Sleep support system

Abstract

To provide a sleep support system for analyzing sleep of an object person, supporting provision of a comfortable sleep environment, and thereby improving quality of sleep.SOLUTION: A sleep support system includes an information processing device and a plurality of sensors. A first sensor measures at least one of body motion data and vital data. A second sensor measures at least one of in-garment temperature data and in-garment humidity data. A third sensor measures at least one of environment temperature data and environment humidity data. The information processing device includes a sleep parameter calculation part for calculating at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body motion data and the vital data, a temperature-humidity factor calculation part for calculating a plurality of temperature-humidity factors using at least one of the in-garment temperature data, the in-garment humidity data, the environment temperature data, and the environment humidity data, and an analysis part for determining one or more combinations of the related sleep parameter and temperature-humidity factor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sleep assistance system. [Background technology]

[0002] For infants, quality sleep is essential for their healthy physical and mental development. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in infants with sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep even after getting into bed, not getting the appropriate amount of sleep, and not being able to sleep in a relaxed state.

[0003] In order to get good quality sleep, it is necessary to understand the current quality of sleep and improve it if necessary.

[0004] As a means for measuring the quality of sleep, various sensors and application programs have been developed. Such sensors and application programs are intended to measure the quality of sleep of adults, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-16528 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7125223 [Patent Document 3] JP 2016-123436 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Infant sleep differs from adult sleep in terms of quantity, quality, pattern, etc. In addition, the state of infant sleep changes as the infant grows. Therefore, it is necessary to realize a new function that can improve the quality of infant sleep.

[0007] In addition, the sleep of those who require care (those receiving care) who have difficulty communicating verbally may differ from that of healthy people in terms of quantity, quality, pattern, etc., just like that of infants and young children. Therefore, it is necessary to realize new functions that can improve the quality of sleep of those who require care.

[0008] The present invention provides a sleep assistance system that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention is a sleep assistance system including an information processing device and a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors include a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor. The first sensor measures at least one of body movement data indicating body movement of a subject and vital data indicating a vital sign of the subject. The second sensor measures at least one of in-clothing temperature data indicating an in-clothing temperature inside the clothes worn by the subject and in-clothing humidity data indicating an in-clothing humidity inside the clothes. The third sensor measures at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in an environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment. The information processing device includes a sleep parameter calculation unit, a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit, and an analysis unit. The sleep parameter calculation unit calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data. The temperature and humidity factor calculation unit calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the in-clothing temperature data, the in-clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data. The analysis unit determines one or more combinations of relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors using the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the multiple temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep.

[0010] The present invention is an information processing device capable of acquiring data from a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors include a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor. The information processing device includes a receiving unit, a sleep parameter calculation unit, a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit, and an analysis unit. The receiving unit receives at least one of body movement data indicating a body movement of a subject and vital data indicating a vital sign of the subject from the first sensor, receives at least one of in-clothing temperature data indicating an in-clothing temperature inside a garment worn by the subject and in-clothing humidity data indicating an in-clothing humidity inside the garment from the second sensor, and receives at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in an environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment from the third sensor. The sleep parameter calculation unit calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data. The temperature and humidity factor calculation unit calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the inside clothing temperature data, the inside clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data. The analysis unit determines one or more combinations of associated sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors using the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep.

[0011] The present invention is a sleep support method for controlling an information processing device capable of acquiring data from a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors include a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor. In the sleep support method, a receiving unit of the information processing device receives at least one of body movement data indicating a body movement of a subject and vital data indicating a vital sign of the subject from the first sensor. In the sleep support method, the receiving unit of the information processing device receives at least one of inside-clothing temperature data indicating an inside-clothing temperature inside clothes worn by the subject and inside-clothing humidity data indicating an inside-clothing humidity inside the clothes from the second sensor. In the sleep support method, the receiving unit of the information processing device receives at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in an environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment from the third sensor. In the sleep support method, a sleep parameter calculation unit of the information processing device calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data. The sleep support method includes a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit of the information processing device calculating a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the inside-clothing temperature data, the inside-clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data, and an analysis unit of the information processing device determining one or more combinations of associated sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors using the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sleep assistance system that can solve the above problems. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is (a) a plan view, (b) a cross-sectional view, and (c) a bottom view of the clothing temperature and humidity sensor included in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an information processing device included in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device included in the sleep assistance system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an overview of sleep parameters used in the sleep assistance system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reference time for a total sleeping time of an infant used in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an overview of temperature and humidity factors used in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors for a specific period used in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the priorities of sleep parameters in the sleep evaluation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correlation coefficients between environmental parameters and temperature and humidity factors calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of a comfort zone calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression line between the amount of activity per unit time and the average environmental humidity. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of a comfort zone calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression line between wake-up time and average clothing temperature. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11C is a diagram showing an example of a comfort zone calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression line between the time required for putting to sleep and the average environmental temperature. [Figure 11D] FIG. 11D is a diagram showing an example of a comfort zone calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression line between the wake-up time and the average ambient temperature. [Figure 11E] FIG. 11E is a diagram showing an example of a comfort range calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression line between the number of awakenings during sleep and the average environmental temperature. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a comfort range table used in the sleep assistance system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a comfort zone calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression curve between the time required for putting to sleep and the average environmental temperature. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a comfort range calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression curve between the time required for putting to sleep and the average environmental humidity. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of behavior data used in the sleep evaluation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a result of judgment of the quality of an infant's sleep using behavior data in the sleep evaluation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a first example of a comfort determination table used in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a second example of the comfort determination table used in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a third example of the comfort determination table used in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19A] FIG. 19A is a diagram showing an example of a comfort range calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment, based on a regression line between the amount of activity per unit time of the first infant and the average environmental humidity. [Figure 19B]FIG. 19B is a diagram showing an example of a comfort range calculated in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment and based on a regression line between the amount of activity per unit time of the second infant and the average environmental humidity. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of data calculation processing executed in the sleep assistance system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the relevance analysis process executed in the sleep assistance system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the determination and notification process executed in the sleep support system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sleep assistance system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (First embodiment) First, the configuration of a sleep support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The sleep support system 1A is a system for supporting a user 31 who is responsible for childcare or nursing care of a subject 30. The sleep support system 1A provides the user 31 with information for improving the quality of sleep of the subject 30, for example.

[0016] The subject 30 is an infant or a person receiving care. The person receiving care is, for example, a person who needs care and has difficulty communicating through words. The subject 30 is wearing underwear or an absorbent article. The absorbent article is, for example, a paper diaper or a cloth diaper.

[0017] The user 31 is a user who uses the sleep support system 1A. When the subject 30 is an infant, the user 31 is, for example, the family of the subject 30, or a person engaged in childcare at a childcare facility where the subject 30 is left. When the subject 30 is a person receiving care, the user 31 is, for example, the family of the subject 30, or a person engaged in care at a care facility where the subject 30 stays. Here, a case where there is one user 31 is illustrated, but there may be two or more users 31.

[0018] In the following, a sleep support system 1A is mainly exemplified in which a subject 30 is an infant and a user 31 is a caregiver, and the system provides the caregiver with information for improving the quality of the infant's sleep. The subject 30 who is an infant is also referred to as infant 30. The user 31 who is a caregiver is also referred to as caregiver 31. In the following description, by replacing infant 30 with a person being cared for and caregiver 31 with a caregiver, a sleep support system 1A that provides the caregiver with information for improving the quality of the caregiver's sleep can be similarly realized.

[0019] The configuration of the sleep support system 1A will be described. The sleep support system 1A includes an information processing device 21 and a plurality of sensors 4, for example.

[0020] The information processing device 21 is an information processing device used by a child care provider 31. The information processing device 21 can be realized as an embedded system built into, for example, a portable information terminal, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or an infant monitoring robot. The portable information terminal is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

[0021] The information processing device 21 analyzes data related to the infant 30 and provides information (hereinafter also referred to as sleep support information) for supporting an improvement in the sleep environment of the infant 30. The information processing device 21 provides the sleep support information to the child care provider 31, for example, by displaying it on a screen.

[0022] The multiple sensors 4 are sensors that measure the condition of the infant 30. The multiple sensors 4 include, for example, a communication unit for transmitting data (signals) including the measurement results to the outside. The communication unit transmits the data including the measurement results to the information processing device 21, for example, in real time. As a communication method by the communication unit, various short-range wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wireless LAN can be used. Alternatively, the multiple sensors 4 may include a storage unit that can be read by the information processing device 21. The storage unit stores data indicating the measurement results. The data stored in the storage unit is transmitted via the communication unit, for example, by wireless communication, and is read by the information processing device 21.

[0023] The multiple sensors 4 include, for example, an in-clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41, a body movement sensor 42, a vital sensor 43, and an environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44.

[0024] The clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 is a sensor that measures (monitors) the temperature and humidity inside the clothing worn by the infant 30 at a predetermined time interval. The clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 is attached, for example, to the inside of the clothing worn by the infant 30 or to the outer surface of the absorbent article or underwear worn by the infant 30 in a detachable manner. The clothing worn by the infant 30 is also referred to as the clothing of the infant 30. The absorbent article worn by the infant 30 is also referred to as the absorbent article of the infant 30. The following mainly illustrates a case where the infant 30 is wearing an absorbent article. When attached to the outer surface of the absorbent article, the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 is attached to a position covered by the clothing worn on the absorbent article. When no clothing is worn on the absorbent article, it is preferable to attach the sensor to the inside of the clothing, such as underwear, rather than to the outer surface of the absorbent article. Inside the clothing (or inside the clothing) refers to the inside of the clothing or the outside of the absorbent article covered by the clothing. The temperature inside the clothes of the infant 30 (i.e., the temperature inside the clothes to which the inside clothing temperature / humidity sensor 41 is attached, or the temperature on the outer surface of the absorbent article) is referred to as the inside clothing temperature. The humidity inside the clothes of the infant 30 (i.e., the humidity inside the clothes to which the inside clothing temperature / humidity sensor 41 is attached, or the humidity on the outer surface of the absorbent article) is referred to as the inside clothing humidity.

[0025] The clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 transmits data indicating the time series of the temperature and humidity inside the clothes to the information processing device 21. The clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 transmits data indicating the time series of the temperature and humidity inside the clothes within one unit period to the information processing device 21 for each unit period, for example. The unit period is, for example, one second, ten seconds, or one minute. Alternatively, the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 may transmit data indicating at least one of the measured temperature and humidity inside the clothes to the information processing device 21 in real time in response to measuring at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the clothes. The data indicating the temperature inside the clothes is also referred to as clothing temperature data. The clothing temperature data may include information on the time when the corresponding temperature inside the clothes was measured. The data indicating the humidity inside the clothes is also referred to as clothing humidity data. The clothing humidity data may include information on the time when the corresponding humidity inside the clothes was measured. A specific configuration example of the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0026] The body motion sensor 42 is a sensor that measures the body motion of the infant 30 at a predetermined time interval. The body motion sensor 42 includes a non-contact type sensor and a contact type sensor. The non-contact type body motion sensor 42 is, for example, a millimeter wave radar. The non-contact type body motion sensor 42 is installed, for example, at a position where the infant 30 can be observed. The position where the infant 30 can be observed is, for example, any one of a wall, a pillar, a ceiling, and furniture. The contact type body motion sensor 42 can be realized, for example, by an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or a combination of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. The body motion sensor 42 is, for example, detachably attached to either the inside of the clothes worn by the infant 30 or the outer surface of the absorbent article or underwear worn by the infant 30. The body motion sensor 42 may be a belt-shaped sensor. The belt-shaped body motion sensor 42 is attached by wrapping it around the arm or leg of the infant 30. Alternatively, the body motion sensor 42 may be a sheet-shaped pressure sensor. The sheet-like body movement sensor 42 is for capturing these movements as changes in the pattern of pressure received by the body movement sensor 42. The sheet-like body movement sensor 42 is installed so as to be laid under the body of the infant 30 who is in bed. The body movement of the infant 30 includes flapping of the arms and legs, turning over in bed, and the like. The body movement of the infant 30 is expressed, for example, by the degree of activity. Furthermore, the degree of activity of the infant 30 is expressed, for example, by the amount of activity or the intensity of activity by at least a part of the body of the infant 30, or the integrated value of the amount of activity and the intensity of activity. The amount of activity and the intensity of activity are determined, for example, based on the acceleration measured in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. The X-axis is, for example, the vertical direction of the body of the infant 30 (i.e., the up-down direction when standing upright). The Y-axis is, for example, the horizontal direction of the body of the infant 30 (i.e., the left-right direction when standing upright). The Z-axis is a direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis described above (i.e., the front-back direction when standing upright). The amount of activity is the integrated value of instantaneous activity intensity over a certain period of time (for example, two minutes).

[0027] The body movement sensor 42 includes a communication unit that transmits data indicating the time series of body movements (e.g., activity level) of the infant 30 to the information processing device 21. The body movement sensor 42 transmits data indicating the time series of body movements within one unit period to the information processing device 21 for each unit period, for example. Alternatively, the body movement sensor 42 may transmit data indicating one body movement in real time to the information processing device 21 in response to detecting the body movement. The body movement sensor 42 includes a small information processing device that detects the presence or absence of body movement from the measured acceleration and the like, and calculates the activity level. The data indicating body movement is also referred to as body movement data. The body movement data may include information on the time when the corresponding body movement was measured. Furthermore, the body movement data is not limited to the activity level, and may be raw data such as acceleration data used to calculate the activity level, or a pressure pattern measured by a sheet-like sensor used to calculate the activity state.

[0028] The vital sensor 43 is a sensor that measures the vital signs of the infant 30 at predetermined time intervals. The vital signs include, for example, the heart rate (including the heart rate and parameters calculated from the heart rate variability), the respiratory rate, and the skin temperature. The skin temperature is, for example, the temperature of the extremities (for example, the hands and feet) of the infant 30. The vital sensor 43 is installed on the infant 30 in the same manner as the body movement sensor 42. The vital sensor 43 includes a non-contact type sensor and a contact type sensor. The non-contact type vital sensor 43 is, for example, a millimeter wave radar. The contact type vital sensor 43 is, for example, a wearable biosensor that measures the heart rate, the respiratory rate, and the skin temperature.

[0029] The vital sensor 43 includes a communication unit that transmits data indicating a time series of heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature to the information processing device 21. The vital sensor 43 transmits data indicating a time series of heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature within one unit period to the information processing device 21 for each unit period, for example. Alternatively, the vital sensor 43 may transmit data indicating at least one of the measured heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature to the information processing device 21 in real time in response to measuring at least one of the heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature. The data indicating the heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature is also referred to as vital data. The vital data may include information on the time at which at least one of the corresponding heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature was measured.

[0030] Any combination of two or more sensors selected from the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41, the body movement sensor 42, and the vital sensor 43 may be realized as a single integrated device.

[0031] The environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 is a sensor that measures the temperature and humidity of the living environment in which the infant 30 lives at predetermined time intervals. The environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 is not attached to the infant 30. More specifically, the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 is not attached to either the clothing or absorbent article of the infant 30. The environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 is installed, for example, in the room in which the infant 30 lives. The temperature of the living environment in which the infant 30 lives is referred to as the environmental temperature. The humidity of the living environment in which the infant 30 lives is referred to as the environmental humidity.

[0032] The environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 includes a communication unit that transmits data indicating the environmental temperature and environmental humidity in a time series to the information processing device 21. For example, the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 transmits data indicating the environmental temperature and environmental humidity in a time series within one unit period to the information processing device 21 for each unit period. Alternatively, the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 may transmit data indicating at least one of the measured environmental temperature and environmental humidity in real time to the information processing device 21 in response to measuring at least one of the environmental temperature and environmental humidity. The data indicating the environmental temperature is also referred to as environmental temperature data. The environmental temperature data may include information on the time when the corresponding environmental temperature was measured. The data indicating the environmental humidity is also referred to as environmental humidity data. The environmental humidity data may include information on the time when the corresponding environmental temperature was measured.

[0033] The plurality of sensors 4 may further include an imaging device 45.

[0034] The imaging device 45 is a camera that generates moving image data of an image of the infant 30. The imaging device 45 is, for example, an RGB camera, a monochrome camera, or a spectral camera. The moving image data includes a plurality of images in time series of images of the infant 30. Each of the plurality of images is, for example, an image including the entire body of the infant 30. Each of the plurality of images may be an image including a part of the body of the infant 30. The moving image data includes information on the time when each of the plurality of images was generated.

[0035] The imaging device 45 is installed, for example, at a position where it can capture an image of the baby 30. The imaging device 45 is installed, for example, on any of a wall, a pillar, a ceiling, and a piece of furniture.

[0036] The imaging device 45 includes, for example, a communication unit for transmitting moving image data to the outside. The communication unit is capable of mutual communication with, for example, the information processing device 21. The communication unit transmits the moving image data to the information processing device 21. As a communication method by the communication unit, for example, any short-distance wireless communication method such as Bluetooth or wireless LAN is used.

[0037] The imaging device 45 may also include a storage unit (i.e., a storage medium) that can be read by the information processing device 21. The storage unit stores moving image data. The moving image data stored in the storage unit is read by the information processing device 21, for example, by wireless communication or wired communication via a cable connecting the information processing device 21 and the imaging device 45.

[0038] The sleep support system 1A may further include an air conditioner 22.

[0039] The air conditioner 22 is a device that has a function of adjusting at least one of the temperature and humidity of the room in which the baby 30 is present. The air conditioner 22 is, for example, an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, or a humidifier.

[0040] The air conditioner 22 includes a communication unit that at least receives commands from, for example, the information processing device 21. The communication unit is capable of mutual communication with, for example, the information processing device 21. Any communication method such as wireless LAN, wired LAN, Bluetooth, or infrared communication is used as the communication method by the communication unit. The operation of the air conditioner 22 can be controlled by the information processing device 21. Specifically, the target temperature and target humidity set in the air conditioner 22 are changed in response to commands transmitted from the information processing device 21 to the air conditioner 22. The air conditioner 22 operates so that the temperature and humidity (i.e., the environmental temperature and environmental humidity) of the room in which the infant 30 is present become the set target temperature and target humidity.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a plan view (a), a cross-sectional view (b), and a bottom view (c) of the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 includes a first cover 411. The first cover 411 is a cover that covers the sensor unit and the like. The first cover 411 is, for example, dome-shaped. When viewed from above, the first cover 411 is, for example, circular.

[0043] Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of line II shown in Fig. 2(a). In addition to the first cover 411, the garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 includes, for example, a second cover 412, a temperature sensor unit 413, a humidity sensor unit 414, a communication unit 415, and a fastening material 416.

[0044] The first cover 411 is positioned on the side opposite to the side that comes into contact with the outer surface of the clothing or absorbent article of the infant 30 when the in-garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 is attached to the infant 30 .

[0045] The second cover 412 is a flat plate-shaped member. The second cover 412 forms a surface that contacts the outer surface of the clothing or absorbent article of the infant 30 when the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 is attached to the infant 30. In this case, for example, the entire second cover 412 overlaps with the outer surface of the clothing or absorbent article of the infant 30. The second cover 412 has an opening 417. By providing the opening 417, the temperature and humidity of an object (i.e., the infant 30) overlapping the second cover 412 can be measured more accurately, and the influence of temperature and humidity of other than the object (for example, outside air) can be reduced. In addition, the second cover 412 is connected to the first cover 411.

[0046] The space surrounded by the connected second cover 412 and first cover 411 is the accommodation space 418. Temperature sensor unit 413, humidity sensor unit 414, and communication unit 415 are disposed in accommodation space 418. That is, temperature sensor unit 413, humidity sensor unit 414, and communication unit 415 are covered by the connected second cover 412 and first cover 411 except for a portion corresponding to opening 417.

[0047] The temperature sensor 413 is a sensor that measures the temperature in the vicinity. For example, a thermocouple or a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor 413. The temperature sensor 413 measures the temperature inside the clothes of the baby 30 through the opening 417 of the second cover 412.

[0048] The humidity sensor unit 414 is a sensor unit that measures the humidity in the vicinity at predetermined time intervals. For example, a capacitance type humidity sensor is used as the humidity sensor unit 414. The humidity sensor unit 414 measures the humidity inside the clothes of the baby 30 through the opening 417 of the second cover 412.

[0049] A heat insulating material may be provided between the temperature sensor unit 413 and the humidity sensor unit 414 and the first cover 411. A heat insulating material may be provided between the temperature sensor unit 413 and the humidity sensor unit 414 and the second cover 412 except for the opening 417. Alternatively, the first cover 411 and the second cover 412 may be formed of a heat insulating material. For example, plastic, ceramics, silicon resin, urethane resin, etc. are used as the heat insulating material. The heat insulating material has a thermal conductivity of 20 W / m·K or less, more preferably 1 W / m·K or less. The heat insulating material makes the temperature measured by the temperature sensor unit 413 and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor unit 414 less susceptible to the influence of the outside air. Therefore, the temperature and humidity of the baby 30 can be measured with high accuracy. Note that no heat insulating material is provided at the opening 417.

[0050] The communication unit 415 is a device configured to perform wired or wireless communication between the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 and the outside. The communication unit 415 includes, for example, a transmission unit and a reception unit. The communication unit 415 performs communication with, for example, the information processing device 21. More specifically, the communication unit 415 transmits a signal (data) based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor unit 413 and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor unit 414 to the information processing device 21.

[0051] The fastening material 416 is a member for fastening the in-clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 to the clothing or absorbent article of the baby 30. As the fastening material 416, for example, an adhesive layer formed by applying an adhesive, a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, etc. are used.

[0052] 2(c), the bottom surface of the in-garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 is composed of a second cover 412 having an opening 417, and a fastening material 416. The bottom surface of the in-garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 is the surface that comes into contact with the outer surface of the clothing or absorbent article of the infant 30 when the in-garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 is attached to the infant 30. The bottom surface of the in-garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 is fixed to the outer surface of the clothing or absorbent article of the infant 30 by the fastening material 416.

[0053] The opening 417 may be provided on a surface different from the surface on which the fastening material 416 is provided. For example, when the inside-garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 is attached to the infant 30 so that the first cover 411 is closer to the body of the infant 30 than the second cover 412 including the surface on which the fastening material 416 is provided, the opening 417 may be provided on the first cover 411. This is because the closer the opening 417 is to the body of the infant 30, the more accurate the temperature and humidity inside the clothing can be obtained.

[0054] The method of attaching the in-garment temperature and humidity sensor 41 to the infant 30 is not limited to the method using the fastening material 416, and may be, for example, a method using a tape, a stretchable net, or a stretchable tubular fastener attached to the torso of the infant 30. The same applies to the method of attaching the body movement sensor 42 and the vital sensor 43 to the infant 30. At least one of the body movement sensor 42 and the vital sensor 43 may be disposed in the accommodation space 418 together with the temperature sensor unit 413 and the humidity sensor unit 414. In this case, the communication unit 415 transmits, for example, a signal based on the activity level measured by the body movement sensor 42 and a signal based on the vital sign measured by the vital sensor 43 to the information processing device 21.

[0055] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the information processing device 21. The information processing device 21 includes, for example, a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a storage device 53, a touch screen display 54, a first communication unit 55, a second communication unit 56, a vibration unit 57, and a speaker 58.

[0056] The CPU 51 is a processor that controls the operations of various components within the information processing device 21 .

[0057] The RAM 52 is a volatile memory. The RAM 52 is, for example, a DRAM. The storage area of ​​the RAM 52 is allocated as a storage area for the OS 521, application programs (for example, a sleep assistance program 522), and data used for processing by the CPU 51, for example.

[0058] The storage device 53 is a storage including a non-volatile memory. The storage device 53 is, for example, a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage device 53 stores programs and data for controlling the operation of the information processing device 21. The storage device 53 stores, for example, clothing temperature data 530, clothing humidity data 531, body movement data 532, vital data 533, environmental temperature data 534, environmental humidity data 535, sleep parameters 536, temperature and humidity factors 537, a comfort range table 538, and a comfort determination table 539. The storage device 53 may further store behavior data 540.

[0059] The clothing inside temperature data 530 is data indicating the temperature inside the clothing of the baby 30 acquired by the clothing inside temperature and humidity sensor 41.

[0060] The clothes humidity data 531 is data indicating the humidity inside the clothes of the baby 30 acquired by the clothes temperature and humidity sensor 41.

[0061] Body movement data 532 is data indicating body movement (eg, amount of activity) of baby 30 acquired by body movement sensor .

[0062] Vital data 533 is data indicating the vital signs of infant 30 acquired by vital sensor 43.

[0063] The environmental temperature data 534 is data obtained by the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 and indicates the temperature of the living environment in which the baby 30 lives.

[0064] The environmental humidity data 535 is data acquired by the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 and indicates the humidity of the living environment in which the baby 30 lives.

[0065] Sleep parameters 536 are parameters for evaluating the quality of sleep of infant 30. Sleep parameters 536 are calculated using at least one of body movement data 532 and vital data 533, for example.

[0066] The temperature and humidity factor 537 is an element (index) related to the temperature and humidity felt by the infant 30, which may affect the sleep parameter 536. The temperature and humidity factor 537 includes, for example, statistics of the values ​​calculated using at least one of the inside-clothing temperature data 530, the inside-clothing humidity data 531, the environmental temperature data 534, and the environmental humidity data 535, as well as indexes that affect the temperature and humidity or are obtained from the temperature and humidity, such as the absorbent article wetness time and the discomfort index. Specific examples of the temperature and humidity factor 537 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0067] Comfort range table 538 is a collection of information indicating the range of values ​​of temperature and humidity factor 537 suitable for the sleep of infant 30. More specifically, comfort range table 538 stores, for each temperature and humidity factor, one or both of the upper and lower limit values ​​indicating the range of temperature and humidity factor 537 in which a preferable value of sleep parameter 536 is obtained. The range of values ​​of temperature and humidity factor 537 in which a preferable value of sleep parameter 536 is obtained is also referred to as the comfort range of that temperature and humidity factor 537. A specific example of comfort range table 538 will be described later with reference to FIG. 12.

[0068] The comfort determination table 539 is a table showing conditions for determining whether or not the sleeping environment is suitable for the infant 30 (i.e., the comfort of the sleeping environment) and a method of dealing with the case where the sleeping environment is not suitable for the infant 30. The sleeping environment includes not only the environment (living environment) in which the infant 30 is spending time, but also the environment inside the clothes worn by the infant 30 (inside the clothes). Furthermore, improving the sleeping environment means improving at least one of the environment in which the infant 30 is spending time and the environment inside the clothes worn by the infant 30. A specific configuration of the comfort determination table 539 will be described later with reference to Figs. 16, 17, and 18.

[0069] The behavior data 540 is data showing the behavior of the infant 30 related to sleep. The behavior of the infant 30 related to sleep includes the actions and states of the infant 30 at the time of waking up, during the day, and at night. More specifically, the behavior of the infant 30 related to sleep includes, for example, the infant 30's waking up appearance, mood at the time of waking up, daytime appearance, daytime mood, appearance when waking up at night, and mood when waking up at night. Each of the behaviors of the infant 30 related to sleep is used as a judgment criterion item for judging the quality of sleep of the infant 30. The behavior data 540 is generated (input) based on the operation of the information processing device 21 by the caregiver 31. The operation of the information processing device 21 by the caregiver 31 is, for example, an operation performed by the caregiver 31 on a touch panel of a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) of the touch screen display 54. A specific configuration example of the behavior data 540 will be described later with reference to FIG. 14.

[0070] The storage device 53 may further store moving image data. The moving image data is data that includes time-series images of the baby 30 that are generated by the imaging device 45.

[0071] The touch screen display 54 is an input / output device. The touch screen display 54 includes, for example, an LCD and a touch panel. The touch screen display 54 displays, for example, an image based on a display signal generated by the CPU 51 on the screen of the LCD.

[0072] The touch panel is disposed on the upper surface of the LCD. The touch panel is a capacitive pointing device for inputting on the LCD screen. The touch panel detects the contact position on the screen where the finger touches. The touch panel can send a signal indicating the detected contact position to each unit (e.g., CPU 51) in the information processing device 21. For example, the CPU 51 can detect the movement of the finger based on the change in the detected contact position over time.

[0073] Information to be notified to the caregiver 31 and images including a GUI that prompts the caregiver 31 to input information are displayed on the screen of the touch screen display 54. The caregiver 31 can input information related to the sleep of the infant 30 to the information processing device 21, for example, by operating the GUI using a touch panel.

[0074] The first communication unit 55 is a device configured to perform wired or wireless communication between the information processing device 21 and the outside. The first communication unit 55 performs communication with, for example, the air conditioner 22 and a server device (not shown). The first communication unit 55 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit.

[0075] The second communication unit 56 is a device configured to perform wired or wireless communication between the information processing device 21 and the outside. The second communication unit 56 performs communication with, for example, each of the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41, the body movement sensor 42, the vital sensor 43, and the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44. The second communication unit 56 may further perform communication with the imaging device 45. The second communication unit 56 includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit.

[0076] The vibration unit 57 is an output device having a vibration mechanism. The vibration mechanism is realized, for example, as a motor with an eccentric weight attached to a rotating shaft. The vibration unit 57 vibrates the information processing device 21 based on a signal generated by the CPU 51, for example. The signal generated by the CPU 51 may be a signal in which at least one of the vibration magnitude, vibration time, and vibration pattern is specified.

[0077] The speaker 58 is an output device and outputs, for example, a sound based on an audio signal generated by the CPU 51.

[0078] Next, the programs executed by the CPU 51 will be described.

[0079] The CPU 51 executes various programs loaded from the storage device 53 to the RAM 52. The programs executed by the CPU 51 include an operating system (OS) 521 and a sleep assistance program 522.

[0080] The OS 521 is a program for controlling basic operations of various components in the information processing device 21. The CPU 51 executing the OS 521 controls, for example, input / output, file management, memory management, and communication.

[0081] The sleep support program 522 is a program for supporting improvement of the quality of sleep of the infant 30. More specifically, the sleep support program 522 is configured to cause the information processing device 21 to execute a function for receiving data on the infant 30 from a plurality of sensors 4, and a function for analyzing the received data and providing sleep support information to the childcare provider 31. The sleep support program 522 may also be configured to cause the information processing device 21 to execute a function for acquiring feedback data on the sleep support information.

[0082] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the CPU 51 that executes the sleep support program 522. Note that hereinafter, the information processing device 21 centered around the CPU 51 configured to execute the sleep support program 522 may be referred to as the "CPU 51."

[0083] The CPU 51 includes, for example, a reception processing unit 61, a storage processing unit 62, a sleep parameter calculation unit 63, a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64, an analysis unit 65, a determination unit 66, a notification processing unit 67, a control unit 68, and a feedback processing unit 69. The CPU 51 may further include a generation processing unit 60. The reception processing unit 61, the storage processing unit 62, the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64, the analysis unit 65, the determination unit 66, the notification processing unit 67, the control unit 68, the feedback processing unit 69, and the generation processing unit 60 are functional configurations provided in the CPU 51 by, for example, executing the sleep assistance program 522.

[0084] The reception processing unit 61 receives data from each of the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41, body movement sensor 42, vital sensor 43, and environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44 via the second communication unit 56. The received data is time-series clothing temperature data 530, clothing humidity data 531, body movement data 532, vital data 533, environmental temperature data 534, and environmental humidity data 535. The reception processing unit 61 sends the received data to the storage processing unit 62.

[0085] The storage processing unit 62 stores the data sent from the reception processing unit 61 in the storage device 53. The storage processing unit 62 associates, for example, clothing temperature data 530, clothing humidity data 531, body movement data 532, vital data 533, environmental temperature data 534, and environmental humidity data 535 with a date and time and stores them in the storage device 53. The associated date and time are the date and time when the corresponding data was measured, and are sent together with the data from each sensor, but if the data is sent in real time, they may be added by the reception processing unit 61 when receiving the data.

[0086] For example, for each sleep session of infant 30, sleep parameter calculation section 63 calculates sleep parameters 536 corresponding to one sleep session using at least one of body movement data 532 and vital data 533 stored in storage device 53. Sleep parameter calculation section 63 may also calculate sleep parameters 536 using information input by child care provider 31 (e.g., the start time of putting infant to sleep). Alternatively, sleep parameter calculation section 63 may calculate sleep parameters 536 using video data generated by imaging device 45. The calculated sleep parameters 536 are stored in storage device 53.

[0087] Note that one sleep is, for example, a sleep during the night. More specifically, one sleep is, for example, the longest sleep within a 24-hour period including the night (for example, 24 hours from 12:00 on one day to 12:00 on the next day). One sleep may span across dates. In the following, one sleep is identified by the date on which the sleep started. For example, a sleep from 8:00 PM on April 1st to 6:00 AM on April 2nd is identified as a sleep on April 1st. In other words, a sleep on one day may be a sleep that spans across to the next day.

[0088] For example, for each sleep of the baby 30 in one day (once), the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64 calculates a temperature and humidity factor 537 corresponding to the sleep of one day by using at least one of the clothing temperature data 530, the clothing humidity data 531, the environmental temperature data 534, and the environmental humidity data 535 stored in the storage device 53. The calculated temperature and humidity factor 537 is stored in the storage device 53.

[0089] For example, the analysis unit 65 analyzes the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 corresponding to sleep in a specific period to obtain a combination of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 that are highly relevant (relevant). Hereinafter, this specific period is also referred to as a first period. The first period includes, for example, M days (M times) of sleep of the infant 30. M is an integer equal to or greater than 2, for example, 6. The first period may vary depending on the month (age) of the infant 30. Note that, when the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 corresponding to sleep for more than M days are stored in the storage device 53, the analysis unit 65 may select and obtain the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 corresponding to M days of sleep with better quality of sleep. The analysis unit 65 analyzes the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 corresponding to the acquired M days of sleep to obtain a combination of the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 that are highly relevant. Sleep parameters 536 corresponding to the first period of sleep are also simply referred to as first period of sleep parameters 536. Temperature and humidity factors 537 corresponding to the first period of sleep are also simply referred to as first period of temperature and humidity factors 537.

[0090] Next, analysis unit 65 calculates a range (comfort range) of values ​​of temperature and humidity factor 537 within which a preferable value of sleep parameter 536 can be obtained, based on a combination of sleep parameter 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537 that are more highly correlated. Analysis unit 65 sets the calculated comfort range in comfort range table 538 in storage device 53. In this way, a comfort range according to each individual infant 30 can be set in comfort range table 538. A specific example of analyzing sleep parameter 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537 and setting the comfort range of temperature and humidity factor 537 in comfort range table 538 will be described later with reference to Figs. 10 to 12.

[0091] The determination unit 66 determines, for example, at regular time intervals, whether the current sleep environment indicated by the temperature and humidity factor 537 is suitable for the infant 30 (comfort of the sleep environment) using the comfort range table 538 and the comfort determination table 539. Alternatively, the determination unit 66 may determine whether the current sleep environment is suitable for the infant 30 in response to an operation on the information processing device 21 by the child care provider 31 (more specifically, an operation requesting a determination of the comfort of the sleep environment).

[0092] Specifically, the determination unit 66 determines whether the current clothing temperature, clothing humidity, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity are each within the comfort range set in the comfort range table 538. The current clothing temperature is, for example, the clothing temperature indicated by the most recently acquired (stored) data among the clothing temperature data 530 stored in the storage device 53. The same applies to the current clothing humidity, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity. A sleep environment suitable for an infant 30 is, for example, an environment in which the current clothing temperature, clothing humidity, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity are all within the comfort range set in the comfort range table 538. On the other hand, a sleep environment unsuitable for an infant 30 is, for example, an environment in which at least one of the current clothing temperature, clothing humidity, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity is outside the comfort range set in the comfort range table 538.

[0093] If the current sleep environment is suitable for the infant 30, the determination unit 66 generates sleep support information indicating that the current sleep environment is suitable for the infant 30. Then, the determination unit 66 sends the generated sleep support information to the notification processing unit 67.

[0094] If the current sleep environment is not suitable for the infant 30, the determination unit 66 acquires a countermeasure from the comfort determination table 539 based on the determination result of whether or not the current temperature inside the clothes, the humidity inside the clothes, the environmental temperature, and the environmental humidity are each within the comfortable range set in the comfort range table 538. The acquired countermeasure is a countermeasure for making the sleep environment suitable for the infant 30. A specific method of acquiring a countermeasure from the comfort determination table 539 will be described later with reference to Figs. 16 to 18. The determination unit 66 generates information including at least one of the determination result indicating that the current sleep environment is not suitable for the infant 30 and the countermeasure. Then, the determination unit 66 sends the generated sleep support information to the notification processing unit 67. Note that if the countermeasure acquired from the comfort determination table 539 includes a countermeasure by controlling the air conditioner 22, the determination unit 66 may further send the sleep support information to the control unit 68.

[0095] The notification processor 67 notifies the child care provider 31 of information on the sleeping environment of the infant 30. Specifically, the notification processor 67 acquires the comfort range table 538 from the storage device 53. The notification processor 67 notifies the child care provider 31 of the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 based on the acquired comfort range table 538. The notification processor 67 may further acquire data indicating the current sleeping environment (hereinafter referred to as current sleeping environment data). The current sleeping environment data includes, for example, the most recent clothing temperature data 530, clothing humidity data 531, environmental temperature data 534, and environmental humidity data 535. The notification processor 67 notifies the child care provider 31 of the acquired current sleeping environment data and the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 based on the comfort range table 538. The notification processor 67 may further receive sleep support information sent from the determination unit 66. The notification processor 67 notifies the child care provider 31 of the acquired current sleeping environment data, the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 based on the comfort range table 538, and the received sleep support information. The notification processor 67 may notify the child care provider 31 of at least one of the current sleeping environment data, the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 based on the comfort range table 538, and the sleep support information. For example, this notification is made using at least one of the touch screen display 54 and the speaker 58.

[0096] When the judgment unit 66 sends to the notification processing unit 67 information that the sleeping environment is not suitable for the infant 30, in addition to the above notification, a signal may also be sent from the judgment unit 66 to the vibration unit 57 to alert the caregiver 31, and a notification may be made via vibration.

[0097] For example, the notification processing unit 67 generates a display signal for displaying an image notifying the current sleep environment data, the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537, and the sleep support information (hereinafter referred to as a notification image). The notification image includes, for example, an image in which at least one of the current sleep environment data is plotted in the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 shown in two-dimensional coordinates of temperature and humidity, and an image notifying the sleep support information. The notification image may include a GUI for inputting an evaluation of the notified sleep support information. The GUI for inputting an evaluation of the notified sleep support information is, for example, a button for inputting whether the notified sleep support information was appropriate or not, or the degree of appropriateness. The notification processing unit 67 sends the generated display signal to the touch screen display 54. The touch screen display 54 displays the notification image on the screen based on the received display signal. By looking at the displayed notification image, the child care worker 31 can check the current sleep environment data and the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 for the infant 30, and can also obtain sleep support information for creating a sleep environment suitable for the infant 30. The caregiver 31 implements a countermeasure based on the sleep support information (e.g., reducing one piece of clothing for the infant 30, operating the air conditioner 22, etc.). This allows a comfortable sleep environment based on the sleep support information (i.e., temperature inside clothing, humidity inside clothing, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity within a comfortable range) to be provided for the infant 30, thereby improving the quality of sleep of the infant 30.

[0098] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 67 may send a signal requesting vibration to the vibration unit 57 based on the received sleep support information. The vibration unit 57 vibrates the information processing device 21 based on the received signal. By vibrating the information processing device 21, the child care person 31 can be prompted to check the notification image displayed on the screen. This vibration may have a specific vibration pattern. The child care person 31 can recognize that sleep support information has been notified when the information processing device 21 vibrates with the specific vibration pattern.

[0099] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 67 may send an audio signal based on the sleep support information to the speaker 58. The speaker 58 outputs a sound based on the received audio signal. This sound may be a voice reading out a specific message or an alarm sound. The child care provider 31 can recognize the sleep support information by the sound. Alternatively, the sound can prompt the child care provider 31 to check a notification image displayed on the screen.

[0100] The control unit 68 receives the sleep support information sent from the determination unit 66. The control unit 68 generates a request regarding at least one of the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity based on the sleep support information. The request includes, for example, information indicating at least one of the target temperature and the target humidity set for the air conditioner 22. Alternatively, the request may include information indicating at least one of raising the environmental temperature, lowering the environmental temperature, raising the environmental humidity, and lowering the environmental humidity. The control unit 68 transmits the generated request to the air conditioner 22, for example, via the first communication unit 55. The air conditioner 22 receives the request transmitted by the control unit 68 and operates based on the request. This makes it possible to provide the baby 30 with a comfortable sleep environment based on the sleep support information (for example, an environmental temperature and an environmental humidity within a comfortable range).

[0101] The feedback processor 69 processes feedback on the information notified to the child care provider 31. Specifically, the feedback processor 69 processes feedback based on operations on the touch screen display 54 by the child care provider 31, for example.

[0102] The feedback indicates an evaluation of the notified sleep support information. More specifically, the feedback indicates, for example, the result of the parent / carer 31's judgment as to whether the notified information was appropriate. The feedback processor 69 may use the feedback to update the comfort range table 538 in cooperation with the analyzer 65.

[0103] The notification processing unit 67 may further perform a process for having the caregiver 31 input information related to the behavior of the infant 30. The process for having the caregiver 31 input information related to the behavior of the infant 30 is, for example, a process for displaying an image including a GUI for inputting information related to the behavior of the infant 30 (hereinafter, information input image) on the touch screen display 54. The GUI for inputting information is, for example, a button for selecting the actual behavior of the infant 30 from candidates of the behavior of the infant 30, or a text area for inputting text representing the behavior of the infant 30.

[0104] More specifically, the notification processing unit 67 generates, for example, a display signal for displaying an information input image. The notification processing unit 67 sends the generated display signal to the touch screen display 54. The touch screen display 54 displays the information input image on the screen based on the received display signal. The displayed information input image prompts the caregiver 31 to input information related to the behavior of the infant 30. The caregiver 31 inputs information related to the behavior of the infant 30 by operating the displayed information input image via the touch panel.

[0105] The notification processing unit 67 may further use at least one of the vibration unit 57 and the speaker 58 to prompt the child care provider 31 to input information.

[0106] Specifically, the notification processing unit 67 may send a signal requesting vibration to the vibration unit 57 when the information input image is displayed. The vibration unit 57 vibrates the information processing device 21 based on the received signal. By vibrating the information processing device 21, the child care person 31 can be prompted to check the information input image displayed on the screen. This vibration may have a specific vibration pattern. The child care person 31 can recognize that the information input image has been displayed when the information processing device 21 vibrates with the specific vibration pattern.

[0107] The notification processor 67 may also send an audio signal associated with the information input image to the speaker 58. The speaker 58 outputs a sound based on the received audio signal. This sound may be a sound reading out a specific message or an alarm sound. The sound can prompt the child care provider 31 to check the information input image displayed on the screen.

[0108] The generation processing unit 60 generates data based on operations by the child care provider 31. The data based on operations by the child care provider 31 includes, for example, behavior data 540. The generation processing unit 60 generates the behavior data 540 based on, for example, operations by the child care provider 31 on the touch screen display 54 on which an information input image is displayed. The generation processing unit 60 stores the generated behavior data 540 in the storage device 53 in association with a date (or date, time, and minute).

[0109] Here, a description will be given of sleep parameters 536 calculated by sleep parameter calculation section 63. FIG.

[0110] The sleep parameters 536 are parameters for evaluating the quality of sleep of the infant 30. The sleep parameters 536 include, for example, the average amount of activity when active, the start time of putting the infant to sleep, the time of putting the infant to sleep, the time of falling asleep, the time of waking up, the total sleep time, the time of waking up during the night, the number of times of waking up during the night, the amount of activity per unit time, the deep sleep occupancy rate, the REM (Rapid Eye Movement: REM) sleep occupancy rate, the sleep efficiency, the heart rate, the heart rate variability, the respiratory rate per unit time, and the peripheral skin temperature. Each sleep parameter is sent to the determination unit 66, which determines whether it is good or bad, and the result is sent to the notification processing unit 67, which notifies the user in the same manner as the temperature and humidity factors.

[0111] The average amount of activity when active is the average value of the amount of activity when body movement is detected between the time when the infant falls asleep and the time when the infant wakes up. In other words, the average amount of activity when active is the average value of the amount of non-zero activity measured between the time when the infant falls asleep and the time when the infant wakes up. The average amount of activity when active is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, for example, based on the body movement data 532 acquired by the body movement sensor 42. The smaller the average amount of activity when active is, the better. Therefore, if the average amount of activity is smaller than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0112] The putting-to-sleep start time is the time when the caregiver 31 starts putting the infant 30 to sleep (for example, the time when the infant 30 gets into bed). The putting-to-sleep start time is also referred to as the going-to-bed time or the going-to-bed time. The putting-to-sleep start time is input, for example, based on an operation of the caregiver 31 on the information processing device 21. Alternatively, the putting-to-sleep start time may be obtained, for example, by the CPU 51 analyzing video data acquired by the imaging device 45. The earlier the putting-to-sleep start time, the better, and therefore the judgment unit 66 judges that the quality of the infant 30's sleep is good if the time is earlier than a predetermined time.

[0113] The put-to-sleep time is the time from the put-to-sleep start time to the fall asleep time. For example, the put-to-sleep time is calculated based on the put-to-sleep start time and the fall asleep time after the put-to-sleep start time is input and the fall asleep time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63. The shorter the put-to-sleep time, the better, and therefore the judgment unit 66 judges that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is good if the put-to-sleep time is shorter than a predetermined time.

[0114] The sleep onset time is the time when the infant 30 falls asleep. The sleep onset time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, for example, based on the body movement data 532 acquired by the body movement sensor 42 or based on the vital data 533 acquired by the vital sensor 43. The sleep onset time is, for example, the first time after the start time of putting the infant to sleep that the body movement of the infant 30 becomes zero for a certain period of time (for example, five minutes). Alternatively, the sleep onset time may be input based on an operation of the childcare worker 31 on the information processing device 21. The earlier the sleep onset time, the better, and therefore, if the sleep onset time is earlier than a predetermined time, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of the infant 30's sleep is good.

[0115] The wake-up time is the time when the infant 30 wakes up. The wake-up time is, for example, the time when continuous strong body movement (for example, body movement with activity intensity equal to or greater than a threshold and continuing for one hour or more) begins after the sleep onset time. The wake-up time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, for example, based on body movement data 532 acquired by the body movement sensor 42 or based on vital data 533 acquired by the vital sensor 43. Alternatively, the wake-up time may be input based on an operation of the childcare worker 31 on the information processing device 21. The earlier the wake-up time, the better, and therefore, if the wake-up time is earlier than a predetermined time, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of the infant 30's sleep is good.

[0116] The total sleep time is the time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up, excluding the time of waking up during sleep. For example, the total sleep time is calculated based on the time of falling asleep, the time of waking up, and the time of waking up during sleep calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63. Alternatively, the total sleep time may be input by the childcare worker 31 using the information processing device 21. If the total sleep time is within the range of the reference time for each month corresponding to the infant 30, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is good. Also, the closer the total sleep time is to the range of the reference time for each month corresponding to the infant 30, the more likely the determination unit 66 is to determine that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0117] FIG. 6 shows an example of a reference time for the total sleep time of the infant 30. In FIG.

[0118] The mid-sleep awakening time is the time during which there was body movement of an intensity equal to or greater than a threshold that did not continue for a specific time (e.g., one hour) or more between the time of falling asleep and the time of waking up. The mid-sleep awakening time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, for example, based on body movement data 532 acquired by the body movement sensor 42 or based on vital data 533 acquired by the vital sensor 43. The shorter the mid-sleep awakening time, the better, and therefore the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is good if the time is shorter than a predetermined time.

[0119] The number of awakenings during sleep is the number of times that awakenings during the period between the time of falling asleep and the time of waking up. The number of awakenings during sleep is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63 based on the number of times that awakenings during the period between the time of falling asleep and the time of waking up. The fewer the number of awakenings during sleep, the better, and therefore, if the number is less than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0120] The amount of activity per unit time is a value obtained by converting the amount of activity from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up into a value per unit time. The amount of activity per unit time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, for example, based on the body movement data 532 acquired by the body movement sensor 42. The smaller the amount of activity per unit time, the better, and therefore, if this is smaller than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is good. However, if the amount of activity per unit time is 0, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is poor. The unit time is, for example, one hour.

[0121] The deep sleep occupancy is the ratio of deep sleep time to the time from falling asleep to waking up. The deep sleep time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, for example, based on the body movement data 532 acquired by the body movement sensor 42. The higher the deep sleep occupancy, the better, and therefore, when the deep sleep occupancy is greater than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0122] The REM sleep occupancy is the ratio of REM sleep time to the time from sleep onset to wake-up time. The REM sleep time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63, for example, based on the body movement data 532 acquired by the body movement sensor 42. The higher the REM sleep occupancy, the better, and therefore, when the REM sleep occupancy is greater than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0123] Sleep efficiency is the ratio of the time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up, excluding the time of waking up during sleep, to the time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up (i.e., the total sleep time). For example, the sleep efficiency is calculated based on the time of falling asleep, the time of waking up, and the total sleep time calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63. If the value of the sleep efficiency is higher than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0124] The heart rate is the heart rate during deep sleep (for example, the most frequent heart rate three hours after falling asleep). The most frequent heart rate is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63 based on data corresponding to the deep sleep time among the vital data 533 acquired by the vital sensor 43 (more specifically, the heart rate data measured by the heart rate sensor), for example. The lower the most frequent heart rate, the better, and therefore, if this is smaller than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is good. However, if the most frequent heart rate is 50 or less, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is poor.

[0125] The respiration rate per unit time is the respiration rate per unit time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up. The respiration rate per unit time is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63 based on, for example, data corresponding to the time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up among vital data 533 acquired by vital sensor 43 (more specifically, respiration rate data measured by the respiration rate sensor). It is considered that the lower the respiration rate per unit time, the better, and therefore, if this is smaller than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0126] The distal skin temperature is the average skin temperature of the extremities such as the hands and feet from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up. The distal skin temperature is calculated by the sleep parameter calculation unit 63 based on, for example, data corresponding to the time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up among the vital data 533 acquired by the vital sensor 43 (more specifically, skin temperature data measured by the skin temperature sensor). The higher the distal skin temperature during sleep, the better, and therefore, if this is greater than a predetermined value, the determination unit 66 determines that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is good.

[0127] In this way, by using sleep parameters 536, sleep support system 1A can evaluate the quality of sleep of infant 30. Sleep parameters 536 are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various parameters capable of evaluating the quality of sleep of infant 30 can be used.

[0128] The sleeping hours of the infant 30 change according to the month (age), for example, as shown in Reference 1 below.

[0129] Reference 1: Research Group on Sleep and Information and Communication Device Use in Preschool Children, "Sleep Guidelines for Preschool Children," [online], [Retrieved March 30, 2023], Internet <URL:<https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / content / 000375711.pdf>

[0130] Next, a description will be given of the temperature and humidity factor 537 calculated by the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64. Fig. 7 shows an example of an outline of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors 537.

[0131] The temperature and humidity factor 537 is a factor related to temperature and humidity that may affect the sleep parameter 536. The temperature and humidity factor 537 includes, for example, statistics of temperature and humidity that change with time, such as average temperature inside clothes, average humidity inside clothes, average environmental temperature, and average environmental humidity, factors that affect temperature and humidity, such as absorbent article wetness time, and indices obtained from temperature and humidity, such as a discomfort index. In addition to these temperature and humidity factors 537, FIG. 7 further illustrates the urination time and absorbent article replacement time, which are parameters for obtaining the absorbent article wetness time, which is the temperature and humidity factor 537. In addition, the temperature and humidity factor 537 may be calculated using the sleep onset time and wake-up time included in the sleep parameter 536, as described below. In this case, the temperature and humidity factor 537 may be calculated after the sleep onset time and wake-up time of the corresponding day are calculated.

[0132] The average clothing temperature or average clothing humidity is the average value of the clothing temperature or humidity from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up. The average clothing temperature or average clothing humidity is calculated by the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64 based on, for example, data corresponding to the time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up among the clothing temperature data 530 or the clothing humidity data 531 acquired by the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41 or the clothing humidity sensor 41. Note that, instead of the average clothing temperature or the average clothing humidity, other statistical values ​​of the clothing temperature or humidity may be used. The statistical values ​​are, for example, various statistical values ​​such as a deviation value, a median value, a maximum value, and a minimum value.

[0133] The urination time is the time when urination occurs by the infant 30. For example, the time when the temperature inside the clothes and the humidity inside the clothes start to rise simultaneously is used as the urination time. The urination time is calculated by the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64 based on the temperature inside the clothes data 530 and the humidity inside the clothes data 531 acquired by the temperature and humidity inside the clothes sensor 41, for example.

[0134] The absorbent article replacement time is the time when the absorbent article worn by the infant 30 is replaced. For example, the time when the humidity inside the clothing suddenly drops is used as the absorbent article replacement time. The absorbent article replacement time is calculated by the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64 based on the inside clothing humidity data 531 acquired by the inside clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41, for example.

[0135] The absorbent article wetness time is the time during which the absorbent article worn by the infant 30 is wet between the time the infant falls asleep and the time the infant wakes up. In other words, the absorbent article wetness time is the time from the time the infant urinates to the time the absorbent article is changed. If there are multiple urination times (or multiple absorbent article change times) between the time the infant falls asleep and the time the infant wakes up, the absorbent article wetness time is the sum of the time from each urination time to the most recent absorbent article change time.

[0136] The average environmental temperature or average environmental humidity is the average value of the environmental temperature or humidity from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up. The average environmental temperature or average environmental humidity is calculated by the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64 based on, for example, data corresponding to the time from the time of falling asleep to the time of waking up among the environmental temperature data 534 or the environmental humidity data 535 acquired by the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44. Note that, instead of the average environmental temperature or average environmental humidity, other statistical values ​​of the environmental temperature or humidity may be used.

[0137] The discomfort index included in the temperature and humidity factor 537 is calculated by the temperature and humidity factor calculation unit 64 using, for example, the above-mentioned average environmental temperature and average environmental humidity as the environmental temperature and environmental humidity in the following formula (1), respectively. Discomfort index=0.81×environmental temperature+0.01×environmental humidity×(0.99×environmental temperature-14.3)+46.3 Equation (1)

[0138] The information processing device 21 analyzes the association between these temperature and humidity factors 537 as candidates and the quality of sleep of the infant 30 (for example, sleep parameters 536), and obtains the relationship between each of the temperature and humidity factors 537 and the quality of sleep of the infant 30, for example, as a correlation equation. The temperature and humidity factors 537 are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various numerical indexes related to temperature and humidity that may affect the quality of sleep of the infant 30 may be used.

[0139] Sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 are acquired, for example, for each sleep of infant 30 in one day and stored in storage device 53. In addition, sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 of the first period are used for the analysis of the association to obtain the relationship between sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537. Note that, depending on the type of sleep parameters 536 for which the association is to be obtained, data of temperature and humidity factors 537 of only a part of the first period, such as only the time to put the infant to sleep, only three hours after falling asleep, only one hour before waking up, or only one hour before waking up, may be used instead of all data of temperature and humidity factors 537 of the first period. In this case, for example, a statistical value of temperature and humidity factor 537 is calculated from data of temperature and humidity factor 537 of such a part of the period.

[0140] 8 shows examples of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 for the first period stored in storage device 53. Here, examples of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 for the first period obtained for each of the sleep of infant 30 on three different days are shown.

[0141] For example, during sleep on DAY 1, the amount of activity per unit time is 22.4. The total sleep time is 432 minutes. The time it takes to put the child to sleep (sleep latency) is 38 minutes. The time it takes to put the child to sleep (time of going to bed) is 11:38 p.m. The time the child wakes up is 7:54 a.m. The number of times the child awakens during sleep is 1. The temperature inside the clothes is 29.3°C. The environmental humidity is 46%. The same is true for sleep on DAY 2 and DAY 3.

[0142] An example of the operation of the analysis unit 65 that analyzes the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factor 537 and calculates the comfortable range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0143] The analysis unit 65 of the information processing device 21 is activated, for example, automatically by the CPU 51 or by an instruction from the operator in response to the sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 for the first period (sleep on M days) being accumulated in the storage device 53. The analysis unit 65 analyzes the association between each of the sleep parameters 536 and each of the temperature and humidity factors 537, and obtains an equation showing the relationship therebetween. The analysis unit 65 may be activated automatically after a predetermined period, for example, one week, has elapsed since the previous activation.

[0144] The analysis unit 65 acquires the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 of the first period (sleep on M days) from the storage device 53. When the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 for more than M days are stored in the storage device 53, the analysis unit 65 may acquire the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 for M days on which the quality of sleep was better. The analysis unit 65, for example, compares the sleep parameters 536 of each day to determine the day on which the quality of sleep was better. The day on which the quality of sleep was better is, for example, M days on which the sleep parameters 536 are compared and include more sleep parameters 536 that are determined to have good quality of sleep. When the superiority or inferiority of the quality of sleep in a combination of two days cannot be determined, the analysis unit 65 may determine that the quality of sleep on the two days is the same. Alternatively, the analysis unit 65 may determine the superiority or inferiority of the quality of sleep on the two days according to the priority order of the sleep parameters 536.

[0145] Fig. 9 shows an example of the priority order of sleep parameters 536 when determining the superiority or inferiority of sleep quality. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the priority order is sleep efficiency, deep sleep occupancy rate, REM sleep occupancy rate, activity amount per unit time, average activity amount when active, etc. The priority order is lowest for the start time of putting the child to sleep (time of going to bed).

[0146] Analysis unit 65 uses, for example, at least one of a regression line, a regression curve, and multiple regression analysis to analyze the association between acquired sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537. For example, when a regression line is used to analyze the association, analysis unit 65 acquires N combinations in descending order of absolute value of correlation coefficient from among combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 whose absolute value of correlation coefficient of regression line is equal to or greater than a first threshold. Alternatively, when a regression line and a regression curve are used to analyze the association, analysis unit 65 may acquire N combinations in descending order of coefficient of determination from among combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 whose coefficient of determination of regression line is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 whose coefficient of determination of regression curve is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Here, N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. Furthermore, for example, when multiple regression analysis is used to analyze the association, analysis unit 65 calculates the coefficients of each of multiple temperature and humidity factors 537 by multiple regression analysis in which the objective variable (dependent variable) is one of sleep parameters 536 and the explanatory variables (independent variables) are multiple temperature and humidity factors 537, and acquires a multiple regression equation for sleep parameter 536. For example, when analysis unit 65 acquires multiple regression equations corresponding to each of multiple sleep parameters 536, analysis unit 65 acquires N multiple regression equations in descending order of coefficient based on the largest coefficient included in each of the multiple regression equations. The acquired N multiple regression equations correspond to N combinations of sleep parameter 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 with larger coefficients.

[0147] FIG. 10 shows an example of correlation coefficient r between each of sleep parameters 536 and each of temperature and humidity factors 537. Here, a case where a regression line is used to analyze the relationship between sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 is illustrated. As sleep parameters 536, time to put to sleep, time to fall asleep, time to wake up, total sleep time, number of awakenings during the night, and amount of activity per unit time are used. As temperature and humidity factors 537, average environmental temperature, average environmental humidity, average temperature inside clothes, average humidity inside clothes, and absorbent article wetness time are used. In this case, correlation coefficient r can be calculated for all combinations of time to put to sleep, time to fall asleep, time to wake up, total sleep time, number of awakenings during the night, amount of activity per unit time, and average environmental temperature, average environmental humidity, average temperature inside clothes, average humidity inside clothes, and absorbent article wetness time. For a combination of a certain sleep parameter 536 and a certain temperature and humidity factor 537, the higher the correlation between the sleep parameter 536 and the temperature and humidity factor 537, the larger the absolute value of the correlation coefficient r.

[0148] 10, the correlation coefficient r between the putting-to-sleep time and the average environmental temperature is −0.785. The correlation coefficient r between the putting-to-sleep time and the average environmental humidity is −0.177. In this case, the correlation between the putting-to-sleep time and the average environmental temperature is higher than that between the putting-to-sleep time and the average environmental humidity.

[0149] The correlation coefficient r between the amount of activity per unit time and the average environmental temperature is 0.268. The correlation coefficient r between the amount of activity per unit time and the average environmental humidity is -0.846. In this case, the correlation between the amount of activity per unit time and the average environmental humidity is higher than that between the average environmental temperature and the amount of activity per unit time.

[0150] For example, from among combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 whose absolute values ​​of correlation coefficients r are equal to or greater than a first threshold, analysis unit 65 acquires N combinations in descending order of the absolute values ​​of correlation coefficients r. Here, it is assumed that the first threshold is 0.4 and N is 5. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 10, five combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 whose absolute values ​​of correlation coefficients r are equal to or greater than 0.4 and whose absolute values ​​of correlation coefficients r are greater are acquired. That is, combinations of activity amount per unit time and average environmental humidity, combinations of wake-up time and average clothing temperature, combinations of putting-to-sleep time and average environmental temperature, combinations of wake-up time and average environmental temperature, and combinations of number of midnight awakenings and average environmental temperature are acquired.

[0151] Analysis unit 65 calculates a range (comfort range) of values ​​of temperature and humidity factor 537 that provides a preferable value of sleep parameter 536, based on the acquired combination of sleep parameter 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537 having a higher correlation. More specifically, analysis unit 65 calculates a comfort range of temperature and humidity factor 537, based on a regression line corresponding to the combination of sleep parameter 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537 having a higher correlation, for example.

[0152] Based on the regression line thus obtained, the analysis unit 65 determines a specific range as the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 as follows. First, the range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 actually measured in the first period is determined. Next, the regression line (regression equation) between the temperature and humidity factor 537 and the related sleep parameter 536 thus obtained is used to obtain the value of the temperature and humidity factor 537 within that range that corresponds to the value of the sleep parameter 536 that is most suitable for the sleep of the infant 30, and this value is set as the head (i.e., one end) of the comfort range. Furthermore, a specific proportion of the entire range of the temperature and humidity factor 537, for example, one-third of the range, that belongs to the head side of the comfort range is set as the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537.

[0153] An example of the comfort range calculated based on the regression line will be described with reference to Figures 11A to 11E. Figures 11A to 11E correspond to the combination of the amount of activity per unit time and the average environmental humidity, the combination of the wake-up time and the average clothing temperature, the combination of the time to put the person to sleep and the average environmental temperature, the combination of the wake-up time and the average environmental temperature, and the combination of the number of times the person awakens midnight and the average environmental temperature, respectively, acquired in the example shown in Figure 10.

[0154] 11A shows an example of a comfort range based on a regression line between the amount of activity per unit time and the average environmental humidity. A regression line 71 shows the relationship between the amount of activity per unit time of the infant 30 and the average environmental humidity obtained during the first period (sleep on the Mth day).

[0155] Based on the regression line 71, a specific range 71R of the average environmental humidity is determined as the comfortable range of the average environmental humidity, for example, as follows. As described above, the lower the amount of activity per unit time, the better the quality of sleep of the infant 30. Therefore, the specific range 71R is set, for example, as the beginning (i.e., right end) of the comfortable range of the average environmental humidity value corresponding to the most suitable amount of activity per unit time for the infant 30 to sleep (i.e., the smallest amount of activity) within the entire range of the amount of activity per unit time shown by the regression line 71. Here, the smallest amount of activity is not the amount of activity actually measured, but the amount of activity calculated from the average environmental humidity actually measured using a formula representing the regression line 71. Next, the value of the average environmental humidity corresponding to the most inappropriate amount of activity (i.e., the largest amount of activity) is obtained (the left end of the regression line 71 in the figure), and the range between this value and the beginning of the previously determined comfortable range is set as the range of the average environmental humidity. Within the entire range of the average environmental humidity thus obtained, a specific percentage of the range on the beginning side of the comfortable range is set as the comfortable range of the average environmental humidity. The specific ratio is, for example, 1 / 3. In the example shown in Fig. 11A, the range of the average environmental humidity is 45% to 69%. Within that, a range 71R from 61% to 69% at the leading end of the comfort range is determined as the comfort range of the average environmental humidity during sleep. The range 71R from 61% to 69% is 1 / 3 of the entire range of the average environmental humidity indicated by the regression line 71, with 69% as the upper end.

[0156] 11B shows an example of a comfort range based on a regression line between wake-up time and average clothing temperature. Regression line 72 shows the relationship between wake-up time and average clothing temperature of infant 30 acquired in the first time period.

[0157] Based on the regression line 72, a specific range 72R of the average clothing temperature is determined as the comfortable range of the average clothing temperature as follows. As described above, the earlier the wake-up time, the better the quality of sleep of the infant 30. Therefore, the specific range 72R is a specific percentage of the entire range of the average clothing temperature, for example, with the value of the average clothing temperature corresponding to the most suitable wake-up time (i.e., the earliest wake-up time) for the infant 30 being the head (i.e., one end) of the comfortable range within the entire range of wake-up times shown by the regression line 72, and the wake-up time calculated from the average clothing temperature actually measured using the equation showing the regression line 72, not the actually measured wake-up time, being the other end. In the example shown in FIG. 11B, a range 72R from 32°C to 33°C is calculated as the comfortable range of the average clothing temperature during sleep. The range 72R from 32°C to 33°C is 1 / 3 of the entire range of the average clothing temperature shown by the regression line 72, with 33°C as the upper end.

[0158] 11C shows an example of a comfort range based on a regression line between the time to put the baby to sleep and the average environmental temperature. A regression line 73 shows the relationship between the time to put the baby to sleep of the infant 30 acquired in the first period and the average environmental temperature. Note that here, the average environmental temperature from the start of putting the baby to sleep to the onset of sleep is used as the average environmental temperature for which the relationship with the time to put the baby to sleep is analyzed.

[0159] In the example shown in Fig. 11C, a range 73R from 23°C to 23.5°C is calculated as the comfortable range of the average environmental temperature during sleep. The range 73R from 23°C to 23.5°C is one-third of the entire range of the average environmental temperature shown by the regression line 73, with 23.5°C at the upper end. As outlined above, the method of calculating this comfortable range is similar to the method of calculating the average environmental humidity and the average temperature inside clothing, so details will be omitted.

[0160] 11D shows an example of a comfort range based on a regression line between wake-up time and average environmental temperature. Regression line 74 shows the relationship between wake-up time and average environmental temperature of infant 30 obtained in the first time period.

[0161] In the example shown in Fig. 11D, a range 74R from 22.5°C to 23.0°C is calculated as the comfortable range of the average environmental temperature during sleep. The range 74R from 22.5°C to 23.0°C is one-third of the entire range of the average environmental temperature shown by the regression line 74, with 23.0°C at the upper end. As outlined above, the method of calculating this comfortable range is similar to the method of calculating the average environmental humidity and the average temperature inside clothing, so details will be omitted.

[0162] 11E shows an example of a comfort range based on a regression line between the number of awakenings during sleep and the average environmental temperature. Regression line 75 shows the relationship between the number of awakenings during sleep and the average environmental temperature of infant 30 obtained in the first period.

[0163] In the example shown in Fig. 11E, a range 75R from 21.2°C to 21.9°C is calculated as the comfortable range of the average ambient temperature during sleep. The range 75R from 21.2°C to 21.9°C is 1 / 3 of the entire range of the average ambient temperature shown by the regression line 75, with 21.2°C at the lower end. As outlined above, the method of calculating this comfortable range is similar to the method of calculating the average ambient humidity and the average temperature inside clothing, so details will be omitted.

[0164] The comfortable range of the average environmental temperature during sleep is also calculated from the regression line 74 of the wake-up time and the average environmental temperature shown in FIG. 11D. When the comfortable range of a certain temperature and humidity factor 537 can be calculated from a combination with at least one sleep parameter 536, for example, the comfortable range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 is calculated using the regression line of a combination with a higher correlation. For example, when the combination of the wake-up time and the average environmental temperature shown in FIG. 11D has a higher correlation than the combination of the number of times of awakening during the night and the average environmental temperature shown in FIG. 11E, the comfortable range of the average environmental temperature is calculated based on the regression line 74 of the wake-up time and the average environmental temperature. In this case, the comfortable range of the average environmental temperature based on the regression line 75 of the number of times of awakening during the night and the average environmental temperature with a lower correlation is not calculated, for example.

[0165] The analysis unit 65 stores the determined comfort zone in, for example, the comfort zone table 538 in the storage device 53.

[0166] 12 shows an example of the configuration of the comfort range table 538. The comfort range table 538 is used to determine whether or not the sleep environment is suitable for the infant 30 when putting the infant 30 to sleep and sleeping. The comfort ranges set in the comfort range table 538 may be provided to the caregiver 31 as information indicating the sleep environment suitable for the infant 30.

[0167] The comfort range table 538 may include, for example, the comfort ranges during sleep for the average environmental temperature, the average environmental humidity, the average temperature inside clothing, the average humidity inside clothing, and the wetness time of the absorbent article. The comfort range table 538 may also include, for example, the comfort ranges during sleep for the average environmental temperature, the average environmental humidity, the average temperature inside clothing, the average humidity inside clothing, and the wetness time of the absorbent article.

[0168] In the example shown in FIG. 12, the comfort zones calculated in the examples shown in FIGS.

[0169] A regression curve may be used to analyze the relationship between the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factor 537. When a regression curve is used, the analysis unit 65 uses the second threshold value to calculate the coefficient of determination R 2 The N combinations of the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 for which the value is large are selected.

[0170] Based on the selected regression curve, the analysis unit 65 determines a specific range as the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 as follows. First, the range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 actually measured in the first period is determined. Next, using the regression curve (regression equation) between the temperature and humidity factor 537 and the related sleep parameter 536 previously determined, the value of the temperature and humidity factor 537 corresponding to the value of the sleep parameter 536 most suitable for the sleep of the infant 30 within that range is determined, and this value is set as the center of the comfort range. Furthermore, the range of, for example, one-sixth on both sides of the entire range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 is set as the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537.

[0171] 13A and 13B, an example of calculating the comfort zone based on the regression curve will be described. Here, the coefficient of determination R 2 It is assumed that a combination of the put-to-sleep time and the average environmental temperature, and a combination of the put-to-sleep time and the average environmental humidity are acquired as N combinations of the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factors 537 for which the difference is large.

[0172] 13A shows an example of a comfort range based on a regression curve between the time to put the baby to sleep and the average environmental temperature. Regression curve 76 shows the relationship between the time to put the baby to sleep of the baby 30 obtained in the first time period and the average environmental temperature.

[0173] Based on the regression curve 76, a specific range 76R of the average environmental temperature corresponding to the shortest time to put the baby to sleep is calculated as the comfortable range of the average environmental temperature. The specific range 76R is, for example, a range centered on the value of the average environmental temperature corresponding to the most suitable time to put the baby to sleep (i.e., the shortest time to put the baby to sleep) among the entire range of the time to put the baby to sleep shown by the regression curve 76, and is a specific numerical range among the entire range of the average environmental temperature shown by the regression curve 76. The specific numerical range is, for example, a range from -5°C to +5°C. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, a range 76R from 23.3°C to 24.3°C is calculated as the comfortable range of the average environmental temperature during putting the baby to sleep. The range 76R from 23.3°C to 24.3°C is a range from -5°C to +5°C centered on the average environmental temperature of 23.8°C corresponding to the shortest time to put the baby to sleep shown by the regression curve 76.

[0174] 13B shows an example of a comfort range based on a regression curve between the time to put the baby to sleep and the average environmental humidity. Regression curve 77 shows the relationship between the time to put the baby to sleep of infant 30 acquired in the first period and the average environmental humidity.

[0175] Based on the regression curve 77, a specific range 77R of the average environmental humidity corresponding to a short sleep time is calculated as a comfortable range of the average environmental humidity. The specific range 77R is, for example, a range centered on the value of the average environmental humidity corresponding to the most suitable sleep time for the baby 30 among the entire range of sleep times shown by the regression curve 77, and is a specific numerical range among the entire range of the average environmental humidity shown by the regression curve 77. The specific numerical range is, for example, a range from -5% to +5%. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, a range 77R from 41% to 51% is calculated as a comfortable range of the average environmental humidity during sleep. The range 77R from 41% to 51% is a range from -5% to +5% centered on the average environmental humidity of 46% corresponding to the shortest sleep time shown by the regression curve 77.

[0176] Multiple regression analysis may be used to analyze the association between sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537. In this case, analysis unit 65 acquires a multiple regression equation for each sleep parameter 536 in which the coefficients of each of multiple temperature and humidity factors 537 are calculated by multiple regression analysis in which the objective variable is each of at least one sleep parameter 536 and the explanatory variables are multiple temperature and humidity factors 537. The following illustrates an example of acquiring multiple regression equations for three sleep parameters A, B, and C. The multiple regression equations for sleep parameters A, B, and C are represented by the following equations (2) to (4), respectively. Sleep parameter A = aX + bY + cZ + + d Equation (2) Sleep parameter B = eX + fY + + g Equation (3) Sleep parameter C = hX + iY + + j Equation (4) Here, X, Y, and Z are temperature and humidity factors 537. a, b, c, e, f, h, and i are coefficients of temperature and humidity factor 537 in the multiple regression equation. Among the coefficients a, b, and c included in equation (2), the absolute value of coefficient a is the largest. Among the coefficients e and f included in equation (3), the absolute value of coefficient e is the largest. Among the coefficients h and i included in equation (4), the absolute value of coefficient h is the largest. The absolute value of coefficient a is larger than the absolute value of coefficient e. Furthermore, the absolute value of coefficient e is larger than the absolute value of coefficient h.

[0177] The analysis unit 65 calculates the comfort range of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors 537 suitable for the sleep of the infant 30 based on the multiple regression equation of at least one acquired sleep parameter 536. More specifically, the analysis unit 65 acquires N multiple regression equations based on the coefficient having the largest absolute value included in each multiple regression equation from the multiple regression equation of at least one acquired sleep parameter 536. For example, the analysis unit 65 compares the coefficient having the largest absolute value included in each multiple regression equation and acquires N multiple regression equations in descending order of the absolute value of the coefficient. Then, the analysis unit 65 calculates the comfort range of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors 537 suitable for the sleep of the infant 30 based on the acquired N multiple regression equations. For example, the analysis unit 65 determines a threshold value of each temperature and humidity factor 537 that provides a preferred value of the corresponding N sleep parameters 536 based on the N multiple regression equations. The analysis unit 65 may determine the comfort range (threshold value) by giving priority to a temperature and humidity factor 537 having a large absolute value of a corresponding coefficient based on the N multiple regression equations.

[0178] For example, when N is 2, the analysis unit 65 acquires two multiple regression equations based on the absolute values ​​of the coefficients a, e, and h (i.e., the coefficients having the largest absolute values ​​of each multiple regression equation) from the three multiple regression equations of the sleep parameters A, B, and C. That is, the analysis unit 65 acquires the multiple regression equation (equation (2)) of the sleep parameter A including the coefficient a having the largest absolute value among the absolute values ​​of the coefficients a, e, and h, and the multiple regression equation (equation (3)) of the sleep parameter B including the coefficient e having the second largest absolute value. Then, based on the multiple regression equation of the sleep parameter A and the multiple regression equation of the sleep parameter B, the analysis unit 65 determines the respective thresholds (or comfort ranges) of the temperature and humidity factors X, Y, and Z that allow the preferable values ​​of the sleep parameters A and B to be obtained. As a result, for example, if desirable values ​​of sleep parameters A and B can be obtained when at least one of temperature and humidity factors X, Y, and Z is below the corresponding threshold value (or within a comfortable range), it is possible to provide the child care provider 31 with information on how to change each of the temperature and humidity factors X, Y, and Z in order to obtain desirable values ​​of sleep parameters A and B. In other words, the child care provider 31 is given options for changing the temperature and humidity factors X, Y, and Z in order to improve the sleep environment of the infant 30. Note that the information on how to change each of the temperature and humidity factors X, Y, and Z may be notified to the child care provider 31 with priority given to those with larger absolute values ​​of the corresponding coefficients.

[0179] When calculating the comfort range of temperature and humidity factor 537 for each of N combinations of highly relevant sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537, analysis unit 65 may calculate the comfort range of each temperature and humidity factor 537 based on sleep parameters 536 corresponding to one or more days of sleep determined to be of good quality (i.e., comfortable sleep of infant 30). Note that at least one of the regression line, regression curve, and multiple regression analysis described above is used to determine N combinations of highly relevant sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537. For example, behavior data 540 is used to determine whether the quality of sleep of infant 30 on a certain day is good.

[0180] The analysis unit 65 judges the quality of sleep of the infant 30 for each day using the behavior data 540 stored in the storage device 53. Specifically, the analysis unit 65 calculates, for example, the number of judgment criterion items that indicate good sleep quality among a plurality of judgment criterion items included in the daily behavior data 540. Then, when the number of judgment criterion items that indicate good sleep quality exceeds a threshold, the analysis unit 65 judges that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 for that day is good.

[0181] FIG. 14 shows an example of an outline of each of a plurality of items included in the behavior data 540. A plurality of items included in the behavior data 540 are items (criterion items) used as criteria for judging the quality of sleep of the infant 30. The criterion items indicate the behavior of the infant 30 related to sleep. The criterion items include, for example, at least one of an item related to whether or not the infant woke up spontaneously, an item related to whether or not the infant woke up refreshed, an item related to whether or not the infant was in a good mood when waking up, an item related to whether or not the infant was in a good mood during the day, an item related to whether or not the infant was awake during the day, and an item related to the appearance and mood when waking up during the night. The value of each criterion item is set based on an operation of the information processing device 21 by the caregiver 31 (for example, an operation on the touch screen display 54). The caregiver 31 performs an operation to set the value of each criterion item after, for example, the infant 30 has slept for the most recent day. The value of each criterion item that has been set is used to judge the quality of sleep for the most recent day. More specifically, for example, to judge the quality of sleep of infant 30 on April 1st, criteria used include the infant's behavior and mood when awakened during the night on April 1st, whether the infant woke up spontaneously on April 2nd, whether the infant woke up refreshed, whether the infant was in a good mood when awakened, whether the infant was in a good mood during the day, and whether the infant was awake during the day.

[0182] Among the judgment criteria items corresponding to sleep on a certain day, the item regarding whether or not the infant 30 woke up spontaneously indicates whether or not the infant 30 woke up spontaneously on the corresponding day. If the infant 30 woke up spontaneously, for example, "Y" is set in the item regarding whether or not the infant 30 woke up spontaneously. If the infant 30 did not wake up spontaneously, for example, "N" is set in the item regarding whether or not the infant 30 woke up spontaneously. The quality of the infant 30's sleep is better when "Y" is set in the item regarding whether or not the infant 30 woke up spontaneously than when "N" is set.

[0183] The item relating to whether or not the infant 30 woke up refreshed indicates whether or not the infant 30 woke up refreshed on the corresponding day. If the infant 30 woke up refreshed, for example, "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the infant 30 woke up refreshed. If it takes the infant 30 a long time to wake up, for example, "N" is set in the item relating to whether or not the infant 30 woke up refreshed. The quality of sleep of the infant 30 is better when "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the infant 30 woke up refreshed than when "N" is set.

[0184] The item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up indicates whether the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up on the corresponding day. If the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up, for example, "Y" is set in the item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up. If the infant 30 was in a bad mood when waking up, for example, "N" is set in the item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up. The quality of sleep of the infant 30 is better when "Y" is set in the item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up than when "N" is set.

[0185] The item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood during the day indicates whether the infant 30 was in a good mood during the day on the corresponding day. If the infant 30 was in a good mood during the day, for example, "Y" is set in the item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood during the day. If the infant 30 was in a bad mood during the day, for example, "N" is set in the item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up. The quality of the infant 30's sleep is better when "Y" is set in the item relating to whether the infant 30 was in a good mood when waking up than when "N" is set.

[0186] The item relating to whether or not the infant 30 was awake during the day indicates whether or not the infant 30 was awake during the day on the corresponding day. If the infant 30 was awake during the day, for example, "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the infant 30 was awake during the day. If the infant 30 seemed sleepy during the day, for example, "N" is set in the item relating to whether or not the infant 30 was awake during the day. The quality of the infant 30's sleep is better when "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the infant 30 was awake during the day than when "N" is set.

[0187] The items related to the appearance and mood of the infant 30 when waking up during the night indicate the appearance and mood of the infant 30 when waking up during the night on the corresponding day. If the infant 30 does not wake up during the night, for example, "A" is set in the items related to the appearance and mood of the infant 30 when waking up during the night. If the infant 30 wakes up during the night without crying, for example, "B" is set in the items related to the appearance and mood of the infant 30 when waking up during the night. If the infant 30 wakes up crying, for example, "C" is set in the items related to the appearance and mood of the infant 30 when waking up during the night. The quality of the infant 30's sleep is better when "A" is set in the items related to the appearance and mood of the infant 30 when waking up during the night than when "B" is set. Also, the quality of the infant 30's sleep is better when "B" is set in the items related to the appearance and mood of the infant 30 when waking up during the night than when "C" is set.

[0188] The caregiver 31 observes the behavior of the infant 30 and determines the value to be set for each judgment criterion item in the behavior data 540. Based on the experience of raising the infant 30, the caregiver 31 is likely to be able to determine a value for each judgment criterion item that appropriately indicates the behavior, mood, state, etc. of the infant 30. Therefore, the behavior data 540 is useful as information for judging the quality of sleep of the infant 30. Note that the judgment criterion items are not limited to the examples described above, and various sleep-related behaviors of the infant 30 may be used.

[0189] Analysis unit 65 uses N-day's worth of behavior data 540 to determine the quality of sleep of infant 30 for each day, where N is, for example, an integer equal to or greater than 1.

[0190] 15 shows an example of a result of judging the quality of sleep of the infant 30 using the behavior data 540. Here, a case is illustrated in which the quality of sleep of the infant 30 for each day is judged using three days' worth of behavior data 540.

[0191] The analysis unit 65 judges the quality of sleep of the infant 30 for each day based on the first index. The first index indicates, for example, the number of judgment criterion items that indicate good quality sleep among all judgment criterion items of the corresponding daily behavior data 540. The number of judgment criterion items that indicate good quality sleep is, for example, the number of items that are set to either "Y" or "A."

[0192] Specifically, when the first index exceeds the threshold, the analysis unit 65 determines that the quality of sleep on that day is good. When the first index is less than the threshold, the analysis unit 65 determines that the quality of sleep on that day is poor. When the first index is equal to the threshold, the analysis unit 65 determines that the quality of sleep on that day is normal. The threshold is, for example, half of all the judgment criteria items. The threshold may be changed according to the age of the infant 30 in months. Alternatively, the threshold may be set by the caregiver 31. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the threshold is 3 (i.e., half of all the judgment criteria items, which are six).

[0193] In the behavior data 540 for day 1 (DAY1), "N" is set in the item related to whether or not the subject woke up spontaneously. "Y" is set in the item related to whether or not the subject woke up refreshed. "Y" is set in the item related to whether or not the subject was in a good mood when waking up. "Y" is set in the item related to whether or not the subject was in a good mood during the day. "N" is set in the item related to whether or not the subject was awake during the day. "C" is set in the item related to the appearance and mood when waking up in the middle of the night.

[0194] Since the number of “Y”s and “As” included in the behavior data 540 for DAY 1 is three, the analysis unit 65 calculates the first index as 3. Since the first index is equal to the threshold value, the analysis unit 65 determines that the quality of sleep on DAY 1 is normal.

[0195] In the behavior data 540 for the second day (DAY2), "N" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject woke up spontaneously. "N" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject woke up refreshed. "N" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject was in a good mood when waking up. "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject was in a good mood during the day. "N" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject was awake during the day. "C" is set in the item relating to the subject's appearance and mood when waking up in the middle of the night.

[0196] Because the number of “Y” and “A” included in the behavior data 540 for DAY 2 is 1, the analysis unit 65 calculates the first index as 1. Then, because the first index is less than the threshold, the analysis unit 65 determines that the quality of sleep on DAY 2 is poor.

[0197] In the behavior data 540 for the third day (DAY3), "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject woke up spontaneously. "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject woke up refreshed. "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject was in a good mood when waking up. "Y" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject was in a good mood during the day. "N" is set in the item relating to whether or not the subject was awake during the day. "A" is set in the item relating to the appearance and mood when waking up in the middle of the night.

[0198] Because the number of “Y”s and “As” included in the behavior data 540 on DAY 3 is five, the analysis unit 65 calculates the first index as 5. Since the first index exceeds the threshold, the analysis unit 65 determines that the quality of sleep on DAY 3 is good.

[0199] In this way, the analysis unit 65 can use the behavior data 540 to determine the quality of sleep of the infant 30 for each day. Based on the range of values ​​of the sleep parameters 536 corresponding to the sleep of the infant 30 on one or more days on which the quality of sleep was determined to be good, and on N combinations of related sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors, the analysis unit 65 calculates a range of values ​​(comfort range) suitable for the sleep of the infant 30 for the temperature and humidity factor 537 included in each of the N combinations. For example, based on the sleep parameters 536 on one or more days on which the caregiver 31 determined that the quality of sleep of the infant 30 was good, the analysis unit 65 calculates the range of values ​​of each of the sleep parameters 536. Based on the calculated range of each sleep parameter 536, the analysis unit 65 then calculates the corresponding value range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 highly related to that sleep parameter 536. The calculated range of values ​​of each temperature and humidity factor 537 is used as the comfort range.

[0200] More specifically, the analysis unit 65 acquires, for example, a minimum value and a maximum value from one or more values ​​of a certain sleep parameter 536 for one or more days on which the quality of sleep of the infant 30 is determined to be good. The analysis unit 65 calculates the range from the acquired minimum value to the maximum value as a comfortable range of the sleep parameter 536. Next, the analysis unit 65 determines a temperature and humidity factor 537 that is highly relevant to the sleep parameter 536. Note that, for example, at least one of the regression line, regression curve, and multiple regression analysis described above is used to determine the temperature and humidity factor 537 that is highly relevant to the sleep parameter 536. The analysis unit 65 calculates the range of values ​​of the determined temperature and humidity factor 537 that corresponds to the comfortable range of the sleep parameter 536 as the comfortable range of the temperature and humidity factor 537.

[0201] The analysis unit 65 may calculate a range of values ​​of each of the temperature and humidity factors 537 based on the temperature and humidity factors 537 for one or more days on which the caregiver 31 has determined that the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is good. The calculated range of values ​​of each temperature and humidity factor 537 is used as a comfort range. Specifically, the analysis unit 65 obtains, for example, a minimum value and a maximum value from one or more values ​​of a certain temperature and humidity factor 537 for one or more days on which the quality of the sleep of the infant 30 is determined to be good. The analysis unit 65 then calculates the range from the obtained minimum value to the maximum value as the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537.

[0202] 16 to 18, a description will be given of the comfort determination table 539 used by the determination unit 66 of the information processing device 21. When the sleeping environment is not suitable for the baby 30, the determination unit 66 obtains a countermeasure from the comfort determination table 539 and sends it to the notification processing unit 67.

[0203] 16 shows a first example of the configuration of the comfort determination table 539. The comfort determination table 539 includes a plurality of entries corresponding to a plurality of determination conditions related to a sleep environment suitable for the baby 30, respectively.

[0204] Each of the multiple judgment conditions is a judgment condition that uses data related to the state of the infant 30 at a specific time. The specific time is, for example, the most recent time when data related to the state of the infant 30 was acquired. The data related to the state of the infant 30 at a specific time includes, for example, at least one of the temperature inside the clothes, the humidity inside the clothes, the environmental temperature, and the environmental humidity at the specific time. The fact that at least one of the multiple judgment conditions is satisfied means that the sleep environment is not suitable for the infant 30. In addition, the fact that none of the multiple judgment conditions is satisfied means that the sleep environment is suitable for the infant 30.

[0205] Each of the multiple entries includes, for example, an inner clothing temperature field, an environmental temperature field, an environmental humidity field, and a countermeasure field.

[0206] In an entry corresponding to a certain judgment condition, the clothing temperature field indicates a condition related to the clothing temperature among the judgment conditions. The environmental temperature field indicates a condition related to the environmental temperature. The environmental humidity field indicates a condition related to the environmental humidity among the corresponding judgment conditions. The countermeasure field indicates a countermeasure to be taken when the corresponding judgment condition is satisfied.

[0207] The conditions related to the temperature inside the clothing, the conditions related to the environmental temperature, and the conditions related to the environmental humidity are expressed, for example, by at least one of "high", "normal", "low", and "-". "High" indicates a condition in which the corresponding temperature inside the clothing, the environmental temperature, or the environmental humidity is higher than the comfort range. "Normal" indicates a condition in which the corresponding temperature inside the clothing, the environmental temperature, or the environmental humidity is within the comfort range. "Low" indicates a condition in which the corresponding temperature inside the clothing, the environmental temperature, or the environmental humidity is lower than the comfort range. "-" indicates that there is no condition related to the corresponding temperature inside the clothing, the environmental temperature, or the environmental humidity.

[0208] The countermeasures are information presented to the caregiver 31. The caregiver 31 can improve the sleeping environment of the baby 30 based on the countermeasures presented via the notification processing unit 67.

[0209] In FIG. 16, for example, the first entry indicates that when the conditions that the temperature inside the clothing is “high” and that the environmental temperature is “high” are met, the countermeasure is at least one of lowering the outside temperature (environmental temperature) using air conditioning, removing one layer of clothing, and changing underwear and wiping away sweat.

[0210] Fig. 17 shows a second example of the comfort determination table 539. Unlike Fig. 16, each entry of the comfort determination table 539 shown in Fig. 17 includes an inner clothing temperature field, an inner clothing humidity field, an environmental temperature field, and a countermeasure method field.

[0211] The clothing temperature field, the environmental temperature field, and the countermeasure field are as described above with reference to FIG.

[0212] The clothing humidity field indicates the condition related to the clothing humidity among the corresponding judgment conditions. The clothing humidity condition is expressed in the same manner as the environmental humidity in Fig. 16. For example, "high" indicates the condition that the clothing humidity is higher than the comfortable range.

[0213] In Figure 17, for example, the first entry indicates that when the conditions of temperature inside the clothing being "high", humidity inside the clothing being "high", and environmental temperature being "high" are met, the measures to be taken are at least one of lowering the outside temperature using air conditioning, removing one layer of clothing, changing underwear, wiping sweat, and replacing absorbent articles.

[0214] Fig. 18 shows a third example of the comfort determination table 539. Each entry of the comfort determination table 539 shown in Fig. 18 includes an in-clothing humidity field, an environmental humidity field, and a countermeasure method field.

[0215] The environmental humidity field and the countermeasure field are as described above with reference to Fig. 16. The clothing humidity field is as described above with reference to Fig. 17.

[0216] 18, for example, the first entry indicates that when the condition that the humidity inside the clothes is "high" and the condition that the environmental humidity is "high", the countermeasure is at least one of changing underwear, wiping sweat, and dehumidifying. The fifth entry indicates that when the condition that the humidity inside the clothes is "normal" and the condition that the environmental humidity is "normal", no countermeasure is required. It is preferable that entries that do not require countermeasures, such as the fifth entry, be excluded from the comfort determination table 539.

[0217] When the current sleep environment satisfies all of the conditions indicated in any of the entries of the comfort determination table 539, the determination unit 66 acquires a countermeasure from the entry. The acquired countermeasure is a countermeasure for making the sleep environment suitable for the infant 30. The determination unit 66 sends sleep support information including the acquired countermeasure to the notification processing unit 67.

[0218] The notification processing unit 67 notifies the child care provider 31 of a countermeasure using the sleep support information received from the determination unit 66. This allows the child care provider 31 to implement the countermeasure (for example, reducing the amount of clothing the infant 30 has, operating the air conditioner 22, etc.). Therefore, a comfortable sleep environment based on the sleep support information can be provided for the infant 30, and the quality of the infant's 30 sleep can be improved.

[0219] Here, the significance of calculating the comfort zone of an infant 30 using data on the infant 30 acquired by the sensor 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B. Here, an example will be given of a case in which the comfort zone is calculated for each of the first infant 30 and the second infant 30 based on a regression line between the amount of activity per unit time and the environmental humidity. The second infant 30 is different from the first infant 30. Also, the lower the amount of activity per unit time, the better the quality of sleep of the infant 30.

[0220] FIG. 19A shows an example of a comfort range calculated based on a regression line between the activity amount per unit time of the first infant 30 and the environmental humidity. The regression line 78 shows the relationship between the activity amount per unit time of the first infant 30 acquired in the first period and the average environmental humidity. Based on the regression line 78, a specific range 78R of the average environmental humidity corresponding to a lower activity amount per unit time is determined as the comfort range of the average environmental humidity of the first infant 30. In the example shown in FIG. 19A, a range 78R from 40% to 50% is calculated as the comfort range of the average environmental humidity of the first infant 30.

[0221] In contrast, FIG. 19B shows an example of a comfort range calculated based on a regression line between the amount of activity per unit time of the second infant 30 and the environmental humidity. The regression line 79 shows the relationship between the amount of activity per unit time of the second infant 30 acquired in the first period and the average environmental humidity. Based on the regression line 79, a specific range 79R of the average environmental humidity corresponding to a lower amount of activity per unit time is determined as the comfort range of the average environmental humidity of the second infant 30. In the example shown in FIG. 19B, a range 78R from 60% to 70% is calculated as the comfort range of the average environmental humidity of the second infant 30.

[0222] In this way, the comfort range of the average environmental humidity is different between the first infant 30 and the second infant 30. In other words, the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 may differ for each infant 30. Therefore, the sleep support system 1A acquires data for each infant 30 and calculates the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 for each infant 30. This makes it possible to notify the caregiver 31 of the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 that is comfortable for a certain infant 30, thereby effectively improving the quality of sleep for that infant 30.

[0223] Next, the procedure of the process executed in the information processing device 21 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0224] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of data calculation processing executed in the information processing device 21. The data calculation processing is processing for performing calculations using data measured and acquired by the sensors 4 to acquire sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537. The CPU 51 of the information processing device 21 executes the data calculation processing, for example, every time data acquired by any of the sensors 4 is stored in the storage device 53. Alternatively, the CPU 51 may execute the data calculation processing at regular time intervals.

[0225] First, CPU 51 calculates sleep parameters 536 by performing a calculation using body movement data 532 and vital data 533 stored in storage device 53 (step S101). The calculation method of each sleep parameter 536 is as described above. CPU 51 determines whether sleep parameters 536 have been calculated (step S102).

[0226] If sleep parameters 536 have been calculated (Yes in step S102), CPU 51 stores calculated sleep parameters 536 in storage device 53 (step S103), and proceeds to step S104. Calculated sleep parameters 536 are stored in storage device 53 in association with the corresponding date, for example.

[0227] If the sleep parameters 536 have not been calculated (No in step S102), the process by the CPU 51 proceeds to step S104.

[0228] Next, CPU 51 calculates temperature and humidity factor 537 using clothing temperature data 530, clothing humidity data 531, environmental temperature data 534, and environmental humidity data 535 stored in storage device 53 (step S104). The method of calculating each temperature and humidity factor 537 is as described above. CPU 51 determines whether temperature and humidity factor 537 has been calculated (step S105).

[0229] If the temperature and humidity factor 537 has been calculated (Yes in step S105), the CPU 51 stores the calculated temperature and humidity factor 537 in the storage device 53 (step S106), and ends the process. The calculated temperature and humidity factor 537 is stored in the storage device 53 in association with the corresponding date, for example.

[0230] If the temperature and humidity factor 537 has not been calculated (No in step S105), the CPU 51 ends the data calculation process.

[0231] By the above data calculation processing, the CPU 51 can calculate the sleep parameters 536 and the temperature and humidity factor 537 using the data stored in the storage device 53.

[0232] 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of relevance analysis processing executed in information processing device 21. The relevance analysis processing is processing for determining a range (comfort range) of temperature and humidity factor 537 in which preferable sleep parameter 536 is obtained. CPU 51 executes the relevance analysis processing in response to accumulation of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537 for a first period (M days). Here, a case where a regression line is used to analyze the relevance between sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537 is illustrated. Note that a regression curve or multiple regression analysis may be used to analyze the relevance between sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537.

[0233] First, CPU 51 generates a regression line for all combinations of at least one sleep parameter 536 and each of multiple temperature and humidity factors 537 (step S106). Specifically, when generating a regression line for a combination of a certain sleep parameter 536 and a certain temperature and humidity factor 537, CPU 51 generates a regression line based on the value of that sleep parameter 536 for M days and the value of that temperature and humidity factor 537 for M days.

[0234] CPU 51 acquires N combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 in descending order of absolute value of correlation coefficient from among combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 in which the absolute value of correlation coefficient of the generated regression line is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S202). If there are fewer than N combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537 in which the absolute value of correlation coefficient is equal to or greater than the first threshold, CPU 51 acquires all combinations in which the absolute value of correlation coefficient is equal to or greater than the first threshold in ascending order of absolute value of correlation coefficient. In the following, it is assumed that CPU 51 has acquired N combinations of sleep parameters 536 and temperature and humidity factors 537.

[0235] The CPU 51 sets a variable i to 1 (step S203). The variable i is a variable for specifying one combination out of the acquired N combinations.

[0236] Next, CPU 51 uses the regression line corresponding to the i-th combination to determine, as a comfort range, a range of values ​​of temperature and humidity factor 537 that provides a preferable value of sleep parameter 536, in the procedure previously described with reference to Figures 11A to 11D (step S204). CPU 51 sets the determined comfort range of temperature and humidity factor 537 in comfort range table 538 (step S205).

[0237] The CPU 51 adds 1 to the variable i (step S206). Then, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the variable i is greater than N (step S207). That is, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the process for determining the comfort zone has been performed for all of the acquired N combinations.

[0238] If the variable i is equal to or smaller than N (No in step S207), the CPU 51 determines whether the temperature and humidity factor 537 of the i-th combination matches any of the temperature and humidity factors 537 of the up to (i-1)-th combinations (step S208).

[0239] If the temperature and humidity factor 537 of the i-th combination matches any of the temperature and humidity factors 537 of the up to (i-1)-th combinations (Yes in step S208), the CPU 51 returns to step S206. If the temperature and humidity factor 537 of the i-th combination matches any of the temperature and humidity factors 537 of the up to (i-1)-th combinations, the comfort range of this temperature and humidity factor 537 has already been determined based on any of the up to (i-1)-th combinations. Therefore, the CPU 51 skips determining the comfort range based on the i-th combination.

[0240] If the temperature and humidity factor 537 of the i-th combination is different from any of the temperature and humidity factors 537 of the (i-1)th combinations (No in step S208), the CPU 51 returns to step S204. That is, a process for determining a comfort zone based on the i-th combination is performed.

[0241] If the variable i is greater than N (Yes in step S207), the process for determining the comfort zones for all N combinations has been completed, and therefore the CPU 51 ends the association analysis process.

[0242] Through the above-described relevance analysis process, CPU 51 can determine the comfortable range of temperature and humidity factor 537 that provides preferred sleep parameter 536, based on a combination of sleep parameter 536 and temperature and humidity factor 537 that are highly relevant.

[0243] 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the determination and notification process executed in the information processing device 21. The determination and notification process is a process for notifying information on an environment suitable for sleep based on whether the current environment is suitable for the baby 30 to sleep. The CPU 51 executes the determination and notification process, for example, at regular time intervals. Alternatively, the CPU 51 may execute the determination and notification process in response to an operation on the information processing device 21 by the child care provider 31.

[0244] First, the CPU 51 determines whether the infant 30 is asleep (step S301). Specifically, the CPU 51 determines that the infant 30 is asleep, for example, based on the body movement data 532 of the infant 30, when the wake-up time has not yet been calculated after the fall asleep time has been calculated.

[0245] If it is determined that the baby 30 is asleep (Yes in step S301), the CPU 51 acquires the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 during sleep from the comfort range table 538 (step S302).

[0246] If it is determined that the baby 30 is not asleep (No in step S301), the CPU 51 acquires the comfort range of the temperature and humidity factor 537 while the baby is being put to sleep from the comfort range table 538 (step S303).

[0247] Next, the CPU 51 judges whether or not the current environment in which the infant 30 is spending is within the acquired comfort range (step S304). Specifically, the CPU 51 acquires the most recent temperature inside clothes, humidity inside clothes, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity from the temperature inside clothes data 530, humidity inside clothes data 531, environmental temperature data 534, and environmental humidity data 535 stored in the storage device 53. Furthermore, if the absorbent article has not been replaced after urination by the infant 30 is detected, the CPU 51 may acquire the wetness time of the absorbent article from the temperature and humidity factor 537 stored in the storage device 53. Then, the CPU 51 judges whether or not each of the acquired temperature and humidity and temperature and humidity factors, for example, the temperature inside clothes, humidity inside clothes, environmental temperature, environmental humidity, and wetness time of the absorbent article, is within the comfort range.

[0248] If the current environment is within the comfort range (Yes in step S304), the CPU 51 notifies the caregiver 31 that the current environment is suitable for the infant 30 who is sleeping or being put to sleep (step S305), and ends the determination and notification process. The CPU 51 may further notify the caregiver 31 of at least one of the current environment and the comfort range.

[0249] If the current environment is not within the comfort range (Yes in step S304), the CPU 51 acquires a countermeasure using the comfort determination table 539 (step S306). The CPU 51 notifies the caregiver 31 that the current environment is not suitable for the sleeping or sleeping infant 30 and the acquired countermeasure (step S307), and ends the determination and notification process. The CPU 51 may further notify the caregiver 31 of at least one of the current environment and the comfort range. The CPU 51 may also control the air conditioner 22 based on the acquired countermeasure (step S308). For example, the CPU 51 performs communication via the first communication unit 55 to control the air conditioner 22 to lower the set temperature based on the countermeasure of lowering the environmental temperature.

[0250] Through the above determination and notification processing, the CPU 51 can notify the caregiver 31 whether the current environment is suitable for the infant 30 who is sleeping or being put to sleep. Furthermore, if the current environment is not suitable for the infant 30 who is sleeping or being put to sleep, the CPU 51 can notify the caregiver 31 of what to do to make the environment suitable. In this way, the sleep support system 1A can support the caregiver 31 in providing an environment in which the infant 30 can sleep comfortably, thereby improving the quality of sleep of the infant 30.

[0251] Second embodiment In the sleep support system 1A according to the first embodiment, an information processing device 21 used by a user 31 (e.g., a childcare provider or caregiver) generates sleep support information using data acquired by the sensor 4. In contrast, in the sleep support system according to the second embodiment, a server device generates sleep support information using data acquired by the sensor 4.

[0252] In the sleep support system according to the second embodiment, a server device has at least a part of the functions of the information processing device 21 in the first embodiment. Specifically, the server device in the second embodiment has a function of determining the comfort of the sleeping environment of the infant 30 and generating sleep support information. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0253] 23 shows an example of the configuration of a sleep support system 1B according to embodiment 2. The sleep support system 1B includes an information processing device 21, a plurality of sensors 4, a server device 25, and a network .

[0254] Each of the multiple sensors 4 is capable of communicating with the server device 25 via the network 26. Specifically, each of the multiple sensors 4 transmits, for example, data acquired by the sensor 4 (sensor data) to the server device 25 via the network 26. Note that the multiple sensors 4 may transmit the sensor data to the information processing device 21, which may then transfer the sensor data to the server device 25. The sensor data includes data acquired by the clothing temperature and humidity sensor 41, the body movement sensor 42, the vital sensor 43, and the environmental temperature and humidity sensor 44. The sensor data may further include video data generated by the imaging device 45.

[0255] The communication via the network 26 may be wired communication or wireless communication. The network 26 includes, for example, a wired local area network (wired LAN), a wireless local area network (wireless LAN), and a wide area network (WAN). The WAN includes, for example, a mobile phone network, a fixed telephone network, a satellite communication network, a leased line, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and an Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN).

[0256] The server device 25 is an information processing device that analyzes data related to the infant 30 and provides information (sleep support information) for supporting the sleep of the infant 30. The server device 25 is realized, for example, as a server computer.

[0257] For example, the server device 25 receives the sensor data from each of the multiple sensors 4 via the network 26. Alternatively, the server device 25 may receive the sensor data from each of the multiple sensors 4 via the information processing device 21 and the network 26.

[0258] Furthermore, the server device 25 can communicate with, for example, the information processing device 21 via the network 26. Specifically, the server device 25 transmits sleep support information to, for example, the information processing device 21 via the network 26. The server device 25 has a similar configuration to, for example, the information processing device 21 of the first embodiment described above with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 in order to analyze sensor data and provide sleep support information.

[0259] The information processing device 21 receives the sleep support information from the server device 25 via the network 26. The information processing device 21 receives the sleep support information from the server device 25, for example, by the first communication unit 55. The information processing device 21 notifies the received sleep support information to the child care provider 31. The information processing device 21 has a configuration for receiving the sleep support information and notifying the child care provider 31 of the sleep support information. The configuration for notifying the child care provider 31 of the sleep support information is similar to the notification processing unit 67 provided in the information processing device 21 of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 4. The information processing device 21 may also have a configuration for controlling the air conditioner 22 based on the received sleep support information. The configuration for controlling the air conditioner 22 based on the sleep support information is similar to the control unit 68 provided in the information processing device 21 of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 4.

[0260] With the above configuration, in the sleep support system 1B of the second embodiment, the server device 25 can acquire sensor data from multiple sensors 4 and provide sleep support information to the information processing device 21 using the acquired sensor data. Note that the server device 25 may have functions other than the function for providing sleep support information, as well as other functions of the information processing device 21 of the first embodiment. For example, the server device 25 may have a function for processing feedback based on operations performed on the information processing device 21 by the childcare worker 31. Furthermore, for example, the server device 25 may have a function for controlling the air conditioner 22 based on the sleep support information.

[0261] In carrying out the present invention, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and specific aspects can be modified in various ways. The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment of the present invention. <1> A sleep assistance system including an information processing device and a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor; The first sensor measures at least one of body movement data indicating a body movement of the subject and vital data indicating a vital sign of the subject; The second sensor measures at least one of inside-clothing temperature data indicating an inside-clothing temperature inside the clothing worn by the subject and inside-clothing humidity data indicating an inside-clothing humidity inside the clothing, The third sensor measures at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in an environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment; The information processing device includes: a sleep parameter calculation unit that calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data; a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit that calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the clothing inside temperature data, the clothing inside humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data; and an analysis unit that uses the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep to determine one or more combinations of relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors. Sleep support system. <2> The at least one sleep parameter includes at least one of a sleep latency, a sleep onset time, a wake-up time, a total sleep time, a wake-up time during sleep, a number of wake-ups during sleep, an activity amount per unit time, a deep sleep occupancy rate, a REM sleep occupancy rate, and a sleep efficiency of the subject. <1> A sleep support system as described in. <3> The at least one sleep parameter further includes at least one of a heart rate, a heart rate variability, a respiratory rate per unit time, and a peripheral skin temperature. <2> A sleep support system as described in. <4> The plurality of temperature and humidity factors include at least one of a statistical value of an environmental temperature, a statistical value of an environmental humidity, a statistical value of an inside-clothing temperature, a statistical value of an inside-clothing humidity, and a time during which an absorbent article worn by the subject is wet during a period from the subject's falling asleep to the subject's waking up. <1> ~ <3> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <5> The analysis unit calculates a range of values ​​suitable for the subject's sleep for the temperature and humidity factors included in each of the one or more combinations of the determined relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors, and The information processing device further includes a notification processing unit that notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating the calculated range. <1> ~ <4> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <6> the notification processing unit further notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating at least one of the most recent clothing inside temperature data, the clothing inside humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <7> the notification processing unit notifies a user of the information processing device of an image in which at least one of the clothing temperature data, the clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data is plotted within the calculated range indicated by a two-dimensional coordinate of temperature and humidity. <6> A sleep support system as described in. <8> The analysis unit is calculating a correlation between each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to the first sleep period and each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first sleep period using a regression line; calculating a range of values ​​of the first temperature and humidity factor suitable for sleep of the subject based on a combination of a first sleep parameter and a first temperature and humidity factor for which the absolute value of the correlation coefficient of the calculated regression line is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; <5> A sleep support system as described in. <9> The notification processing unit notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating the calculated range of values ​​of the first temperature and humidity factor. <8> A sleep support system as described in. <10> The analysis unit is calculating a correlation between each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to the first sleep period and each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first sleep period using a regression line and a regression curve; calculating a range of values ​​of the first temperature and humidity factor suitable for the sleep of the subject based on a combination of a first sleep parameter and a first temperature and humidity factor for which the coefficient of determination of the calculated regression line is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; Calculating a range of values ​​of the second temperature and humidity factor suitable for the sleep of the subject based on a combination of a second sleep parameter and a second temperature and humidity factor for which the coefficient of determination of the calculated regression curve is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <11> the notification processing unit notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating a range of values ​​of the calculated first temperature and humidity factor and information indicating a range of values ​​of the calculated second temperature and humidity factor. <10> A sleep support system as described in. <12> The analysis unit is obtaining a multiple regression equation for the first sleep parameter in which coefficients of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors are calculated by performing multiple regression analysis in which a response variable is a first sleep parameter of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to sleep in the first period and explanatory variables are the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to sleep in the first period; calculating a range of values ​​of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors suitable for the subject's sleep based on the multiple regression equation; <5> A sleep support system as described in. <13> the notification processing unit notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating the ranges of values ​​of each of the one or more third temperature and humidity factors that have been determined. <12> A sleep support system as described in. <14> The analysis unit is obtaining at least one multiple regression equation corresponding to each of the at least one sleep parameter, in which a coefficient of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors is calculated by multiple regression analysis in which a dependent variable is each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to sleep in the first period and an explanatory variable is each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to sleep in the first period; obtaining N multiple regression equations from the at least one multiple regression equation based on the largest coefficient included in each of the at least one multiple regression equations; Calculating a range of values ​​of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors suitable for the subject's sleep based on the N multiple regression equations; The N is an integer of 1 or more. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <15> The analysis unit calculates a range of values ​​of the plurality of sleep parameters corresponding to one or more days of sleep determined to have good quality of the subject's sleep, and one or more combinations of the determined relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors, suitable for the subject's sleep, for the temperature and humidity factors included in each of the one or more combinations. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <16> The analysis unit is calculating a correlation between each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to the first sleep period and each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first sleep period using a regression line; Calculate a range of values ​​of the first temperature and humidity factor suitable for sleep of the subject using the first temperature and humidity factor corresponding to sleep in a second period in which the quality of the sleep of the subject was determined to be good, based on a combination of a first sleep parameter and a first temperature and humidity factor for which the absolute value of the correlation coefficient of the calculated regression line is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, or calculate a range of values ​​of the second temperature and humidity factor suitable for sleep of the subject using the second temperature and humidity factor corresponding to sleep in the second period, based on a combination of a second sleep parameter and a second temperature and humidity factor for which the coefficient of determination of the calculated regression line is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <17> The analysis unit is calculating a correlation between each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to the first sleep period and each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first sleep period using a regression curve; calculate a range of values ​​of the first temperature and humidity factor suitable for the sleep of the subject, based on a combination of a first sleep parameter and a first temperature and humidity factor for which the coefficient of determination of the calculated regression curve is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, using the first temperature and humidity factor corresponding to the sleep of the subject in a second period in which the quality of the sleep of the subject is determined to be good. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <18> The analysis unit is obtaining at least one multiple regression equation corresponding to each of the at least one sleep parameter, in which a coefficient of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors is calculated by multiple regression analysis in which a dependent variable is each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to sleep in the first period and an explanatory variable is each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to sleep in the first period; obtaining N multiple regression equations from the at least one multiple regression equation based on the largest coefficient included in each of the at least one multiple regression equations; calculating a range of values ​​of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors suitable for the sleep of the subject based on the N multiple regression equations, using the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the sleep of the subject in a second period in which the quality of the sleep of the subject is determined to be good; The N is an integer of 1 or more. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <19> The information processing device includes: determining whether a current environment is suitable for the subject to sleep using the calculated range and at least one of the inside-clothing temperature data, the inside-clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data, each measured at a recent time; A determination unit that determines a countermeasure when the current environment is not suitable for the subject to sleep, The notification processing unit notifies the user of at least one of a determination result indicating whether the current environment is suitable for the subject's sleep or not and the countermeasure method. <5> A sleep support system as described in. <20> The information processing device further includes a control unit that controls settings of an air conditioning device installed in the environment based on the countermeasure method. <19> A sleep support system as described in. <21> The first period varies depending on the age of the subject when the subject is an infant; <1> ~ <20> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <22> The first sensor is attached to either the inside of a garment worn by the subject or the outer surface of an absorbent article or underwear worn by the subject, and at least one of the body movement data and the vital data is measured on either the inside of the garment to which the first sensor is attached or the outer surface of the absorbent article or underwear. <1> ~ <21> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <23> the first sensor is a belt-like sensor attached to an arm or a leg of the subject, The first sensor attached to the arm or leg of the subject measures at least one of the body movement data and the vital data. <1> ~ <21> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <24> The body movement data includes an activity intensity and an activity amount of the subject, the vital data includes the subject's heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and skin temperature; the sleep parameter calculation unit calculates the at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the activity intensity, the activity amount, the skin temperature, the heart rate, the heart rate variability, and the respiratory rate; <1> ~ <23> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <25> The second sensor is attached to either the inside of a garment worn by the subject or the outer surface of an absorbent article or underwear worn by the subject, and measures at least one of the inside-garment temperature data and the inside-garment humidity data on either the inside of the garment to which the second sensor is attached or the outer surface of the absorbent article or underwear. <1> ~ <24> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <26> the third sensor is not attached to any of the garment, the absorbent article, and the undergarment; <1> ~ <25> 13. A sleep support system according to claim 12. <27> The analysis unit calculates a range of values ​​suitable for the subject's sleep for the temperature and humidity factors included in each of the one or more combinations of the determined relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors. <1> A sleep support system as described in. <28> The information processing device includes: determining whether a current environment is suitable for the subject to sleep using the calculated range and at least one of the inside-clothing temperature data, the inside-clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data, each measured at a recent time; A determination unit that determines a countermeasure when the current environment is not suitable for the subject to sleep. <27> A sleep support system as described in. <29> the information processing device further includes a notification processing unit configured to notify a user of the information processing device of at least one of information indicating at least one of the clothing temperature data, the clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data measured at a most recent time, and information indicating the calculated range; <28> A sleep support system as described in. <30> The notification processing unit notifies the user of at least one of a determination result indicating whether the current environment is suitable for the subject's sleep or not and the countermeasure method. <28> or <29> A sleep support system as described in. <31> An information processing device capable of acquiring data from a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor; The information processing device includes: receiving at least one of body movement data indicative of a body movement of the subject and vital data indicative of a vital sign of the subject from the first sensor; receiving at least one of inside-clothing temperature data indicating an inside-clothing temperature inside a garment worn by the subject and inside-clothing humidity data indicating an inside-clothing humidity inside the garment from the second sensor; a receiving unit that receives from the third sensor at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in the environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment; a sleep parameter calculation unit that calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data; a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit that calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the clothing inside temperature data, the clothing inside humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data; and an analysis unit that uses the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep to determine one or more combinations of relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors. Information processing device. <32> A sleep assistance method for controlling an information processing device capable of acquiring data from a plurality of sensors, comprising: the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor; The sleep assistance method includes: receiving at least one of body movement data indicating a body movement of the subject and vital data indicating a vital sign of the subject from the first sensor by a receiving unit of the information processing device; receiving, by the receiving unit of the information processing device, at least one of inside-clothing temperature data indicating an inside-clothing temperature of an inside of the clothing worn by the subject and inside-clothing humidity data indicating an inside-clothing humidity of the inside of the clothing from the second sensor; receiving, by the receiving unit of the information processing device, at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in an environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment from the third sensor; a sleep parameter calculation unit of the information processing device calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data; a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit of the information processing device calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the clothing temperature data, the clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data; determining, by an analysis unit of the information processing device, one or more combinations of associated sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors using the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first sleep period and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first sleep period; Sleep support methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0262] 1A Sleep Support System 21 Information processing equipment 22 Air conditioning equipment 30 Infants 31 Parents 4 Sensors 41 Clothing temperature and humidity sensor 42 Body movement sensor 43 Vital Sensor 44 Environmental temperature and humidity sensor 45 Imaging Device 411 First Cover 412 Second Cover 413 Temperature sensor part 414 Humidity sensor part 415 Communications Department 416 Adhesive material 417 Opening 51 CPU 52 RAM 53 Storage device 54 Touchscreen Display 55 First Communications Department 56 2nd Communications Department 57 Vibration section 58 Speaker 521 OS 522 Sleep Support Program 530 Clothing temperature data 531 Clothing humidity data 532 Body Movement Data 533 Vital Data 534 Environmental Temperature Data 535 Environmental Humidity Data 536 Sleep parameters 537 Temperature and humidity factor 538 Comfort Range Table 539 Comfort Judgment Table 540 Behavioral Data 61 Receiving processing unit 62 Storage processing unit 63 Sleep parameter calculation unit 64 Temperature and humidity factor calculation section 65 Analysis Department 66 Judgment section 67 Notification Processing Unit 68 Control Unit 69 Feedback Processing Section 60 Generation processing section 1B Sleep Support System 25 Server equipment 26 Network

Claims

1. A sleep assistance system including an information processing device and a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor; The first sensor measures at least one of body movement data indicating a body movement of the subject and vital data indicating a vital sign of the subject; The second sensor measures at least one of inside-clothing temperature data indicating an inside-clothing temperature inside the clothing worn by the subject and inside-clothing humidity data indicating an inside-clothing humidity inside the clothing, The third sensor measures at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in an environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment; The information processing device includes: a sleep parameter calculation unit that calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data; a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit that calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the clothing inside temperature data, the clothing inside humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data; and an analysis unit that uses the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep to determine one or more combinations of relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors. Sleep support system.

2. The at least one sleep parameter includes at least one of a sleep latency, a sleep onset time, a wake-up time, a total sleep time, a wake-up time during sleep, a number of wake-ups during sleep, an activity amount per unit time, a deep sleep occupancy rate, a REM sleep occupancy rate, and a sleep efficiency of the subject. The sleep support system according to claim 1 .

3. The at least one sleep parameter further includes at least one of a heart rate, a heart rate variability, a respiratory rate per unit time, and a peripheral skin temperature. The sleep assistance system according to claim 2 .

4. The plurality of temperature and humidity factors include at least one of a statistical value of an environmental temperature, a statistical value of an environmental humidity, a statistical value of a temperature inside clothing, a statistical value of a humidity inside clothing, a time during which an absorbent article worn by the subject was wet, and a discomfort index during a period from a time when the subject fell asleep to a time when the subject woke up. The sleep assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The analysis unit calculates a range of values ​​suitable for the subject's sleep for the temperature and humidity factors included in each of the one or more combinations of the determined relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors, and The information processing device further includes a notification processing unit that notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating the calculated range. The sleep support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The analysis unit is calculating a correlation between each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to the first sleep period and each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first sleep period using a regression line; calculating a range of values ​​of the first temperature and humidity factor suitable for sleep of the subject based on a combination of a first sleep parameter and a first temperature and humidity factor for which an absolute value of a correlation coefficient of the calculated regression line is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; The sleep assistance system according to claim 5 .

7. The notification processing unit notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating a range of the calculated value of the first temperature and humidity factor. The sleep assistance system according to claim 6.

8. The analysis unit is calculating a correlation between each of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to the first sleep period and each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first sleep period using a regression line and a regression curve; calculating a range of values ​​of the first temperature and humidity factor suitable for sleep of the subject based on a combination of a first sleep parameter and a first temperature and humidity factor for which a coefficient of determination of the calculated regression line is equal to or greater than a second threshold; calculating a range of values ​​of the second temperature and humidity factor suitable for sleep of the subject based on a combination of the second sleep parameter and the second temperature and humidity factor for which the coefficient of determination of the calculated regression curve is equal to or greater than the second threshold value; The sleep assistance system according to claim 5 .

9. The notification processing unit: notifying a user of the information processing device of information indicating a range of values ​​of the calculated first temperature and humidity factor and information indicating a range of values ​​of the calculated second temperature and humidity factor; The sleep assistance system according to claim 8.

10. The analysis unit is obtaining a multiple regression equation for the first sleep parameter in which coefficients of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors are calculated by multiple regression analysis in which a dependent variable is a first sleep parameter of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to sleep in the first period and explanatory variables are the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to sleep in the first period; calculating a range of values ​​of each of the plurality of temperature and humidity factors suitable for the subject's sleep based on the multiple regression equation; The sleep assistance system according to claim 5 .

11. the notification processing unit notifies a user of the information processing device of information indicating a range of values ​​of each of the calculated temperature and humidity factors. The sleep assistance system according to claim 10.

12. The analysis unit calculates a range of values ​​of the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to one or more days of sleep determined to have good quality of the subject's sleep, and one or more combinations of the determined relevant sleep parameter and a temperature and humidity factor, suitable for the subject's sleep, for the temperature and humidity factor included in each of the one or more combinations. The sleep assistance system according to claim 5 .

13. The information processing device includes: determining whether a current environment is suitable for the subject to sleep using the calculated range and at least one of the inside-clothing temperature data, the inside-clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data, each measured at a recent time; A determination unit that determines a countermeasure when the current environment is not suitable for the subject to sleep, The notification processing unit notifies the user of at least one of a determination result indicating whether the current environment is suitable for the subject's sleep or not and the countermeasure method. The sleep assistance system according to claim 5 .

14. The information processing device further includes a control unit that controls settings of an air conditioning device installed in the environment based on the countermeasure method. The sleep assistance system according to claim 13.

15. The first period varies depending on the age of the subject when the subject is an infant; A sleep assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The first sensor is attached to either the inside of a garment worn by the subject or the outer surface of an absorbent article or underwear worn by the subject, and at least one of the body movement data and the vital data is measured on either the inside of the garment to which the first sensor is attached or the outer surface of the absorbent article or underwear. A sleep assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The first sensor is a belt-like sensor attached to an arm or a leg of the subject, The first sensor attached to the arm or leg of the subject measures at least one of the body movement data and the vital data. A sleep assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. The body movement data includes an activity intensity and an activity amount of the subject, the vital data includes the subject's heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and skin temperature; the sleep parameter calculation unit calculates the at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the activity intensity, the activity amount, the skin temperature, the heart rate, the heart rate variability, and the respiratory rate; A sleep assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. An information processing device capable of acquiring data from a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor; The information processing device includes: receiving at least one of body movement data indicative of a body movement of the subject and vital data indicative of a vital sign of the subject from the first sensor; receiving from the second sensor at least one of inside-clothing temperature data indicating an inside-clothing temperature inside a garment worn by the subject and inside-clothing humidity data indicating an inside-clothing humidity inside the garment; a receiving unit that receives from the third sensor at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in the environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment; a sleep parameter calculation unit that calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data; a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit that calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the clothing inside temperature data, the clothing inside humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data; and an analysis unit that uses the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep to determine one or more combinations of relevant sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors. Information processing device.

20. A sleep assistance method for controlling an information processing device capable of acquiring data from a plurality of sensors, comprising: the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor and at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor; The sleep assistance method includes: receiving at least one of body movement data indicating a body movement of the subject and vital data indicating a vital sign of the subject from the first sensor by a receiving unit of the information processing device; receiving, by the receiving unit of the information processing device, at least one of inside-clothing temperature data indicating an inside-clothing temperature of an inside of the clothing worn by the subject and inside-clothing humidity data indicating an inside-clothing humidity of the inside of the clothing from the second sensor; receiving, by the receiving unit of the information processing device, at least one of environmental temperature data indicating an environmental temperature in an environment in which the subject is spending time and environmental humidity data indicating an environmental humidity in the environment from the third sensor; A sleep parameter calculation unit of the information processing device calculates at least one sleep parameter using at least one of the body movement data and the vital data; a temperature and humidity factor calculation unit of the information processing device calculates a plurality of temperature and humidity factors using at least one of the clothing temperature data, the clothing humidity data, the environmental temperature data, and the environmental humidity data; determining, by an analysis unit of the information processing device, one or more combinations of associated sleep parameters and temperature and humidity factors using the at least one sleep parameter corresponding to a first period of sleep and the plurality of temperature and humidity factors corresponding to the first period of sleep; Sleep support methods.

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