Sleep induction apparatus and sleep induction system

Abstract

To provide a sleep induction apparatus capable of shifting a state to a sleep state smoothly by a synergetic effect of a sound having fluctuation and light.SOLUTION: A sleep induction apparatus 1 includes: a storage unit 22 for storing a sound source file of a natural sound having fluctuation; a sound reproduction unit for reproducing the natural sound on the basis of the sound source file read out from the storage unit 22; a brightness adjusting unit for changing the brightness of emitted light, matching it to a change in a sound pressure waveform of the natural sound; and a control unit 21 for controlling actuation and operation stop of the sound reproduction unit and the brightness adjusting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sleep induction device and a sleep induction system that promote smooth falling asleep.

Background Art

[0002] Although scientific proof of the effect of 1 / f fluctuation is not complete, it has been reported that by spending time feeling the fluctuation of light, one can feel healing and relaxation, and this effect can lead to an improvement in the quality and improvement of sleep. Also, the rhythms of the human body such as heartbeat, eye movement, and brain waves are felt as regular movements, but in fact, these biological rhythms are known to have 1 / f fluctuations. When the brain perceives the 1 / f fluctuation light common to biological rhythms, it gives a sense of comfort to the body, which is considered to be the cause of feeling healing and relaxation.

[0003] As a specific example, the "1 / f fluctuation" of light exists abundantly in nature. For example, it corresponds to the flame of a candle, the light of a firefly, the twinkling of a star, the light of the moon, etc.

[0004] Also, factors that promote smooth falling asleep include several factors such as room temperature and lighting, and it is said that the fluctuation of light is one of them. For example, lighting that irradiates fluctuating light can suppress the excitement of the sympathetic nerve, create a state of relaxation both physically and mentally, and promote falling asleep.

[0005] The following patent documents disclose lighting that assists in sleep induction and its control method.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] On the other hand, the effect of 1 / f fluctuation can also be obtained by sound. For example, natural sounds such as the sound of rain, the sound of a bonfire, the flow of a river, and the sound of waves can be mentioned. Similar to the light fluctuation described above, one can feel healing and relaxation due to the sound fluctuation, but there is no description regarding the effect of sound fluctuation in the lighting and its control method described in the above patent document.

[0008] In addition, the above-cited document does not describe at all the content of promoting sleep by the synergistic effect of sound and light having fluctuations.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a sleep induction device and a sleep induction system that promote smoother sleep by the synergistic effect of sound and light having fluctuations.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The sleep induction device according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a sound source file of natural sounds having fluctuations, a sound reproduction unit that reproduces the natural sounds based on the sound source file read from the storage unit, a brightness adjustment unit that changes the brightness of the irradiated light in accordance with the change in the sound pressure waveform of the natural sounds, and a control unit that controls the activation and operation stop of the sound reproduction unit and the brightness adjustment unit.

[0011] And in the sleep induction device according to the present invention, the sound reproduction unit includes an audio signal processing unit that converts the sound source file into an audio signal, a signal amplification unit that amplifies the audio signal so that it can be reproduced as sound, and a speaker that outputs the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit as sound.

[0012] In addition, in the sleep induction device according to the present invention, the brightness adjustment unit includes a detection unit that extracts an envelope of a sound pressure waveform from the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit, a dimming unit that performs dimming control according to the sound pressure level which is the movement of the envelope, and illumination that irradiates light with a brightness synchronized with the movement of the envelope according to the dimming control.

[0013] Furthermore, the sleep induction system according to the present invention includes the above-described sleep induction device and a sensor that transmits a sleep state signal for detecting the falling asleep of a subject who is a person trying to sleep. The sleep induction device further includes a communication unit having a function of communicating with the sensor. The control unit analyzes whether the subject has fallen asleep based on the sleep state signal received from the communication unit, and when it detects that the subject has fallen asleep, it is characterized in that the output of sound and the irradiation of light are stopped.

[0014] According to the configurations of these sleep induction devices and sleep induction systems, the synergistic effect of sound and light with fluctuations can smoothly shift the subject to a sleep state.

[0015] In the sleep induction device according to the present invention, the detection unit may include a low-pass filter for adjusting the change speed of the envelope. Also, in the sleep induction device according to the present invention, it is desirable to preliminarily set the volume of the sound output from the speaker and the brightness of the light irradiated from the illumination to a low level so as not to inhibit falling asleep. Further, in the sleep induction device according to the present invention, the control unit may have a timer and stop the output of sound and the irradiation of light when a certain time has elapsed since startup. Also, in the sleep induction device according to the present invention, the natural sound source file may be a wave sound source file.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the sleep induction device of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to smoothly shift to a sleep state by the synergistic effect of sound and light with fluctuations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the sleep induction device and the sleep induction system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[0019] <System Configuration and Outline> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image of a sleep induction system including a sleep induction device according to the present invention. The sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment outputs the sound of waves as a sound source from a speaker, and irradiates light synchronized with the sound of the waves from illumination, and aims to promote smooth falling asleep by the synergistic effect of the sound and light with fluctuations.

[0020] In the sleep induction system shown in FIG. 1, the sleep induction device 1 is composed of a device main body 1a and illumination 1b such as an LED bulb, and operates by a dry battery or an AC power supply connected by a power cable. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the device such as the front, side, and upper surfaces of the device main body 1a, a speaker 1c and a switch 1d for starting the sleep induction device 1 are appropriately arranged. Furthermore, a knob 1e for adjusting the illuminance of the illumination 1b and a knob 1f for adjusting the volume of the sound output from the speaker 1c may be appropriately arranged on the device main body 1a.

[0021] In the sleep induction device 1 configured as described above, when an activation operation (such as pressing or contact operation) is performed on the switch 1d, a wave sound flows from the speaker 1c, and the dimming of the illumination 1b is performed in synchronization with the movement (fluctuation) of the volume of the wave sound. Specifically, the brightness of the illumination 1b is adjusted according to the fluctuation of the sound such that the brightness is increased as the volume (sound pressure level (dB)) increases, and the brightness is decreased as the volume decreases. Thereafter, the sleep induction device 1 stops the sound output and the light irradiation after 30 minutes have elapsed since it was activated. That is, at the time when 30 minutes have elapsed since activation, the speaker 1c becomes silent and the illumination 1b is turned off.

[0022] That is, a person who is trying to sleep (hereinafter referred to as the subject) is smoothly shifted to the sleeping state by a wave sound having a predetermined fluctuation called 1 / f fluctuation and the light fluctuation synchronized with this wave sound. Thus, according to the sleep induction system including the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment, a smoother falling asleep becomes possible due to the synergistic effect of the wave sound and the light fluctuation synchronized with the volume of the sound.

[0023] In the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment, the sound output and the light irradiation are stopped at the time when 30 minutes have elapsed since activation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the time until the stop can be appropriately changed by setting a timer (not shown) or the like.

[0024] Also, in FIG. 1, the functions of the switch 1d, the illuminance setting knob 1e, and the volume setting knob 1f may be substituted by a remote control (not shown) capable of wireless communication (such as infrared communication) with the device main body 1a. Further, known other functions (not shown) such as a clock display section, a room temperature display section, and a humidity display section may be added to the device main body 1a.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the sleep induction device 1 of the type placed on the bedside has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a sleep induction device of the type attached to the ceiling or an indoor wall may also be used. At this time, the device body 1a and the lighting 1b may be integrally formed, and further, it may be provided with a function as normal lighting for illuminating the entire room (for example, an ON / OFF function of the lighting by remote control operation).

[0026] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sleep induction system including the sleep induction device 1 of this embodiment may further be configured to include a known bed sensor 2. This bed sensor 2 is, for example, a sensor formed in a strip-shaped sheet that can be laid under a mat (such as a sheet) laid on the bed and can measure the respiration rate, heart rate, depth of sleep, etc. just by the subject lying on the bed, and a known one can be used. The information measured by this sensor is transmitted as a sleep state signal for detecting falling asleep using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Then, in the sleep induction device 1 (device body 1a) of this embodiment, a control unit (described later) analyzes whether the subject has fallen asleep from the received sleep state signal, and stops the output of sound and the irradiation of light when falling asleep is detected. In this case, the above-described timer function (automatically terminating in 30 minutes in this embodiment) may not be required. Note that the function of the bed sensor 2 may be substituted with another sensor capable of transmitting a sleep state signal. Examples of other sensors include wristwatch-type or ring-type vital sensors.

[0027] <Sleep induction device> Next, the sleep induction device 1 of this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the sleep induction device 1 of this embodiment.

[0028] In FIG. 2, the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 21 composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., and a storage unit 22 including various memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). When using the above-described bed sensor 2 and a remote control (not shown), it further includes a communication unit 23 that transmits a signal received from the outside to the control unit 21 by means of a communication function.

[0029] The control unit 21 controls the startup and operation stop (start and stop of sound output and light irradiation) of the sleep induction device 1 in order to realize the sound output and light irradiation by the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment. The storage unit 22 stores a sound source file of wave sound. This sound source file can use data in various known formats such as WAVE, AIFF, MP3, AAC, and FLAC. Note that the storage unit 22 is not limited to a storage device built into the device, and may be an external storage device, a cloud, or the like.

[0030] Also, the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment includes a startup switch 1d, an audio signal processing unit (player unit) 24 that converts a sound source file read out under the control of the control unit 21 into an audio signal (electrical signal), a signal amplification unit (amplifier unit) 25 that amplifies the audio signal received from the audio signal processing unit 24 so that it can be reproduced as sound, and the speaker 1c that outputs the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit 25 as sound. In the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment, the audio signal processing unit 24, the signal amplification unit 25, and the speaker 1c form the sound reproduction unit described in the claims.

[0031] In the sleep induction device 1 having the above-described sound reproduction unit, it is assumed that the volume (maximum volume) of the sound output from the speaker 1c is preliminarily set low enough not to inhibit smooth falling asleep. Note that known audio technologies can be applied to the audio signal processing unit 24, the signal amplification unit 25, and the speaker 1c. In the present embodiment, a configuration combining these is used to reproduce the sound of the wave (sound source file) read from the storage unit 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment includes a detection unit 26 that extracts an envelope of the sound pressure waveform from the amplified audio signal, a dimming unit 27 that performs dimming control according to the movement of the envelope (movement of the sound pressure level) extracted by the detection unit 26, and the illumination 1b that irradiates light with a luminance synchronized with the movement of the envelope according to the dimming control of the dimming unit 27. That is, the illumination 1b changes the luminance of the irradiated light in accordance with the movement of the envelope. Also, since the sound pressure changes rapidly according to the pitch (frequency) of the sound, the detection unit 26 employs a low-pass filter (LPF) for adjusting the change speed of the envelope. It is assumed that the cut-off frequency of the LPF is preliminarily adjusted and set so that the extracted envelope has an optimal change speed. Further, the dimming unit 27 adjusts the luminance of the illumination 1b according to the sound pressure level such that the luminance increases as the volume (sound pressure level) increases and the luminance decreases as the volume (sound pressure level) decreases. Note that in the sleep induction device 1 of the present embodiment, the detection unit 26, the dimming unit 27, and the illumination 1b form the luminance adjustment unit described in the claims.

[0033] In the sleep induction device 1 having the above-described luminance adjustment unit, it is assumed that the luminance (maximum luminance) of the light irradiated from the illumination 1b is preliminarily set low enough not to inhibit smooth falling asleep. Note that known dimming technologies can be applied to the dimming control by the dimming unit 27. In the present embodiment, the luminance of the illumination 1b is adjusted according to the sound pressure level of the sound of the wave.

[0034] In the sleep induction device 1 configured as described above, when an activation operation (such as pressing or contact operation) is performed on the switch 1d (power ON), the control unit 21 performs a process of reading out a sound source file (data information of wave sound) from the storage unit 22. Along with this, the audio signal processing unit 24 performs audio signal processing to generate an audio signal based on the data information of the wave sound. Further, the signal amplification unit 25 amplifies the audio signal, and the speaker 1c outputs the amplified audio signal as a wave sound. Thus, the sleep induction device 1 can output a wave sound having 1 / f fluctuation from the speaker 1c.

[0035] At the same time, in the sleep induction device 1, the detection unit 26 extracts the envelope of the sound pressure waveform from the amplified audio signal, and the dimming unit 27 performs dimming control according to the movement of the envelope (movement of the sound pressure level), and the illumination 1b irradiates light with a brightness synchronized with the movement of the envelope. Thus, the illumination 1b can irradiate light having a fluctuation synchronized with the wave sound.

[0036] Then, the control unit 21 counts the time elapsed since the sleep induction device 1 was activated by a timer provided inside. For example, when 30 minutes have elapsed since activation, the control unit 21 stops the operation of the sleep induction device 1 (power OFF: stops the output of sound and the irradiation of light). That is, the sound from the speaker 1c is turned off, and at the same time, the illumination 1b is turned off.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, although the volume (maximum volume) of the sound output from the speaker 1c and the luminance (maximum luminance) of the light irradiated from the illumination 1b are preliminarily suppressed low enough not to inhibit smooth falling asleep, it is not limited to this. For example, on the apparatus main body 1a, a brightness setting knob 1e for adjusting the illuminance of the illumination 1b and a volume setting knob 1f for adjusting the volume of the sound output from the speaker 1c may be arranged, and the illuminance level and the volume level may be appropriately adjusted to levels suitable for the subject. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the brightness setting knob 1e is electrically connected to the dimming unit 27, and the volume setting knob 1f is electrically connected to the signal amplification unit 25. Then, the dimming unit 27 changes the entire amplitude of the envelope at a constant rate in response to the rotational operation of the brightness setting knob 1e. Also, the signal amplification unit 25 changes the entire amplitude of the audio signal at a constant rate in response to the rotational operation of the volume setting knob 1f.

[0038] Also, as described above, when a sleep state signal is obtained from the bed sensor 2, the control unit 21 that has received the sleep state signal via the communication unit 23 analyzes whether the subject has fallen asleep based on the sleep state signal, and when the transition to sleep is detected, it may stop the operation of the sleep induction device 1 (turn off the power). In this case, it may not be necessary to control the operation stop of the sleep induction device 1 by a timer function (for example, a 30-minute count).

[0039] <Effects, etc.> As described above, the sleep induction device 1 of this embodiment includes a storage unit 22 that stores a sound source file of a natural sound (wave sound) having fluctuations, a sound reproduction unit that reproduces the natural sound based on the sound source file read from the storage unit 22, a luminance adjustment unit that changes the luminance of the irradiated light in accordance with the change in the sound pressure waveform of the natural sound, and a control unit 21 that controls the activation and operation stop of the sound reproduction unit and the luminance adjustment unit.

[0040] The sound playback unit includes an audio signal processing unit 24 that converts a sound source file into an audio signal, a signal amplification unit 25 that amplifies the audio signal so that it can be played as sound, and a speaker 1c that outputs the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit 25 as sound.

[0041] The brightness adjustment unit further includes a detection unit 26 that extracts the envelope of the sound pressure waveform from the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit 25, a dimming unit 27 that performs dimming control according to the sound pressure level which is the movement of the envelope, and a lighting 1b that irradiates light with a brightness synchronized with the movement of the envelope according to the dimming control.

[0042] Furthermore, the sleep induction system of this embodiment includes the above-described sleep induction device 1 and a bed sensor 2 that transmits a sleep state signal for detecting the subject's falling asleep. The sleep induction device 1 further includes a communication unit 23 having a function of communicating with the bed sensor 2. Then, the control unit 21 analyzes whether the subject has fallen asleep based on the sleep state signal received from the communication unit 23, and when it detects that the subject has fallen asleep, it stops the output of sound and the irradiation of light.

[0043] With these configurations, due to the synergistic effect of the sound of the wave with fluctuations and the fluctuation of the light synchronized with the sound of the wave, the subject can be smoothly shifted to the sleep state.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an LED bulb is used as the lighting 1b, but it is not limited thereto, and other lighting such as an incandescent bulb or a fluorescent lamp may be used.

[0045] Also, in this embodiment, the wave sound is output from the speaker 1c, but it is not limited thereto. The sound source may be any sound having a predetermined fluctuation called 1 / f fluctuation, for example, natural sounds such as the sound of rain, the sound of wind, the sound of a bonfire, or the sound of a river flowing.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0046] 1 Sleep induction device 1a Device body 1b Lighting 1c Speaker 1d Switch 1e Knob for illuminance setting 1f Knob for volume setting 2 Bed sensor 21 Control unit 22 Memory unit 23 Communication unit 24 Audio signal processing unit (player unit) 25 Signal amplification unit (amplifier unit) 26 Detection unit 27 Dimming unit

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a sound source file of natural sounds having fluctuations, A sound playback unit that plays back the natural sound based on the sound source file read from the storage unit, A brightness adjustment unit that changes the brightness of the irradiated light in accordance with changes in the sound pressure waveform of the natural sound, A control unit that controls the activation and operation stop of the sound playback unit and the brightness adjustment unit, Comprising, A sleep induction device characterized by this.

2. The sound playback unit, An audio signal processing unit that converts the sound source file into an audio signal, A signal amplification unit that amplifies the audio signal so that it can be played back as sound, A speaker that outputs the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit as sound, Comprising, The sleep induction device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The brightness adjustment unit, A detection unit that extracts an envelope of the sound pressure waveform from the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit, A dimming unit that performs dimming control according to the sound pressure level, which is the movement of the envelope, Illumination that irradiates light with a brightness synchronized with the movement of the envelope according to the dimming control, Comprising, The sleep induction device according to claim 2, characterized by this.

4. The detection unit includes a low-pass filter for adjusting the change speed of the envelope, The sleep induction device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. The volume of the sound output from the speaker and the brightness of the light irradiated from the illumination are set in advance to be low to such an extent that it does not inhibit falling asleep, The sleep induction device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

6. The control unit has a timer and stops the output of sound and the irradiation of light when a certain period of time has elapsed since activation, The sleep induction device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

7. The sound source file of the natural sound is set as a sound source file of wave sounds, The sleep induction device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

8. A sleep induction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A sensor that transmits a sleep state signal for detecting the falling asleep of a subject who is a person trying to sleep, Comprising, The sleep induction device, A communication unit having a function of communicating with the sensor, Further comprising, The control unit analyzes whether the subject has fallen asleep based on the sleep state signal received from the communication unit, and stops the output of sound and the irradiation of light when it detects that the subject has fallen asleep, A sleep induction system characterized by this.

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