Notification device

Abstract

A notification device (200) includes: a storage unit (210) that stores first information in which a first range of activity levels in a case where a worker is in one state is associated with a second range of heart rates in a case where the worker is in the one state; an acquisition unit (221) that acquires the activity level per unit time during the work of the worker and the heart rate per unit time during the work of the worker; and a notification control unit (222) that notifies second information relating to the one state when the acquired activity level is within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the second range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a notification device that provides the status of a worker at work as a notification. Background Technology

[0002] Techniques for providing notifications of worker status are known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-102177 discloses a technique for providing fatigue level notifications based on a worker's maximum heart rate when falling asleep. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention However, while the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-102177 can measure the level of fatigue during sleep, it cannot measure the worker's state during work. In order to properly manage workers' tasks, a technology is needed to measure the worker's state during work.

[0004] This disclosure is based on the above considerations and aims to understand the status of workers during work hours.

[0005] Problem-solving methods One aspect of this disclosure provides a notification device comprising: a storage unit for storing first information, wherein a first range of activity levels of a worker in one of a plurality of states during work is correlated with a second range of heart rates of the worker in said state; an acquisition unit for acquiring the worker's activity level per unit time during work and the worker's heart rate per unit time during work; and a notification control unit for notifying the second information associated with said state when the acquired activity level is within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the second range.

[0006] The acquisition unit can acquire the activity level and heart rate per unit time during the work period at predetermined intervals, and when the duration of the acquired activity level within a first range and the acquired heart rate within a second range reaches or exceeds a predetermined duration for determining the state as said one state, the notification control unit can provide second information as a notification.

[0007] When the activity level acquired during a predetermined time period longer than the unit time falls within the first range and the duration of the heart rate acquired during the predetermined time period within the second range reaches or exceeds a certain duration, the notification control unit can provide second information as a notification.

[0008] The storage unit can store first information, wherein a first range and a second range are associated with each other when the worker is in each of a plurality of states during work, and when the acquired activity level is in the first range corresponding to one of the plurality of states and the acquired heart rate is in the second range corresponding to said state for a duration that reaches or exceeds a certain duration, the notification control unit can provide second information related to said state as a notification.

[0009] The first range may be a range higher than or equal to a first predetermined value, the first predetermined value being used to determine that the worker is in a high-activity state in which the worker performs a task involving a high level of activity. The second range may be a range higher than or equal to a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being used to determine that the worker is in a high-load state in which the worker is subjected to a high workload. When the acquired activity level is in the first range and the acquired heart rate is in the second range for a duration that reaches or exceeds a predetermined duration, the notification control unit may provide second information as a notification related to the first state in which the worker is in a high-activity state and a high-load state.

[0010] The storage unit can store first information related to a third range of heart rate under moderate load conditions, where the worker's load is lower than that under high load conditions. The third range can be a range where the upper limit is lower than the lower limit of the second range. When the acquired activity level is within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the third range, the notification control unit can provide second information as a notification related to a second state in which the worker is in a high activity state and a moderate load state.

[0011] When a worker is in a low-activity state where he is performing a task involving an activity level lower than that of a high-activity state, the storage unit can store first information related to a fourth range of activity levels, which can be a range where the upper limit is lower than the lower limit of the first range. When the acquired activity level is within the fourth range and the acquired heart rate is within the third range, the notification control unit can provide second information related to a third state in which the worker is in a low-activity state and a moderate-load state as a notification.

[0012] The storage unit can store first information associated with (i) a fifth range of activity levels in which the worker is in an inactive state where the worker has not moved his body and (ii) a sixth range of heart rate in which the worker is under a load lower than that under a moderate load state. The fifth range may be a range in which the upper limit is lower than the upper limit of the fourth range and the lower limit is lower than the lower limit of the fourth range. The sixth range may be a range in which the upper limit is lower than the lower limit of the third range. When the acquired activity level is in the fifth range and the acquired heart rate is in the sixth range, the notification control unit can provide second information associated with the fourth state in which the worker is in an inactive state and a low load state as a notification.

[0013] The storage units can store, in association with each other, (i) a seventh range of activity levels when the worker is in a low-activity state and (ii) an eighth range of heart rate when the worker is in a very low-load state, wherein, in the low-activity state, the worker performs a task involving a low activity level, and in the very low-load state, the worker experiences a load lower than that in the low-load state; the seventh range can be a range whose upper limit is higher than the upper limit of the fourth range and lower than the lower limit of the first range; the eighth range can be a range whose upper limit is lower than the lower limit of the third range; and when the acquired activity level is in the seventh range and the acquired heart rate is in the eighth range, the notification control unit can provide second information as a notification related to a fifth state in which the worker is in a low-activity state and a very low-load state.

[0014] Activity level can be represented by the ratio of energy consumed per unit time when the worker is in the stated state to energy consumed per unit time when the worker is at rest.

[0015] When the product of (i) the number of times the activity level acquired during the work period from the start time of the worker's work to the end time of the worker's work, which is in a first range and the number of times the heart rate acquired during the work period, which is in a second range, and (ii) the number of times the heart rate is acquired, reaches or exceeds a certain duration, the control unit is notified that the worker is in a state corresponding to one of the states during the work period.

[0016] The notification control unit can determine the duration based on statistical values ​​of the duration of activity levels in a first range and heart rate in a second range in each of multiple past time periods.

[0017] The effects of the invention According to this disclosure, it is possible to monitor the status of workers during their work hours. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 It is a diagram used to illustrate the overview of the notification system.

[0019] Figure 2It is used to plot the acquired activity level and heart rate.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the notification device.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the regions represented by activity level range and heart rate range.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the screen displayed on the administrator's terminal.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process of providing second information as a notification.

[0024] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures] S Notification System 101 Smartwatch 111 Administrator Terminal 120 Operation and Management Equipment 200 Notification Device 210 storage units 220 Control Unit 221 Acquisition Unit 222 Notification Control Unit Detailed Implementation

[0025] <First Embodiment> [Overview of Notification System S] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the notification system S. The notification system S is a system that notifies the administrator 110 (who manages the workers 100) about the status of the workers 100. The notification system S includes a smartwatch 101, an administrator terminal 111, and a notification device 200.

[0026] Worker 100 is the driver of vehicle V that transports goods N. Vehicle V is, for example, a truck or trailer. Worker 100 performs loading and unloading operations to load goods N onto or unload goods N from vehicle V. Worker 100 wears a mobile device capable of detecting worker 100's biometric information. According to this embodiment, worker 100 wears a smartwatch 101 as a mobile device on his / her arm.

[0027] Smartwatch 101 detects worker 100's biometric information. Figure 1(1) In this context, the smartwatch 101 detects the activity level of worker 100 as biometric information during work. The activity level of worker 100 is represented by the ratio of worker 100's energy expenditure in a given state to worker 100's energy expenditure in a resting state. When worker 100 performs a high-intensity task, worker 100's energy expenditure increases. When worker 100 performs a high-intensity task, its range of motion increases. When worker 100's range of motion increases, the acceleration acting on smartwatch 101 increases.

[0028] Based on this, the smartwatch 101 detects energy consumption using acceleration. The smartwatch 101 includes an accelerometer capable of measuring acceleration in three directions and calculates the energy consumption of worker 100 per unit time during work based on the acceleration in each direction. The unit time is 10 minutes, but not limited to this. When the amplitude of the vector obtained by synthesizing the three-axis acceleration increases, the smartwatch 101 identifies greater energy consumption. The smartwatch 101 uses the ratio of the identified energy consumption to the worker 100's resting energy consumption as the activity level. It should be noted that the worker 100's resting energy consumption is assumed to be pre-stored in the smartwatch 101.

[0029] The smartwatch 101 detects the worker 100's heart rate as biometric information during work. The smartwatch 101 includes an optical heart rate sensor that detects the worker 100's heart rate per unit time during work based on changes in the amount of light reflected from their skin under green light. The smartwatch 101 may also use other methods to detect heart rate.

[0030] The smartwatch 101 detects activity level and heart rate at predetermined detection intervals. The detection interval is, for example, 1 minute. The smartwatch 101 detects activity level and heart rate at the same time every minute. The smartwatch 101 also detects activity level and heart rate at unit times longer than the detection interval. The unit time is, for example, 10 minutes. Based on statistical values ​​of 10 activity levels and 10 heart rates detected within 10 minutes, the smartwatch 101 detects activity level and heart rate per unit time. The statistical values ​​can be at least one of the mean, median, or mode. According to this embodiment, the smartwatch 101 sets the average of the 10 activity levels and the average of the 10 heart rates detected within 10 minutes as the activity level and heart rate per unit time.

[0031] The smartwatch 101 includes a wireless communication module and is communicatively connected to the notification device 200. The smartwatch 101 transmits biometric information indicating detected activity levels and heart rate per unit time to the notification device 200.

[0032] The notification device 200 is a server managed by the administrator 110. The notification device 200 stores the worker 100's biometric information during work hours, the tasks that the worker 100 plans to perform during the work period, and the actual tasks performed by the worker 100 during the work period.

[0033] Notification device 200 obtains biometric information indicating activity level and heart rate from smartwatch 101. Figure 1 (2) in the middle. Figure 2 It is a graph plotting of the acquired activity level and heart rate. Figure 2 In the graph, the horizontal axis represents time (T), the left vertical axis represents heart rate (HR), and the right vertical axis represents activity level (METs). Figure 2 In the diagram, the average heart rate of worker 100 during each 10-minute interval is represented by dots, and the average activity level during each 10-minute interval is represented by squares.

[0034] As mentioned above, it can be assumed that the higher the activity level, the greater the degree to which worker 100 performs high-intensity tasks. The activity level in time period A is "8", which is higher than the activity levels in time periods outside of A. Therefore, it is assumed that worker 100 continuously performs high-intensity tasks during time period A. The heart rate during time period A, when worker 100 performs high-intensity tasks, is higher than the heart rate at time T outside of A. It is assumed that the heart rate in time period A increases because worker 100's body is subjected to excessive stress due to performing high-intensity tasks. During time period A, where worker 100's activity level and heart rate are both high, worker 100 is considered to be in a state of overexertion. Overexertion refers to a state where worker 100 is subjected to excessive stress through performing high-intensity tasks.

[0035] As described above, it is possible to identify whether worker 100 is in a state of overwork during working hours based on worker 100's activity level and heart rate. The notification device 200 identifies worker 100's state of overwork during working hours based on activity level and heart rate data obtained from the smartwatch 101. Figure 1 (3)). For example, when worker 100's activity level and heart rate are within a predetermined range, notification device 200 identifies worker 100 as being in a state of overwork. Specifically, when the activity level is within the range corresponding to the state of overwork and the heart rate is within the range corresponding to the state of overwork, notification device 200 identifies worker 100 as being in a state of overwork.

[0036] Notification device 200 provides status information about the status of worker 100 as a notification. Figure 1(4)). For example, the notification device 200 provides status information (second information) related to the identified overwork state as a notification. The notification device 200 provides the second information as a notification by having the administrator terminal 111 display an image or text related to the identified overwork state as the second information. The administrator terminal 111 is the terminal of the administrator 110. By viewing the image or text related to the overwork state as the second information displayed on the administrator terminal 111, the administrator 110 can understand that the worker 100 is in an overwork state during the working period. Therefore, the administrator 110 can properly manage the work of the worker 100 because it is easier to adjust the workload of the worker 100 and manage the health of the worker 100. The specific configuration of the notification device 200 will be described below.

[0037] [Configuration of Notification Device 200] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the notification device 200. The notification device 200 includes a storage unit 210 and a control unit 220. The storage unit 210 is a storage medium, such as a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk, etc.

[0038] Storage unit 210 stores first information for identifying the state of worker 100. For example, storage unit 210 stores first information in which the range of activity level and the range of heart rate (both corresponding to one of multiple states of worker 100) are associated with each other. Specifically, storage unit 210 stores first information indicating a region represented by the range of activity level and the range of heart rate, both corresponding to each of the multiple states of worker 100 during work. Figure 4 This is a diagram used to illustrate the first piece of information. Figure 4 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents activity levels (METs), and the vertical axis represents heart rate (HR). For example... Figure 4 As shown, the first information includes multiple regions, which correspond to multiple states.

[0039] The first region 301 corresponds to the first state. The first state is when worker 100 is in a high-activity state, where worker 100 is performing a task involving a high level of activity and is under high load, i.e., worker 100's load is high. In other words, the first state is when worker 100 is under excessive load while performing a high-physical-load task. The first region 301 is the region where the activity level is in the first range H1 and the heart rate is in the second range H2.

[0040] The first range H1 is the range of activity levels of worker 100 when he / she is in a high-activity state. The first range H1 is the range where the activity level is higher than or equal to a first predetermined value and lower than or equal to a predetermined upper limit value. The first predetermined value is a value used to determine whether worker 100 is performing a physically demanding task involving a high activity level. Physically demanding tasks include, for example, cargo handling operations involving loading and unloading heavy objects. The specific value of the first predetermined value is 6, but it is not limited to this. The predetermined upper limit value can be defined based on the activity level of worker 100 when performing cargo handling operations, for example, 9, but it is not limited to this.

[0041] The second heart rate range H2 is the range of heart rate experienced by worker 100 under high physical exertion conditions, where the second heart rate range H2 is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. The second predetermined value is used to determine if worker 100 is under high physical exertion. The second predetermined value is based on the maximum heart rate of worker 100, for example, 60% of the maximum heart rate, i.e., 110. However, this value is not limited to this and can also be defined based on the maximum heart rate of worker 100 managed by administrator 110.

[0042] The second region 302 corresponds to the second state. The second state is when worker 100 is in a high-activity state and simultaneously in a moderate-load state, where worker 100's load is lower than in the high-load state. The second state is when worker 100 in the high-activity state is subjected to a moderate physical load. The activity level range of the second region 302 is represented by the first range H1. The reason why the activity level range of the second region 302 is represented by the first range H1 is that the activity level in the second state is approximately the same as the activity level in the first state. The heart rate range of the second region 302 is represented by the third range H3. Since worker 100's heart rate in the moderate-load state is lower than worker 100's heart rate in the high-load state, the upper limit of the third range H3 is lower than the lower limit of the second range H2 in the high-load state. According to this embodiment, the third range H3 is a range where the heart rate is greater than or equal to 85 and less than 110.

[0043] The third region 303 corresponds to the third state. The third state is when worker 100 is in a low-activity state, performing tasks with an activity level lower than that of the high-activity state and under moderate workload. The third state is when worker 100 is in poor physical condition due to reasons such as fever, lack of sleep, or chronic fatigue.

[0044] The activity level range of the third region 303 is represented by the fourth range H4. When worker 100 is in a low-activity state, their activity level is lower than that when worker 100 is in a high-activity state. Therefore, the upper limit of the fourth range H4 is lower than the lower limit of the first range H1 of the activity level under high activity. According to this embodiment, the fourth range H4 is a range where the activity level is equal to or greater than 1.5 and equal to or less than 2.5. The heart rate range of the third region 303 is represented by the third range H3 of the heart rate under moderate load. The reason why the heart rate range of the third region 303 is represented by the third range H3 is that even if worker 100 is in a poor physical condition due to fever, lack of sleep, chronic fatigue, etc., their heart rate will still rise to the same level as under moderate load when worker 100 is in a low-activity state.

[0045] Region 304 corresponds to the fourth state. The fourth state is an inactive state in which worker 100 does not move his body and is in a low-load state (where worker 100's load is low). That is, the fourth state is a state in which the heart rate is still high despite reduced physical activity due to reasons such as fever, lack of sleep, and chronic fatigue.

[0046] The activity level range of the fourth region 304 is represented by the fifth range H5. The activity level of worker 100 when inactive is lower than the activity level when worker is in a low-activity state. Therefore, the upper limit of the fifth range H5 is lower than the upper limit of the fourth range H4 corresponding to the low-activity state, and the lower limit of the fifth range H5 is lower than the lower limit of the fourth range H4 (1.5). According to this embodiment, the fifth range H5 is a range where the activity level is equal to or greater than 1 and less than 2.

[0047] The heart rate range in the fourth region 304 is represented by the sixth range H6. The worker 100's heart rate in inactivity when in poor physical condition is lower than that under high load. Therefore, the upper limit of the sixth range H6 is lower than the lower limit (85) of the third range H3 for heart rate under high load. Furthermore, since the worker 100's heart rate in inactivity when in poor physical condition is higher than that in inactivity when in good physical condition, the lower limit of the sixth range H6 is higher than the upper limit (68) of the heart rate range in inactivity when in good physical condition. According to this embodiment, the sixth range H6 is a range where the heart rate is greater than 68 and less than 80.

[0048] The fifth region 305 corresponds to the fifth state. The fifth state is when worker 100 is in a low-activity state and a very low-load state (where worker 100's load is lower than that in a low-load state). In other words, the fifth state is when worker 100 has a low level of alertness during task performance, such as being close to dozing off, or a state indicating a declining trend in alertness, such as starting to doze off.

[0049] The activity level range of Zone 5 305 is represented by Zone 7 H7. Low-activity tasks are tasks with physical workloads lower than high-activity tasks. Examples of low-activity tasks include driving or inspecting vehicle V, cargo handling operations such as loading and unloading light goods, and desktop work, but are not limited to these.

[0050] Since worker 100's activity level when performing low-activity tasks is lower than that when performing high-physical-load tasks, the upper limit of the seventh range H7 is lower than the lower limit of the first range H1 (6) of the activity level under high-activity conditions. Furthermore, the upper limit of the seventh range H7 is higher than the upper limit of the fourth range H4 (2) during low-physical-load tasks. This is because when worker 100 performs low-activity tasks (such as driving vehicle V or doing desktop work), worker 100 can significantly move their arm, resulting in an acceleration associated with smartwatch 101 that is greater than the acceleration during low-physical-load tasks. Since the activity level under low-activity conditions can be approximately the same as the activity level under resting conditions, the lower limit of the seventh range H7 is the activity level under resting conditions (1). According to this embodiment, the seventh range H7 is a range where the activity level is equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 3.

[0051] The heart rate range in the fifth region 305 is represented by the eighth range H8. The heart rate of worker 100 under very low load is lower than the heart rate of worker 100 under activity or under inactivity when worker 100 is in poor physical condition. Therefore, the upper limit of the eighth range H8 is lower than the lower limit (68) of the sixth range H6 for heart rate under low load. The lower limit of the eighth range H8 is the lowest heart rate value measured by worker 100 under inactivity. According to this embodiment, the eighth range H8 is a range where the heart rate is equal to or greater than 60 and less than 68.

[0052] Storage unit 210 stores programs executed by control unit 220. Control unit 220 is a computing resource including a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). By executing programs stored in storage unit 210, control unit 220 functions as an acquisition unit 221 and a notification unit 222.

[0053] The acquisition unit 221 acquires the activity level and heart rate of worker 100 during work. The acquisition unit 221 acquires the activity level and heart rate detected by smartwatch 101 at predetermined intervals. The predetermined interval is, for example, 10 minutes, which is the same as a unit of time, but is not limited thereto.

[0054] The notification control unit 222 identifies the state of worker 100 based on activity level and heart rate. When the acquired activity level and heart rate fall within any of the multiple regions indicated in the first information, the notification control unit 222 identifies the state of worker 100 as corresponding to a region containing that activity level and heart rate. This region is defined by an activity level range and a heart rate range and is the region associated with a given state. For example, when the acquired activity level is within the activity level range associated with a region and the acquired heart rate is within the heart rate range associated with that region, the notification control unit 222 identifies that the state corresponds to a given state associated with that region. As a specific example, when the acquired activity level is within a first range H1 and the acquired heart rate is within a second range H2, the notification control unit 222 identifies that worker 100 is in a first state corresponding to the first region 301.

[0055] The notification control unit 222 identifies the worker 100's state based on the duration of acquired activity level and heart rate within one of multiple zones. For example, when the duration of acquired activity level and heart rate within one of multiple zones reaches or exceeds a predetermined duration corresponding to that zone, the notification control unit 222 identifies the worker 100's state as corresponding to a zone containing that activity level and heart rate. The predetermined duration is the time used to determine that the worker 100 is in a given state and is set for each of the multiple zones. The larger the activity level range and heart rate range, the shorter the predetermined duration. The following will illustrate the process by which the notification control unit 222 identifies the state based on the predetermined duration through a specific example.

[0056] When the duration for which the activity level is in the first range H1 and the heart rate is in the second range H2 reaches or exceeds a first predetermined duration corresponding to the first region 301, the control unit 222 is notified to identify that the worker 100, who is still in the first state, has entered a state of overexertion. The first predetermined duration is used to determine the duration of the first state. The first predetermined duration is, for example, 40 minutes, but is not limited to this.

[0057] When the activity level and heart rate remain within the second zone 302 for a duration equal to or exceeding a second predetermined duration corresponding to the second zone 302, the control unit 222 is notified to identify that the worker 100 is in a second state corresponding to the second zone 302. The second predetermined duration is the time used to determine the continuation of the second state. The second predetermined duration is longer than the first predetermined duration, for example, 60 minutes, but is not limited thereto.

[0058] In this way, the control unit 222 is able to properly identify the second state, which tends to last longer than the overwork state.

[0059] When the duration of activity level and heart rate within the third zone 303 reaches or exceeds the third predetermined duration corresponding to the third zone 303, the control unit 222 is notified to identify that worker 100 is in the third state corresponding to the third zone 303. Similarly, when the duration of activity level and heart rate within the fourth zone 304 reaches or exceeds the fourth predetermined duration corresponding to the fourth zone 304, the control unit 222 is notified to identify that worker 100 is in the fourth state corresponding to the fourth zone 304. Both the third and fourth predetermined durations are shorter than the first predetermined duration. Specifically, when worker 100 is identified as being in the third or fourth state, the control unit 222 is notified to identify that worker 100 is in a poor physical condition. The third and fourth predetermined durations can be the same or different. The third and fourth predetermined durations can be appropriately determined through experimentation or other means, for example, 30 minutes, but are not limited to this. The third and fourth predetermined durations can be adjusted.

[0060] When the activity level and heart rate remain within the fifth zone 305 for a duration equal to or exceeding a fifth predetermined duration corresponding to the fifth zone 305, the notification control unit 222 identifies that worker 100 is in a fifth state corresponding to the fifth zone 305. The fifth predetermined duration is shorter than the first predetermined duration, for example, 5 minutes. When the notification control unit 222 identifies worker 100 as being in the fifth state, it also identifies worker 100 as being in a state of low alertness. In this way, because the notification control unit 222 can appropriately identify the fifth state (which has a shorter duration compared to other states), it is easier to identify low alertness states, such as a state of nearing or beginning to doze off while driving.

[0061] The notification control unit 222 identifies the status of worker 100 based on activity level and heart rate acquired during a predetermined time period within worker 100's work time. The work time period refers to the time from the start time of worker 100's work to the end time of worker 100's work. The notification control unit 222 divides the work time period into multiple time segments. For example, the notification control unit 222 divides the work time period into multiple time segments by dividing it at predetermined intervals from the work start time. Specifically, the notification control unit 222 divides the work time period (10 hours) into ten time segments by dividing it at predetermined intervals (e.g., hourly) from the work start time (e.g., 7:00 AM).

[0062] The notification control unit 222 identifies the worker 100's state based on a composite value, which represents the total duration for which the acquired activity level and heart rate fall within one of multiple zones across ten time periods within a work period. When the composite value (i.e., the product of the number of times the acquired activity level and heart rate fall within a zone across the ten time periods and the unit of time) is equal to or greater than a defined duration corresponding to that zone, the notification control unit 222 identifies the worker 100 as being in the state corresponding to that zone. In this way, the notification control unit 222 can identify the worker 100's state in each of the multiple time periods divided within the work period.

[0063] The notification control unit 222 identifies the task performed by worker 100 in a given state. In this case, the acquisition unit 221 acquires biometric information indicating activity level and heart rate in association with the time of detection of activity level and heart rate. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 221 acquires operation management information from the operation management device 120, wherein (i) the task planned to be performed by worker 100 and (ii) the planned execution time of the task are associated with each other. The operation management device 120 is a server storing operation management information. The administrator 110 inputs the task planned to be performed by worker 100 and the planned execution time of the task into the operation management device 120 via the administrator terminal 111. The operation management device 120 stores the operation management information input by the administrator 110.

[0064] The notification control unit 222 refers to the operation management information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 and identifies the task corresponding to the time when the acquired activity level and heart rate were detected. Specifically, the notification control unit 222 identifies the task that was executed when the activity level and heart rate used to identify the state of worker 100 were detected. For example, the notification control unit 222 identifies the task executed when the activity level and heart rate used to identify worker 100 as being in a state of overwork as a cargo handling operation.

[0065] The notification control unit 222 provides status information (second information) related to the identified state as a notification. The status information is an image or text indicating that worker 100 is in the identified state. When worker 100 is identified as being in a first state (overworked state), the notification control unit 222 provides a notification with an image or text indicating that worker 100 is in the overworked state as status information. When, in addition to the overworked state, at least one of a second state, a third state (poor physical condition), a fourth state (poor physical condition), or a fifth state (low alertness state) is identified, the notification control unit 222 provides an image or text indicating that worker 100 is in the identified state as status information. Furthermore, in the case of multiple identified states, the notification control unit 222 provides status information including an image or text indicating that worker 100 is in each identified state as a notification. The notification control unit 222 provides status information to administrator 110 by causing administrator terminal 111 to display an image or text indicating that worker 100 is in the identified state as status information when worker 100 finishes work. Administrator 110 can monitor the status of worker 100 during work by viewing the status information (i.e., images or text) displayed on administrator terminal 111.

[0066] The notification control unit 222 can provide status information related to a given state as a notification by associating the task performed in a given state with status information associated with that given state. For example, the notification device 200 causes the administrator terminal 111 to display an image or text indicating that the task performed in the overworked state is a cargo handling operation. Therefore, the administrator 110 can understand the type of task performed by the worker 100 when the worker enters the overworked state.

[0067] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of display screen 400 shown on the administrator terminal 111. Display screen 400 displays status information related to the identified status. On display screen 400, an image or text indicating that worker 100 is in the identified status is displayed as status information. The name of worker 100 is displayed in the name field 401. In this way, the administrator 110, who manages multiple workers 100, can know which worker 100 is being identified.

[0068] The overall assessment field 402 displays the status during cargo handling operations and the status during vehicle driving. Figure 5 The overall assessment field 402 also shows a persistent state of overwork during cargo handling operations and a persistent state of low alertness during vehicle driving. Administrator 110 can monitor worker 100's status during work by viewing the status displayed in the overall assessment field 402.

[0069] Supplementary field 403 displays the cargo handling time for performing the cargo handling operation, the driving time of vehicle V, and the time worker 100 was in a given state. Figure 5 The supplementary field 403 shows a cargo processing time of 3 hours, while the normal cargo processing time is 2 hours. Additionally, Figure 5 The supplementary field 403 displays the duration of the overwork state and the duration of the high-load state during cargo handling time. Specifically, Figure 5 The supplementary field 403 shows that within a 3-hour cargo handling time, 40 minutes correspond to an overworked state, and 2 hours and 20 minutes correspond to a high-load state. In this way, administrator 110 can monitor the status details of worker 100 performing cargo handling operations.

[0070] In addition, supplementary item field 403 displays the driving time of worker 100 driving vehicle V. Figure 5 The supplementary field 403 displays the driving time as 7 hours. If worker 100 enters a low-alertness state while driving, the supplementary field 403 displays the duration of this low-alertness state during the driving time. As described above, since worker 100's specific state during work and the duration of that state are both displayed on the administrator terminal 111, the administrator 110 can monitor the duration and specific content of worker 100's specific state during the work period.

[0071] [The process of providing status information as a notification] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process that provides status information as a notification. The process of providing status information as a notification is executed when worker 100 finishes their work.

[0072] When worker 100 completes their work, acquisition unit 221 acquires the activity level and heart rate per unit time during the work period (step S1). Specifically, acquisition unit 221 acquires the activity level and heart rate per unit time at predetermined intervals during worker 100's work period and stores the acquired activity level and heart rate in storage unit 210. When worker 100 completes their work, acquisition unit 221 acquires the activity level and heart rate stored in storage unit 210.

[0073] The notification control unit 222 identifies the region including the acquired activity level and heart rate (step S2). Specifically, the notification control unit 222 identifies... Figure 4 Which of the multiple regions shown includes the acquired activity level and heart rate? For example, when the acquired activity level is within a first range H1 and the acquired heart rate is within a second range H2, the control unit 222 is notified to identify that the acquired activity level and heart rate fall within the first region 301.

[0074] The notification control unit 222 determines whether the duration within the identified area, including the acquired activity level and heart rate, reaches or exceeds a predetermined duration (step S3). Specifically, the notification control unit 222 determines whether the duration represented by the product of the unit time and the number of times the activity level and heart rate acquired during a predetermined time period (one hour) of the worker 100's work period falls within the identified area reaches or exceeds a predetermined duration corresponding to the identified area. In one example, the notification control unit 222 determines whether (i) the product of (i) the number of times the activity level and heart rate acquired during one of the time periods divided into multiple time periods (four times) fall within the first area 301 and (ii) the unit time (10 minutes) (40 minutes) reaches or exceeds a first predetermined duration (40 minutes) corresponding to the first area 301.

[0075] If the duration in one of the multiple zones reaches or exceeds a predetermined duration ("Yes" in step S3), the control unit 222 is notified to identify the state corresponding to the zone including activity level and heart rate (step S4). For example, the control unit 222 is notified to identify the overexertion state corresponding to the first zone 301 including activity level and heart rate as the state of worker 100. If the duration in one of the multiple zones is less than the predetermined duration ("No" in step S3), the control unit 222 is notified to proceed to step S5.

[0076] The control unit 222 is notified to determine whether all regions indicated in the first information have been determined (step S5). Specifically, the control unit 222 determines for each region indicated in the first information whether the duration of the acquired activity level and heart rate within that region has reached or exceeded a predetermined duration. If there are any regions that have not been determined ("No" in step S5), the control unit 222 is notified to repeat steps S3 to S5 until all regions have been determined.

[0077] If all areas have been determined ("Yes" in step S5), then the control unit 222 is notified to provide status information related to the identified state as a notification (step S6). For example, the control unit 222 provides status information to the administrator 110 by having the administrator terminal 111 display an image or text related to the overwork state as status information.

[0078] (Modification 1) In this embodiment, the notification control unit 222 identifies the state of worker 100 in each of the multiple time periods divided into a work period. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The notification control unit 222 can identify the state of worker 100 throughout the entire work period. In this case, when (i) the product of the number of times the activity level and heart rate acquired during the work period fall within a certain area and (ii) the product of the number of times the activity level and heart rate fall within a certain area is equal to or greater than a defined duration corresponding to that area, the notification control unit 222 identifies that worker 100 is in the state corresponding to that area during the work period. Therefore, for example, even if worker 100 is not in a state of overwork during one time period, the notification control unit 222 can still identify that worker 100 is in a state of overwork throughout the entire work period.

[0079] (Revised 2) The notification control unit 222 can set each defined duration. For example, the notification control unit 222 sets a defined duration corresponding to a given region based on a statistical value of the duration of activity level and heart rate falling within a given region in each of multiple past time periods. This statistical value can be the mean, median, or mode. Specifically, when worker 100 starts work, the notification control unit 222 sets a defined duration based on the average of the duration of activity level and heart rate falling within a given region in each of multiple time periods acquired between the day before the work start date and a predetermined number of days prior to that day. As a specific example, when the latest activity level and heart rate are acquired on September 18, the notification control unit 222 sets the defined duration as the average duration of activity level and heart rate falling within a given region in the given time periods acquired over the seven days from September 11 to September 17 (e.g., 30 minutes) plus a predetermined value (e.g., 10 minutes).

[0080] (Revised 3) Worker 100 is not limited to drivers. For example, worker 100 could be a picker who moves goods N in a warehouse, a deliveryman who delivers goods on foot, or a worker who performs care or cleaning work.

[0081] [Effect of Notification Device 200] As described above, when worker 100's activity level per unit time during work is within a first range H1 of activity level during a given state, and worker 100's heart rate per unit time is within a second range H2 of heart rate during a given state, the notification device 200 notifies status information related to that given state. By examining the status information provided as a notification, administrator 110 can understand worker 100's status during work.

[0082] This disclosure has been described based on exemplary embodiments. The technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured as any functionally or physically distributed or integrated unit. Furthermore, new exemplary embodiments generated from any combination thereof are also included in these exemplary embodiments. Moreover, the effects of new embodiments resulting from combinations also have the effects of the original embodiments.

Claims

1. A notification device comprising: a storage unit that stores first information in which a first range of an activity level of a worker in a case where the worker is in one of a plurality of states during work and a second range of a heart rate of the worker in the case are associated with each other; an acquisition unit that acquires an activity level of the worker per unit time during work and a heart rate of the worker per unit time during work; and a notification control unit that notifies of second information related to the one state when the acquired activity level is within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the second range.

2. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein The acquisition unit acquires the activity level per unit time during work and the heart rate per unit time during work at predetermined intervals, and the notification control unit provides the second information as the notification when a duration in which the acquired activity level is within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the second range reaches or exceeds a determination duration for determining that the state is the one state.

3. The notification device of claim 2, wherein, The notification control unit provides the second information as the notification when a duration in which the acquired activity level falls within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the second range over a predetermined period of time longer than the unit time reaches or exceeds the determination duration.

4. The notification device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The storage unit stores the first information in which the first range and the second range are associated with each other when the worker is in each of the plurality of states during work, and the notification control unit provides second information related to the one of the plurality of states as the notification when a duration in which the acquired activity level is within a first range corresponding to the one of the plurality of states and the acquired heart rate is within a second range corresponding to the one of the plurality of states reaches or exceeds the determination duration.

5. The notification device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The first range is a range higher than or equal to a first predetermined value for determining that the worker is in a high activity state in which the worker performs a task involving a high activity level, the second range is a range higher than or equal to a second predetermined value for determining that the worker is in a high load state in which the worker is subjected to a high load, and the notification control unit provides second information related to a first state in which the worker is in the high activity state and the high load state as the notification when a duration in which the acquired activity level is within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the second range reaches or exceeds the determination duration.

6. The notification device of claim 5, wherein, The storage unit stores first information related to a third range of a heart rate in a moderate load state in which the worker is subjected to a load lower than that in the high load state, the third range is a range in which an upper limit value is lower than a lower limit value of the second range, and the notification control unit provides second information related to a second state in which the worker is in the high activity state and the moderate load state as the notification when the acquired activity level is within the first range and the acquired heart rate is within the third range.

7. The notification device of claim 6, wherein, In a case where the worker is in a low activity state in which the worker performs a task involving an activity level lower than that in the high activity state, the storage unit stores first information associated with a fourth range of activity levels, the fourth range is a range in which an upper limit value is lower than a lower limit value of the first range, and when the acquired activity level is in the fourth range and the acquired heart rate is in the third range, the notification control unit provides second information associated with a third state in which the worker is in the low activity state and the moderate load state as a notification.

8. The notification device according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit stores first information associated with (i) a fifth range of activity levels when the worker is in an inactive state in which the worker does not move the body and (ii) a sixth range of heart rates when the worker is subjected to a load lower than that in the moderate load state, the fifth range is a range in which an upper limit value is lower than an upper limit value of the fourth range and a lower limit value is lower than a lower limit value of the fourth range, the sixth range is a range in which an upper limit value is lower than a lower limit value of the third range, and when the acquired activity level is in the fifth range and the acquired heart rate is in the sixth range, the notification control unit provides second information associated with a fourth state in which the worker is in the inactive state and the low load state as a notification.

9. The notification device of claim 8, wherein, the storage unit stores (i) a seventh range of activity levels in a case where the worker is in a low activity state in which the worker performs a task involving a low activity level and (ii) an eighth range of heart rates when the worker is in an extremely low load state in which the worker is subjected to a load lower than that in the low load state, in association with each other, the seventh range is a range in which an upper limit value is higher than an upper limit value of the fourth range and lower than a lower limit value of the first range, the eighth range is a range in which an upper limit value is lower than a lower limit value of the third range, and when the acquired activity level is in the seventh range and the acquired heart rate is in the eighth range, the notification control unit provides second information associated with a fifth state in which the worker is in the low activity state and the extremely low load state as a notification.

10. The notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The activity level is represented by a ratio of energy consumed per unit time when the worker is in the one state to energy consumed per unit time when the worker is at rest.

11. The notification device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein When a product of (i) a number of times that the activity level is in the first range and the heart rate is in the second range during a work time period from a start time at which the worker starts work to an end time at which the worker completes work and (ii) the unit time reaches or exceeds the determined duration, the notification control unit identifies that the worker is in a state corresponding to the one state during work.

12. The notification device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The notification control unit sets the determined duration based on a statistical value of a duration in which the activity level is in the first range and the heart rate is in the second range in each of a plurality of past time periods.

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