User monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a user monitoring system which outputs a psychological state of a user sitting on a chair.SOLUTION: A user monitoring system SYS comprises: sensors (pressure sensors S1 to S10) which are provided at a chair Cn on which a user sits, and acquire measured values for identifying a motion of the user; and a monitoring device M which estimates the psychological state of the user by acquiring the measured values from the sensors. The monitoring device M previously stores estimation reference data being the relation between the measured values of the sensors and the psychological state of the user and, on the basis of the measured values, executes evaluation processing to calculate the psychological state and output processing to output the calculated psychological state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a user monitoring system that estimates and outputs the psychological state of a user sitting in a chair. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a device that uses a sensor provided on a chair to detect whether a user is seated or not, and manages whether or not the user is attending a class or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-74275 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-276633 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional devices can only manage whether or not a user is seated, and are not able to know, for example, whether or not the user is interested in the class.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a user monitoring system that outputs the psychological state of a user sitting in a chair. Another object is to visually indicate the user's psychological state in an easily understandable manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a user monitoring system that includes a sensor attached to a chair on which the user sits and that acquires measurements to identify the user's movements, and a monitoring device that acquires measurements from the sensor and estimates the user's psychological state. The monitoring device pre-stores estimated reference data that is the relationship between the sensor measurement value and the user's psychological state, and performs an evaluation process that calculates the psychological state based on the sensor measurement value, and an output process that outputs the calculated psychological state.

[0007] With this configuration, the psychological state of the user can be estimated based on the measurement values ​​of the sensor attached to the chair and in light of the estimation reference data, and output. For example, if this system is configured with a chair on which a user sits while listening to a lecture or seminar, it can display the psychological state of the listener.

[0008] The sensor may include multiple pressure sensors. In this case, the estimated reference data may associate the user's psychological state with the balance between the measurements of the multiple pressure sensors and / or changes in the measurements.

[0009] By defining the estimation reference data in relation to the measured values ​​of a plurality of pressure sensors, the user's psychological state can be accurately estimated.

[0010] The monitoring device acquires measurement values ​​from sensors installed on multiple chairs, performs an evaluation process for each user corresponding to the chair, and if the evaluation process determines that a first percentage or more of the multiple users are in the same psychological state, then in an output process, the monitoring device can output that psychological state as the psychological state of all the multiple users.

[0011] The psychological state mentioned above is, for example, a psychological state related to whether or not the user is concentrating on what is being heard.

[0012] The estimated reference data may categorize psychological states into at least two categories: positive and negative.

[0013] The monitoring device acquires measurement values ​​from sensors installed on multiple chairs, performs an evaluation process for each user corresponding to a chair, and if the result of the evaluation process shows that a second percentage or more of the multiple users are in a positive psychological state, it can output a positive evaluation result in an output process.

[0014] The monitoring device acquires measurement values ​​from sensors installed on multiple chairs, performs an evaluation process for each user corresponding to a chair, and if the result of the evaluation process shows that multiple users are in a negative psychological state exceeding a third percentage, a negative evaluation result can be output in the output process.

[0015] The monitoring device may also output a display urging the user to take a break as a negative evaluation result.

[0016] The monitoring device may acquire measurement values ​​from sensors installed on multiple chairs, perform an evaluation process for each user corresponding to the chair, and in the output process, display a color for each user corresponding to the psychological state estimated in the evaluation process.

[0017] According to this configuration, the output results displayed on a display or the like show the psychological state of each user in a different color, so that it is possible to visually show how many users are in what psychological state.

[0018] In the output process, the monitoring device may display colors in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the chairs.

[0019] With this configuration, colors representing the user's psychological state are displayed in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of chairs, so that it is possible to visually show what psychological state the user is in in relation to the arrangement of chairs.

[0020] The monitoring device may accumulate and store the evaluation results in association with time.

[0021] It is desirable that the monitoring device be capable of executing a second output process that displays the accumulated evaluation results in correspondence with time, and that reads out and displays the evaluation results corresponding to time as time passes, thereby displaying changes in the evaluation results over time as a video.

[0022] With this configuration, the change in the user's psychological state over time can be shown in an easy-to-understand manner through video.

[0023] The chair may include a chair body and a seat cushion placed on the chair body, and the sensor may be provided on the seat cushion.

[0024] According to this configuration, a user monitoring system can be easily introduced by placing a seat cushion equipped with a sensor on an existing chair. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, the psychological state of the user can be estimated based on the measurement values ​​of the sensors provided on the chair and in light of the estimation reference data, and output.

[0026] Furthermore, since the estimation reference data is defined in relation to the measured values ​​of a plurality of pressure sensors, the user's psychological state can be accurately estimated.

[0027] Furthermore, by displaying a color for each user that corresponds to the psychological state estimated by the evaluation process, the psychological state of each user is displayed in a color in the output results shown on a display, etc., so it is possible to visually show how many users out of the total number are in what psychological state.

[0028] Furthermore, in the output process, the monitoring device displays colors in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of chairs, so that the colors representing the psychological state of the user are displayed in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of chairs, thereby visually showing what psychological state the user is in in relation to the arrangement of chairs.

[0029] Then, by displaying the change over time of the evaluation result as a moving image through the second output process, the change over time of the user's psychological state can be shown in an easily understandable manner through the moving image.

[0030] Furthermore, a user monitoring system can be easily introduced by placing a seat cushion equipped with a sensor on an existing chair. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a user monitoring system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a monitoring device. [Figure 3] 10 is a table showing an example of estimation reference data. [Figure 4] This is an example of data that correlates psychological states with time and is accumulated. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the monitoring device. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 is an example of a screen displayed on a monitoring device, showing a state shortly after the seminar has started. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a monitoring device, showing the state 30 minutes after the start of the seminar. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a monitoring device, showing the state one hour after the start of the seminar. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a monitoring device when a user monitoring system is used in an online class. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a modified example in which the seat cushion is placed on a chair. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Next, a user monitoring device according to an embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the user monitoring system SYS mainly comprises a plurality of pressure sensors S1 to S10 provided on a plurality of chairs Cn (C1, C2, C3, ...), and a monitoring device M. The pressure sensors S1 to S10 are sensors that acquire pressure values, which are measurements used to identify the movements of a user sitting on the chair Cn. Hereinafter, the pressure value of pressure sensor S1 will be referred to as P1, and the pressure value of pressure sensor Sn will be referred to as Pn.

[0033] In this embodiment, as an example of use of the user monitoring system SYS, a case will be described in which chairs Cn are installed in a seminar room where a seminar is held, and the seminar instructor grasps the psychological state of the users sitting in each chair Cn by looking at the monitoring device M. The psychological state referred to in this embodiment is a psychological state related to whether or not the users are concentrating on what they are listening to.

[0034] Each chair Cn (C1, C2, C3, etc.) is a chair on which a user sits, and all have the same configuration. Chair Cn has a seat CA, a backrest CB, and a communication control unit CN. Chair Cn is provided with pressure sensors S1 to S10. Pressure sensors S1 to S10 are placed on the seat surface facing the user sitting on chair Cn, and acquire pressure values ​​from the user sitting on chair Cn.

[0035] Pressure sensors S1 to S6 are provided on the seat CA. The pressure sensors S1 to S3 and the pressure sensors S4 to S6 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the left-right center of the chair Cn. The pressure sensors S1, S2, S4, and S5 are disposed in positions on the seat CA corresponding to the user's buttocks. The pressure sensors S1, S2, S4, and S5 constitute a first cushion sensor that measures pressure from the user's buttocks. The first cushion sensor may include only the pressure sensors S1 and S4, or only the pressure sensors S2 and S5. Pressure sensors S2 and S5 are located slightly in front of pressure sensors S1 and S4, respectively.

[0036] Pressure sensors S3 and S6 are located under the user's thighs and are positioned far forward from pressure sensors S2 and S5, respectively. Pressure sensors S3 and S6 constitute second cushion sensors that measure pressure values ​​from the user's thighs.

[0037] Pressure sensors S7 to S10 are provided on the backrest CB. The pressure sensors S7, S8 and the pressure sensors S9, S10 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the left-right center of the chair Cn. The pressure sensors S7, S9 are provided at positions corresponding to the back of the user's waist. The pressure sensors S7, S9 constitute a first back sensor that measures pressure from the user's waist.

[0038] Pressure sensors S8 and S10 are disposed above and spaced apart from pressure sensors S7 and S9, respectively. Pressure sensors S8 and S10 are positioned corresponding to the upper part of the user's back. Pressure sensors S8 and S10 constitute second back sensors that measure pressure values ​​from the upper part of the user's back.

[0039] The communication control unit CN is connected to the pressure sensors S1 to S10. The communication control unit CN is capable of communicating with the monitoring device M via a network 20, and transmits pressure values ​​acquired from the pressure sensors S1 to S10 to the monitoring device M. The communication control unit CN is disposed, for example, on the underside of the seat CA or inside the backrest CB. The network 20 may be the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), and is not particularly limited.

[0040] The monitoring device M is a device that estimates the user's psychological state by acquiring measurements from the pressure sensors S1 to S10 of each chair Cn, and is composed of a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, or the like that has a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The monitoring device M is realized by installing and executing a predetermined program on the computer. The monitoring device M has a display DSP.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring device M includes an evaluation processing unit 110, an output processing unit 120, a second output processing unit 130, and a storage unit 190.

[0042] Estimated reference data, which is the relationship between the measured values ​​of the pressure sensors S1 to S10 and the psychological state of the user, is stored in advance in the storage unit 190. Although not shown in the figure, the storage unit 190 stores the pressure values ​​P1 to P10 acquired from each chair Cn in association with time for a predetermined period of time.

[0043] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the estimation reference data stores information on seating posture, psychological state, color / density, and positive / negative in association with a determination criterion based on pressure values ​​P1 to P10 of pressure sensors S1 to S10. More specifically, the estimation reference data associates the user's psychological state with the balance between the measurements of the pressure sensors S1 to S10 and / or changes in the measurements. For example, if the pressure values ​​P7 and P9 on the backrest vibrate within a predetermined frequency range, the seating posture is "nodding" and the psychological state is "1: understanding / agreeing." The predetermined frequency range here is, for example, 0.5 to 2 Hz. Note that " / " in FIG. 3 means "or." In this case, the color / density is 10, and "positive" is stored in association with it.

[0044] Color / density refers to the color number or density when the degree of concentration of the user is indicated by color. In the present invention, colors may be expressed not only by differences in hue, but also by differences in brightness (density) or saturation. For example, in this embodiment, colors are expressed by differences in monochrome density (lightness) for convenience of illustration, but indicating the user's psychological state by such differences in density is also included in the "indicating colors according to psychological states" referred to in this application.

[0045] In this embodiment, the higher the density (thicker), the more the user is concentrating on what is being heard. This use of color may be reversed, and the more the user is concentrating on what is being heard, the lighter the tone may be.

[0046] In this embodiment, the color / density indicates the degree of concentration, and in that sense, it can also be said to be an evaluation value of the degree of concentration. On the other hand, the seating posture is explained to help understand the invention as to what kind of posture is required when the criteria are met, and therefore does not need to be stored in the monitoring device M. Furthermore, the color / density can also be said to be a psychological state that indicates the degree of concentration of the user, so the monitoring device M may store only either the psychological state shown in FIG. 3 or the color / density.

[0047] To explain other criteria for the estimation reference data, for example, if the sum of the pressure values ​​P7 to P10 of the backrest CB is 0, the sitting posture is "leaning forward" and the psychological state is "2: very interested."

[0048] Furthermore, if the sum of the backrest pressure values ​​P7 to P10 is less than X1% of the user's weight, and the sum of the pressure values ​​at the rear of the chair Cn, P1+P4, is more than X2% of the weight, the sitting posture is "sitting deep and leaning against the backrest" and the psychological state is "3: relaxed and listening attentively." As an example of a simple method for calculating the weight, the sum of the pressure values ​​P1 to P6 can be used.

[0049] Furthermore, if the sum of the pressure values ​​at the rear of chair Cn, P1+P4, is 0 and the sum of the pressure values ​​P7 to P10 on the backrest is greater than or equal to X3% of the user's weight, the sitting posture is "sitting shallowly and leaning back slightly" and the psychological state is "4: looking down, wanting to be superior, tired."

[0050] Furthermore, when the state where pressure P3 is less than X4% of body weight and the state where pressure P6 is less than X4% of body weight alternately occur, the sitting state is "frequently crossing legs" and the psychological state is "5: bored." X1% to X4% can be set appropriately by collecting experimental data. Furthermore, the time interval range during which the state where pressure P3 is less than X4% of body weight and the state where pressure P6 is less than X4% of body weight alternately occur can be set to an appropriate time, such as within 10 minutes.

[0051] Furthermore, when at least one of the pressures P3 and P6 vibrates finely, the sitting posture is "fidgeting" and the psychological state is "5: bored, irritated." The vibration here has a frequency of, for example, 1 to 5 Hz.

[0052] The criteria for estimated reference data are not limited to these, but for example, if multiple criteria are not met, the sitting posture can be set to "sitting normally" and the psychological state can be set to "10: normal".

[0053] In this embodiment, the estimation reference data categorizes psychological states into two categories: positive and negative. For example, psychological states 1, 2, 3, and 10 (normal) are categorized as positive, and psychological states 4, 5, and 6 are categorized as negative.

[0054] The evaluation processing unit 110 executes an evaluation process to calculate the psychological state for each chair Cn based on the pressure values ​​P1 to P10 of the pressure sensors S1 to S10. Specifically, the evaluation processing unit 110 applies the values ​​of the pressure sensors S1 to S10 to the criteria of the estimated reference data as shown in FIG. 3, and determines whether the criteria are met. The evaluation processing unit 110 outputs the psychological state number (the number written at the beginning of the psychological state in FIG. 3) as the psychological state. Note that the positive or negative value corresponding to the psychological state number is also included as one type of psychological state.

[0055] Then, the evaluation processing unit 110 accumulates and stores the psychological state numbers as evaluation results in association with the time, as shown in an example in FIG. In this embodiment, the color / density number indicates the density when displaying the evaluation result, and the higher the user's level of concentration while listening to the seminar talk, the higher the number assigned. The evaluation processing unit 110 calculates the arithmetic mean of the color / density values ​​corresponding to the determined psychological state. This arithmetic mean becomes a value indicating the level of concentration of all users in the seminar room (this is referred to as the "average concentration level AVE"). The average concentration level AVE is a value ranging from 0 to 10, with 5 representing a normal state.

[0056] Furthermore, when estimating the psychological state of the user of each chair Cn, the evaluation processing unit 110 determines whether or not the user is seated on each chair Cn. For example, if the sum of the pressure values ​​P1 to P6 is less than a predetermined value, the evaluation processing unit 110 can determine that the user is not seated, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the evaluation processing unit 110 can determine that the user is seated. Furthermore, even if the sum of the pressure values ​​P1 to P6 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, if the change over time in each pressure value is less than a predetermined value, that is, if it is determined that the person is too unnaturally still for someone to be sitting, the evaluation processing unit 110 can determine that the user is not seated. This determination is made when there is a heavy load on the chair Cn, for example.

[0057] The output processing unit 120 executes an output process to output the psychological state calculated by the evaluation processing unit 110 to a display DSP. In the output process, the output processing unit 120 displays a color corresponding to the psychological state estimated in the evaluation process for each user. More specifically, the output processing unit 120 displays images of chairs Cn in a color corresponding to the psychological state, in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the chairs Cn in the seminar room. Note that the images of the chairs Cn do not need to be images of detailed chair shapes, and may be simple images of squares or circles.

[0058] Furthermore, when the evaluation processing unit 110 determines that a first proportion or more of the multiple users have the same psychological state as a result of the evaluation processing, the output processing unit 120 outputs the psychological state as the psychological state of all the multiple users in the output processing. Here, if there is a psychological state that accounts for 30% or more of the users attending the seminar, the output processing unit 120 displays the psychological state on the display DSP. That is, in this embodiment, the first proportion is set to 0.3.

[0059] Furthermore, if the evaluation processing by the evaluation processing unit 110 indicates that a second percentage or more of the users are in a positive psychological state, the output processing unit 120 outputs a positive evaluation result in the output processing. Here, if more than half of the users attending the seminar are in a positive psychological state, out of the two psychological states of positive and negative, the display DSP displays "concentrated" as a positive psychological state. That is, in this embodiment, the second percentage is set to 0.5. Furthermore, if more than half of the users present are positive and the average concentration level AVE is greater than 6, the output processing unit 120 emphasizes "concentrated" and displays "well-concentrated" on the display DSP.

[0060] Furthermore, if the evaluation processing by the evaluation processing unit 110 shows that a plurality of users are in a negative psychological state exceeding the third ratio, the output processing unit 120 outputs a negative evaluation result in the output processing. If more than half of the users attending the seminar are in a negative psychological state, either positive or negative, the display DSP displays "I'm tired" as a negative psychological state. That is, in this embodiment, the third ratio is set to 0.5. In addition, if more than half of the users present are negative, and the average concentration level AVE is less than 4, the output processing unit 120 outputs a message urging them to take a break, such as "Please take a break," as a negative evaluation result.

[0061] The second output processing unit 130 displays the accumulated evaluation results in association with time. Specifically, by reading and displaying the evaluation results associated with time as time passes, the change in the evaluation results over time is displayed as a video. The second output processing is executed when the instructor inputs a display instruction to the monitoring device M after the seminar is over.

[0062] An example of the user monitoring process performed by the monitoring device M as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5, when the monitoring device M starts monitoring the user in response to an operation by the instructor, it acquires pressure values ​​P1 to P10 from the pressure sensors S1 to S10 of each chair Cn (S101), and stores each pressure value in association with a time in the storage unit 190 (S102).

[0063] Then, the monitoring device M estimates the psychological state for each chair Cn in steps S110 to S115. Specifically, the monitoring device M sets the chair ID to an initial value of 1 (S110). Then, the monitoring device M determines whether the chair with the corresponding chair ID is occupied, and if it is occupied, counts the number of attendees N (S111). Next, the monitoring device M estimates the psychological state based on the estimation reference data and the pressure value (S112). Then, the monitoring device M displays the chair in a color corresponding to the estimated psychological state (S113). At this time, chairs that are not occupied are displayed with a different line type as chair Cn. Next, the monitoring device M determines whether the estimation and display process has been completed for all chair IDs (S114). If not completed (S114, No), the monitoring device M updates the chair ID (S115) and repeats the process from step S111.

[0064] On the other hand, if the monitoring device M determines that the estimation and display process has been completed for all chair IDs (S114, Yes), it associates the psychological states with time and stores them in the memory unit 190 (S118). The monitoring device M also counts the number of positive users Np and displays them on the display DSP (S120). Next, the monitoring device M calculates and displays the average concentration level AVE based on the average concentration value (S121). Furthermore, the monitoring device M determines whether there is a psychological state that accounts for more than 30% of the attendees (S122), and if there is (S122, Yes), it displays the corresponding psychological state on the display DSP (S123).

[0065] After step S123, or after it is determined in step S122 that no psychological state accounts for 30% or more of the attendees (No), the monitoring device M determines whether the proportion Np / N of positive people among the number of attendees is 0.5 or more (S130). If Np / N≧0.5 (S130, Yes), the monitoring device M determines whether the average concentration level AVE is greater than 6 (S131), and if AVE>6 (S131, Yes), displays "Well-concentrated" on the display DSP (S132), and if AVE>6 (S131, No), displays "Concentrated" on the display DSP (S133).

[0066] On the other hand, if Np / N is not greater than or equal to 0.5 in step S130 (S130, No), the monitoring device M determines whether the average concentration level AVE is less than 4 (S135), and if AVE<4 (S135, Yes), it displays "You are tired. Take a break" on the display DSP (S136), and if AVE<4 is not (S135, No), it displays "You are tired" on the display DSP (S137).

[0067] After steps S132, S133, S136, and S137, the monitoring device M determines whether to end the process (S140), and if not (S140, No), it resets the number of attendees N to 0 (S141) and repeats the process from step S101. On the other hand, if the monitoring device M determines that the process should be ended because the instructor has performed an operation to end monitoring (S140, Yes), it ends the process.

[0068] An example of the output result from the monitoring device M in such a user monitoring system SYS will be described below. For example, if a seminar starts at 3:00 p.m. and monitoring by the monitoring device M begins at the same time, as shown in Fig. 7, the display DSP of the monitoring device M displays each chair Cn according to the arrangement of the chairs in the seminar room. As a result of seating determination, chairs where users are seated are displayed with solid lines, and chairs where no users are seated are displayed with dashed lines. The right column of the display DSP displays that the number of attendees is 22. In this example seminar room, 24 chairs, C1 to C24, are arranged in six rows of four, and are displayed in the same arrangement on the display DSP. The display DSP also displays a podium 21 with the lecturer at the bottom and a window 22 on the right side.

[0069] In Figure 7, the seminar has just begun, so the majority of users are relaxed and listening attentively (chairs with a density of 5 (sitting deep and leaning back, sitting normally) such as C1 and C5), and the psychological state is displayed as "Relaxed and listening attentively" in the right column. The right column also displays the percentage of people in a positive psychological state as 19 / 22 (meaning 19 out of 22 people). Furthermore, the average concentration level AVE is displayed as "Ave. 4.68." Since positive people make up the majority of the attendees, and their AVE is below 6, the lower column of the display DSP displays "Concentrated."

[0070] As shown in Figure 8, 30 minutes after the start of the seminar, for example, the content of the seminar becomes more interesting, and chairs with a density of 8 (leaning forward), such as C2 and C7, increase, while chairs with a density of 10 (nodding), such as C5 and C9, are also seen. As a result, the proportion of positive people is 20 / 22, and the AVE is 6.86. In this case, since positive people make up the majority of the attendees and the AVE is greater than 6, the bottom column of the display DSP displays "Well-concentrated." Furthermore, since chairs with a density of 8 account for more than 30% of the attendees, the psychological state displayed in the right column is "Strongly interested."

[0071] As shown in Figure 9, after one hour has passed since the start of the seminar, for example, the content of the seminar begins to lose its freshness, and users begin to tire. As a result, the number of chairs with a density of 3 (sitting shallowly, leaning back, and leaning back) increases, as seen in C7 and C11. As a result, the right column of the display DSP displays the psychological states of "looking down on others, wanting to be superior, and tired." Additionally, chairs with a density of 2 (frequently crossing legs) as seen in C22 and a density of 0 (fidgeting) as seen in C24 also appear. At this point, fewer than half of the participants are positive, and the AVE is less than 4, so the bottom column of the display DSP displays "Tired. Let's take a break." This lets the instructor know that it's probably time to take a break.

[0072] Furthermore, after the seminar ends, the instructor can input an instruction to the monitoring device M via the second output processing unit 130 to display a video of the psychological states of the users. The monitoring device M will then display a video on the display DSP showing the changes in the psychological states of the users during the seminar, for example, by switching the images displayed on the display DSP every few seconds, such as every minute from the start of the seminar. For example, images such as those shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9 are displayed frame by frame. This allows the instructor to reflect on the success or failure of his or her seminar and use this information to improve the next seminar.

[0073] In this way, according to the user monitoring system SYS of this embodiment, the psychological state of the user can be estimated based on the measurement values ​​of the pressure sensors S1 to S10 provided on the chair Cn in light of the estimated reference data and output to the display DSP, thereby displaying the psychological state of the seminar attendees (users).

[0074] Furthermore, since the estimation reference data is defined in relation to the measured values ​​of the plurality of pressure sensors S1 to S10, the psychological state of the user can be accurately estimated.

[0075] Furthermore, in the output results displayed on the display DSP, the psychological state of each user is displayed in a different color, so that it is possible to visually indicate how many users are in what psychological state.

[0076] Furthermore, the monitoring device M of the user monitoring system SYS displays colors representing the psychological states of users in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of chairs Cn, making it possible to visually show what psychological states users are in in relation to the arrangement of chairs Cn. For example, a lecturer or the like can know what psychological states users are likely to be in in relation to the arrangement of chairs Cn, such as users closer to the window 22 tend to get bored easily, or users closer to the podium 21 tend to concentrate easily.

[0077] Furthermore, the monitoring device M can display, in video, changes in the psychological state of the user over time, which indicates whether the user is concentrating on the talk or not, so that the lecturer or the like can know whether the seminar is going well or not.

[0078] Furthermore, although not described in this embodiment, by recording the user's gender, occupation, age, etc., it is possible to analyze differences in reactions to the seminar due to these factors.

[0079] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The specific configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0080] For example, in the above embodiment, the user monitoring system SYS is used in a seminar held in a seminar room. However, the user monitoring system SYS may also be used in online classes. In this case, the chairs used by each student (user) are the chairs Cn described above. As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, the display DSP of the monitoring device M used by the teacher can display users participating in the online class, as well as whether each user is seated and what their psychological state is. This allows the teacher using the monitoring device M to proceed with the class while checking the students' level of satisfaction with the class and their level of fatigue.

[0081] In addition, by utilizing the user monitoring system SYS in online classes, students can maintain a sense of tension. Even if their faces are not displayed on the screen, it is possible to know whether they are seated or not, which can be used to determine whether or not they are eligible to take the course or to prove their eligibility. Furthermore, by using image recognition of students' faces, it is possible to prevent substitute students from taking the course.

[0082] Furthermore, in such online classes, since it would be excessive to distribute a chair Cn to each student, sensors may not be provided on the chair body C itself, as shown in FIG. 11. That is, the chair may include the chair body C and a seat cushion 30 placed on the chair body C, and the sensors may be provided on the seat cushion 30. For example, six pressure sensors S1 to S6 may be provided on the seat cushion 30, and the measured values ​​of these pressure sensors S1 to S6 may be transmitted to the monitoring device M. The user monitoring system SYS can be easily introduced by placing the seat cushion 30 with sensors on an existing chair that the user already owns.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the psychological state is output by displaying it on the display DSP in the output process, but the psychological state may also be output by voice or a Braille display.

[0084] In the above embodiment, a pressure sensor is used as an example of the sensor, but the sensor is not limited to a pressure sensor as long as it acquires information for identifying the user's behavior that is effective in estimating the user's psychological state. For example, a capacitance sensor or a pressure distribution sensor may be used. Furthermore, the number of sensors may be one instead of multiple.

[0085] Furthermore, the elements described in the embodiments and modifications described in this specification can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 30 seat cushion 110 Evaluation processing unit 120 Output Processing Unit C Chair body Cn Chair DSP Display M Monitoring device S1~S10 pressure sensors SYS User Monitoring System

Claims

1. a sensor provided on a chair on which the user sits, for acquiring measurements to identify the user's movements; a monitoring device that acquires a measurement value from the sensor and estimates a psychological state of a user, The monitoring device Estimation reference data representing a relationship between the measurement value of the sensor and the psychological state of the user is stored in advance; an evaluation process for calculating a psychological state based on the measurement values ​​of the sensor; and performing an output process of outputting the calculated psychological state. the estimated reference data categorizes the psychological states into at least two categories, positive and negative, and the psychological states include a psychological state related to whether the user is concentrating on what is being heard; The monitoring device acquiring measurements from the sensors provided on a plurality of the chairs; execute the evaluation process for each user corresponding to the chair; A user monitoring system characterized in that, if the result of the evaluation process shows that a second percentage or more of multiple users are in a positive psychological state, the output process outputs a display indicating that the users are concentrating as a positive evaluation result.

2. The psychological state further includes a psychological state related to the degree of concentration of the user while listening to a talk, The user monitoring system described in claim 1, characterized in that if, as a result of the evaluation process, a second percentage or more of the multiple users are in a positive psychological state and the arithmetic mean of the concentration levels of the multiple users is greater than a predetermined value, the monitoring device outputs a display emphasizing that the users are concentrating as a positive evaluation result in the output process.

3. A user monitoring system as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the monitoring device displays the psychological state of each user.

4. A user monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the monitoring device determines, as a result of the evaluation process, that a first percentage or more of multiple users are in the same psychological state, in the output process, it outputs that psychological state as the psychological state of all multiple users.

5. A user monitoring system described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the monitoring device determines whether each chair is occupied, and if it is occupied, counts the number of attendees.

6. The sensor comprises a plurality of pressure sensors, The user monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the monitoring device determines that the user is not seated if the sum of the pressure values ​​acquired by the multiple pressure sensors is less than a predetermined value, and determines that the user is seated if the sum of the pressure values ​​acquired by the multiple pressure sensors is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

7. The user monitoring system described in Claim 6, characterized in that the monitoring device determines that the person is not seated if it determines that the change in each pressure value over time is less than a predetermined value, even if the sum of the pressure values ​​acquired by the multiple pressure sensors is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

8. The chair includes a chair body and a seat cushion placed on the chair body, the seat cushion includes the sensor and a communication control unit that transmits a measurement value of the sensor to the monitoring device; 8. The user monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the seat cushion is detachable from the chair body.

9. The sensor comprises a plurality of sensors, A user monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the estimation reference data stores negative or positive information corresponding to a judgment criterion based on measurement values ​​acquired by the multiple sensors.

10. A user monitoring system described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the evaluation process calculates the arithmetic mean of values ​​corresponding to the psychological state of each user as a value indicating the degree of concentration of all users.

11. The chair, A seat and The backrest and a sensor disposed on a seat surface facing a user sitting on the chair; a communication control unit that transmits the measurement value of the sensor to the monitoring device, 11. The user monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device comprises a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a display.

12. The sensor includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a capacitance sensor, and a pressure distribution sensor; 12. The user monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the output processing is performed by at least one of display on a display, voice, and display on a Braille display.

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