Audio system, wireless terminal, and program

Abstract

To help a user wake up so that the user can wake up at the wake-up time set by the user himself / herself comfortably.SOLUTION: When a time point (first time point) a first predetermined time before the wake-up time comes, a wireless terminal 2 collectively acquires sleeping state changing information accumulated in a wearable device 3 until then, and additionally acquires latest sleeping state changing information from the wearable device 3 periodically until the second time point (a second predetermined time before the wake-up time) closer to the wake-up time than the first time point comes. The wireless terminal calculates a transition period of a user's sleeping state on the basis of the collectively acquired sleeping state changing information, compares the user's present actual sleeping state specified by the latest sleeping state changing information with an ideal sleeping state each time the sleeping state changing information is acquired from the wearable device 3, and, if the two are different, transmits output instructions with the designation of audio data on a brain wave by which an induction effect to the ideal sleeping state can be expected to a wireless speaker 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an audio system having an awakening function.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an awakening system that can provide a more comfortable awakening.

[0003] This awakening system predicts the time period during which the user is in REM sleep based on the user's biological information acquired in time series. Then, if there is a time period including the scheduled wake-up time set by the user among the predicted time periods, that time period is specified as the wake-up time period, and if there is no such time period, the time period closest to the scheduled wake-up time is specified as the wake-up time period. Then, in the wake-up time period, the time closest to the scheduled wake-up time is determined as the wake-up time. Then, the user's biological information is acquired at the wake-up time, and music corresponding to the acquired biological information is reproduced and output to prompt the user to wake up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the awakening system described in Patent Document 1, there may be a deviation between the scheduled wake-up time set by the user and the wake-up time when music is actually reproduced and output. Therefore, it is not suitable for users who want to accurately set the wake-up time, that is, users who desire to surely wake up at the time they set.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technology for assisting a user to wake up so that the user can wake up comfortably at the wake-up time set by the user himself / herself.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention realizes the following functions by an audio device, a wireless terminal functioning as a controller of the audio device, and a wearable device for monitoring biometric information of a user.

[0008] The wearable device determines whether the user is sleeping based on the biometric information of the user. If it is determined that the user is sleeping, the wearable device monitors the sleep state (non-REM sleep, REM sleep) based on the biometric information of the user, and each time the sleep state changes, registers and accumulates sleep state change information including the changed sleep state and the time of the change.

[0009] The wireless terminal acquires the sleep state change information accumulated in the wearable device, and obtains the transition cycle of the sleep state of the user based on the acquired sleep state change information. Then, the wireless terminal causes the audio device to output audio data of any one of delta waves of 0.5 to 3 Hz, theta waves of 4 to 7 Hz, and alpha waves of 8 to 13 Hz, and adjusts the sleep state of the user so as to enter REM sleep, which is considered to be a good awakening at the wake-up time.

[0010] Generally, delta waves are brain waves in a state of deep sleep. Therefore, the output of audio data of delta waves can be expected to have an induction effect on non-REM sleep. Also, theta waves are brain waves in a relaxed state. Therefore, the output of audio data of theta waves can be expected to have an induction effect on REM sleep. Also, alpha waves are brain waves in a state where the brain is activated. Therefore, the output of audio data of alpha waves can be expected to have an induction effect on a refreshing awakening.

[0011] Therefore, based on the transition cycle of the user's sleep state, the wireless terminal identifies the current sleep state (ideal sleep state) that the user should be in for the user to be in REM sleep at the wake-up time, and instructs the audio device to output the audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the identified ideal sleep state.

[0012] Then, the audio device outputs the audio data of brain waves specified by this output instruction from the speaker according to the output instruction from the wireless terminal.

[0013] For example, the present invention is an audio system including an audio device, a wireless terminal functioning as a controller of the audio device, and a wearable device for monitoring the biological information of a user, wherein the wearable device has a sleep determination means for determining whether the user is sleeping or not based on the biological information of the user, and a sleep state monitoring means for monitoring the sleep state of the user based on the biological information of the user when it is determined by the sleep determination means that the user is sleeping, and a sleep state change information storage means for storing sleep state change information including the sleep state after the change and the time of the change when a change in the sleep state of the user is detected by the sleep state monitoring means. The wireless terminal has a sleep state change information acquisition means for acquiring the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device, a transition cycle calculation means for calculating the transition cycle of the sleep state of the user based on the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means, and an ideal state identification means for identifying, as an ideal sleep state, the sleep state in which the user should be placed in order to be in REM sleep at a preset wake-up time based on the transition cycle of the sleep state of the user calculated by the transition cycle calculation means. Output instruction means for transmitting an output instruction to the audio device, which includes specifying audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the ideal sleep state, when the sleep state of the user identified from the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means is different from the ideal sleep state identified by the ideal state identification means. The audio device has audio output means for outputting, from a speaker, the audio data of brain waves specified by the output instruction received from the wireless terminal.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] In the present invention, the wireless terminal calculates the transition cycle of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device, and based on this transition cycle, identifies the ideal sleep state in which the user should be placed in order to enter REM sleep at the wake-up time. Then, when the current sleep state of the user identified from the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device is different from the ideal sleep state, the audio device is made to output the audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on this ideal sleep state. For this reason, it is possible to adjust the sleep state of the user at the wake-up time to be REM sleep without significantly changing the user's sleep rhythm. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to support the user's waking up so that the user can wake up comfortably at the wake-up time set by the user himself / herself.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the audio system according to the present embodiment.

[0018] As shown in the figure, the audio system according to the present embodiment includes a wireless speaker 1 having an output function for electroencephalogram audio data, a wireless terminal 2 functioning as a controller of the wireless speaker 1, and a wearable device 3 for monitoring the user's biological information (body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen concentration, sleeping sound (environmental sound), body movement (acceleration), etc.).

[0019] FIGS. 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams for explaining operation examples of the audio system according to the present embodiment.

[0020] The wearable device 3 monitors the user's falling asleep (transition from the waking state to the sleeping state) based on the user's biological information measured sequentially. When it is determined that the user has fallen asleep (S100), the accumulation of sleep state change information is started (S101). For example, based on the user's biological information measured sequentially, the sleep state (non-REM sleep, REM sleep) is determined, and each time the sleep state changes, sleep state change information including the changed sleep state and the time of the change is registered.

[0021] When the wireless terminal 2 detects the arrival of the time (the first time) that is a first predetermined time (for example, one and a half hours) before the wake-up time preset by the user (S102), it transmits a sleep state change information request for requesting the acquisition of the accumulated sleep state change information to the wearable device 3 (S103). In response to this, the wearable device 3 transmits the sleep state change information accumulated since falling asleep to the wireless terminal 2 (S104).

[0022] Next, based on the sleep state change information received from the wearable device 3 (the sleep state change information accumulated in the wearable device 3 until then), the wireless terminal 2 calculates the cycle (transition cycle) of one cycle (non-REM sleep → REM sleep) of the user's sleep state (S105). Then, based on the calculated transition cycle of the sleep state, the wireless terminal 2 determines whether the user should be in the REM sleep state (for example, the second half of the REM sleep) or the non-REM sleep state at the wake-up time preset by the user, that is, the sleep state in which the user should be placed (the current ideal sleep state) in order to wake up refreshed at the wake-up time (S106). The wireless terminal 2 compares this ideal sleep state with the current actual sleep state of the user specified by the latest sleep state change information included in the sleep state change information acquired from the wearable device 3 (the sleep state change information accumulated in the wearable device 3 until then). When the two are different, it determines the electroencephalogram audio data for which an effect of guiding the user to this ideal sleep state can be expected as the output target (S107).

[0023] Generally, among brainwaves, delta waves of 0.5 - 3 Hz are brainwaves in a deep sleep state, theta waves of 4 - 7 Hz are brainwaves in a relaxed state, and alpha waves of 8 - 13 Hz are brainwaves in a state where the brain is activated. Therefore, the output of audio data of delta waves can be expected to have an induction effect on non-REM sleep, the output of audio data of theta waves can be expected to have an induction effect on REM sleep, and the output of audio data of alpha waves can be expected to have an induction effect on quiet wakefulness leading to a refreshed awakening. Thus, when the current ideal sleep state is different from the actual sleep state, for example, the output target is determined as follows. If the ideal sleep state is non-REM sleep, the output of audio data of delta waves that induce non-REM sleep is determined as the output target. If the ideal sleep state is REM sleep, the audio data of theta waves that induce REM sleep is determined as the output target.

[0024] If the wireless terminal 2 has determined the output target, it transmits an output instruction accompanied by the designation of the output target to the wireless speaker 1 (S108).

[0025] If the current ideal sleep state and the actual sleep state match, the determination of the audio data of the brainwave to be the output target is not performed. Therefore, the transmission of the output instruction to the wireless speaker 1 is not performed either.

[0026] When the wireless speaker 1 receives the output instruction from the wireless terminal 2, it outputs the audio data of the brainwave specified by this output instruction from the speaker (S109). Binaural beats can be used for the audio data of the brainwave. A binaural beat is a beating sound that occurs when sounds with different frequencies are presented to the left and right ears, and it can be output using, for example, the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-111414.

[0027] After that, when the acquisition timing of the periodically arriving sleep state change information arrives (S110), the wireless terminal 2 transmits a sleep state change information request for requesting the acquisition of the latest sleep state change information to the wearable device 3 (S111). In response to this, the wearable device 3 transmits the latest sleep state change information to the wireless terminal 2 from among the sleep state change information accumulated so far (S112).

[0028] Next, when the wireless terminal 2 acquires the latest sleep state change information from the wearable device 3, based on the sleep state transition cycle calculated in S105, it identifies the ideal sleep state that the user should currently be in for the user's sleep state to be REM sleep at the wake-up time preset by the user (S113). Then, the wireless terminal 2 compares this identified ideal sleep state with the current actual sleep state of the user identified by the latest sleep state change information acquired from the wearable device 3. And when the two are different, it determines the EEG audio data whose induction effect on this identified ideal sleep state can be identified as the output target (S114), and transmits an output instruction accompanied by this designation of the output target to the wireless speaker 1 (S115).

[0029] Note that if the current ideal sleep state and the actual sleep state match, the determination of the EEG audio data to be the output target is not performed, and thus the transmission of the output instruction to the wireless speaker 1 is not performed either.

[0030] When the wireless speaker 1 receives the output instruction from the wireless terminal 2, it outputs the EEG audio data specified by this output instruction from the speaker (S116).

[0031] The processes shown in S110 to S116 above are repeated until the time (the second time) which is two predetermined hours (for example, 30 minutes) before the wake-up time preset by the user (S117).

[0032] After that, during the user's REM sleep, when the wireless terminal 2 detects the arrival of the third predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes before) the wake-up time preset by the user (the third time) (S118), the wireless terminal 2 sends an output instruction with the designation of the audio data of the alpha wave, which can be expected to induce the user in REM sleep to a quiet awakening leading to a refreshed awakening, to the wireless speaker 1 (S119). In response to this, the wireless speaker 1 outputs the audio data of the alpha wave from the speaker (S120).

[0033] Then, when the wireless terminal 2 detects the arrival of the wake-up time preset by the user (S121), the wireless terminal 2 sends a playback instruction with the designation of the audio content preset by the user to the wireless speaker 1 (S122). In response to this, the wireless speaker 1 plays the audio content designated by the playback instruction and outputs the playback data from the speaker (S123).

[0034] Next, the details of the wearable device 3 and the wireless terminal 2 that make up the audio system according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0035] Note that since a wireless speaker having an output function of electroencephalogram audio data using existing binaural beats can be used as the wireless speaker 1, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] First, the details of the wearable device 3 will be described.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the wearable device 3.

[0038] As shown in the figure, the wearable device 3 includes a wireless interface unit 100, a biological information measurement unit 101, a sleep determination unit 102, a sleep state monitoring unit 103, a sleep state change information storage unit 104, and a sleep state change information request processing unit 105.

[0039] The wireless interface unit 100 is an interface for wireless communication with the wireless terminal 2.

[0040] The biological information measurement unit 101 is equipped with various sensors for measuring the user's biological information (body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen concentration, snoring sound, body movement, etc.), and sequentially measures the user's biological information using these sensors.

[0041] The sleep determination unit 102 determines whether the user has fallen asleep (transitioned to sleep) based on the biological information of the user sequentially measured by the biological information measurement unit 101. For the process executed by the sleep determination unit 102, for example, the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-50451 can be used.

[0042] When the sleep determination unit 102 determines that the user has fallen asleep, the sleep state monitoring unit 103 monitors the user's sleep state (whether the user is in non-REM sleep or REM sleep) based on the biological information of the user sequentially measured by the biological information measurement unit 101. For the process executed by the sleep state monitoring unit 103, similar to the sleep determination unit 102, for example, the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-50451 can be used.

[0043] Each time the sleep state of the user monitored by the sleep state monitoring unit 103 changes, the sleep state change information accumulation unit 104 registers and accumulates sleep state change information including the changed sleep state and the change time.

[0044] The sleep state change information request processing unit 105 transmits the sleep state change information stored in the sleep state change information storage unit 104 to the wireless terminal 2 in accordance with the sleep state change information request received from the wireless terminal 2. Specifically, if the sleep state change information request received from the wireless terminal 2 requests the sleep state change information stored so far, all the sleep state change information stored in the sleep state change information storage unit 104 is transmitted to the wireless terminal 2, and if it requests the latest sleep state change information, the latest sleep state change information stored in the sleep state change information storage unit 104 is transmitted to the wireless terminal 2.

[0045] The functional configuration of the wearable device 3 shown in FIG. 4 is realized either hard by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or realized software by a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, in a wearable computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, and a short-range wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), the CPU loads a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executes it to be realized as a process.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the wearable device 3.

[0047] First, the biological information measurement unit 101 starts sequential measurement of the user's biological information (S200). Also, the sleep determination unit 102 monitors the user's falling asleep based on the biological information of the user sequentially measured by the biological information measurement unit 101 (S201). If it is determined that the user has fallen asleep (S201), this is notified to the sleep state monitoring unit 103.

[0048] In response to this, the sleep state monitoring unit 103 starts monitoring the user's sleep state (determining whether the user is in non-REM sleep or REM sleep) based on the latest biometric information of the user measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101 (S202).

[0049] Then, the sleep state monitoring unit 103 notifies the sleep state change information storage unit 104 of the sleep state determined based on the latest biometric information of the user and the measurement time of the biometric information. In response to this, the sleep state change information storage unit 104 registers and stores the sleep state change information including the sleep state and the measurement time of the biometric information notified from the sleep state monitoring unit 103 (S203).

[0050] Next, the sleep state monitoring unit 103 determines whether the sleep state based on the latest biometric information of the user has changed from the sleep state based on the previous biometric information. If it has changed (YES in S204), the sleep state monitoring unit 103 notifies the sleep state change information storage unit 104 of the sleep state based on the latest biometric information of the user (the changed sleep state) and the measurement time of the biometric information (the change time of the sleep state). In response to this, the sleep state change information storage unit 104 registers and stores the sleep state change information including the changed sleep state and the change time of the sleep state notified from the sleep state monitoring unit 103 (S203).

[0051] Also, when the sleep state change information request processing unit 105 receives a sleep state change information request from the wireless terminal 2 during the monitoring by the sleep state monitoring unit 103 (YES in S205), the sleep state change information request processing unit 105 reads out the sleep state change information requested by this sleep state change information request from the sleep state change information storage unit 104 and transmits it to the wireless terminal 2 (S206). Specifically, if the received sleep state change information request requests the sleep state change information accumulated so far since falling asleep, all the sleep state change information accumulated in the sleep state change information storage unit 104 is transmitted to the wireless terminal 2. If the received sleep state change information request requests the latest sleep state change information, the latest sleep state change information accumulated in the sleep state change information storage unit 104 is transmitted to the wireless terminal 2.

[0052] Next, the details of the wireless terminal 2 will be described.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the wireless terminal 2.

[0054] As shown in the figure, the wireless terminal 2 includes a wireless interface unit 200, a man-machine interface unit 201, a sleep state change information acquisition unit 202, a transition cycle calculation unit 203, an ideal state specification unit 204, an output target determination unit 205, an output instruction unit 206, and a main control unit 207.

[0055] The wireless interface unit 200 is an interface for wireless communication with the wireless speaker 1 and the wearable device 3.

[0056] The man-machine interface unit 201 is an interface for displaying information to the user and receiving various operations from the user, and is composed of an input / output device such as a display with a touch sensor.

[0057] The sleep state change information acquisition unit 202 acquires the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device 3 from the wearable device 3 by transmitting a sleep state change information request to the wearable device 3.

[0058] The transition cycle calculation unit 203 calculates the transition cycle (repetition cycle of non-REM sleep → REM sleep) of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition unit 202.

[0059] The ideal state specification unit 204 specifies the ideal sleep state that the user should be in at present for the user's sleep state to be REM sleep at the wake-up time preset by the user based on the transition cycle of the user's sleep state calculated by the transition cycle calculation unit 203.

[0060] The output target determination unit 205 stores a plurality of combination patterns (hereinafter referred to as audio patterns) of audio data with different frequencies for the left and right channels for generating binaural beats for each type of brain wave (delta wave, theta wave, and alpha wave). Then, the output target determination unit 205 determines an output target from among the audio patterns of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the currently ideal sleep state specified by the ideal state specifying unit 204.

[0061] The output instruction unit 206 transmits an output instruction with the designation of the output target determined by the output target determination unit 205 to the wireless speaker 1.

[0062] The main control unit 207 comprehensively controls each part 200 to 206 of the wireless terminal 2.

[0063] The functional configuration of the wireless terminal 2 shown in FIG. 6 is also realized either hard by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC or an FPGA, or soft by a computer such as a DSP, similar to the functional configuration of the wearable device 3 shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, in a mobile computer such as a smartphone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a CPU, a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, and a short-range wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark), the CPU loads a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executes it to be realized as a process.

[0064] FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the wireless terminal 2.

[0065] First, when the main control unit 207 detects the arrival of the first time (the time one predetermined time (e.g., 1 hour and 30 minutes) before the wake-up time preset by the user) (YES in S300), it instructs the sleep state change information acquisition unit 202 to acquire all the sleep state change information accumulated so far. In response to this, the sleep state change information acquisition unit 202 transmits a sleep state change information request for acquiring the sleep state change information accumulated so far to the wearable device 3 via the wireless interface unit 200, and acquires the sleep state change information accumulated so far from the wearable device 3 (S301).

[0066] Next, the main control unit 207 passes the sleep state change information (the sleep state change information accumulated since falling asleep) acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition unit 202 to the transition cycle calculation unit 203 and instructs the calculation of the transition cycle. In response to this, the transition cycle calculation unit 203 calculates the transition cycle of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information accumulated since falling asleep (S302). Specifically, based on the sleep state change information accumulated since falling asleep, the average value of the time of one set of non-REM sleep and REM sleep is obtained, and this is used as the transition cycle of the sleep state.

[0067] Then, the main control unit 207 notifies the ideal state identification unit 204 of the transition cycle of the sleep state calculated in S302 and the wake-up time preset by the user, and instructs the identification of the current ideal sleep state. In response to this, the ideal state identification unit 204 identifies the current ideal sleep state (the sleep state in which the user should be placed so that the user's sleep state becomes REM sleep at the wake-up time) based on the transition cycle of the sleep state (S303). For example, the time from the current time to the wake-up time is divided by the transition cycle of the sleep state, and the remainder time is calculated. Then, the sleep state at the point in time before the remainder time from the end point (the second half of REM sleep) of one sleep state cycle is obtained, and this is used as the current ideal sleep state.

[0068] Next, the main control unit 207 identifies, as the user's current actual sleep state, the sleep state specified by the latest sleep state change information among the sleep state change information (sleep state change information accumulated until falling asleep) acquired from the wearable device 3 in S301 (S304). Then, the output target determination unit 205 is notified of the user's current actual sleep state and the user's current ideal sleep state specified in S303, and is instructed to determine the output target.

[0069] In response to this, the output target determination unit 205 compares the user's current actual sleep state with the user's current ideal sleep state. If the two match (YES in S305), the process proceeds to S308. On the other hand, if the two do not match (NO in S305), the output target determination unit 205 selects one audio pattern (for example, the audio pattern used last time) of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the user's current ideal sleep state from among a plurality of stored audio patterns for each type of brain wave (delta wave, theta wave, and alpha wave), and determines this as the output target (S306). For example, if the same audio pattern has been continuously determined as the output target a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) when the state where the two do not match continues, this audio pattern may have a low effect of inducing the user into the ideal sleep state. Therefore, the output target determination unit 205 selects one audio pattern different from the previous ones from among the audio patterns of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the user's current ideal sleep state, and determines this as the output target.

[0070] Next, the main control unit 207 notifies the output instruction unit 206 of the output target determined by the output target determination unit 205. In response to this, the output instruction unit 206 transmits an output instruction with the designation of the output target to the wireless speaker 1 (S307). Then, the process proceeds to S308. The wireless speaker 1 outputs the audio (binaural beat) of the brain wave corresponding to the output target by reproducing and outputting audio data of different frequencies for the left and right channels according to the output target (audio pattern of brain waves) specified in the output instruction.

[0071] In S308, the main control unit 207 determines whether the acquisition timing of the sleep state change information that arrives periodically (for example, every 10 minutes) has arrived.

[0072] If the acquisition timing of the sleep state change information has arrived (YES in S308), the main control unit 207 instructs the sleep state change information acquisition unit 202 to acquire the latest sleep state change information. In response to this, the sleep state change information acquisition unit 202 transmits a sleep state change information request for acquiring the latest sleep state change information to the wearable device 3 via the wireless interface unit 200, and acquires the latest sleep state change information from the wearable device 3 (S309).

[0073] Then, the main control unit 207 notifies the ideal state specifying unit 204 of the transition cycle of the user's sleep state calculated in S302 and the wake-up time preset by the user, and instructs the specification of the current ideal sleep state. In response to this, the ideal state specifying unit 204 specifies the current ideal sleep state (the sleep state in which the user should currently be in order for the user's sleep state to be REM sleep at the wake-up time) based on the transition cycle of the sleep state by the same process as in S303 (S310).

[0074] Next, the main control unit 207 specifies the sleep state specified by the latest sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition unit 202 as the user's current actual sleep state (S311). Then, it notifies the output target determination unit 205 of the user's current actual sleep state and the user's current ideal sleep state specified in S310, instructs the determination of the output target, and returns to S305.

[0075] On the other hand, if the acquisition timing of the sleep state change information has not arrived (NO in S308), the main control unit 207 determines whether the second time (the time that is a second predetermined time (a time shorter than the first predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes) before the wake-up time preset by the user) has arrived (S312). If the second time has arrived (YES in S312), it proceeds to S313, and if the second time has not arrived (NO in S312), it returns to S308.

[0076] In S313, the main control unit 207 waits for the third time (the time that is a third predetermined time (a time shorter than the second predetermined time, for example, 15 minutes) before the wake-up time preset by the user) to arrive. Then, if the third time has arrived (YES in S313), the output instruction unit 206 is notified of a predetermined audio pattern of alpha waves (for example, an audio pattern preset by the user) that can be expected to have the effect of guiding a user in REM sleep to a quiet awakening leading to a refreshed awakening. In response to this, the output instruction unit 206 transmits an output instruction accompanied by the designation of the predetermined audio pattern of alpha waves to the wireless speaker 1 (S314). In response to this, the wireless speaker 1 outputs an alpha wave audio (binaural beat) by reproducing and outputting audio data of different frequencies for the left and right channels according to the audio pattern of alpha waves designated in the output instruction.

[0077] Thereafter, if the wake-up time preset by the user has arrived (YES in S315), the main control unit 207 notifies the output instruction unit 206 of the audio content preset by the user. In response to this, the output instruction unit 206 transmits a reproduction instruction accompanied by the designation of the audio content notified by the main control unit 207 to the wireless speaker 1 (S316). In response to this, the wireless speaker 1 reproduces and outputs the audio content designated in the reproduction instruction.

[0078] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] In this embodiment, the wireless terminal 2 calculates the transition cycle of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device 3, and based on this transition cycle, identifies the current ideal sleep state that the user's sleep state should be in order to be in REM sleep at the wake-up time preset by the user. Then, when the current sleep state of the user identified from the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device 3 is different from the ideal sleep state, the wireless terminal 2 causes the wireless speaker 1 to output the audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on this ideal sleep state. For this reason, it can be expected that the user's sleep cycle is adjusted so that the user can reach the wake-up time during REM sleep without greatly changing the user's sleep rhythm. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to support the user's waking up so that the user can wake up comfortably at the wake-up time set by himself / herself.

[0080] Also, in this embodiment, when the time reaches the first predetermined time before the wake-up time (the first time), the wireless terminal 2 collectively acquires the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device 3 from the time of falling asleep until then, and periodically acquires the latest sleep state change information from the wearable device 3 until the second time (the time of the second predetermined time before the wake-up time) closer to the wake-up time than the first time. Then, based on the sleep state change information collectively acquired from the wearable device 3, the wireless terminal 2 calculates the transition cycle of the user's sleep state, and each time the sleep state change information is acquired from the wearable device 3, it compares the current actual sleep state of the user identified from the latest sleep state change information with the current ideal sleep state of the user. If the two are different, it sends an output instruction accompanied by the designation of the audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the ideal sleep state to the wireless speaker 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a more refreshing wake-up can be expected.

[0081] Also, in the present embodiment, when the difference between the user's current sleep state identified by the latest sleep state change information acquired from the wearable device 3 and the user's current ideal sleep state continues, if the same audio pattern has been continuously determined as the output target a predetermined number of times, the output target is changed to an audio pattern different from the previous ones. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an audio pattern with a higher induction effect for guiding the user to an ideal sleep state can be used.

[0082] Also, in the present embodiment, when the wireless terminal 2 reaches a third time (a time three predetermined times before the wake-up time) closer to the wake-up time than the second time, the wireless terminal 2 transmits an output instruction to the wireless speaker 1 that includes the designation of audio data of brain waves for which an induction effect to a quiet waking state can be expected. When the wake-up time arrives, the wireless terminal 2 transmits an output instruction to the wireless speaker 1 that includes the designation of audio content preset by the user. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user can be more surely and refreshingly awakened at the wake-up time.

[0083] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0084] For example, in the above-described embodiment, for each type of brain wave (delta wave, theta wave, and alpha wave), audio data of different frequencies for the left and right channels for generating binaural beats may be associated with the corresponding audio pattern and stored in the media server. Then, when the wireless speaker 1 receives an output instruction from the wireless terminal 2, the wireless speaker 1 may download and play the audio data of the left and right channels stored in association with the audio pattern of the brain waves designated by this output instruction from the media server via the wireless network, so as to output binaural beats.

[0085] Similarly, audio content can be stored in the media server, and when the wireless speaker 1 receives a playback instruction from the wireless terminal 2, it may download the audio content specified by this playback instruction from the media server via the wireless network and play and output it.

[0086] Also, in the above embodiment, the audio data of each brain wave (delta wave, theta wave, and alpha wave) is output from the wireless speaker 1 as binaural beats. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If there is a means for outputting the audio data of the brain wave by a method other than binaural beats, it may be adopted.

[0087] Also, in the above embodiment, the function of the wireless speaker 1 may be incorporated into the wireless terminal 2. That is, the wireless terminal 2 may function as the wireless speaker 1.

[0088] Also, in the above embodiment, the audio data of each brain wave (delta wave, theta wave, and alpha wave) is output from the wireless speaker 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any audio device may be used as long as it can output the audio data of the brain wave specified by the output instruction from the wireless terminal 2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 1: Wireless Speaker 2: Wireless Terminal 3: Wearable Device 100: Wireless Interface Unit 101: Biological Information Measurement Unit 102: Sleep Judgment Unit 103: Sleep State Monitoring Unit 104: Sleep State Change Information Storage Unit 105: Sleep State Change Information Request Processing Unit 200: Wireless Interface Unit 201: Man-Machine Interface Unit 202: Sleep State Change Information Acquisition Unit 203: Transition Period Calculation Unit 204: Ideal State Identification Unit 205: Output Target Determination Unit 206: Output Instruction Unit 207: Main Control Unit

Claims

1. An audio system comprising an audio device, a wireless terminal functioning as a controller of the audio device, and a wearable device for monitoring a user's biological information, wherein the wearable device has: sleep determination means for determining whether the user is asleep based on the user's biological information; sleep state monitoring means for monitoring the sleep state of the user based on the user's biological information when it is determined by the sleep determination means that the user is asleep; sleep state change information accumulation means for accumulating sleep state change information including the changed sleep state and the time of change when a change in the sleep state of the user is detected by the sleep state monitoring means; wherein the wireless terminal has: sleep state change information acquisition means for acquiring the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device; transition period calculation means for calculating the transition period of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means; ideal state specification means for specifying, as an ideal sleep state, the sleep state in which the user should be placed in order to enter REM sleep at a preset wake-up time based on the transition period of the user's sleep state calculated by the transition period calculation means; output instruction means for transmitting an output instruction to the audio device that includes specifying the audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the ideal sleep state when the sleep state of the user specified from the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means is different from the ideal sleep state specified by the ideal state specification means; wherein the audio device has: audio output means for outputting, from a speaker, the audio data of brain waves specified by the output instruction received from the wireless terminal. An audio system characterized by the above.

2. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein the sleep state change information acquisition means: collects in a lump the sleep state change information stored in the wearable device from the user's falling asleep until that time when it reaches a first time which is a first predetermined time before the wake-up time, and periodically acquires, until it reaches a second time which is a second predetermined time before the wake-up time and closer to the wake-up time than the first time, the sleep state change information newly stored in the wearable device. The transition period calculation means: calculates the transition period of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information collectively acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means; The output instruction means: each time the sleep state change information is acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means, compares the sleep state of the user specified from the latest sleep state change information with the ideal sleep state specified by the ideal state specification means, and when the two sleep states are different, transmits an output instruction including the designation of audio data of brain waves for which an induction effect to the ideal sleep state can be expected to the audio device; An audio system characterized by the above.

3. The audio system according to claim 2, wherein the output instruction means: when the sleep state of the user specified from the latest sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means does not change and the sleep state of the user and the ideal sleep state specified by the ideal state specification means are different continuously for a predetermined number of times, changes the audio data specified by the output instruction; An audio system characterized by the above.

4. The audio system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the output instruction means: if it becomes a third time point, which is a third predetermined time before the wake-up time and closer to the wake-up time than the second time point, transmits an output instruction including the designation of audio data of brain waves for which an induction effect to wakefulness can be expected to the audio device; if it becomes the wake-up time, transmits an output instruction including the designation of audio content preset by the user to the audio device; An audio system characterized by the above.

5. A wireless terminal that functions as a controller of an audio device having a speaker output function for audio data of brain waves, a sleep state change information acquisition means for acquiring sleep state change information including the change time of the user's sleep state and the sleep state after the change from a wearable device that monitors the user's biological information; a transition period calculation means for calculating the transition period of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means; Based on the transition cycle of the user's sleep state calculated by the transition cycle calculation means, ideal state identification means for identifying, as an ideal sleep state, the sleep state in which the user should be placed in order to enter REM sleep at a preset wake-up time; Output instruction means for transmitting, to the audio device, an output instruction accompanied by designation of audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the ideal sleep state when the sleep state of the user identified from the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means is different from the ideal sleep state identified by the ideal state identification means; A wireless terminal characterized by the above.

6. A program that causes a computer to function as a controller of an audio device having a speaker output function for audio data of brain waves, Sleep state change information acquisition means for acquiring, from a wearable device that monitors the user's biological information, sleep state change information including the change time of the user's sleep state and the sleep state after the change; Transition cycle calculation means for calculating the transition cycle of the user's sleep state based on the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means; Based on the transition cycle of the user's sleep state calculated by the transition cycle calculation means, ideal state identification means for identifying, as an ideal sleep state, the sleep state in which the user should be placed in order to enter REM sleep at a preset wake-up time; and Causing the computer to function as output instruction means for transmitting, to the audio device, an output instruction accompanied by designation of audio data of brain waves that can be expected to have an induction effect on the ideal sleep state when the sleep state of the user identified from the sleep state change information acquired by the sleep state change information acquisition means is different from the ideal sleep state identified by the ideal state identification means; A program characterized by the above.

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