 is a time chart showing the rhythm of an awakening time sound output from a seat speaker as an auditory stimulus at the time of awakening of the occupant in the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6is a time chart schematically showing a first sleep onset stimulus and a second sleep onset stimulus imparted to the occupant when the occupant falls asleep in the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 is a time chart showing a sleep depth when the occupant takes a short nap by the sleep control device in the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the sleep control device in order to cause the occupant to take a short nap in the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a subflow executed in step S108 of Figure 8 in the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 10 is a graph comparing average reaction speed in PVT evaluation between a case where a short nap of the first embodiment is taken and a case where a short nap of a comparative example is taken.

[0025] Figure 11 is a graph showing selection items selectable by a respondent in a questionnaire survey on sleep onset in order to verify effects of a short nap based on Figure 8 and Figure 9 the control process in the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 12 is a graph showing selection items selectable by a respondent in a questionnaire survey on wakefulness in order to verify effects of a short nap based on Figure 8 and Figure 9 the control process in the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 13 is a time chart showing a change in sleep depth at sleep onset for a case where a short nap of the first embodiment is taken and a case where a short nap of a comparative example is taken. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, in each of the following embodiments including other embodiments to be described later, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or equivalent portions in the drawings.

[0029] (First Embodiment)

[0030] Figure 1The sleep control device 10 of the present embodiment shown is an electronic control device mounted on a vehicle. For example, the sleep control device 10 is constituted by a microcomputer constituted by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like not shown, and the sleep control device 10 executes a computer program stored in a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, and the like which is a non-transitory tangible storage medium. That is, the sleep control device 10 executes various control processes in accordance with the computer program. By executing the computer program, a method corresponding to the computer program is executed.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2 The sleep control device 10 controls the sleep of the occupant 12 (specifically, a short-time doze of the occupant 12). In general, the occupant 12 is a subject of sleep control, and the sleep control device 10 executes sleep control that causes the occupant 12 to take a short-time doze. That is, the sleep control device 10 executes control processing that realizes a short-time doze of the occupant 12. The short-time doze of the occupant 12 is a doze of about 5 minutes to 30 minutes, and the occupant 12 can obtain various effects (i.e., doze effects) such as relaxation, sleepiness elimination, fatigue recovery, concentration improvement, and the like by taking the short-time doze.

[0032] Here, if the sleep of the occupant 12 and the like is described, the state of human sleep is classified into a rapid eye movement sleep and a non-rapid eye movement sleep that is deeper than the rapid eye movement sleep. Also, in the non-rapid eye movement sleep, the depth of sleep, i.e., sleep depth, is classified into four stages of stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4 based on the waveform of brain waves. The "stage" is an index indicating the sleep depth of the non-rapid eye movement sleep. Also, the stage 1, the stage 2, the stage 3, and the stage 4 are in order of the stage 1, the stage 2, the stage 3, and the stage 4, and the larger the number marked on the "stage" means the deeper the sleep depth.

[0033] As a vehicle in which the sleep control device 10 is mounted, various vehicles such as a passenger car, a commercial vehicle, or a MaaS vehicle can be assumed, for example. Also, as the occupant 12 who takes a short-time doze using the sleep control device 10, various occupants such as a driver, an occupant other than the driver, an occupant of an autonomous driving vehicle, and the like can be assumed, for example. Further, the above-mentioned "MaaS" is an abbreviation of "Mobility as a Service".

[0034] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 An input device 14, a state detection camera 15, and a living body sensor 16 operated by the occupant 12 are electrically connected to the sleep control device 10 as input equipment. Electric signals indicating various information are input from these input equipment to the sleep control device 10.

[0035] Further,Figure 3 The two end arrows respectively indicate the direction of the vehicle on which the sleep control device 10 is mounted. That is, in Figure 3 , the front-rear direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle front-rear direction Dl, the up-down direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle up-down direction D2, and the left-right direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle left-right direction D3 are respectively indicated by the two end arrows. These directions Dl, D2, and D3 are directions that intersect with each other, and are strictly speaking, directions that are perpendicular to each other.

[0036] The input device 14 is a device for the occupant 12 to input various information to the sleep control device 10, and is provided at a position in the vehicle cabin that is easily operable by the occupant 12. The input device 14 has, for example, a touch panel, a button, or a microphone, and inputs occupant input information input by the occupant 12 to the sleep control device 10 as an electric signal.

[0037] The state detection camera 15 is a photographing device provided in the vehicle cabin, and photographs the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 in front of the vehicle cabin. For example, the state detection camera 15 is provided in the vicinity of the instrument panel 18 disposed in front of the vehicle cabin, or a rearview mirror.

[0038] In addition, the state detection camera 15 also has a function as an infrared camera. The state detection camera 15 is capable of detecting, for example, camera detection information such as the body position of the photographed occupant 12, the eye movement of the occupant 12, the expression of the occupant 12, the surface temperature of each part of the occupant 12, and the temperature of each part in the vehicle cabin. The state detection camera 15 outputs the detected camera detection information to the sleep control device 10 as an electric signal.

[0039] The living body sensor 16 is built in each of the pair of seats 17. The living body sensor 16 is capable of non-invasively detecting living body information of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17. The living body information is, for example, information indicating the heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, respiratory rate per unit time, skin potential, oxygen saturation, chest wall movement, and abdominal wall movement of the occupant 12. The living body sensor 16 outputs the detected living body information of the occupant 12 to the sleep control device 10 as an electric signal.

[0040] In addition, as shown in Figures 1-3 , the seat 17, the radiant heater 20, the scent device 21, the seat heater 22, the seat blower 23, the seat speaker 24, and the massage mechanism 25 are electrically connected to the sleep control device 10 as control target devices. In addition, the tactile vibration skin 26, the vibration skin heater 27, the display device 28, the illumination 29, the air conditioning device 30, and the dimming film 35 are also connected to the sleep control device 10 as control target devices. The sleep control device 10 outputs an electric signal for controlling the operation of the control target devices to these control target devices.

[0041] The seat 17, the radiant heater 20, the fragrance device 21, the seat heater 22, the seat blower 23, the seat speaker 24, the massage mechanism 25, the tactile vibration skin 26, the vibration skin heater 27, the display device 28, the illumination 29, the air conditioning device 30, and the dimming film 35 respectively correspond to the stimulation device 31. The stimulation device 31 is a device that gives a stimulation for controlling a short nap of the occupant 12 to the occupant 12 in the sleep control of the occupant 12. Therefore, the vehicle of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of stimulation devices 31.

[0042] The seat 17 has a backrest portion 171 that supports the back of the seated occupant 12, and a seat portion 172 that supports the hips and the thighs of the occupant 12. Further, the seat 17 has a headrest 173 that supports the head of the occupant 12, a neck rest 174 that supports the neck of the occupant 12, and a foot rest 175 that supports the lower leg of the occupant 12. Each portion of the seat 17 operates according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10. For example, the rear inclination angle (in other words, the seat angle) of the backrest portion 171, the holding state of the neck rest 174 to the neck, the holding state of the headrest 173 to the head, and the posture of the foot rest 175, and the like change according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0043] The radiant heater 20 is provided integrally with the interior material in the vehicle cabin, for example, around the lower portion of the steering column that supports the steering wheel 32. The radiant heater 20 warms the lower limbs of the occupant 12 seated on the driver's seat of the pair of seats 17 according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0044] The fragrance device 21 is a device that can diffuse various fragrances into the vehicle cabin. The fragrance device 21 diffuses a kind of fragrance determined according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10 to the vehicle cabin at an output amount determined according to the instruction.

[0045] The seat heater 22, the seat blower 23, the seat speaker 24, and the massage mechanism 25 are respectively built into the pair of seats 17. The seat heater 22 warms the back, the waist, or the hips of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0046] The seat blower 23 causes air to be discharged from the seat skin of the seat 17 that contacts the seated occupant 12 according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10. The seat speaker 24 emits a sound of a prescribed rhythm to the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10, for example. The massage mechanism 25 gives a stimulation such as a tap or a rub to the back, the waist, or the hips of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 according to an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0047] The tactile vibration skin 26 has an interior skin portion that constitutes a part of the surface of the center console 33, and an actuator provided on the opposite side of the interior skin portion from the surface side. The tactile vibration skin 26 is capable of giving a periodic tactile stimulus to the palm or the like of the occupant 12 touching the interior skin portion of the tactile vibration skin 26 by operation of the actuator. The tactile vibration skin 26 gives the tactile stimulus to the palm or the like of the occupant 12 touching the tactile vibration skin 26 in accordance with an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0048] The vibration skin heater 27 is a heating device that heats the interior skin portion that forms the surface of the tactile vibration skin 26, and is provided in the center console 33 at the same place as the tactile vibration skin 26. That is, the vibration skin heater 27 warms the palm or the like of the occupant 12 touching the tactile vibration skin 26 in accordance with an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0049] The display device 28 causes, for example, a window, a ceiling, an instrument panel, or the steering wheel 32 to display an image in accordance with an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0050] The illumination 29 is provided, for example, in the ceiling, the center console 33, and the vicinity of the feet of the occupant 12, respectively. The illumination 29 adjusts the brightness and the color of light at each position in the vehicle cabin in accordance with an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0051] The light-adjusting film 35 is provided in the windshield that is one window of the vehicle cabin, and adjusts the transmittance of the windshield in accordance with an instruction from the sleep control device 10.

[0052] The air-conditioning device 30 is a device that performs air conditioning in the vehicle cabin, and is provided, for example, in the instrument panel 18. The air-conditioning device 30 adjusts air-conditioned air after adjusting the temperature, and discharges the air-conditioned air from a plurality of air blow outlets 30a provided in the vehicle cabin. The air blow outlets 30a are opened so as to be directed toward the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17, and are provided, for example, in the instrument panel 18, the center console 33, and the inner sides of the left and right doors.

[0053] The sleep control device 10 uses any one or all of the plurality of stimulation devices 31 described above to give various stimuli to the occupant 12 in sleep control performed by the sleep control device 10. If the various stimuli given to the occupant 12 in the sleep control are classified, among the various stimuli, there are visual stimuli, auditory stimuli, olfactory stimuli, tactile stimuli, cold and hot stimuli, and posture change stimuli.

[0054] Further, the sleep control performed by the sleep control device 10 can be divided into three processes of a sleep induction process of inducing the occupant 12 who is awake to sleep, a sleep maintenance process of maintaining the sleep of the occupant 12 after the sleep induction, and a wake-up process of waking up the occupant 12 who is sleeping. Also, when the sleep control is started, it is automatically performed in the order of the sleep induction process, the sleep maintenance process, and the wake-up process.

[0055] The visual stimulation is a stimulation of the vision given to the occupant 12. Specifically, in the adjustment of the visual stimulation in the sleep control, the sleep control device 10 uses the light-adjusting film 35 possessed by the windshield, and the illumination 29 to control the size of the light irradiated to the face of the occupant 12, and the external information such as the scenery and the outside light from the outside of the vehicle via the window into the vehicle cabin. Also, the sleep control device 10 provides the image corresponding to each of the sleep induction process, the sleep maintenance process, and the wake-up process from the display device 28.

[0056] If one example is described with respect to the adjustment of the visual stimulation, for example, in the sleep induction process, the warm color system fluctuating light which changes in 1 / f fluctuation or the like is provided as the indirect illumination by the illumination 29. Also, the external information such as the scenery and the outside light is suppressed by the transmittance control of the light-adjusting film 35 possessed by the windshield or the like. Also, the image which promotes the sleep of the occupant 12 (for example, the image of the warm color system, the fluctuating image of the frequency of about 0.1 Hz, or the blurred image) is output from the display device 28.

[0057] In the sleep maintenance process after the sleep induction process, for example, the illuminance of the illumination 29 is lowered to the extent that the occupant 12 is not woken up, and the image provision of the display device 28 is stopped. Also, the light-shielding state of the sleep induction process is maintained as it is in the sleep maintenance process.

[0058] In the wake-up process after the sleep maintenance process, for example, the light stimulation to the retina of the occupant 12 is slowly increased. Specifically, this is implemented by one or both of the following method (i) and method (ii). The method (i) is that the illumination 29 slowly changes the color of the emitted light from the warm color system (for example, the color temperature of 2000 K to 3500 K) to the cold color system (for example, the color temperature of 5500 K to 6500 K). Also, the method (ii) is that the illuminance in the vicinity of the face of the occupant 12 is slowly increased from about 1 lux to about 100 lux or more, for example.

[0059] Also, the color and the illuminance of the light emitted by the illumination 29 can be automatically adjusted based on the information of the blink of the occupant 12 or the like obtained by the state detection camera 15.

[0060] Furthermore, during the wake-up process, the suppression of external information such as scenery and outside light by controlling the transmittance of the dimming film 35, etc., is mitigated or eliminated, thereby allowing light to enter through the window. For example, the lighting state from the window returns to the normal state before the occupant 12 fell asleep. In addition, an image that prompts the occupant 12 to wake up (e.g., a cool-toned image or a clear image) is output from the display device 28.

[0061] Next, the auditory stimulation provided to occupant 12 during sleep control will be explained. Auditory stimulation refers to the stimulation given to occupant 12's ears. Specifically, in adjusting the auditory stimulation during sleep control, the sleep control device 10 uses the seat speaker 24 to deliver sounds or music to occupant 12 based on occupant 12's heart rate. Furthermore, occupant 12's heart rate is typically around 70 BPM. Additionally, occupant 12's heart rate is detected, for example, by the biosensor 16, and the sleep control device 10 adjusts the auditory stimulation based on this detected heart rate. The aforementioned "BPM" is an abbreviation for "Beats Per Minute," a unit of tempo.

[0062] If we were to illustrate the adjustment of auditory stimulation with an example, such as in the process of falling asleep, for instance... Figure 4 As shown, a sleep-inducing sound is output from the seat speaker 24. This sound begins with a rhythm synchronized with the occupant's heartbeat (in other words, heart rate) and gradually slows down. Furthermore, Figure 4 And the following Figure 5 The Thb indicates the heart rate of passenger 12 (e.g., around 70 BPM).

[0063] At this point, it's preferable not to lower the volume, but to gradually decrease the number of notes and the pitch along with the decrease in rhythm. Additionally, the sound quality can be a "higher frequency < lower frequency" relationship; for music, this could be monotonous, without vocals, quiet and slow.

[0064] Thus, when the sleep control device 10 induces sleep in the occupant 12, it adjusts the rhythm for the occupant 12 as follows: Figure 4 The aforementioned sleep-inducing sound, which varies like the solid line L1s, is output from the seat speaker 24 as a prescribed sleep-inducing stimulus. The sleep control device 10 guides the breathing of the occupant 12 through this sleep-inducing sound. In addition, the sleep control device 10 uses this sleep-inducing sound to cause the brainwaves of the occupant 12 to shift to the low-frequency side, bringing a relaxation effect to the occupant 12.

[0065] In the sleep maintenance process after the sleep induction process, the sound stimulus as the auditory stimulus is continued at a prescribed rhythm slower than the heartbeat of the occupant 12 (for example, a rhythm slower than 70 BPM). The sound stimulus is output from the seat speaker 24 at a volume that does not load the occupant 12 to continue sleeping. In addition, the number of sounds of the sound stimulus in the sleep maintenance process is maintained at the number of sounds reduced in the sleep induction process. The sound stimulus in the sleep maintenance process is reduced relative to the sound stimulus in the sleep induction process. The sound stimulus in the sleep maintenance process can also be monotonous music, for example.

[0066] In the wake-up process after the sleep maintenance process, a wake-up time sound is output from the seat speaker 24, for example, as shown in FIG. 6. The wake-up time sound gradually becomes faster in rhythm from a rhythm synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12. At this time, the wake-up time sound is preferably set to a sound with a low pitch and a sense of a rising tone. In addition, the number of sounds of the sound stimulus in the wake-up process is preferably more than the number of sounds of the sound stimulus in the sleep maintenance process. Figure 5

[0067] Thus, the sleep control device 10, when waking up the occupant 12, causes the above-described wake-up time sound, which changes in rhythm as shown by the solid line L2s in FIG. 6, to be output from the seat speaker 24 as a prescribed stimulus for waking up the occupant 12. Figure 5

[0068] In addition, in the sleep induction process and the wake-up process, the sleep control device 10 can also cause a pre-recorded voice or sound of a person of interest to the occupant 12 to be output from the seat speaker 24 as the auditory stimulus. As the voice or sound of the person of interest to the occupant 12, a sound of a fetal movement or the like is exemplified in the sleep induction process, and a voice of the mother of the occupant 12, a voice of a favorite person, or a sound of an alarm clock or the like is exemplified in the wake-up process.

[0069] Next, the olfactory stimulus given to the occupant 12 in sleep control will be described. The olfactory stimulus is a stimulus to the olfactory sense of the occupant 12, and is a stimulus of a scent, for example. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 causes a prescribed scent to be released into the vehicle cabin from the scent device 21 in adjustment of the olfactory stimulus in sleep control.

[0070] For example, in the sleep induction process, the sleep control device 10 causes a scent of lavender, chamomile, or cypress, which has a calming effect, to be released into the vehicle cabin from the scent device 21. In addition, in the wake-up process, a scent of jasmine, mint, or grapefruit, which has a wake-up effect, is caused to be released into the vehicle cabin from the scent device 21.

[0071] When the prescribed scent is thus caused to be released into the vehicle cabin from the scent device 21, the scent can be caused to be released from the scent device 21 at random timings. This is to suppress the occupant 12 from getting used to the scent, and to be able to continuously provide the olfactory stimulus of the scent. ​​

[0072] Alternatively, the amount of air containing the scent can be adjusted to conform to the preference of the individual who is the occupant 12 by pre-storing the preferences of a plurality of individuals who are the occupants 12 for the scent and performing individual authentication of the occupant 12 by the state detection camera 15.

[0073] Next, the tactile stimulation given to the occupant 12 in the sleep control will be described. The tactile stimulation is stimulation of the sense of touch given to the occupant 12. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 uses the tactile vibration skin 26 and the massage mechanism 25 to impart stimulation with a prescribed pressure change to prescribed portions of the occupant 12 in the adjustment of the tactile stimulation in the sleep control.

[0074] If one example is described with respect to the adjustment of the tactile stimulation, for example, in the sleep-in procedure, the sleep control device 10 gives the occupant 12 a first sleep-in stimulation in which the pressure applied to the palm of the hand is changed periodically as shown by the solid line Lp. Figure 6 At this time, the stimulation to the palm is preferably pressure variation that guides the breathing of the occupant 12 so that the number of breaths per 1 minute is less than before the stimulation. In addition, it is preferable to monitor the number of breaths per 1 minute detected by the living body sensor 16 and to change the period of the pressure variation that generates the stimulation to the palm. Figure 1

[0075] In addition, along with the stimulation to the palm, the sleep control device 10 uses the massage mechanism 25 to impart stimulation with a periodic pressure change to the contact portion with the seat 17 centered on the back of the occupant 12. The stimulation with a periodic pressure change to the palm, for example, corresponds to acupoint pressing, and the stimulation with a periodic pressure change to the contact portion with the seat 17 centered on the back, for example, corresponds to stretching.

[0076] In addition, in the wake-up procedure, a prescribed pressure is imparted at a prescribed timing to the contact portion of the occupant 12 with the seat 17 (for example, the back of the occupant 12, etc.) by the massage mechanism 25.

[0077] Next, the cold and hot stimulation given to the occupant 12 in the sleep control will be described. The cold and hot stimulation is stimulation of the sense of temperature given to the occupant 12. Specifically, the sleep control device 10 changes the temperature distribution of the entire body of the occupant 12 (specifically, the distribution of the skin temperature) to a temperature distribution that is appropriate for each of the sleep-in procedure, the sleep maintenance procedure, and the wake-up procedure in the adjustment of the cold and hot stimulation in the sleep control. To this end, for example, the radiation heater 20, the seat heater 22, the seat blower 23, the vibration skin heater 27, and the air conditioning device 30 are used. In addition, the sleep control device 10 also performs air supply control of the air conditioning device 30 that is appropriate for each of the sleep-in procedure, the sleep maintenance procedure, and the wake-up procedure.​

[0078] In addition, the temperature distribution of the occupant 12's whole body is detected by the status detection camera 15, and the sleep control device 10 adjusts the hot and cold stimulation based on the detected whole body temperature distribution.

[0079] If we take an example regarding the adjustment of hot and cold stimuli, for instance, in the process of falling asleep, the occupant 12 is basically made to be in a state of cold head and warm feet, and the lower limbs, palms, and back of the neck of the occupant 12 are warmed.

[0080] Specifically, such as Figure 6 As shown, the sleep control device 10 provides a second sleep-inducing stimulus by vibrating the skin heater 27 to warm the extremities, so that the temperature Tte of the upper limb extremities in the occupant 12's body is higher than the temperature Tam of the arm. The upper limb extremities are the part consisting of the palm and fingers, and do not include the arm. Similarly, the feet, which are the extremities of the lower limbs, are also warmed by the same second sleep-inducing stimulus. That is, the sleep control device 10 warms the feet by expelling warm air from the foot vent of the air conditioning unit 30, so that the temperature of the occupant 12's feet is higher than the temperature of the legs.

[0081] In addition, during the sleep process, air is supplied so that the temperature of the occupant's head is lower than that of the lower limbs without being cooled, so as not to give the occupant a feeling of wind speed.

[0082] In the sleep maintenance process following the sleep onset process, for example, the temperature distribution of the occupant 12's entire body is a uniform temperature distribution. In order not to generate stimulation that would wake the occupant 12 and to prevent heat from accumulating around the occupant 12, the air conditioning unit 30 delivers a gentle breeze that does not give the occupant 12 a feeling of wind speed.

[0083] In the wake-up process following the sleep maintenance process, for example, from the air conditioning unit 30, set in Figure 2 The headrest 173 has a headrest outlet 173a that discharges cool air that gives the occupant 12 a sense of wind speed, thereby cooling the occupant 12's neck and head.

[0084] Next, the postural change stimulation provided to occupant 12 during sleep control will be explained. Postural change stimulation is achieved by... Figure 2 As shown, the occupant 12 is stimulated by changes in posture while seated on the seat 17. Specifically, in adjusting the posture change stimulation during sleep control, the sleep control device 10 aims to reduce the muscle burden, ease of breathing, and circulatory burden on the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17, and controls the movement of various parts of the seat 17 and the reclining angle. Moreover, the sleep control device 10 induces sleep by controlling the seat 17 to help the occupant 12 fall asleep.

[0085] In the seat angle control of adjusting the reclining angle of the backrest portion 171, i.e., the seat angle, the sleep control device 10 automatically controls a series of actions of putting the occupant 12 to sleep and guiding to sleep, and waking up without discomfort. In addition, Figure 2 The seat 17 is illustrated in the seat angle at which the occupant 12 is put to sleep.

[0086] If one example is described with respect to the control of the seat 17 that gives the occupant 12 a posture change stimulus, for example, in the sleep induction process, each portion of the seat 17 is adjusted so that the occupant 12 becomes a posture suitable for sleep, respiration is easily performed, and the muscle burden of the occupant 12 is reduced. Specifically, each portion of the seat 17 around the seat 17 adjusts the backrest portion 171, the seat portion 172, the headrest 173, the neck support 174, and the footrest 175, respectively.

[0087] In detail, the neck of the occupant 12 is held by the neck support 174, and the neck is warmed by the heater built in the neck support 174. Also, the body temperature of the occupant 12 is adjusted to a temperature suitable for sleep by the seat heater 22, and the occupant 12 is guided to the stage 1 of sleep.

[0088] In the sleep maintenance process after the sleep induction process, for example, the sleep control device 10 makes the backrest portion 171 more reclined than in the sleep induction process, thereby dispersing the body pressure applied to the seat 17 with the goal of further reducing the muscle burden compared to when the occupant 12 is put to sleep.

[0089] Also, in order to reduce the burden applied to the neck of the occupant 12 in sleep, the sleep control device 10 releases the holding of the neck by the neck support 174, and makes the headrest 173 hold the head of the occupant 12 as a whole. Thereby, the sleep control device 10 assists the sleep of the occupant 12.

[0090] In the wake-up process after the sleep maintenance process, for example, the sleep control device 10 makes the backrest portion 171 higher than in the sleep maintenance process, while lowering the seat portion 172.

[0091] In addition, the sleep control device 10 releases the holding of the head of the occupant 12 by the headrest 173, and on the other hand, makes the neck support 174 hold the neck of the occupant 12. Next, the sleep control device 10 massages the body of the occupant 12 by controlling the air bags provided to the backrest portion 171 and the seat portion 172, to restore the energy of the occupant 12. Thereby, the occupant 12 is prompted to wake up more comfortably. After the occupant 12 wakes up, the seat 17 returns to the prescribed position.

[0092] In each of the sleep control steps—the sleep onset step, the sleep maintenance step, and the wake-up step—the sleep control device 10 provides the occupant 12 with any one or all of the aforementioned stimuli. Thus, the sleep control device 10 induces a short nap in the occupant 12, and the sleep depth during this short nap is as... Figure 7 It changes as shown.

[0093] Specifically, in Figure 7 In the process, at time t1, occupant 12 transitions from an awake state to sleep, entering stage 1 sleep. That is, time t1 is the completion time of occupant 12's sleep onset. This completion of occupant 12's sleep onset signifies that occupant 12 has entered a sleep state.

[0094] At time t2, following time t1, the sleep depth of occupant 12 shifted from stage 1 to stage 2. At time t3, following time t2, the sleep depth shifted from stage 2 to stage 1. At time t4, following time t3, the sleep depth of occupant 12 shifted from stage 1 to stage 2 again. At time t5, following time t4, the sleep depth shifted from stage 2 to stage 1.

[0095] Then, at time t6, following time t5, occupant 12, who is in stage 1 deep sleep, is awakened and reaches a state of wakefulness. That is, time t6 is the completion time of occupant 12's awakening. Figure 7 In the timeline, the period from time t1 to time t6 is the period during which crew member 12 is asleep, which is equivalent to the sleep time Ts during which crew member 12 continues to sleep after falling asleep.

[0096] In order to achieve this Figure 7 As shown, the sleep control device 10 controls the sleep of the occupant 12. Figure 8 The control process is shown. Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the control processing performed by the sleep control device 10 of this embodiment. Figure 8 The control process is executed repeatedly in a periodic manner.

[0097] like Figure 8 As shown, in step S101, the sleep control device 10 first determines whether the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap through manual operation.

[0098] For example, the manual sleep switch operated by occupant 12 during a short nap is set to... Figure 1 The input device 14. Moreover, when the manual sleep switch is operated by the occupant 12, the sleep control device 10 determines that the occupant 12 has selected to take a short nap through the manual operation of the occupant 12.

[0099] In a case where the occupant 12 is determined in step S101 to have selected the short-time nap by manual operation of the occupant 12, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, in a case where the occupant 12 is determined not to have selected the short-time nap by manual operation of the occupant 12, the process proceeds to step S102. Figure 8

[0100] In step S102, the sleep control device 10 obtains camera detection information obtained from the state detection camera 15. Then, the sleep control device 10 detects a drowsy state of the occupant 12 seated on the seat 17 based on the camera detection information. For example, the drowsy state of the occupant 12 is inferred based on eye movement of the occupant 12, and an expression of the occupant 12, and the like. After step S102, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0101] In step S103, the sleep control device 10 determines whether the occupant 12 is drowsy, that is, whether the occupant 12 has drowsiness, based on the detection result of the drowsy state in step S102.

[0102] In a case where the occupant 12 is determined to be drowsy in step S103, that is, in a case where drowsiness is determined, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, in a case where the occupant 12 is determined not to be drowsy, that is, in a case where drowsiness is not determined, the process proceeds to step S101.

[0103] In step S104, the sleep control device 10 suggests the occupant 12 to take a short-time nap. For example, the sleep control device 10 suggests the occupant 12 to take a short-time nap by causing the display device 28 to display a prescribed display for recommending a short-time nap at a prescribed portion in the vehicle cabin. The prescribed display for recommending a short-time nap, for example, disappears together with the end of the determination in the next step S105. After step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. Figure 1 Figure 8

[0104] In step S105, the sleep control device 10 determines whether the occupant 12 has selected to take a short-time nap in response to the suggestion of the short-time nap in step S104.

[0105] For example, a nap selection switch operated by the occupant 12 in a case where the occupant 12 selects to take a short-time nap, and a nap rejection switch operated by the occupant 12 in a case where the occupant 12 selects not to take a short-time nap are provided to the input device 14. Also, in a case where the nap selection switch is operated by the occupant 12, the sleep control device 10 determines that the occupant 12 has selected to take a short-time nap. Figure 1

[0106] ​​​​On the other hand, if the nap rejection switch is activated by occupant 12, the sleep control device 10 determines that occupant 12 has chosen not to take a short nap. Additionally, if neither the nap selection switch nor the nap rejection switch is activated, but a predetermined time has elapsed since the suggested short nap, the sleep control device 10 also determines that occupant 12 has chosen not to take a short nap.

[0107] exist Figure 8 If, in step S105, it is determined that occupant 12 has chosen to take a short nap, then proceed to step S106. Conversely, if it is determined that occupant 12 has chosen not to take a short nap, Figure 8 The flowchart ends here.

[0108] In step S106, the sleep control device 10 decides to allow the occupant 12 to take a short nap. After step S106, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0109] In step S107, the sleep control device 10 performs control to induce sleep in the occupant 12 using the stimulation device 31. That is, the sleep control device 10 induces sleep in the occupant 12 by providing a prescribed sleep-inducing stimulus to the occupant 12 using the stimulation device 31, thereby achieving a sleep depth of either stage 1 or stage 2. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown by the ellipse B1, at time t1, the sleep control device 10 enables the occupant 12 to fall asleep earlier without causing REM sleep.

[0110] At this time, the sleep control device 10 identifies the sleep depth of the occupant 12 and provides a prescribed sleep-inducing stimulus. For example, the sleep-inducing stimulus is experimentally determined in advance to be suitable for inducing the occupant 12 to fall asleep, and is adjusted within a certain range according to the progress of the occupant 12's sleep onset.

[0111] Furthermore, ideally, the sleep depth of occupant 12 would be identified by continuously monitoring the brainwaves of occupant 12. However, in this embodiment, instead, the sleep depth of occupant 12 is identified by continuously monitoring the heart rate, respiratory rate, facial expressions including eye movements, posture, and body temperature of occupant 12 using a state detection camera 15 and a biosensor 16.

[0112] In addition, Figure 7 At time t1, crew member 12 transitions from an awake state to stage 1 sleep state, but can also transition from an awake state to stage 2 sleep state.

[0113] This step S107 corresponds to the above-described sleep-in process, and the various stimuli in the above-described sleep-in process are given to the occupant 12 in the processing of step S107. Therefore, the prescribed sleep-in stimuli given to the occupant 12 in step S107 include any one or all of the various stimuli in the above-described sleep-in process. That is, the sleep-in stimuli given to the occupant 12 in step S107 are, in other words, stimuli given to the occupant 12 in order to make the occupant 12 sleep when the occupant 12 is sleeping. In the present embodiment, for example, the sound stimuli based on the above-described sleep-time sound, the first sleep-in stimuli, and the second sleep-in stimuli are all included in the sleep-in stimuli given to the occupant 12 in step S107.

[0114] In addition, in step S107, Figure 1 The stimulation device 31 gives two or more of the visual stimuli, the auditory stimuli, the olfactory stimuli, the tactile stimuli, the cold and hot stimuli, and the posture change stimuli to the occupant 12 at timings that coincide with each other at the time when the occupant 12 is sleeping, in accordance with an instruction from the sleep control device 10. If this is exemplified, for example, the sleep control device 10 gives the above-described first sleep-in stimuli as one of the tactile stimuli to the occupant 12 through the tactile vibration skin 26, and gives the above-described second sleep-in stimuli as one of the cold and hot stimuli through the vibration skin heater 27. That is, the sleep control device 10 gives the second sleep-in stimuli and the first sleep-in stimuli to the occupant 12 through the tactile vibration skin 26 and the vibration skin heater 27 as the stimulation device 31 at the time when the occupant 12 is made to sleep. Furthermore, the above-described "timings that coincide with each other" mean, in detail, that the times at which the two or more stimuli are given to the occupant 12 at least partially coincide with each other.

[0115] The processing of step S107 ends at the time when the sleep depth of the occupant 12 reaches stage 1 or stage 2 (for example, at the time t1 in FIG. 10). Figure 7 Then, after step S107, step S108 is entered.

[0116] In step S108, the sleep control device 10 performs control in which the sleep control device 10 maintains the sleep of the occupant 12 who has been made to sleep using the stimulation device 31 after the occupant 12 is made to sleep. In detail, Figure 9 the flowchart is executed as a subflow.

[0117] In this Figure 9 In step S201, the sleep control device 10 gives prescribed sleep-maintenance stimuli to the occupant 12 through the stimulation device 31. In a case where the sleep-maintenance stimuli have already been started, the sleep control device 10 continues to give the sleep-maintenance stimuli. That is, in a case where the sleep-maintenance stimuli have already been started, the sleep control device 10 continues to give the sleep-maintenance stimuli in step S201. Figure 8At the timing at which the process proceeds from step S107 to step S108, the sleep control device 10 smoothly switches the stimulation to the occupant 12 from the sleep-inducing stimulation to the sleep-maintaining stimulation.

[0118] Further, in Figure 9 In step S201, the sleep control device 10 maintains the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in the range of stage 1 to stage 2 and maintains the sleep of the occupant 12 by administering the prescribed sleep-maintaining stimulation.

[0119] At this time, the sleep control device 10 recognizes the sleep depth of the occupant 12 and administers the prescribed sleep-maintaining stimulation. For example, the sleep-maintaining stimulation is experimentally determined in advance so as to be suitable for maintaining the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in the range of stage 1 to stage 2 and maintaining the sleep of the occupant 12. Further, the sleep-maintaining stimulation is adjusted within a certain range according to the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in the sleep.

[0120] Specifically, in step S201, the sleep control device 10 performs the following by adjusting the sleep-maintaining stimulation in a method experimentally set in advance.

[0121] First, the sleep control device 10 causes the sleep depth of stage 2 to occur in the sleep of the occupant 12 so that the second total time T2s is shorter than the first total time T1s. The first total time T1s is a total time obtained by totaling the time during which the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is in stage 1 in the sleep of the occupant 12. That is, if the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is in stage 1 in the sleep of the occupant 12, the first total time T1s is a total time obtained by totaling the elapsed time T1a from the time t1 to the time t2, the elapsed time T1b from the time t3 to the time t4, and the elapsed time T1c from the time t5 to the time t6. Figure 7 In other words, if the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is in stage 1 in the sleep of the occupant 12, the first total time T1s is a total time obtained by totaling the elapsed time T1a from the time t1 to the time t2, the elapsed time T1b from the time t3 to the time t4, and the elapsed time T1c from the time t5 to the time t6. Figure 7 In other words, if the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is in stage 1 in the sleep of the occupant 12, the first total time T1s is a total time obtained by totaling the elapsed time T1a from the time t1 to the time t2, the elapsed time T1b from the time t3 to the time t4, and the elapsed time T1c from the time t5 to the time t6.

[0122] In summary, as shown by the range surrounded by the ellipse B2 in Figure 7 In other words, for example, the sleep control device 10 causes the sleep depth of stage 2 to occur intermittently a plurality of times. Thereby, the concentration of the occupant 12 after the awakening is improved. Further, it is preferable that the second total time T2s be longest about 5 minutes.

[0123] Here, if the above is examined in detail,Figure 7 The elapsed time Tla from the time tl to the time t2 corresponds to the first duration Tlx during which the sleep depth in the sleep of the occupant 12 is in stage 1. In the case where the elapsed time Tla corresponds to the first duration Tlx, the elapsed time T2a from the time t2 to the time t3 corresponds to the second duration T2x during which the sleep depth is in stage 2 after the first duration Tlx elapses. Also, these elapsed times Tla, T2a are in the magnitude relation of "Tla > T2a".

[0124] In addition, the elapsed time Tib from the time t3 to the time t4 also corresponds to the first duration Tlx described above. In the case where the elapsed time Tib corresponds to the first duration Tlx, the elapsed time T2b from the time t4 to the time t5 corresponds to the second duration T2x after the first duration Tlx. Also, these elapsed times Tib, T2b are in the magnitude relation of "Tib > T2b".

[0125] Thus, the sleep control device 10 temporarily causes the sleep depth in stage 2 to appear so that the second duration T2x after the first duration Tlx is shorter than the first duration Tlx during the entire period of the sleep of the occupant 12.

[0126] In addition, the sleep control device 10 also performs the following by adjusting the stimulus for sleep maintenance. The sleep control device 10 prevents the sleep depth of the occupant 12 from migrating to stage 3 or stage 4 as the broken line LDa. Along therewith, the sleep control device 10 also prevents the sleep of the occupant 12 from migrating to the rapid eye movement sleep as the broken line LDb. That is, the sleep control device 10 maintains the sleep of the occupant 12 so that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is not in stage 3 and stage 4 and the rapid eye movement sleep does not appear. Figure 7 In addition, the sleep control device 10 adjusts the stimulus for sleep maintenance in the sleep of the occupant 12 so that the sleep depth alternately reciprocates between stage 1 and stage 2 as shown in the solid line LDb. By so doing, it is possible to shorten each of the elapsed times T2a, T2b during which the sleep depth is in stage 2 and to extend the second total time T2s to some extent.

[0127] Figure 7 In addition, the sleep control device 10 adjusts the stimulus for sleep maintenance in the sleep of the occupant 12 so that the sleep depth alternately reciprocates between stage 1 and stage 2 as shown in the solid line LDb. By so doing, it is possible to shorten each of the elapsed times T2a, T2b during which the sleep depth is in stage 2 and to extend the second total time T2s to some extent.

[0128] The step S201 of executing the process of the sleep control device 10 Figure 9 The step S108 of executing the process of the sleep control device 10 Figure 8 corresponds to the sleep maintenance process described above, and each of the various stimuli in the sleep maintenance process described above is executed in the step S108. Figure 9 ​In step S201, the occupant 12 is given the stimulation. Therefore, the prescribed sleep maintenance stimulation given to the occupant 12 in step S201 includes any one or all of the various stimuli in the sleep maintenance process described above. That is, the sleep maintenance stimulation given to the occupant 12 in step S201 is, in other words, the stimulation given to the occupant 12 in order to maintain the occupant 12's sleep during sleep.

[0129] Additionally, in step S201, Figure 1 The stimulation device 31, according to instructions from the sleep control device 10, provides the occupant 12 with two or more of the following stimuli at consistent timings during the occupant 12's sleep: visual stimulation, auditory stimulation, olfactory stimulation, tactile stimulation, thermal stimulation, and postural change stimulation. For example, during the occupant 12's sleep, the seat speaker 24 outputs sound stimulation at a predetermined rhythm slower than the occupant 12's heart rate as auditory stimulation, and the air conditioning unit 30 continuously delivers a gentle breeze to the occupant 12 without causing a sensation of wind speed, as thermal stimulation.

[0130] exist Figure 9 After step S201, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the sleep control device 10 determines whether there are signs that the occupant 12's sleep depth has shifted from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep during sleep.

[0131] For example, a pattern of brain waves or heartbeats indicating that the occupant 12's sleep depth has shifted to stage 3 or stage 4 is experimentally determined in advance and stored as a first determination pattern. Then, if the brain waves or heartbeats obtained based on the detection results from the state detection camera 15 and the biosensor 16 match the first determination pattern, the sleep control device 10 determines that there are signs that the occupant 12's sleep depth has shifted to stage 3 or stage 4.

[0132] Similarly, patterns of brain waves or heartbeats indicating signs of occupant 12's sleep depth shifting to REM sleep are experimentally determined in advance and stored as a second determination pattern. Then, if the brain wave or heartbeat status obtained based on the detection results from state detection camera 15 and biosensor 16 matches the second determination pattern, the sleep control device 10 determines that signs of occupant 12's sleep depth shifting to REM sleep have occurred.

[0133] exist Figure 9 In step S202, if it is determined that there are signs that the sleep depth of occupant 12 has shifted from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep, Figure 9 The subprocess ends. Then, return.Figure 8 The flowchart leads to step S109.

[0134] On the other hand, Figure 9 If, in step S202, it is determined that there are no signs of the occupant 12's sleep depth shifting from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3 or stage 4, or REM sleep, then proceed to step S203.

[0135] exist Figure 9 In step S203, the sleep control device 10 determines whether the elapsed time Tps from time t1 when the occupant 12 finishes falling asleep has reached the predetermined end determination time Ted.

[0136] The termination decision time Ted is a parameter used to determine the termination of stimulation for sleep maintenance. The termination decision time Ted is experimentally set beforehand to allow for... Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The short naps implemented during the controlled processing effectively enhance concentration upon waking, resulting in improved sleep quality. Specifically, in... Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 In the control processing, the sleep time Ts of the short nap of the occupant 12 is preferably 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less, more preferably 10 minutes or more and 20 minutes or less. Therefore, in this embodiment, the end determination time Ted is set to the sleep time Ts of the short nap being 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less.

[0137] Additionally, at the moment when the elapsed time Tps from the time the sleep was completed reaches the end judgment time Ted, since crew member 12 is still asleep and is Figure 7 The time before time t6, therefore the end decision time Ted is longer than... Figure 7 The sleep duration Ts is the shortest possible time. Furthermore, the end determination time Ted can also be a variable value, but in this embodiment it is set to a constant value.

[0138] In step S203, if it is determined that the elapsed time Tps since the completion of falling asleep has reached the end determination time Ted, Figure 9 The subprocess ends. Then, return to... Figure 8 The flowchart leads to step S109.

[0139] On the other hand, Figure 9 If, in step S203, it is determined that the elapsed time Tps since the completion of falling asleep has not reached the end determination time Ted, then proceed to step S201.

[0140] exist Figure 8In step S109, the sleep control device 10 performs control to awaken the occupant 12 using the stimulation device 31. That is, the sleep control device 10 awakens the sleeping occupant 12 by providing a prescribed awakening stimulus to the sleeping occupant 12 using the stimulation device 31. Specifically, at the moment of transition from step S108 to step S109, the sleep control device 10 smoothly switches the stimulation to the occupant 12 from a sleep maintenance stimulus to an awakening stimulus.

[0141] Moreover, in step S109, as Figure 7 As shown by the ellipse B3, at time t6, the sleep control device 10 awakens the occupant 12 without inducing REM sleep. Thus, the occupant 12 can wake up comfortably.

[0142] At this time, the sleep control device 10 identifies the sleep depth of the occupant 12 and provides a prescribed stimulus for waking up. For example, the stimulus for waking up is experimentally determined in advance to be suitable for waking up the occupant 12 comfortably, and is adjusted within a certain range according to the progress of the occupant 12's awakening.

[0143] In addition, Figure 7 At time t6, crew member 12 transitions from stage 1 sleep state to awake state, but can also transition from stage 2 sleep state to awake state.

[0144] Here, Figure 8 Step S109 in Figure 9 If the determination in step S203 is "yes", the process is executed. The end determination time Ted used in this step S203 is set to a sleep time Ts of 5 minutes or more but less than 30 minutes during a short nap. Therefore, it can be said that the sleep control device 10 wakes the sleeping occupant 12 so that the sleep time Ts is 5 minutes or more but less than 30 minutes.

[0145] In addition, even Figure 9 The determination in step S203 is "no", also Figure 9 If the determination in step S202 is "yes", then proceed. Figure 8 Step S109. Therefore, it can be said that when the sleep control device 10 shows signs that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 has shifted from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or REM sleep, the occupant 12 is awakened regardless of the sleep duration Ts.

[0146] This step S109 corresponds to the wake-up process described above, and the various stimuli in the wake-up process described above are given to the occupant 12 in the processing of step S109. Therefore, the prescribed stimuli for wake-up given to the occupant 12 in step S109 include any one or all of the various stimuli in the wake-up process described above. That is, the stimuli for wake-up given to the occupant 12 in step S109 are, in other words, stimuli given to the occupant 12 in order to wake up the occupant 12 when the occupant 12 wakes up. In the present embodiment, for example, the sound stimuli based on the sound at the time of wake-up described above are included in the stimuli for wake-up given to the occupant 12 in step S109.

[0147] In addition, in step S109, Figure 1 The stimuli device 31 gives two or more of the visual stimuli, the auditory stimuli, the olfactory stimuli, the tactile stimuli, the cold and hot stimuli, and the posture change stimuli to the occupant 12 at the same timing in accordance with the instructions from the sleep control device 10 when the occupant 12 wakes up. If this is exemplified, for example, the sleep control device 10 gives the occupant 12 the stimuli of gradually changing the color of the light emitted by the illumination 29 from the warm color system to the cold color system as the visual stimuli, and releases the scent for the wake-up effect from the scent device 21 into the cabin as the olfactory stimuli to the occupant 12.

[0148] The processing of step S109 ends at the time when the occupant 12 in sleep becomes the wake-up state (for example, at the time t6 in Figure 7 The processing of step S109 ends at the time when the occupant 12 in sleep becomes the wake-up state (for example, at the time t6 in Figure 8 The flowchart ends.

[0149] In addition, the processing in each of the steps described above Figure 8 and Figure 9 constitutes a functional section that realizes each function. This is also the same in the flowcharts described later.

[0150] In addition, Figure 8 Step S107 corresponds to the sleep-in control section, step S108 corresponds to the sleep-maintenance control section, and step S109 corresponds to the wake-up control section. Also, the sleep control device 10 functionally has the sleep-in control section, the sleep-maintenance control section, and the wake-up control section.

[0151] In order to realize the above-described Figure 8 and Figure 9PVT evaluation was performed to verify the effect of the short-time nap based on the control processing of the present embodiment. "PVT" is an abbreviation of "Psychomotor Vigilance Task". The PVT evaluation is a method of objectively evaluating performance and cognitive function from reaction and movement time, and is a method developed by the University of Pennsylvania, USA, for improving human errors caused by sleep deprivation and fatigue.

[0152] Specifically, in each of the case where the short-time nap of the present embodiment based on the control processing of Figure 8 and Figure 9 was performed, and the case where the short-time nap of the comparative example in which no stimulus for inducing sleep, maintaining sleep, and waking up was given was performed, a subject corresponding to the occupant 12 was subjected to PVT evaluation. The results of the evaluation were as follows. In addition, as for the composition of the subjects in the PVT evaluation, the number of subjects was 20, the male-to-female ratio of the subjects was half and half, and the ages of the subjects were a wide range of ages of 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

[0153] The results of the PVT evaluation were that, in any one of the average reaction speed (i.e., Mean RRT) and the number of errors (i.e., Lapses) used as indices for the PVT evaluation, in the case where the short-time nap of the present embodiment was performed, a greater improvement effect was found than in the case where the short-time nap of the comparative example was performed. "Mean RRT" is an abbreviation of "mean reciprocal response time".

[0154] Specifically, in the case where the short-time nap of the present embodiment was performed, the average reaction speed in the PVT evaluation was improved in more than 90% of all the subjects compared to the case where the short-time nap of the comparative example was performed. For example, as shown in Figure 10 , it can be considered that the average reaction speed is improved depending on the sleep time Ts.

[0155] In addition, as for the number of errors in the PVT evaluation, a significant error reduction effect could be confirmed in more than 90% of all the subjects in the case where the short-time nap of the present embodiment was performed compared to the case where the short-time nap of the comparative example was performed.

[0156] In addition, in order to verify the effect of the short-time nap based on the control processing of Figure 8 and Figure 9 , subjective evaluation questionnaire surveys were conducted from multiple viewpoints.

[0157] Specifically, a subjective evaluation questionnaire survey was conducted for each of the case where the short nap of the present embodiment was performed and the case where the short nap of the above-described comparative example was performed. The results of the subjective evaluation questionnaire survey are as follows. Furthermore, the composition of the respondents of the questionnaire survey was the same as the composition of the subjects in the PVT evaluation.

[0158] In the questionnaire survey on falling asleep in the subjective evaluation questionnaire survey, as shown in Figure 11 , three selection items of "not asleep", "dozed", and "asleep" were prepared. The results of the questionnaire survey were that, in the case where the short nap of the present embodiment was performed, more than eight out of all the respondents answered "asleep". Moreover, in the case where the short nap of the present embodiment was performed, the same effect or an improved effect was found in more than eight out of all the respondents compared to the case where the short nap of the comparative example was performed.

[0159] In addition, in the questionnaire survey on waking up in the subjective evaluation questionnaire survey, as shown in Figure 12 , six selection items were prepared. That is, in the questionnaire survey on waking up, the selection items of "very uncomfortable when waking up", "uncomfortable when waking up", "a little uncomfortable when waking up", "a little enjoyable when waking up", "enjoyable when waking up", and "very enjoyable when waking up" were prepared. The results of the questionnaire survey were that, in the case where the short nap of the present embodiment was performed, more than eight out of all the respondents answered "a little enjoyable when waking up", "enjoyable when waking up", or "very enjoyable when waking up". Moreover, in the case where the short nap of the present embodiment was performed, an improved effect was found in more than eight out of all the respondents compared to the case where the short nap of the comparative example was performed.

[0160] In addition, in order to verify the effect of the short nap based on the control processing of Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the sleep onset latency at the time of falling asleep was verified.

[0161] Specifically, the elapsed time from the falling asleep start time to the falling asleep completion time, that is, the sleep onset latency, was compared between the case where the short nap of the present embodiment was performed and the case where the short nap of the above-described comparative example was performed. The falling asleep start time is the time when the manual falling asleep switch of the input device 14 provided in the vehicle 10 is operated by the subject. Therefore, if the present embodiment, the falling asleep start time is the time when it is determined in step S101 of the control device 20 that the occupant 12 as the subject selected the performance of the short nap by the manual operation of the occupant 12. In addition, the falling asleep completion time is the time when the falling asleep of the subject who woke up is completed, that is, if the subject is the occupant 12, the time when the occupant 12 who woke up completed the falling asleep. Thus, if the present embodiment, the falling asleep completion time is the time when it is determined in step S102 of the control device 20 that the occupant 12 as the subject completed the falling asleep. Figure 1 Figure 8 Figure 13 ​​In the case of the present embodiment, the time at which the subject under test becomes the stage 1 sleep is the time at which the sleep onset is verified. In addition, the composition of the subjects under test in the verification of the sleep onset is the same as the composition of the subjects under test in the PVT evaluation.

[0162] The result of the verification of the sleep onset is that, in the case of the short-time nap of the present embodiment, about half of the total subjects under test are able to sleep in about 1 minute. Also, for example, as shown in Figure 13 , in the case of the short-time nap of the present embodiment, the sleep onset time is shortened in more than nine-tenths of the total subjects under test compared to the case of the short-time nap of the comparative example. In Figure 13 , the change in the sleep depth at the time of sleep in the present embodiment is indicated by the solid line L3, and the sleep onset time is indicated by the arrow A3. Also, the change in the sleep depth at the time of sleep in the comparative example is indicated by the dashed line L4, and the sleep onset time is indicated by the arrow A4.

[0163] In addition, in order to verify the effect of the short-time nap based on the control processing of Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the continuity of sleep was verified. In addition, the composition of the subjects under test in the verification of the continuity of sleep is the same as the composition of the subjects under test in the PVT evaluation.

[0164] The result of the verification of the continuity of sleep is that, in the case of the short-time nap of the comparative example, a plurality of cases in which more than seven-tenths of the total subjects under test were confirmed. One of the plurality of cases is a case in which the subject under test woke up within 10 minutes from the sleep onset due to external disturbance. Also, another of the plurality of cases is a case in which the subject under test woke up after a sleep depth of the subject under test was stage 3 or more, and the subject under test did not easily wake up, or even if the subject under test was able to wake up, the subject under test felt tired after waking up. In contrast, in the case of the short-time nap of the present embodiment, such cases were not confirmed.

[0165] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first total time T1s is a total time after the time in which the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is stage 1 in the sleep of the occupant 12 is totaled. The second total time T2s is a total time after the time in which the sleep depth of the occupant 12 is stage 2 in the sleep of the occupant 12 is totaled. Also, as shown in Figure 7 , the sleep control device 10 causes the stage 2 sleep depth to appear in the sleep of the occupant 12 so that the second total time T2s is shorter than the first total time T1s.

[0166] Therefore, compared to a situation where sleep depth simply remains at stage 1, the emergence of stage 2 sleep depth allows occupant 12 to achieve deeper sleep in a shorter time. Furthermore, since the second total time T2s is shorter than the first total time T1s, compared to a situation where the second total time T2s is longer than the first total time T1s, the likelihood of sleep depth shifting to stage 3 or stage 4 can be reduced. In other words, undesirable situations caused by excessively deep sleep can be avoided.

[0167] As a result, it is possible to achieve effective short naps with objectives such as relaxation upon waking, elimination of drowsiness, recovery from fatigue, and improved concentration. For example, compared to short naps that simply control sleep depth based on the sleep control device of Patent Document 1, a better short nap effect can be obtained.

[0168] (1) In addition, according to this embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the sleep control device 10 maintains the sleep of the occupant 12 so that the sleep depth of the occupant 12 does not fall into stages 3 or 4 and REM sleep does not occur. Therefore, it can prevent the continuation of shallow sleep caused by REM sleep. Furthermore, it can avoid adverse situations caused by the shift in sleep depth to stage 3 or 4, i.e., avoid adverse situations caused by excessively deep sleep. For example, such adverse situations refer to... Figure 8 In step S109, even if the occupant 12 is stimulated to wake up, he or she does not wake up, or although he or she can wake up, it is an uncomfortable wake-up and he or she feels fatigued after waking up.

[0169] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in Figure 8 In step S107, the prescribed sleep-inducing stimulus given to occupant 12 includes applying pressure to the palm of occupant 12, such as... Figure 6 The first sleep-inducing stimulus changes periodically as shown by the solid line Lp. Additionally, this sleep-inducing stimulus includes a second sleep-inducing stimulus that warms the extremities of the occupant's upper limbs so that the temperature Tte of those extremities is higher than the temperature Tam of the arm. When inducing the occupant's sleep, the sleep control device 10 provides the occupant's ...

[0170] By providing a second sleep stimulus while the occupant 12 is falling asleep, the peripheral blood vessels of the occupant 12 can dilate, promoting heat release from the periphery of these peripheral blood vessels. As a result, the deep body temperature of the occupant 12 decreases, making it easier for the occupant 12 to fall asleep.

[0171] In addition, by giving the second sleep-onset stimulus when the occupant 12 is asleep, the first sleep-onset stimulus is easily recognized by the occupant 12, and the breathing guidance of the occupant 12 by the first sleep-onset stimulus becomes easy.

[0172] (3) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the occupant 12 is made to sleep in step S107, the sleep control device 10 outputs a sleep-onset sound as a prescribed sleep-onset stimulus from the seat speaker 24 to the occupant 12. Further, the sleep-onset sound is a sound in which the rhythm gradually slows down from a rhythm synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12 as the solid line Lls in FIG. 10. Therefore, the breathing of the occupant 12 is guided by the above-described sleep-onset sound, and the occupant 12 is able to gradually slow down the breathing of the occupant 12 and be induced to sleep. Figure 8 Figure 4 (4) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the occupant 12 is made to sleep in step S107, the sleep control device 10 outputs a sleep-onset sound as a prescribed sleep-onset stimulus from the seat speaker 24 to the occupant 12. Further, the sleep-onset sound is a sound in which the rhythm gradually slows down from a rhythm synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12 as the solid line Lls in FIG. 10. Therefore, the breathing of the occupant 12 is guided by the above-described sleep-onset sound, and the occupant 12 is able to gradually slow down the breathing of the occupant 12 and be induced to sleep.

[0173] (5) In addition, according to the present embodiment, the sleep control device 10 makes the occupant 12 asleep so that the sleep time Ts is 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less. Therefore, it is possible to provide the occupant 12 with a short nap that can obtain an appropriate effect such as an improvement in concentration after waking up. Figure 8 (6) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the occupant 12 is made to sleep in step S107, the sleep control device 10 makes the occupant 12 sleep without the appearance of rapid eye movement sleep. In addition, in step S109, the sleep control device 10 makes the occupant 12 wake up from sleep without the appearance of rapid eye movement sleep. Therefore, it is possible to exclude relatively shallow sleep in the sleep time Ts and provide the occupant 12 with comfortable sleep.

[0174] (7) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in sleep moves from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or a sign of rapid eye movement sleep, the sleep control device 10 makes the occupant 12 wake up in step S109. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an insufficient effect based on a short nap due to a shallow sleep depth, and to avoid an adverse situation due to an excessively deep sleep depth.

[0175] (8) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the occupant 12 is made to sleep in step S107, the sleep control device 10 outputs a sleep-onset sound as a prescribed sleep-onset stimulus from the seat speaker 24 to the occupant 12. Further, the sleep-onset sound is a sound in which the rhythm gradually slows down from a rhythm synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12 as the solid line Lls in FIG. 10. Therefore, the breathing of the occupant 12 is guided by the above-described sleep-onset sound, and the occupant 12 is able to gradually slow down the breathing of the occupant 12 and be induced to sleep.

[0176] Figure 8 (9) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the occupant 12 is made to sleep in step S107, the sleep control device 10 makes the occupant 12 sleep without the appearance of rapid eye movement sleep. In addition, in step S109, the sleep control device 10 makes the occupant 12 wake up from sleep without the appearance of rapid eye movement sleep. Therefore, it is possible to exclude relatively shallow sleep in the sleep time Ts and provide the occupant 12 with comfortable sleep.

[0177] (10) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the sleep depth of the occupant 12 in sleep moves from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or a sign of rapid eye movement sleep, the sleep control device 10 makes the occupant 12 wake up in step S109. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an insufficient effect based on a short nap due to a shallow sleep depth, and to avoid an adverse situation due to an excessively deep sleep depth. Figure 8 (11) In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the occupant 12 is made to sleep in step S107, the sleep control device 10 outputs a sleep-onset sound as a prescribed sleep-onset stimulus from the seat speaker 24 to the occupant 12. Further, the sleep-onset sound is a sound in which the rhythm gradually slows down from a rhythm synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12 as the solid line Lls in FIG. 10. Therefore, the breathing of the occupant 12 is guided by the above-described sleep-onset sound, and the occupant 12 is able to gradually slow down the breathing of the occupant 12 and be induced to sleep.​​

[0178] (8) In addition, according to the present embodiment, Figure 1 the stimulation device 31 gives the occupant 12 two or more kinds of stimulation out of visual stimulation, auditory stimulation, olfactory stimulation, tactile stimulation, hot / cold stimulation, and posture change stimulation at timings that coincide with each other when the occupant 12 is asleep. This is the same not only when the occupant 12 is asleep, but also during sleep of the occupant 12, and also when the occupant 12 wakes up.

[0179] Therefore, compared to a case where one kind of stimulation is given sequentially, the effect of the stimulation given to the occupant 12 can be obtained in a short time.

[0180] (9) In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the occupant 12 wakes up, in Figure 8 step S109, the sleep control device 10 outputs a wake-up time sound as a prescribed stimulation for wake-up from the seat speaker 24 to the occupant 12. Moreover, this wake-up time sound is a sound in which the rhythm gradually becomes faster from a rhythm that is synchronized with the heartbeat of the occupant 12 as in the solid line L2s. Therefore, the respiration of the occupant 12 is guided by the above-described wake-up time sound, and the respiration of the occupant 12 can be gradually accelerated to promote the wake-up of the occupant 12. Figure 5

[0181] Here, in the time chart of Figure 7 the first duration Tlx in which the sleep depth is maintained at stage 1 during sleep of the occupant 12. Moreover, a second duration T2x is defined as a time in which the sleep depth is maintained at stage 2 after the first duration Tlx. In this case, according to the present embodiment, the sleep control device 10 temporarily causes the sleep depth of stage 2 to appear so that, during sleep of the occupant 12, the second duration T2x after the first duration Tlx is shorter than the first duration Tlx. Therefore, for example, even if the occupant 12 in sleep wakes up unintentionally, it is possible to make the second total time T2s be shorter than the first total time Tls as described above.

[0182] (Other Embodiments)

[0183] (1) In the above-described first embodiment, the stimulation device 31 gives the occupant 12 two or more kinds of stimulation out of visual stimulation, auditory stimulation, olfactory stimulation, tactile stimulation, hot / cold stimulation, and posture change stimulation at timings that coincide with each other when the occupant 12 is asleep. This is the same not only when the occupant 12 is asleep, but also during sleep of the occupant 12, and also when the occupant 12 wakes up. Figure 9 ​In step S203, it is determined that the elapsed time Tps from when the occupant 12 finished falling asleep reaches the predetermined end determination time Ted as a trigger, and control to wake up the occupant 12 is executed. However, this is just one example. For example, the sleep control device 10 can also wake up the occupant 12 based on the timer setting from the occupant 12, or it can be linked with the vehicle navigation system to wake up the occupant 12 based on the setting corresponding to the destination. In addition, the sleep control device 10 can also learn the occupant 12's past sleep status and wake up the occupant 12 at the learned wake-up time.

[0184] (2) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 9 The flowchart includes step S202, but step S202 is not a necessary structure. Figure 9 If step S202 is not present in the flowchart, proceed to step S203 after step S201.

[0185] (3) In the first embodiment described above, the sleep control device 10 monitors the sleep depth of the occupant 12 during sleep and stimulates the occupant 12 with stimuli such as those from the stimulation device 31. Figure 7 That's how you control sleep depth, but this is just one example. For instance, you could experimentally set it beforehand, such as... Figure 7 The sleep control device 10 does not monitor the sleep depth of the occupant 12 during sleep, but instead provides the occupant 12 with stimulation according to the preset stimulation pattern from the stimulation device 31.

[0186] (4) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 7 In the timeline, the sleep depth of occupant 12 shifted from stage 1 to stage 2 twice during sleep, but this shift from stage 1 to stage 2 could also occur once or more than three times.

[0187] (5) In the first embodiment described above, the sleep control device 10 does not need to be a separate device, but may be a control unit included in the electronic control device as part of the functionality of the vehicle's electronic control device.

[0188] (6) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The processes shown in the flowchart are implemented by computer programs, but they can also be implemented by hardware.

[0189] (7) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 1 The seat blower 23 allows air to flow from... Figure 2the seat skin in the seat 17 in contact with the seated occupant 12, but this is an example. For example, the seat blower 23 can also be of a type that sucks air from the seat skin into the seat 17, in reverse.

[0190] (8) Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made and implemented. In addition, it goes without saying that, in the above-described embodiments, the components constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential except in cases where it is particularly indicated that they are essential, and in cases where it is clearly recognized as essential in principle, and the like.

[0191] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, in cases where the number of components, numerical values, amounts, ranges, and the like of the structure of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers except in cases where it is particularly indicated that they are essential, and in cases where it is clearly recognized as essential in principle, and the like. Also, in the above-described embodiments, in cases where the material, shape, positional relationship, and the like of the components, and the like are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific material, shape, positional relationship, and the like except in cases where it is particularly indicated, and in cases where it is clearly recognized as essential in principle, and the like.

[0192] In addition, the sleep control device 10 as the control section and the method thereof described in the present disclosure can also be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by a processor programmed to execute one or more functions and a memory that embody one or more functions using a computer program. Alternatively, the control section and the method thereof described in the present disclosure can also be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by a processor constituted by one or more special-purpose hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control section and the method thereof described in the present disclosure can also be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers constituted by a combination of a processor programmed to execute one or more functions and a memory, and a processor constituted by one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program can also be stored as instructions executed by a computer in a non-transitory tangible recording medium readable by a computer.

Claims

1. A sleep control device that controls sleep of a subject, comprising: a sleep-onset control section that causes the subject to fall asleep and causes sleep depth of the subject to be stage 1 or stage 2 by giving a prescribed sleep-onset stimulus to the subject using a stimulus device; and a sleep-maintenance control section that maintains sleep depth of the subject in a range from stage 1 to stage 2 and maintains sleep of the subject by giving a prescribed sleep-maintenance stimulus to the subject using the stimulus device after the subject has fallen asleep by the sleep-onset control section, the sleep-maintenance control section causing stage 2 sleep depth to occur in sleep of the subject so that a second total time, which is a total of times during which sleep depth of the subject is stage 2, is shorter than a first total time, which is a total of times during which sleep depth of the subject is stage 1, in sleep of the subject, in the sleep-onset stimulus, a first sleep-onset stimulus that cyclically changes pressure applied to a palm of the subject and a second sleep-onset stimulus that heats a distal portion of an upper limb in a body of the subject to make a temperature of the distal portion higher than a temperature of an arm, the sleep-onset control section giving the second sleep-onset stimulus and the first sleep-onset stimulus to the subject using the stimulus device when causing the subject to fall asleep.

2. The sleep control device according to claim 1, wherein the sleep-maintenance control section maintains sleep of the subject so that sleep depth of the subject is not stage 3 or stage 4 and rapid eye movement sleep does not occur.

3. The sleep control device according to claim 1, wherein the sleep-onset control section outputs a sleep-onset sound from the stimulus device as the sleep-onset stimulus to the subject when causing the subject to fall asleep, the sleep-onset sound gradually slowing down in rhythm from a rhythm that is synchronized with a heartbeat of the subject.

4. The sleep control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a wake-up control section that causes the subject in sleep to wake up by giving a prescribed wake-up stimulus to the subject in sleep using the stimulus device.

5. The sleep control device according to claim 4, wherein the wake-up control section causes the subject in sleep to wake up so that a sleep time during which sleep of the subject continues is 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less.

6. The sleep control device according to claim 4, wherein the sleep-onset control section causes the subject to fall asleep without causing rapid eye movement sleep to occur, the wake-up control section causes the subject in sleep to wake up without causing rapid eye movement sleep to occur.

7. The sleep control device according to claim 4, wherein the wake-up control section causes the subject to wake up in a case where a sign that sleep depth of the subject moves from stage 1 or stage 2 to stage 3, stage 4, or rapid eye movement sleep occurs in sleep.

8. The sleep control device according to claim 4, wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The above-described stimulation device gives the above-described subject two or more of the following stimuli at the same timing: a visual stimulus to the subject's vision, an auditory stimulus to the subject's hearing, an olfactory stimulus to the subject's sense of smell, a tactile stimulus to the subject's sense of touch, a cold / hot stimulus to the subject's temperature sense, and a posture change stimulus to the subject by changing the subject's posture.

9. The sleep control device according to claim 4, wherein The above-described wake-up control section outputs a wake-up time sound from the above-described stimulation device as the above-described stimulus for waking up the above-described subject when waking up the subject, the wake-up time sound gradually increasing in tempo from a tempo synchronized with the subject's heartbeat.

Images