Break notification timer

Abstract

To provide means of detecting when a worker has been continuously engaged in work for a long time and notifying the user accordingly, in order to prevent situations where break times are forgotten due to over-concentration during desk work.SOLUTION: The present invention precisely detects when a worker has been continuously engaged in work for a long time and promotes the worker to take a break appropriately by including: work state detection means 1 for detecting a worker working at a work desk 12; work time measurement means 4 for measuring a work time as the length of continuance of work on the basis of the content of detection by the work state detection means 1; and break notification means 5 for promoting the worker to take a break when detecting continuance of work for at least a predetermined length of time on the basis of the measurement content of the work time measurement means 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an informing timer with a working state detection function such as a human touch that is used in a study room, an office, etc., and detects the state when doing long - term desk work or studying, and notifies to take a break appropriately.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in desk work, as a method of prompting a break at an appropriate time, as described in Patent Document 1 (a representative diagram is shown in FIG. 8), there has been a method of preparing both a timer for working hours and a timer for break hours, and alternately operating both timers to appropriately notify the worker of the break time. However, in this method, when a predetermined time elapses regardless of the actual work situation, a notification for prompting the start of work or a break is made uniformly, so it may be difficult to sufficiently improve the deterioration of work efficiency caused by actual work fatigue.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Based on the problems of the above - mentioned conventional break - informing timer, the present invention provides a timer that detects the time when a worker is actually working and prompts a break at a more appropriate timing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the rest notification timer of the present invention includes a working state detection means for detecting that an operator is working, a working time measurement means for measuring the working time during which the work is continued based on the detection content of the working state detection means, and a rest notification means for prompting the operator to take a rest when it detects that the working time has continued for a predetermined time or more according to the measurement content of the working time measurement means.

Effect of the Invention

[0006] With the above configuration, the rest notification timer of the present invention can accurately detect that the operator is working continuously for a long time and prompt the operator to take appropriate breaks.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] The rest notification timer according to the present invention includes a work state detection means for detecting that an operator is working facing a workbench, a work time measurement means for measuring the work time during which the work is continued based on the detection content of the work state detection means, and a rest notification means for prompting the operator to take a rest when it detects that the work time has continued for a predetermined time or more according to the measurement content of the work time measurement means.

Embodiment

[0009] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the main configuration of the rest notification timer of the present invention. The work state detection means 1 detects whether the operator is working and transmits the result to the overall control means 2. The overall control means 2 compares the time set by the work time setting means 3 for setting in advance the work time until the operator is prompted for rest notification with the output of the work time measurement means 4 for measuring the time from the start of work, and if the continued work time exceeds a predetermined value (the time set in advance by the operator), the rest notification means 5 generates an alarm (a notification method by sound or vibration can be selected) to prompt the operator to take an appropriate rest.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows an external view of the rest notification timer of the same embodiment. As the work time setting means 3, a set time display unit 31 and a work time increase / decrease change unit 32 are provided, and the operator can set the time at which an alarm for prompting rest, for example, from 1 minute to 60 minutes, in 1-minute increments. 7 is a human presence detection unit (human presence sensor) such as an infrared sensor, which detects a person sitting on a work chair and outputs a detection signal at a HIGH level. Note that the human presence detection unit 7 is not limited to an infrared sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor may be used. Also, when the rest notification timer is attached to a workbench, it is also possible to use a touch sensor that senses static electricity. Further, for example, when this rest notification timer is used specifically to prevent excessive fatigue of an operator who faces a personal computer screen for a long time, a touch sensor can be attached to the keyboard and icons of the personal computer to accurately detect the working state of the personal computer, and it is also possible to more appropriately notify rest.

[0011] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 9 of the break notification timer is attached to the lower surface of the work chair at its attachment portion 33. When attaching it, the attachment surface is made narrower than the housing 9 so that the housing 9 is likely to sway left and right (so as to easily detect the vibration of the chair). With this attachment, when the operator moves the work chair back and forth, left and right, or sways their legs on the work chair, the housing 9 attached to the lower surface of the work chair sways, and the detection signal becomes HIGH level, enabling detection of the state that the operator is sitting on the chair. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 33 is in the form of an elongated rectangular shape, but it may be attached in a bell shape as a circular (or spherical) attachment portion, or a hook-shaped attachment portion may be hooked on the lower surface of the seat surface of the work chair 12 to be easily swayable 360° in all directions, front, rear, left, and right. Also, regarding the method of attaching the attachment portion 33 to the work chair, a hook-and-loop fastener (adhering by aligning the surfaces of two sheets of different properties) or hooking with a hook is assumed, but it is not limited to this, and any form such as a magnet-like one is acceptable as long as the housing 9 can sway moderately.

[0012] Note that as a specific sensor (vibration detection unit 8) for detecting the sway state of the housing, a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor: not shown because it is inside the housing 9) or an acceleration sensor can be used. Also, a switch 10 for starting / stopping the measurement start of the break notification timer is provided. By setting the time to be notified by the work time increase / decrease change unit 32, it may be configured to automatically start measuring the work time when it is determined that the operator is sitting on the work chair. Also, a measurement state notification means 11 for notifying (displaying lighting or a different blinking cycle during a break) that the measurement is being carried out by blinking of an LED is provided. In this configuration, after setting the time to be notified by the work time increase / decrease change unit 32 and once starting the break notification timer, it is not necessary to make special settings thereafter. Along with the determination of the operator's seating and leaving, the measurement of the work time and break time can be automatically started each time, and it becomes possible to continuously prompt the operator to take an appropriate break.

[0013] Figure 4 shows the detection signals (output signals) of each of the detection units 7 and 8 when an operator sits on the work chair 12 and starts working in the state shown in Figure 3. The human presence detection unit 7 composed of an infrared sensor or the like reacts to the legs or the like of the operator sitting on the work chair 12, and the signal level shifts from LOW to HIGH. In this embodiment, in order to make it difficult to be affected by another operator nearby, the detection sensitivity is slightly suppressed, and within a range of about 30 cm in front of the work chair 12, and the directivity is also narrowed to an acute angle (detection angle of about 30°) so that it is set to react to the movement of only the legs of the target operator. Therefore, when the operator spreads the legs wide to the left and right or sits cross-legged on the work chair, there may be a case where the human presence sensor 7 cannot detect the operator.

[0014] However, in this case, since the vibration detection unit 8 composed of a gyro sensor or the like simultaneously detects the movement of the operator, it is possible to confirm that the operator is sitting on the work chair 12. Therefore, in principle, if the signal level of either the human presence detection unit 7 or the vibration detection unit 8 is HIGH, it is determined that the operator is sitting on the work chair. Note that the signal of the vibration detection unit 8 shifts from LOW to HIGH level only for an instant (short time) when the operator moves the work chair forward, backward, left, or right or shakes the work chair. Therefore, when it returns from HIGH to LOW thereafter, for a predetermined time (such as 20 to 30 seconds), it is determined that the operator is sitting on the work chair 12 (the overall control means 2 determines that when the output signal of the vibration detection means 8 once becomes HIGH and then becomes LOW, it remains HIGH for a continuous predetermined time).

[0015] However, if the predetermined time (such as 20 to 30 seconds) of this virtual HIGH handling is after the rest notification by the rest notification means 5, some modifications are made. Specifically, when the operator leaves the seat due to the rest notification, it is desirable to detect this as soon as possible and stop the alarm quickly. Therefore, the virtual HIGH time at a predetermined time (about 10 seconds) after the output signal of the human presence detection unit 7 shifts from HIGH to LOW after the rest notification is set to be slightly shorter (about 3 to 5 seconds).

[0016] Figure 5(a) shows the detection signals of each of the detection units 7 and 8 when the operator leaves the work chair 12. When the operator leaves the work chair 12, as the operator moves the work chair 12 backward or sideways, the vibration detection unit 8 detects the movement state (the state in time zone A (14) in Figure 5(a)). After that, the operator stands up in front of the work chair 12 and then leaves the vicinity. Therefore, the human presence sensor 7 changes its detection signal (output signal) from the state of detecting the presence of a person in time zone B (15) in Figure 5(a) to the state of no person in time zone C (16). At the same time, the detection signal of the vibration detection unit 8 also continues to be in the LOW state. Therefore, when the operator leaves the work chair 12, since the outputs of each of the detection units 7 and 8 are detected in the above-mentioned predetermined order (pattern), the overall control means 2 detects this state and determines that the operator has left the work chair 12.

[0017] Figure 5(b) shows the detection signals of each detection unit 7 and 8 when an operator who had been away from the work chair 12 sits on the work chair 12 again. In this case, it is the opposite of the case shown in Figure 5(a). First, there is a period in which the state where the legs of the operator approach the work chair 12 is detected (time zone D (17) in Figure 5(b)). After that, when the operator sits on the work chair, a time zone E (18 in Figure 5(b)) in which the vibration detection unit 8 reacts occurs. Note that when the operator stands near the work chair 12, the vibration detection unit 8 does not react. Naturally, it is not recognized that the work has been resumed yet. In this regard, once it is determined that the work has started (the operator has sat down), a different determination method is used from the determination method (if at least one of the human presence detection unit 7 and the vibration detection unit 8 is in the HIGH state, it is determined that the operator is continuing the work (sitting on the work chair 12)).

Embodiment

[0018] Figure 6 shows the rest notification timer of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the rest notification timer shown in the first embodiment, by integrating both the detection units 7 and 8 and the operation units 31 and 32 in the housing 9, the rest notification timer is made into an integrated unit, facilitating retrofitting to the work chair. In this embodiment, although it becomes somewhat more complicated, for example, by arranging a weight detection unit 19 equipped with a piezoelectric sensor or the like for detecting the sitting of the operator on the seat surface of the work chair 12, it is possible to directly detect that the operator is continuously sitting on the work chair 12. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare a wireless transceiver (not shown) for transmitting the detection output of the weight detection unit 13 to the housing 9, or to arrange a wired communication cable 20.

[0019] In addition, when the output of the weight detection unit 19 is considered, if the cushion on the seat surface of the work chair 12 is soft, the reaction may become dull. Specifically, at the moment of sitting down, due to the large pressure applied to the seat surface along with the operator's sitting-down movement, even if the cushion on the seat surface is soft, the weight detection unit 19 composed of a piezoelectric sensor or the like can detect that the operator is in a sitting state. However, in the subsequent steady sitting state, because the cushion on the seat surface is soft, it becomes difficult to apply pressure to the weight detection unit, and it may become difficult to detect the operator's sitting state. Therefore, even when using the weight detection unit 19, it is more desirable to use it in combination with either the human presence detection unit 7 or the vibration detection unit 8. Figure 6(b) shows the state of the output signals of the three detection units 19, 7, and 8 when sitting down. When sitting down, the signal of the human presence detection unit 7 moves from LOW to HIGH in a time zone earlier than that of the vibration detection unit 8, but the output of the weight detection unit 19 moves from LOW to HIGH in a time zone even later than that of the vibration detection unit 8. Therefore, by reading that pattern, it is determined that the person has sat down.

[0020] In this embodiment, the method of arranging the weight detection unit on the seat surface has been shown. However, instead of attaching the rest notification timer retrospectively, when attaching it from the beginning during the manufacturing process of the work chair 12, by arranging the columnar shaft 34 of the work chair 12 at the location (columnar shaft attachment part 36) where it is attached to the attachment leg 35, etc., it is possible to accurately detect the sitting state of the operator while suppressing the influence affected by the cushion condition of the seat surface. Therefore, in this case, the combination with the human presence detection unit 7 or the vibration detection unit 8 may become unnecessary.

Embodiment

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the rest notification sensor of the present invention. Due to the rest notification, the worker once leaves the work chair 12 to take a rest. However, if the rest time is short, the worker cannot be sufficiently refreshed and will resume work. After resuming work, there is a possibility that the concentration will be lost in a relatively short time. As a result, the work efficiency deteriorates, and conversely, the time until the work is completed may be extended. Therefore, when the rest time is short (the state in time zone F(21) in FIG. 7), the time until the next rest notification is shortened as in time zone G(22) in FIG. 7 compared to the normal notification timing (the state in time zone H(23) in FIG. 7). Alternatively, when the rest time is short, a notification may be given to prompt a further rest when the worker sits down. The important thing is to give a notification so that appropriate rests are taken so that the work efficiency does not deteriorate, and the worker may be able to select in advance at which point it is good to give the notification.

Industrial Applicability

[0022] The rest notification timer of the present invention can be applied to workers performing desk work or students concentrating on studying for the purpose of improving their work efficiency.

Explanation of Signs

[0023] 1 Working state detection means 2 Overall control means 3 Working time setting means 4 Working time measurement means 5 Rest notification means 7 Human presence detection unit 8 Vibration detection unit 9 Housing 10 Start / stop switch 11 Measurement state notification means 12 Work chair 13 Seat surface 14 Time zone A 15 Time zone B 16 Time zone C 17 Time zone D 18 Time zone E 19 Weight detection unit 20 Communication Cable 21 Time Zone F 22 Time Zone G 23 Time Zone H 31 Setting Time Display Section 32 Working Time Increase / Decrease Change Section 33 Mounting Section 34 Column Axis 35 Mounting Leg 36 Column Axis Mounting Section

Claims

1. A rest notification timer comprising: a working state detection means for detecting the working state of an operator; a working time measurement means for measuring the working time during which the work is being continued based on the detection content of the working state detection means; and a rest notification means for prompting the operator to take a rest when it detects that the working time has continued for a predetermined time or more according to the measurement content of the working time measurement means.

2. The rest notification timer according to claim 1, wherein the working state detection means is formed by using any one of a human sensor, a vibration sensor, and a weight sensor, or a combination of two or three sets thereof.

3. The rest notification timer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the working state detection means is attached to a part of a work chair, a work desk, or a personal computer device.

4. The rest notification timer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a working time setting means capable of setting a predetermined time until a rest is notified.

5. The rest notification timer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rest notification means is capable of notifying by sound or vibration.

6. The rest notification timer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rest notification means cancels the rest notification when the working state detection means detects that the working state of the operator has stopped.

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