Alarm clock, control method, and control program

Abstract

To confirm whether or not the position of a user is correctly detected.SOLUTION: An alarm clock includes a clocking unit 331 that clocks time, a sensor 21 whose output changes according to a position of a surrounding object, a setting unit 332 that sets a first time based on an input by a user, an image generation unit 336 that generates an image, and a sound control unit 335 that reproduces an alarm sound when the time clocked by the clocking unit reaches a time determined according to the first time. The image generation unit executes sensor response image generation processing for generating an image regardless of the output of the sensor in a first time zone including a time before the first time, and generating an image according to the output of the sensor in a second time zone different from the first time zone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an alarm clock, a control method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a system that detects the position of a predetermined part of a subject from an image and issues a notification when it is determined that the subject has woken up based on the detected position (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-147089 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system described in Patent Document 1, the user cannot confirm whether or not the user's position has been detected correctly.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to check whether or not the user's position has been detected correctly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0007] (1) a timing unit that measures time; A sensor whose output changes depending on the position of surrounding objects; a setting unit that sets the first time based on an input by a user; an image generation unit that generates an image; a sound control unit that reproduces an alarm sound when the time measured by the timing unit reaches a time determined in accordance with the first time, The image generation unit generates an image regardless of the output of the sensor during a first time period that includes a time before the first time, and performs a sensor response image generation process to generate an image according to the output of the sensor during a second time period that is different from the first time period. (2) A detection unit is further provided which detects the position of the object based on the output of the sensor, the sound control unit stops playing the alarm sound when a condition is satisfied, including that the position of the object that was detected within a first area during playback of the alarm sound is no longer detected within the first area; The alarm clock described in (1) above, wherein the image generation unit generates an image that is different from an image generated when the object is detected in a second area including the first area during the sensor response image generation process than an image generated when the object is not detected in the second area. (3) A detection unit is further provided which detects the position of the object based on the output of the sensor, the image generation unit generates a first image when the object is detected in the second area, and generates a second image when the object is not detected in the second area, in the sensor response image generation process; generating an image such that the first image is switched to the second image in a first manner when the object that has been detected within the second region is detected outside the second region; An alarm clock as described in (2) above, which generates an image in a second manner so as to switch from the first image to the second image when an object that was detected within the second area is no longer detected within the area range of the sensor. (4) A detection unit that detects the position of the object based on the output of the sensor is further provided. the sound control unit stops playing the alarm sound when a condition is satisfied, including that the position of the object that was detected within a first area during playback of the alarm sound is no longer detected within the first area; The alarm clock according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the image generating section generates an image according to the position of the object in the sensor response image generating process. (5) Further comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of sets and a plurality of different images; Each set is associated with a different character image than the other sets, The alarm clock according to (4) above, wherein the image generation unit generates an image in the sensor response image generation process such that the position of the character image in the generated image changes depending on the position of the object. (6) Further comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of sets, a plurality of different images, and a plurality of different alarm sounds; Each set is associated with a different image and alarm sound from the other sets. the image generator generates an image associated with the set selected by the user; The alarm clock according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the sound control unit plays an alarm sound associated with a set selected by a user. (7) A detection unit is further provided which detects the movement of the object based on the output of the sensor, the image generation unit generates a third image when a movement of the object equal to or greater than a predetermined size is detected in the sensor response image generation process; The alarm clock described in any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the sound control unit stops playing the alarm sound or reduces the volume of the alarm sound when movement of the object greater than the predetermined size is detected. (8) The alarm clock described in (7) above, wherein the image generation unit generates a fourth image when movement of the object greater than or equal to the predetermined size is not detected in the sensor response image generation process. (9) The alarm clock according to (7) or (8) above, wherein the setting unit sets the predetermined magnitude regarding the movement of the object based on a user input. (10) The setting unit sets the second time based on an input by a user; the first time zone includes the second time; The alarm clock described in any one of (1) to (9) above, wherein the sound control unit plays a sleep-inducing sound when the time measured by the timing unit reaches a time determined according to the second time. (11) An alarm clock described in any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the sound control unit plays a time signal sound when the time measured by the timing unit reaches a predetermined time during the second time period, and does not play the time signal sound even when the time measured by the timing unit reaches the predetermined time during the first time period. (12) a light-emitting part that emits light; a light emission control unit that controls the light emission of the light emitting unit, The alarm clock according to any one of (1) to (11) above, wherein the light-emitting control unit causes the light-emitting unit to emit light when a predetermined condition is met during the second time period, and does not cause the light-emitting unit to emit light during the first time period even when the predetermined condition is met. (13) An alarm clock as described in (2) or (4) above, wherein the image generation unit generates a fifth image when the object is detected within the first area during the sensor response image generation process, and generates a sixth image when the object is detected outside the first area. (14) The alarm clock according to any one of (1) to (13) above, wherein the image generation unit does not execute the sensor response image generation process when the object is detected within a predetermined lower limit distance from the sensor. (15) The alarm clock according to any one of (1) to (14) above, further comprising a display unit that displays the image generated by the image generation unit. (16) A method for controlling an alarm clock, comprising: To measure time, setting a first time based on a user operation; generating an image; and playing an alarm sound when the measured time reaches a time determined according to the first time, The control method includes generating the image by performing a sensor response image generation process that generates an image during a first time period that includes a time before the first time, regardless of the output of a sensor whose output changes depending on the position of surrounding objects, and generates an image according to the output of the sensor during a second time period that is different from the first time period. (17) A control program for an alarm clock, To measure time, setting a first time based on a user operation; generating an image; playing an alarm sound when the measured time reaches a time determined according to the first time; on the computer, The control program includes executing a sensor response image generation process in which, during a first time period including a time before the first time, an image is generated regardless of the output of a sensor whose output changes depending on the position of surrounding objects, and, during a second time period different from the first time period, an image is generated according to the output of the sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the user can check whether or not the absence of the user on the bedding has been detected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a stationary device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of components of the stationary device. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the processor of the control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the detection range of the object sensor when the stationary device is placed next to the bed on which the user sleeps. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of transitions of states and operations of the stationary device in the time-arrival process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the motion detected by the detector and the sound reproduced by the sound controller. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the motion detected by the detector and the sound reproduced by the sound controller. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the motion detected by the detector and the sound reproduced by the sound controller. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the outline of the flow of the sound reproduction process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the outline of the flow of the time-arrival process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the execution status of the image generation process, the time signal reproduction process, and the light emission process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a schematic view of the detection area of ​​the object sensor when the stationary device is placed next to a bed. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image generated by the image generating unit in the image generation process, displayed on a display. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the outline of the flow of the execution process for executing the image generation process, the time signal reproduction process, and the light emission process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the outline of the flow of the sensor response image generation process. [Figure 16]FIG. 16 is a time chart showing the operation and detection status of the sound control unit during execution of the check control process. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a time chart showing the operation and detection status of the sound control unit during execution of the check control process. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an image relating to the object detection situation. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an outline of the flow of image generation by the image generation unit in the check control process. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the status check process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, like components are designated by like reference numerals.

[0011] <Overall structure> The configuration of a stationary device 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The stationary device 1 is a portable device that is used by being placed on an installation surface such as a table, floor, shelf, or headboard of a bed (bedding). The stationary device 1 also functions as a sound playback device that outputs sound, and in particular functions as an alarm playback device that plays alarm sounds. In particular, in this embodiment, the stationary device 1 functions as an alarm clock that wakes up a user sleeping in front of the stationary device 1. Specifically, the stationary device 1 is, for example, a desk clock, a music player, a television, a game device, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a monitor device.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view that shows a schematic diagram of a stationary device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the stationary device 1 includes a main body 10, a display 11 provided on the main body 10, and an operation unit 20 provided on an upper portion of the main body 10. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the main body 10 is configured as a cylindrical housing. However, the main body 10 can have any three-dimensional shape, such as a rectangular parallelepiped or semi-cylindrical shape.

[0013] The display 11 is disposed on the front of the main body 10 so that the user can see it from the front. The display 11 displays, for example, the current time. The current time is displayed in any display mode, such as numbers, hour and minute hands, or an image corresponding to the current time. Note that the stationary device 1 does not need to include the display 11, and may instead include, for example, hands such as hour and minute hands and a dial, as long as the user can recognize the current time and the alarm time described below.

[0014] The operation unit 20 is a member that allows a user to operate various functions of the stationary device 1. In this embodiment, the operation unit 20 is a substantially cylindrical member provided above the main body 10. The operation unit 20 is attached so as to be able to be pressed toward the main body 10 and to be able to rotate. When a user presses the operation unit 20 toward the main body 10 or rotates it relative to the main body 10, various functions of the stationary device 1 are operated. Note that any member may be provided as the operation unit 20 as long as it can operate various functions of the stationary device 1. Therefore, the operation unit 20 may be, for example, a button, a switch, a cross key, a touch panel disposed on the screen of the display 11, or the like. Furthermore, various functions of the stationary device 1 are also operated when the user performs operations other than pressing and rotating the operation unit 20 (for example, operations such as tilting the operation unit or touching the operation unit).

[0015] 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates the component configuration of the stationary device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the stationary device 1 includes a display 11, a speaker 12, light emitters 13, an object sensor 21, an operation sensor 22, and a control unit 30. The display 11, the speaker 12, the light emitters 13, the object sensor 21, and the operation sensor 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 30 via signal lines. In addition, the stationary device 1 further includes a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the display 11, the light emitters 13, the control unit 30, and the like. In this embodiment, the display 11, the speaker 12, the light emitters 13, the object sensor 21, the operation sensor 22, and the control unit 30 are housed within the main body 10, although some of them may not be housed within the main body 10.

[0016] The display 11 is an example of a display unit that displays an image. The display 11 is disposed in front of the stationary device 1. The display 11 is electrically connected to the control unit 30 and is a device that displays an image in accordance with an image signal from the control unit 30. The display 11 displays an image in accordance with a computer program being executed by the control unit 30. The display 11 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or a plasma display. Note that the display unit does not have to be provided in the stationary device 1.

[0017] The speaker 12 is an example of a sound generator that generates sound. The speaker 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 30 and generates sound in accordance with a sound signal from the control unit 30. The speaker 12 generates sound in accordance with a computer program being executed by the control unit 30.

[0018] The light emitter 13 is an example of a light-emitting unit that emits light. The light emitter 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 30 and emits light in accordance with a light emission signal from the control unit 30. The light emitter 13 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). However, the light emitter 13 may be any other device that emits light, such as a light bulb. The light emitter 13 may be configured to emit light in a single color or in multiple colors. In this embodiment, the light emitter 13 is disposed inside the operation unit 20. In particular, the light emitter 13 is disposed so that, when it emits light, the operation unit 20, which is formed of a light-diffusing material, appears to emit light as a whole. In this way, the light emitter 13 makes the operation unit 20, which is disposed above the stationary device 1, appear to emit light, so that even a user who cannot see the display 11 can see the light emitted by the light emitter 13. However, the light emitter 13 may be disposed in a location different from the operation unit 20 of the stationary device 1.

[0019] The object sensor 21 is a sensor whose output changes according to the position or movement of an object within a detection area around the object sensor 21 (i.e., around the stationary device 1). The output of the object sensor 21 changes according to the distance to the object within the detection area, the direction in which the object is located relative to the object sensor 21, and the movement of the object within the detection area. Therefore, the control unit 30 can detect the distance to the object within the detection area, the direction in which the object is located relative to the object sensor 21, and the movement of the object within the detection area based on the output of the object sensor 21. The detection area includes a sleep determination area (first area), a separation determination area, and a response action display area (second area), which will be described later.

[0020] In this embodiment, the object sensor 21 is disposed in the front of the main body 10 so that its output changes depending on the position of an object within a detection area in front of the stationary device 1. The object sensor 21 outputs an output signal that indicates, for example, the position or movement of an object within the detection area. The output signal from the object sensor 21 is input to the control unit 30.

[0021] In this embodiment, the object sensor 21 is a millimeter-wave sensor. The millimeter-wave sensor transmits millimeter-wave radio signals from a transmitting antenna, receives signals reflected by surrounding objects using a receiving antenna, and outputs an output signal based on the transmitted radio signals and the received reflected signals. In this embodiment, the millimeter-wave sensor combines the transmitted radio signals with the received reflected signals and performs processing such as Fourier transform to output an output signal that varies depending on the distance from the millimeter-wave sensor to the object. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the millimeter-wave sensor has multiple transmitting and receiving antennas, and outputs output signals that vary depending on the distance from each transmitting and receiving antenna to the object. Therefore, if the direction of the object relative to the millimeter-wave sensor changes, the output signals that vary depending on the distance to the object also change between the different antennas. Therefore, it can be said that the millimeter-wave sensor outputs an output signal that varies depending on the direction in which the object is located relative to the millimeter-wave sensor. In addition, the output signal of the millimeter-wave sensor changes as the distance to the object changes, and also changes as the direction in which the object is located relative to the millimeter-wave sensor changes. Therefore, when the object moves, the millimeter-wave sensor outputs an output signal that varies depending on the object's movement.

[0022] Note that, as long as the distance to an object, the direction in which the object is located, and the movement of the object can be detected without contact, sensors other than millimeter wave sensors, such as infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and microwave sensors, may be used as object sensor 21. Furthermore, as long as the object within the detection area can be detected without contact, other types of sensors, such as temperature sensors, may be used instead of object sensor 21.

[0023] The operation sensor 22 is an example of an operation detection unit that detects an operation performed by a user on the operation unit 20. In this embodiment, when the operation unit 20 is pressed by the user, the operation sensor 22 outputs an output signal indicating that the operation unit 20 has been pressed. Furthermore, when the operation unit 20 is rotated by the user, the operation sensor 22 outputs an output signal indicating the angle by which the operation unit 20 has been rotated. The output signal from the operation sensor 22 is input to the control unit 30.

[0024] Note that a sensor according to the type of operation unit 20 is used as the operation sensor 22. For example, when a button is used as the operation unit 20, a sensor whose output signal changes depending on whether the button is pressed or not is used as the operation sensor 22. Furthermore, when a touch panel is used as the operation unit 20, a sensor that outputs an output signal indicating the position where a finger touches is used as the operation sensor 22.

[0025] <Configuration and operation of the control unit> Next, the configuration and operation of the control unit 30 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The control unit 30 transmits control signals to the display 11, speaker 12, light emitter 13, etc. in accordance with a running computer program based on signals received from the object sensor 21 and the operation sensor 22. The control unit 30 has a communication interface 31, a memory 32, and a processor 33. The communication interface 31, the memory 32, and the processor 33 may be separate circuits, or may be configured as a single integrated circuit.

[0026] The communication interface 31 is a circuit for connecting the control unit 30 to other electronic components in the main body 10, that is, the display 11, the speaker 12, the object sensor 21, and the operation sensor 22.

[0027] The memory 32 is an example of a storage unit that stores data. The memory 32 is a storage medium that stores data, and includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory or a non-volatile semiconductor memory. In addition, the memory 32 may include removable media such as a memory card or an optical disk. The memory 32 stores computer programs executed by the processor 33. The memory 32 also stores various data used by the running program, such as output signals from the object sensor 21, etc.

[0028] Furthermore, memory 32 stores data of sounds to be played by control unit 30. Therefore, processor 33 obtains data of sounds to be played from memory 32 and plays the sounds based on the obtained data, thereby outputting the sounds from speaker 12.

[0029] In this embodiment, the memory 32 stores a plurality of sets, a plurality of different sounds (including an alarm sound, a bed getting-out sound, and a sleep induction sound, which will be described later), and a plurality of different images of characters, etc. The memory 32 also stores these sounds and images to be displayed on the display 11 in association with each set. Therefore, each set is associated with an alarm sound different from the other sets, a bed getting-out sound different from the other sets, a sleep induction sound different from the other sets, and an image of a character, etc. different from the other sets.

[0030] Specifically, for example, the multiple sets correspond to multiple different games, and sounds and images related to each game are stored in memory 32 in association with the set. For example, the background music of the game corresponding to that set is associated with the set as an alarm sound, and the sound effect of clearing a stage in that game is associated with the bed-exit sound. Images of characters from that game or images of objects such as items used in that game are also associated with the set. Note that some or all of the multiple sets may correspond to a single game. In this case, multiple different sets corresponding to the same game may contain some of the same sounds or images.

[0031] It is not necessary for the memory 32 to store a set. In this case, the memory 32 stores a plurality of different sounds (including an alarm sound, a bed getting-out sound, and a sleep induction sound, which will be described later) and a plurality of different character images, regardless of the set.

[0032] Additionally, in this embodiment, the memory 32 stores various settings made by the user. For example, the memory 32 stores the planned bedtime and alarm time set by the user. The memory 32 also stores a set selected by the user from among the sets stored in the memory 32.

[0033] Furthermore, the memory 32 stores information about an area where a bed (bedding) B for the user to sleep is located. The memory 32 stores, for example, the area where the bed B is located, the relative position of the stationary device 1 with respect to the bed B, the distance from the stationary device 1 to the bed B, and the size of the bed B.

[0034] The processor 33 has one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 33 may further have other arithmetic circuits such as a logic unit or a numerical operation unit. The processor 33 executes various processes based on computer programs stored in the memory 32. For example, the processor 33 executes control processes for the display 11, the speaker 12, and the light emitters 13, and outputs control signals to the display 11, the speaker 12, and the light emitters 13. Thus, the processor 33 controls the images displayed on the display 11, plays sounds, and controls the light emission of the light emitters 13.

[0035] 3 is a functional block diagram of the processor 33 of the control unit 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the processor 33 has a timing unit 331, a setting unit 332, a detection unit 333, a determination unit 334, a sound control unit 335, an image generation unit 336, a light emission control unit 337, and a check execution unit 338. Each of these units in the processor 33 is a functional module realized by, for example, a computer program running on the processor 33. Alternatively, each unit in the processor 33 may be implemented in the control unit 30 as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, or firmware.

[0036] The timekeeping unit 331 keeps time. For example, the timekeeping unit 331 keeps time by counting signals output from a circuit that oscillates at a predetermined cycle and adding the count to an initial time. The time kept by the timekeeping unit 331 (hereinafter also referred to as "kept time") basically represents the current time. The timekeeping unit 331 may have a function to correct the kept time based on, for example, a standard radio wave that represents standard time received by a receiver (not shown). The kept time is displayed on the display 11.

[0037] The setting unit 332 performs settings necessary for the operation of the stationary device 1. In this embodiment, the setting unit 332 performs settings for various items based on input by the user via the operation unit 20. In particular, in this embodiment, the setting unit 332 performs settings related to the time, settings related to the area surrounding the stationary device 1, and settings related to the type of sound to be played and the type of image to be displayed on the display. The items set by the setting unit 332 are stored in the memory 32.

[0038] Specifically, the setting unit 332 sets a planned bedtime (second time) that is the time when the user goes to bed, and an alarm time (first time) that is the time when the user should wake up. The planned bedtime and alarm time are times that are set by the user inputting the respective times via the operation unit 20.

[0039] Furthermore, the setting unit 332 sets a sleeping area A where the sleeping user is located, an area where bed B is located, and a response action display area (second area) E (see FIGS. 4 and 12). The area where bed B is located is set, for example, by the user inputting the relative positional relationship of the stationary device 1 with respect to bed B, the distance from the stationary device 1 to bed B, and the size of bed B via the operation unit 20. When the setting unit 332 prompts the user to input the relative positional relationship, etc., it first provides guidance to the user that the stationary device 1 should be placed so that the front surface of the stationary device 1 faces the center of bed B. Such guidance is displayed on the display 11 or output as audio from the speaker 12. Next, the setting unit 332 prompts the user to input the relative position where the stationary device 1 is placed with respect to bed B and the distance from the stationary device 1 to the edge of bed B. In addition, the setting unit 332 may input the orientation of the front of the stationary device 1 relative to the bed B (e.g., the front of the stationary device 1 facing the center of the bed B) as the relative positional relationship of the stationary device 1 with respect to the bed B.

[0040] The relative positional relationship, the distance to bed B, and the size of bed B input by the user are stored in memory 32. In addition, the area in which bed B is located, set by setting unit 332, may also be stored in memory 32. Furthermore, setting unit 332 may set the area in which bed B is located based on other means (for example, the output of object sensor 21) rather than on the basis of an input by the user via operation unit 20. For example, setting unit 332 may have the user turn over on bed B, and set an area in which a large movement ("large movement" will be described later) is detected by detection unit 333 based on the output of object sensor 21 at this time, as the area in which bed B is located.

[0041] Sleeping area A is an area for determining that the user is located in bed B when the user's movement is detected within that area. Therefore, in this embodiment, sleeping area A is set as an area larger than the area in which bed B is located so that the user is determined to be located in bed B even if part of the user (such as a hand or a foot) moves slightly outside bed B while sleeping. Note that sleeping area A may be set as the same area as the area in which bed B is located, or may be set as an area smaller than the area in which bed B is located.

[0042] The response action display area E is an area in which, when user movement is detected within the area, an image that changes according to the detection result is generated. In this embodiment, the response action display area E is an area that is wider by a predetermined distance X (e.g., 20 cm) than the distance to the farthest point from the stationary device 1 (object sensor 21) in the area where bed B is located (the distance indicated by the arc-shaped dashed line in FIG. 12). Therefore, the response action display area E is an area that is within the detection range of the object sensor 21 and includes an area within the sleeping area A (sleep determination area; first area). By generating an image that changes based on the detection result of the user movement in an area wider than the area where bed B is located, it is possible to prevent, for example, the user's movement before going to bed or after getting out of bed from not being detected even though the user is moving near bed B, and as a result, an image according to the detection result is not generated. Note that the response action display area E may be set as the same area as the sleep determination area C.

[0043] Furthermore, the setting unit 332 sets a reference motion level (described later) based on a user input, allowing the user to adjust the magnitude of motion detected by the detection unit 333 as motion equal to or greater than the reference motion level.

[0044] In addition, the setting unit 332 sets a set selected by the user from among the multiple sets stored in the memory 32. The set is set by the user selecting one of the multiple sets via the operation unit 20.

[0045] When the set selected by the user is set by the setting unit 332, the sound control unit 335 plays sounds (including an alarm sound, a bed exit sound, and a sleep induction sound, which will be described later) according to the set that has been set. When an alarm sound should be played, the sound control unit 335 plays an alarm sound associated with the set selected by the user. In addition, when a bed exit sound should be played, the sound control unit 335 plays a bed exit sound associated with the set selected by the user. Furthermore, when a sleep induction sound should be played, the sound control unit 335 plays a sleep induction sound associated with the set selected by the user. Thus, the sound control unit 335 plays a sound based on the user's selection from among a plurality of different sounds. In addition, when the set selected by the user is set by the setting unit 332, the image generation unit 336 generates a character image or an object image, such as a car, according to the set that has been set. As a result, a sound according to the user's preferences is played, and a character image or an object image according to the user's preferences is generated.

[0046] Furthermore, the setting unit 332 may set a sound or image selected by the user from a plurality of different sounds stored in the memory 32, rather than setting a set of sounds. In this case, for example, the setting unit 332 sets one alarm sound selected by the user from a plurality of alarm sounds as the alarm sound to be played when the alarm sound should be played. Similarly, the setting unit 332 sets one bed exit sound selected by the user from a plurality of bed exit sounds as the bed exit sound to be played when the bed exit sound should be played. Furthermore, the setting unit 332 sets one sleep entry sound selected by the user from a plurality of sleep inducing sounds as the sleep inducing sound to be played when the sleep inducing sound should be played. As a result, the sound control unit 335 plays the alarm sound, bed exit sound, and sleep inducing sound selected by the user, thereby playing sounds according to the user's preferences.

[0047] The detection unit 333 performs detection based on the output of the object sensor 21. In this embodiment, the detection unit 333 detects objects around the stationary device 1 (particularly around the object sensor 21) based on the output of the object sensor 21. In particular, in this embodiment, the detection unit 333 detects the position or movement of an object within the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 based on the output of the object sensor 21. As described above, the output of the object sensor 21 changes depending on the position or movement of an object within the detection area, and therefore the detection unit 333 can detect the position or movement of an object based on the output of the object sensor 21.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 when the stationary device 1 is installed next to the bed B where the user sleeps. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the stationary device 1 is installed next to the bed B with its front surface facing the center of the bed B. In FIG. 4, the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 is shown in gray, and the output of the object sensor 21 changes depending on the position or movement of an object within this detection area. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 covers a certain angular range. Furthermore, the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 extends to a distance from the object sensor 21 that is well beyond the size of a typical bed B. Therefore, the object sensor 21 can perform detection up to a distance beyond the bed B within this angular range.

[0049] 4, the position of an object can be detected more accurately in a narrower range within the above-mentioned certain angular range than in a wider range. In this way, the range in which the position of an object can be detected more accurately may be set as the angular range (detection area) in which detection is performed by object sensor 21. Furthermore, an area within a predetermined lower limit distance (e.g., 15 cm) from object sensor 21 may be set as an invalid area in which object detection is not performed.

[0050] In this embodiment, the detection unit 333 detects large movements of a predetermined magnitude or more (hereinafter referred to as "reference movement level") and their positions based on the output of the object sensor 21. The reference movement level is, for example, the magnitude of object movement detected by the detection unit 333 when the user makes a movement of a predetermined magnitude or more (for example, sitting up, rolling over, moving arms and legs, etc.). On the other hand, the reference movement level is larger than the magnitude of movement detected by the detection unit 333 when there is chest movement due to the user breathing, for example. Therefore, if there is only chest movement due to breathing while the user is resting on the bed within the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21, the detection unit 333 will not detect any large movements.

[0051] Detection unit 333 may detect the position where a large movement is detected as the position of the object based on the output of object sensor 21. Here, object sensor 21 outputs an output signal indicating the presence of an object at that position even when an object other than the user is located within the detection area. Therefore, by detecting the position where a large movement is detected as the position of the object, it is possible to prevent an object other than the user from being detected as the user.

[0052] Furthermore, when a large movement is detected based on the output of object sensor 21, detection unit 333 detects the distance to the location where the large movement was detected if it can detect the distance from object sensor 21 to the location where the large movement was detected but cannot detect the direction of the location where the large movement was detected relative to object sensor 21. Therefore, in such cases, detection unit 333 detects the distance to the large movement rather than the location of the large movement.

[0053] Additionally, in this embodiment, the detection unit 333 detects the presence or absence of small movements below the reference movement level based on the output of the object sensor 21. Small movements include, for example, movements detected by the detection unit 333 when there is chest movement due to the user's breathing. Therefore, when there is only chest movement due to breathing while the user is resting on the bed within the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21, the detection unit 333 detects small movements. Note that, in this embodiment, small movements can be detected in an area of ​​the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 that is relatively close to the object sensor 21. Therefore, small movements cannot be detected in an area of ​​the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 that is far from the object sensor 21. Therefore, when the detection unit 333 detects small movements, it is estimated that the user is on the bed B located near the object sensor 21.

[0054] In this embodiment, the detection unit 333 is provided in the processor 33 of the control unit 30, which is separate from the object sensor 21. Therefore, the processor 33 detects the position or movement of the object based on the output of the object sensor 21. However, the object sensor 21 may also be provided with a processor, and the detection unit 333 may be provided in the processor provided in the object sensor 21. In this case, the object sensor 21 detects the position or movement of the object, and the detection results such as the object position are transmitted to the processor 33 of the control unit 30.

[0055] The determination unit 334 determines whether or not any given condition is satisfied based on the detection result by the detection unit 333. In this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not, for example, an in-area presence condition, an out-of-area presence condition, a presence estimation condition, or an absence estimation condition is satisfied based on the detection result by the detection unit 333.

[0056] The in-area presence condition is a condition that is satisfied when it is confirmed that the user is on the bed B (for example, asleep). In this embodiment, the in-area presence condition is satisfied when the position of an object is detected within an area C (hereinafter referred to as the "sleep determination area"; first area) within the detection range of the object sensor 21 and within the sleeping area A. In particular, in this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied when the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the sleeping determination area C and an object that was at the position where the large movement occurred continues to be detected within the sleeping determination area C. Note that the determination unit 334 may determine that the in-area presence condition is satisfied until the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the sleeping determination area C and another condition, such as the out-of-area presence condition, is subsequently satisfied.

[0057] The outside-area presence condition is a condition that is satisfied when it is confirmed that the user is outside the bed B. In this embodiment, the outside-area presence condition is satisfied when an object is detected within the detection range of the object sensor 21 and outside the sleeping area A (hereinafter referred to as the "leaving determination area"; second area) D. In particular, in this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines that the outside-area presence condition is satisfied when the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the leaving determination area D and an object that was at the position where the large movement occurred continues to be detected within the leaving determination area D. Note that the determination unit 334 may determine that the outside-area presence condition is satisfied until the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the leaving determination area D and other conditions, such as the inside-area presence condition, are satisfied thereafter. Note that the leaving determination area D may be an area that is within the detection range of the object sensor 21, within a predetermined upper limit distance (e.g., 3.5 m) from the object sensor 21, and outside the sleeping area A.

[0058] The presence estimation condition is a condition that is met when it is estimated that the user is on bed B (for example, asleep). In this embodiment, the presence estimation condition is a condition that is met when the detection unit 333 detects small movements without detecting large movements in the sleeping determination area C, or when the detection unit 333 detects small movements without detecting large movements in the departure determination area D. The absence estimation condition is a condition that is met when it is estimated that the user is not on bed B. In this embodiment, the absence estimation condition is a condition that is met when the detection unit 333 detects that there are neither large movements nor small movements.

[0059] When the in-area presence condition or the presence estimation condition is satisfied, it is confirmed or estimated that the user is on bed B. Therefore, satisfaction of either the in-area presence condition or the presence estimation condition indicates that the user is on bed B, and means that the presence condition that is satisfied when the user is on bed B is satisfied. Similarly, satisfaction of the out-of-area presence condition or the absence estimation condition indicates that the user is not on bed B. Therefore, satisfaction of either the out-of-area presence condition or the absence estimation condition means that the absence condition that is satisfied when the user is not on bed B is satisfied.

[0060] The determination unit 334 also determines whether a departure condition for the user leaving bed B is satisfied, i.e., whether the object has left the sleep determination area C. In this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines that the departure condition is satisfied when, after it has been determined that the in-area presence condition is satisfied, the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and it is determined that the out-area presence condition is satisfied. Thus, the determination unit 334 determines that the departure condition is satisfied when the position of an object that was detected within the sleep determination area C is no longer detected within the sleep determination area C and when the position of the object is detected within the departure determination area D. The determination unit 334 may also determine that the departure condition is satisfied when a movement from within the sleep determination area C to outside the sleep determination area C is detected based on the output of the object sensor 21.

[0061] Additionally, in this embodiment, the determination unit 334 also determines that the departure condition is satisfied when, after it has been determined that the in-area presence condition is satisfied, the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the absence estimation condition was satisfied. Thus, the determination unit 334 determines that the departure condition is satisfied when the position of an object that was detected in the sleeping determination area C is no longer detected in the detection area and the detection unit 333 no longer detects small movements for a certain period of time.

[0062] The sound control unit 335 controls the reproduction of sounds. When the reproduction of sounds is controlled by the sound control unit 335, sounds are output from the speaker 12 accordingly. In this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 reproduces at least an alarm sound, a bed getting-out sound, a sleep induction sound, and a time signal sound. Specific control of the reproduction of sounds by the sound control unit 335 will be described later.

[0063] The alarm sound is a sound that is played when the measured time reaches the alarm time set by the setting unit 332 (or another time determined according to the alarm time). The alarm sound is a sound effect and / or music. For example, the alarm sound is background music or the footsteps of a character walking or running in a given game.

[0064] The bed exit sound is a sound that is played when the user leaves bed B. The bed exit sound is, for example, a sound effect. In particular, the bed exit sound is a sound effect (including a voice message) that is played when an achievement is made. The bed exit sound is, for example, a sound effect that is played when a certain stage is cleared in a certain game. Specifically, the bed exit sound is, for example, a sound effect such as a fanfare. The bed exit sound may also be music.

[0065] The sleep-inducing sound is a sound that encourages the user to go to bed, and is played when the measured time reaches the planned bedtime set by the setting unit 332 (or another time determined depending on the planned bedtime). Alternatively, the sleep-inducing sound may be a sound that is played when the measured time reaches the planned bedtime and the detection unit 333 detects that an object is located within the sleep determination area C. In either case, the sleep-inducing sound may be played under any condition as long as it is played based on the measured time reaching the planned bedtime. In this case, the sleep-inducing sound is not played if the measured time reaches the planned bedtime but no object is detected to be located within the sleep determination area C. The sleep-inducing sound is, for example, a sound effect. In particular, the sleep-inducing sound is a sound effect, such as white noise, that encourages the user to go to bed.

[0066] The time signal sound is a sound that notifies the user of the time, and is played when the time being measured by the clock unit 331 reaches a preset time. The time signal sound is, for example, a sound effect that indicates the current time. Specifically, the time signal sound may be a sound that is repeated a number of times according to the time (for example, a bell that is repeated five times for 5 o'clock), or may be a voice that reads out the time.

[0067] The image generation unit 336 generates an image. In this embodiment, the image generated by the image generation unit 336 is displayed on the display 11. In this embodiment, the stationary device 1 functions as a clock, and therefore generates an image including an image related to the time being kept by the clocking unit 331 (such as the time, date and time, and day of the week). In addition, in this embodiment, the image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the state of the stationary device 1 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the output of the object sensor 21. In addition, during execution of a check control process described later, the image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the check control process. Details of the images generated by the image generation unit 336 will be described later.

[0068] Note that, in cases where the stationary device 1 is not provided with a display 11, the image generated by the image generation unit 336 may be displayed on the display of an external device. In this case, the stationary device 1 has a communication module, and the image generated by the image generation unit 336 is transmitted to the external device via this communication module. In this case, the image generated by the image generation unit 336 is displayed on the display of the external device.

[0069] The light emission control unit 337 controls the light emission of the light emitter 13. The light emission control unit 337 turns on, blinks, or turns off the light emitter 13. In this embodiment, the light emission control unit 337 can switch the light emission color of the light emitter 13 or light up the light emitter 13 in multiple colors. Details of the light emission control of the light emitter 13 by the light emission control unit 337 will be described later.

[0070] The check execution unit 338 executes a state check process to determine whether the detection state is normal. In this embodiment, the check execution unit 338 determines that the detection state is normal if normality determination conditions, including not satisfying the object presence condition, are satisfied in the state check process, and determines that the detection state is abnormal if the normality determination conditions are not satisfied. Details of the state check process performed by the check execution unit 338 will be described later.

[0071] <Processing when time arrives> <State transition during time-arrival processing> Next, with reference to Figs. 5 to 10, the time arrival process is a process performed by the processor 33 when the time (measured time) measured by the clock unit 331 reaches a time determined according to the alarm time. The time arrival process will be explained. First, with reference to Fig. 5, the transition of the state and operation of the stationary device 1 in the time arrival process will be explained. Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the transition of the state and operation of the stationary device 1 in the time arrival process. In particular, Fig. 5 shows the transition of the sound control state by the sound control unit 335 and the control state of the light emitter 13 by the light emission control unit 337. Note that in Fig. 5, rectangles indicate the state of the stationary device 1, and squares with rounded corners indicate the operation of the stationary device 1.

[0072] In the time arrival process, when the measured time reaches a time determined according to the alarm time, a determination is made by the determination unit 334. The time determined according to the alarm time may be the alarm time, a time a predetermined time before the alarm time, or a time a predetermined time after the alarm time.

[0073] When the measured time reaches a time determined according to the alarm time, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not the in-area presence condition is satisfied (A11). That is, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not the detection unit 333 has detected that an object is located in the sleep determination area C, and particularly in this embodiment, whether or not the detection unit 333 has detected a large movement in the sleep determination area C.

[0074] At this time, if the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied (C11), the state of the stationary device 1 is set to the alarm sound playback state (A12). In this case, the measured time has reached the time determined according to the alarm time, and it is highly likely that the user is in bed B. Therefore, when the state of the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state, the sound control unit 335 plays the alarm sound. Therefore, the sound control unit 335 plays the alarm sound when the measured time reaches the time determined according to the alarm time. Furthermore, when the state of the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state, the light emission control unit 337 blinks the light emitter 13. In addition, when the state of the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image for the alarm sound playback state. In this case, the image generated by the image generation unit 336 is displayed on the display 11.

[0075] In this embodiment, when the stationary device 1 enters an alarm sound playback state, playback of the alarm sound begins. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the measured time reaches a time determined according to the alarm time, if the in-area presence condition is satisfied, the alarm sound is played. This notifies the user of the arrival of the alarm time. Thereafter, if the detection unit 333 continuously detects large movements within the sleep determination area C for a predetermined movement detection time (e.g., 3 seconds) while the alarm sound is being played, the volume of the alarm sound is reduced (playback of the alarm sound may be stopped). At this time, the type of alarm sound may be changed from the first alarm sound to the second alarm sound. In this way, by reducing the volume of the alarm sound when large movements of the user are continuously detected, the user can be encouraged to move more vigorously, thereby waking up.

[0076] Thereafter, when the volume of the alarm sound is low, if the detection unit 333 detects small movements but no large movements are detected for a predetermined motionless waiting time (e.g., three minutes), the volume of the alarm sound is increased again (if playback of the alarm sound has been stopped, it is resumed). At this time, the type of alarm sound may be changed from the second alarm sound to the first alarm sound. In this way, by increasing the volume of the alarm sound when no large movements of the user are continuously detected, the user can be encouraged to make large movements and wake up.

[0077] Thus, in this embodiment, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound reproduction state, the volume or type of the alarm sound is repeatedly changed depending on whether or not large motion is detected within the sleep determination area C. However, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound reproduction state, the volume and type of the alarm sound may not be changed, or may be changed based on other requirements regardless of whether or not large motion is detected.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light-emitting control unit 337 constantly flashes the light-emitting element 13 while the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state. This allows the user to be notified that the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state by means other than sound. In particular, in this embodiment, the light-emitting control unit 337 may flash the light-emitting element 13 slowly when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state and the volume of the alarm sound is low, and may flash the light-emitting element 13 quickly when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state and the volume of the alarm sound is high. Note that when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state, the light-emitting control unit 337 may keep the light-emitting element 13 lit or turned off without flashing it. Furthermore, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state, the light-emitting control unit 337 may change the light-emitting color of the light-emitting element 13.

[0079] When the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state (A12), if the determination unit 334 determines that the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied (C12), i.e., if the detection unit 333 detects a large movement (position of an object) within the departure determination area D, the state of the stationary device 1 is changed to the bed exit sound playback state (A13). In this case, it is highly likely that the user has moved from inside bed B to outside bed B. When the stationary device 1 is in the bed exit sound playback state, the sound control unit 335 plays a bed exit sound different from the alarm sound. In addition, when the stationary device 1 is in the bed exit sound playback state, the light emission control unit 337 lights up the light emitter 13 in multiple colors, for example, rainbow colors. Furthermore, when the stationary device 1 is in the bed exit sound playback state, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image different from that when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state, and therefore an image different from that when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state may be displayed on the display 11.

[0080] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 changes the sound playback mode when the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied, and then determines that the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and that the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied. In other words, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 changes the sound playback mode when the in-area / out-of-area movement condition is satisfied, including the fact that a large movement (object position) detected in the sleep determination area C is no longer detected in the sleep determination area C and that a large movement (object position) is detected in the departure determination area D. Specifically, in this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines that a departure condition indicating that the user has left bed B is satisfied when the in-area / out-of-area movement condition is satisfied, and when this determination is made, the sound control unit 335 stops the playback of the alarm sound and plays a bed exit sound. This makes it possible to stop the playback of the alarm sound when the user leaves bed B, thereby encouraging the user to move and get out of bed B. Furthermore, the continuation of the playback of the alarm sound when the user is not on bed B is suppressed. In addition, when the user leaves bed B, a bed exit sound is played, thereby informing the user that the alarm sound has been stopped and not that there is a malfunction.

[0081] In particular, in this embodiment, when the area inside / outside movement condition is satisfied, the sound control unit 335 changes the sound reproduction mode without determining whether the above-mentioned presence estimation condition is satisfied by the determination unit 334. This eliminates the need to unnecessarily determine whether the presence estimation condition is satisfied. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to determine whether the presence estimation condition is satisfied, the sound reproduction mode can be quickly changed (the alarm sound can be stopped) when the user leaves bed B, for example.

[0082] The sound control unit 335 may change the sound playback mode in any way as long as the sound playback mode changes when the determination unit 334 determines that the area inside / outside movement condition is satisfied. Therefore, when the determination unit 334 determines that the area inside / outside movement condition is satisfied, the sound control unit 335 may change the sound playback mode by stopping the playback of the alarm sound.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light-emission control unit 337 changes the light-emission mode of the light-emitting body 13 when the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied, and then determines that the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and that the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied. In other words, in this embodiment, the light-emission control unit 337 changes the light-emission mode of the light-emitting body 13 when the in-area / out-of-area movement condition is satisfied. Specifically, the light-emission control unit 337 changes the light-emission mode of the light-emitting body 13, which was lit in a single color, to light in multiple colors. This notifies the user that the alarm sound has been stopped, and not that there is a malfunction. Note that the light-emission control unit 337 may change the light-emission mode of the light-emitting body 13 in any way. Therefore, the light-emission control unit 337 may change the light-emission mode of the light-emitting body 13, for example, to make it brighter.

[0084] Furthermore, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state (A12), if the determination unit 334 determines that the absence estimation condition is satisfied (C13), i.e., if the detection unit 333 does not detect even a small movement, the stationary device 1 is set to the alarm sound stop / standby state (A14). In this case, there is a possibility that the user is not in bed B. Therefore, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound stop / standby state, the sound control unit 335 does not play any sound. In addition, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound stop / standby state, the light emission control unit 337 turns off the light emitter 13. Furthermore, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound stop / standby state, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image different from that when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state or the bed exit sound playback state.

[0085] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 stops playing the alarm sound when the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied, and then the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and the absence estimation condition is satisfied. In other words, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 changes the playback mode of the sound when a large movement (object position) that was detected within the sleep determination area C by the detection unit 333 is no longer detected within the sleep determination area C and an out-of-area movement estimation condition, including the detection unit 333 not detecting small movements, is satisfied. From another perspective, the sound control unit 335 stops playing the alarm sound when, during playback of the alarm sound, the state changes from one in which the presence condition was determined to be satisfied (a state in which the determination unit 334 determined that either the in-area presence condition or the presence estimation condition is satisfied) to one in which the presence condition is not determined to be satisfied (a state in which the determination unit 334 determined that neither the in-area presence condition nor the presence estimation condition is satisfied). This prevents the alarm sound from being played unnecessarily when the user may not be in bed.

[0086] Now, consider the case where the user moves from inside bed B to outside the bed within the detection area of ​​object sensor 21, that is, the case where the user moves in the direction indicated by the white arrow in Fig. 4. In such a case, the large movement (object position) that was detected within sleep determination area C is now detected within departure determination area D. Therefore, in such a case, the area inside / outside movement condition is satisfied, and it can be determined whether the user has moved from inside bed B to outside bed B.

[0087] On the other hand, consider the case where the user moves from inside bed B to outside bed B after moving from inside to outside the detection area of ​​object sensor 21, i.e., the case where the user moves in the direction indicated by the hatched arrow in FIG. 4. In such a case, although the large movement (object position) detected in sleep determination area C is no longer detected, it is not subsequently detected in departure determination area D. However, if the user remains in bed B after moving from inside to outside the detection area of ​​object sensor 21, vibrations due to the user's breathing, etc., are transmitted through bed B, causing small movements within the detection area of ​​object sensor 21. In this embodiment, the large movement (object position) detected in sleep determination area C is no longer detected, and based on a detection result (i.e., a detection result regarding the presence or absence of small movements) different from the large movement (object position) using the output of object sensor 21, it is determined whether the condition that is satisfied when the user remains in bed B is satisfied. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the user moves in the direction indicated by the hatched arrow in FIG. 4, it is possible to determine whether the user has moved from inside bed B to outside bed B. That is, even if the user is detected in the predetermined area and then becomes undetectable, it is possible to determine that the user has left the predetermined area. In particular, in this embodiment, by making the determination based on whether or not a small movement is detected by the detection unit 333, it is possible to prevent the determination that no user (object) is present on the bed B when the user remains on the bed B.

[0088] In this embodiment, the condition that is satisfied when the user is staying in bed B is that a small movement is detected by the detection unit 333. However, another condition based on the output of the object sensor 21 may also be used as the condition that is satisfied when the user is staying in bed B.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light-emitting control unit 337 changes the light-emitting mode of the light-emitting body 13 when the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied, and then determines that the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and the absence estimation condition is satisfied. In other words, in this embodiment, the light-emitting control unit 337 changes the light-emitting mode of the light-emitting body 13 when the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied. Specifically, the light-emitting control unit 337 turns off the light-emitting body 13 that was flashing. This notifies the user that the alarm sound has been stopped, and not that there is a malfunction. Note that the light-emitting control unit 337 may change the light-emitting mode of the light-emitting body 13 in any way. Therefore, the light-emitting control unit 337 may change the light-emitting mode so that the illuminance of the light-emitting body 13 is lowered, for example.

[0090] In this embodiment, the light-emitting control unit 337 changes the light-emitting mode in different ways depending on whether the in-area / out-of-area movement condition is satisfied or the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied. The alarm sound is stopped regardless of whether either condition is satisfied. By changing the light-emitting mode in different ways depending on the condition, the user can be informed of which condition was satisfied that caused the alarm sound to stop. However, the light-emitting control unit 337 may change the light-emitting mode in the same way depending on whether the in-area / out-of-area movement condition is satisfied or the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied. In this case, for example, the light-emitting control unit 337 may light the light-emitting element 13 in the same color in both cases.

[0091] As described above, in this embodiment, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state (A12), the sound control unit 335 changes the sound playback mode when the area in / out movement condition or the area out movement estimation condition is satisfied. In particular, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 stops the playback of the alarm sound in such a case. Note that the sound control unit 335 may stop the playback of the alarm sound only when either the area in / out movement condition or the area out movement estimation condition is satisfied.

[0092] The out-of-area movement estimation condition may be a condition including that an object is no longer detected at the position where large movement was last detected within the sleep determination area C until a reference time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since large movement was detected, and that small movement has not been detected by the detection unit 333. In this way, by determining whether or not the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied based on that an object is no longer detected at the position where large movement occurred immediately before (i.e., the position where the user was present), it is possible to more accurately determine that the user has moved out of the sleep determination area C.

[0093] Note that the sound control unit 335 may change the sound playback mode in any way as long as the sound playback mode changes when the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied. Therefore, the sound control unit 335 may change the sound playback mode by stopping the playback of the alarm sound and playing a sound different from the alarm sound when the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied.

[0094] When the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound stop / standby state (A14), if the absence estimation condition continues to be satisfied for a predetermined waiting time (e.g., 20 seconds), or if the presence condition is not satisfied for the predetermined waiting time (C14), the state of the stationary device 1 is changed to the bed exit sound playback state (A13). In this case, it is highly likely that the user is not in bed B. Therefore, in this case, the state of the stationary device 1 is changed to the bed exit sound playback state (A13), the sound control unit 335 plays the bed exit sound, and the light emission control unit 337 lights up the light emitter 13 in multiple colors.

[0095] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 plays the bed exit sound when the waiting time has elapsed in a state in which the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied, and then the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and the absence estimation condition is determined to be satisfied. In other words, in this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines that the departure condition, indicating that the user has left bed B, is satisfied when the detection unit 333 detects neither large nor small movement from the time the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied until the time the waiting time has elapsed, and when this determination is made, the sound control unit 335 plays the bed exit sound. This makes it possible to stop the playback of the alarm sound when there is a high possibility that the user has left bed B, and prevents the alarm sound from being continued even when the user is not on bed B. In addition, when the user leaves bed B, the bed exit sound is played, thereby notifying the user that the alarm sound has been stopped and not due to a malfunction.

[0096] Furthermore, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound stop / standby state (A14), if the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied within the above-mentioned standby time (C15), i.e., if a large movement (position of an object) is detected within the departure determination area D, the stationary device 1 is switched to the bed exit sound playback state (A13) without waiting for the lapse of the predetermined standby time. In this case, it is highly likely that the user has moved from inside bed B to outside bed B. Therefore, the sound control unit 335 plays the bed exit sound, and the light emission control unit 337 lights up the light emitter 13 in multiple colors.

[0097] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the detection unit 333 detects a large movement (object position) within the departure determination region D after the determination unit 334 determines that the in-region presence condition is satisfied, and then the in-region presence condition is no longer satisfied and the absence estimation condition is determined to be satisfied, and before the above-mentioned waiting time has elapsed, the sound control unit 335 plays the bed exit sound without resuming the playback of the alarm sound. In other words, in this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines that the departure condition is satisfied when the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the departure determination region D between the satisfaction of the out-of-region movement estimation condition and the elapse of the above-mentioned waiting time, and when this determination is made, the sound control unit 335 plays the bed exit sound. By playing the bed exit sound without resuming the playback of the alarm sound in such a case, the playback of the alarm sound is suppressed when it is clear that the user is not in bed B.

[0098] In this embodiment, when the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied (C12, C15) while the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state (A12) or the alarm sound stopped / standby state (A14), and when the absence estimation condition is satisfied over the standby time while the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound stopped / standby state (A14) (C15), the stationary device 1 enters the bed exit sound playback state and the bed exit sound is played. As a result, the bed exit sound is played when it is assumed that the user has left bed B, and the user can be encouraged to leave bed B. However, in some of these cases, the bed exit sound does not need to be played.

[0099] In this embodiment, the bed exit sound played in these cases is the same sound in either case. However, the bed exit sound played may be different depending on the case. For example, the sound control unit 335 may play a first bed exit sound when the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied, and a second bed exit sound when the absence estimation condition is satisfied over the waiting time. For example, the first bed exit sound may be a fanfare, and the second bed exit sound may be a fanfare different from the first bed exit sound. This allows the user to know what conditions were met to determine that the departure condition was met.

[0100] In addition, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound stop / standby state (A14), if the presence condition is satisfied within the standby time (C16), i.e., if a large or small movement is detected within the sleep determination area C, the state of the stationary device 1 is returned to the alarm sound playback state (A12). In this case, it is highly likely that the user is in bed B. Therefore, the sound control unit 335 plays an alarm sound according to the situation, and the light emission control unit 337 blinks the light emitter 13. Therefore, the sound control unit 335 controls the playback of the alarm sound based on whether the presence condition is satisfied. In such a case, it is considered that the user is in bed B, and the alarm sound is played to prompt the user to wake up.

[0101] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 resumes the reproduction of the alarm sound when the detection unit 333 detects a large movement (position of an object) or a small movement within the sleeping determination area C during the period from when the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied and then determines that the in-area presence condition is no longer satisfied and the out-of-area presence condition is not satisfied and the absence estimation condition is satisfied, until the waiting time has elapsed. In other words, if the reproduction of the alarm sound is stopped because the out-of-area movement estimation condition is satisfied, the sound control unit 335 resumes the reproduction of the alarm sound when a large movement or a small movement is detected within the sleeping determination area C during the period from when the reproduction of the alarm sound was stopped until the waiting time has elapsed. This makes it possible to prompt the user to get out of bed B when there is a high possibility that the user has returned to bed B again. When the playback of the alarm sound is stopped because the area inside / outside movement estimation condition is satisfied (when the state of the stationary device 1 switches from the alarm sound playback state A12 to the bed exit sound playback state A13), the sound control unit 335 does not resume the playback of the alarm sound even if a small movement is detected between the time the playback of the alarm sound was stopped and the time the standby time has elapsed. In this case, since it is highly likely that the user has left bed B, unnecessary resumption of the playback of the alarm sound is suppressed.

[0102] When the stationary device 1 is in the bed exit sound playing state (A13) and the playing of the bed exit sound ends (C17), the state of the stationary device 1 is changed to the stopped state (A15). When the stationary device 1 is in the stopped state, it is basically assumed that the user has left the bed B, and therefore the sound control unit 335 stops the playing of the sound. In addition, when the stationary device 1 is in the stopped state, the light emission control unit 337 turns off the light emitter 13. Furthermore, when the stationary device 1 is in the stopped state, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image different from that when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playing state, the bed exit sound playing state, or the alarm sound stopped / standby state.

[0103] Furthermore, when the measured time reaches the time determined according to the alarm time, if the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is not satisfied (C18), the stationary device 1 is also put into the stopped state (A15). This is because it is considered that the user will have left the bed B when the measured time reaches the time determined according to the alarm time.

[0104] When the stationary device 1 is in the stopped state (A15), if the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied (C19), that is, if the detection unit 333 detects a large movement (position of an object) within the departure determination region D, the stationary device 1 is switched to the standby state (A16). Therefore, when it is considered that the user has returned to bed B, the state of the stationary device 1 is switched from the stopped state to the standby state. Even when the stationary device 1 is in the standby state, the sound control unit 335 stops the playback of sound, and the light emission control unit 337 turns off the light emitter 13, as in the stopped state (A15). At this time, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image different from that when the stationary device 1 is in the stopped state, or may generate the same image.

[0105] When the stationary device 1 is in the standby state (A16), if the determination unit 334 determines that the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied (C20), that is, when the detection unit 333 detects a large movement (position of an object) within the departure determination region D, the state of the stationary device 1 is returned to the stopped state (A15). Also, when the determination unit 334 determines that the absence estimation condition is satisfied (C21), that is, when the detection unit 333 no longer detects either a large movement (position of an object) or a small movement, the state of the stationary device 1 is returned to the stopped state (A15). Therefore, when it is considered that the user has left the bed B, the state of the stationary device 1 is switched from the standby state to the stopped state.

[0106] On the other hand, when the stationary device 1 is in the standby state (A16), if the judgment unit 334 judges that the presence estimation condition is satisfied for the bedtime judgment time (e.g., 10 seconds) (C22), that is, if the detection unit 333 detects small movements without detecting large movements (object positions) for the bedtime judgment time, the state of the stationary device 1 is returned to the alarm sound playback state (A12).

[0107] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound control unit 335 resumes playback of the alarm sound when the detection unit 333 detects a large movement in the sleep determination area C after the leaving condition is satisfied, and then the detection unit 333 detects no large movement (position of an object) but a small movement for the bed-going determination time. This allows the sound control unit 335 to resume playback of the alarm sound when the user returns to bed B and goes to sleep again, thereby encouraging the user to get out of bed B. Here, it is conceivable that after the user leaves bed B, the user will come to retrieve items around bed B or make up bed B. In this case, since the user will not go to sleep in bed B, there is no need to resume playback of the alarm sound. In this embodiment, after a large movement is detected, playback of the alarm sound is resumed when no large movement is detected and a small movement is detected for a certain period of time. This makes it possible to prevent the alarm sound from being resumed when the user comes to retrieve items around bed B or makes up bed B.

[0108] In addition, if the detection unit 333 detects large movements within the sleep determination area C after the departure condition is met, the sound control unit 335 may resume playing the alarm sound regardless of whether the detection unit 333 detects small movements thereafter over the bed determination time.

[0109] 5 is ended when a predetermined processing duration (e.g., 30 minutes or 30 seconds) has elapsed since the measured time reached the time determined according to the alarm time. When the time-arrival processing is ended, the sound control unit 335 stops the sound playback, and the light emission control unit 337 turns off the light emitter 13. Note that the time-arrival processing may also be ended when a predetermined end determination time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed while the stationary device 1 is in the stopped state (A15).

[0110] Therefore, the stationary device 1 is returned from the standby state (A16) to the alarm sound reproduction state (A12) during the period from when the clocked time reaches the time determined according to the alarm time until the processing duration has elapsed. Therefore, after the leaving condition is satisfied, if the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the sleeping determination area C during the processing duration from the time determined according to the alarm time until the processing duration has elapsed, and thereafter the detection unit 333 detects no large movement (position of an object) but a small movement over the sleeping determination time, the sound control unit 335 resumes playing the alarm sound.

[0111] The time arrival process may be ended when a predetermined processing duration (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed since the determination unit 334 determined that the leaving condition has been satisfied. In this case, if the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the sleeping determination area C between the time the leaving condition has been satisfied and the time the processing duration has elapsed, and if the detection unit 333 subsequently does not detect a large movement (position of an object) over the sleeping determination time but detects a small movement, the sound control unit 335 resumes playing the alarm sound.

[0112] <<Variations>> Next, a modified example of the time-arrival process shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

[0113] In one variation, if it is determined that the condition for leaving the bed has not been met even after a predetermined grace period (e.g., 20 minutes) has elapsed since the clock time reached the time determined according to the alarm time, the sound control unit 335 may execute a rush mode. The rush mode is a mode that more strongly urges the user to wake up and get out of bed than the normal mode until the grace period has elapsed. The grace period is shorter than the processing duration described above.

[0114] In this modified example, in the quick mode, the time-arrival process shown in Fig. 5 is performed in the same manner as in the normal mode. However, in the quick mode, the idle standby time when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state is shorter than in the normal mode. For example, the idle standby time in the normal mode is three minutes, while in the quick mode it is one minute.

[0115] The alarm sound played in the urgent mode may be different from the alarm sound played in the normal mode. For example, the alarm sound in the urgent mode may be faster and more urgent than the alarm sound in the normal mode. The volume of the alarm sound in the urgent mode may be louder than the alarm sound in the normal mode.

[0116] Additionally, the bed exit sound played in the urgent mode may be different from the bed exit sound played in the normal mode. Thus, the sound control unit 335 may play a first bed exit sound (fourth sound) when the exit condition is met in the normal mode, and play a third bed exit sound (fifth sound) different from the first bed exit sound when the exit condition is met in the urgent mode. In this case, the playback time of the first bed exit sound in the normal mode may be longer than the playback time of the third bed exit sound in the urgent mode, for example.

[0117] In this way, the bed exit sound differs between the urgent mode and the normal mode, allowing the user to understand how long it took to get out of bed. In particular, in this modification, the first bed exit sound in the normal mode has a longer playback time, which can encourage users who want to hear the long first bed exit sound to get out of bed. Furthermore, while a user who has not yet gotten out of bed until the urgent mode is reached may not have time to leisurely listen to the long bed exit sound, according to this modification, the bed exit sound in the urgent mode is short, which prevents a user who is in a hurry from wasting time listening to the bed exit sound.

[0118] 5, the sound played by the sound control unit 335, the light emission mode of the light emitter 13 controlled by the light emission control unit 337, and the image generated by the image generation unit 336 are different for each of the states A12 to A16. However, only some of the sound played by the sound control unit 335, the light emission mode of the light emitter 13 controlled by the light emission control unit 337, and the image generated by the image generation unit 336 may be different for each of the states A12 to A16. Therefore, for example, the image generation unit 336 may generate similar images regardless of the states A12 to A16 of the stationary device 1.

[0119] <<Example of processing when time arrives>> Next, a specific example of sound playback control by the sound control unit 335 when the time arrival process is executed will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Figures 6 to 8 are time charts showing the movements detected by the detection unit 333 and the sounds played by the sound control unit 335.

[0120] Fig. 6 shows a case where, after an alarm sound has been played, the user moves from inside bed B to outside bed B within the detection area of ​​object sensor 21. In the example shown in Fig. 6, a sleep-inducing sound is played at time t1 determined according to the planned bedtime set by setting unit 332. In this embodiment, the sleep-inducing sound is played from time t1 for a predetermined playback duration (e.g., 10 minutes), and is stopped at time t2 when the playback duration has elapsed.

[0121] 6, since the user has been sleeping on the bed B since time t2, the detection unit 333 continues to detect an object that was at a position where a large movement such as getting into bed or turning over occurred within the sleeping determination area C. Therefore, the determination unit 334 determines that the in-area existence condition is satisfied.

[0122] Thereafter, because the user is still on bed B at time t3, which is determined according to the alarm time set by setting unit 332, detection unit 333 detects an object that was at a position where there was significant movement within sleep determination area C. Therefore, at time t3, determination unit 334 determines that the in-area presence condition is satisfied. As a result, the stationary device 1 is placed in an alarm sound playback state, and playback of the alarm sound is started.

[0123] Thereafter, when the user moves from inside bed B to outside bed B at time t4, the detection unit 333 no longer detects any objects within the sleep determination area C after time t4, and detects an object that was at a position where there was a large movement within the departure determination area D. Therefore, the determination unit 334 determines that the out-of-area presence condition is satisfied. As a result, the stationary device 1 is placed in a bed exit sound playback state, and playback of the bed exit sound is started. Alternatively, the in-area presence condition may be determined to be satisfied based on the fact that large movements such as the user turning over are periodically detected.

[0124] Fig. 7 shows a case where, after the alarm sound has been played, the user moves from inside bed B to outside the detection area of ​​sensor 21. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the playback of the alarm sound starts at time t3, which is the alarm time.

[0125] After that, at time t5, when the user moves out of bed B from within the detection area of ​​the sensor 21, the detection unit 333 no longer detects the object that was at the position where large movements occurred within the detection area (sleep determination area C and departure determination area D), and also no longer detects small movements. Therefore, the determination unit 334 determines that the absence estimation condition is satisfied. As a result, the stationary device 1 is placed in an alarm sound stop / standby state, and playback of the alarm sound is stopped.

[0126] 7, from time t5 to time t6, when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, neither an object that was at the position where the large movement occurred nor a small movement is detected by the detection unit 333. As a result, at time t6, the state of the stationary device 1 is set to the bed getting out sound reproduction state, and reproduction of the bed getting out sound is started.

[0127] Fig. 8 shows a case where the user moves from inside bed B to outside the detection area of ​​sensor 21 but remains inside bed B. In the example shown in Fig. 6, similar to the example shown in Fig. 5, the playback of the alarm sound is stopped at time t5.

[0128] In the example shown in Fig. 8, although the user remains in bed B, the detection unit 333 has not detected any object that was in the position where there was a large movement or any small movement after time t5. However, because the user remains in bed B, the detection unit 333 detects a small movement at time t7, before the predetermined waiting time has elapsed since time t5. Therefore, the determination unit 334 determines that the presence estimation condition is satisfied after time t7. As a result, after time t7, the state of the stationary device 1 is changed back to the alarm sound playback state, and playback of the alarm sound is resumed.

[0129] <Processing flow> Next, the flow of sound control processing for controlling sound reproduction will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a flowchart that schematically shows the flow of sound reproduction processing. The sound reproduction processing shown in Figure 9 is executed by the processor 33.

[0130] When the sound control process starts, first, the sound control unit 335 determines whether the measured time has reached the time determined according to the alarm time (step S11). If it is determined in step S11 that the measured time has not reached the time determined according to the alarm time, the sound reproduction process ends.

[0131] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the measured time has reached the time determined according to the alarm time, the sound control unit 335 executes the time-arrival process shown in Fig. 10 (step S12). Next, the sound control unit 335 determines whether a predetermined processing duration has elapsed since the time determined according to the alarm time (step S13). If it is determined in step S12 that the processing duration has not elapsed, the time-arrival process continues.

[0132] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the processing duration has elapsed, the sound control unit 335 stops the time-arrival processing (step S14). Next, the sound control unit 335 determines whether the stationary device 1 was in a stopped state (A15) when the time-arrival processing was stopped, that is, whether step S30 in FIG. 10 (described later) is being repeatedly executed (step S15). If it is determined in step S15 that the stationary device 1 was in a stopped state, the sound replay processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the stationary device 1 was not in a stopped state (for example, if an alarm sound was being played), the sound control unit 335 plays a timeout sound indicating that the processing duration has elapsed and a timeout has occurred (step S16), and then the sound replay processing is terminated.

[0133] Next, the flow of the time arrival process will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart that schematically shows the flow of the time arrival process. The time arrival process shown in Fig. 10 is executed by processor 33 when an instruction to execute it is issued in step S12 of Fig. 9. Furthermore, the time arrival process shown in Fig. 10 is stopped when an instruction to stop it is issued in step S14 of Fig. 9.

[0134] When the time arrival process starts, first, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not a large movement has been detected within the sleep determination region C (step S21). If it is determined in step S21 that a large movement has been detected within the sleep determination region C, the sound control unit 335 executes an alarm sound playback process (step S22). In the alarm sound playback process, the sound control unit 335 first starts playing the alarm sound at a large volume. Then, in the alarm sound playback process, if the determination unit 334 determines that a large movement has been continuously detected within the sleep determination region C for a predetermined movement detection time, the volume of the alarm sound is reduced. Thereafter, in the alarm sound playback process, if no large movement has been detected within the sleep determination region C for a predetermined no-motion standby time, the volume of the alarm sound is increased again.

[0135] When the alarm sound playback process is started in step S22, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not the detection unit 333 has detected neither large nor small movement within the sleep determination region C (step S23). If it is determined in step S23 that either large or small movement has been detected within the sleep determination region C, step S22 is repeated again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that neither large nor small movement has been detected, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not large movement has been detected within the departure determination region D (step S24). If it is determined in step S24 that large movement has been detected, the sound control unit 335 plays a bed leaving sound (step S25).

[0136] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that no large movement has been detected, the sound control unit 335 stops the alarm sound playback process (step S26). Next, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not a large movement has been detected in the departure determination area D (step S27). If it is determined in step S27 that a large movement has been detected, the sound control unit 335 plays a bed getting-out sound (step S25). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that no large movement has been detected, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not a large movement or a small movement has been detected in the sleep determination area C by the detection unit 333 (step S28). If it is determined in step S28 that either a large movement or a small movement has been detected in the sleep determination area C, the sound control unit 335 starts the alarm sound playback process again (step S22). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S28 that neither a large movement nor a small movement has been detected in the sleep determination area C, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the alarm sound playback process was stopped (step S29). If it is determined in step S29 that the predetermined waiting time has not elapsed, steps S27 and S28 are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S29 that the predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the sound control unit 335 plays a bed exit sound (step S25).

[0137] When the playback of the bed exit sound in step S25 ends, the determination unit 334 determines whether a restart condition for restarting the playback of the alarm sound is satisfied (step S30). If it is determined in step S30 that the restart condition is not satisfied, the sound control unit 335 stops the playback of the sound (step S31), and then steps S30 and S31 are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the restart condition is satisfied, the sound control unit 335 starts the alarm sound playback process (step S22).

[0138] <Image generation processing, time signal playback processing, and light emission processing> Next, the image generation process, the time signal reproduction process, and the light emission process will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0139] The image generation process is a process that is mainly executed by the image generation unit 336, and is a process that generates an image to be displayed on the display 11. In this embodiment, in the image generation process, the image generation unit 336 generates an image that includes an image (time, date and time, day of the week, etc.) related to the time being kept by the clock unit 331. In addition, in the image generation process, the image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the situation, including the time-related settings made by the setting unit 332, the time being kept by the clock unit 331, the detection results by the detection unit 333, etc.

[0140] In this embodiment, the image generation process includes a fixed image generation process that generates an image regardless of the output of the object sensor 21, and a sensor response image generation process that generates an image according to the output of the object sensor 21. The image generation process will be described in detail later.

[0141] The time signal playback process is a process executed mainly by the sound control unit 335, and is a process of playing a time signal sound when the measured time reaches a preset time. In this embodiment, in the time signal playback process, the sound control unit 335 plays a time signal sound to notify the time on the hour at each hour. However, in the time signal playback process, the sound control unit 335 may play a time signal sound only on a specific hour (e.g., 12:00 AM or 12:00 PM), or may play a time signal sound at times other than on the hour.

[0142] When the clock time reaches a preset time, not only may the sound control unit 335 play a time signal sound, but also the image generation unit 336 may generate a time signal image informing the user of the time, and the time signal image may be displayed on the display 11. The time signal image may be, for example, a moving image indicating that the preset time has been reached.

[0143] The light emission process is a process executed mainly by the light emission control unit 337, and is a process for controlling light emission from the light emitter 13. In the light emission process, the light emission control unit 337 causes the light emitter 13 to emit light when any light emission condition related to the light emission of the light emitter 13 is satisfied. In the light emission process, the light emission control unit 337 causes the light emitter 13 to light up or blink when any light emission condition is satisfied. Furthermore, in the light emission process, the light emission control unit 337 may change the light emission color of the light emitter 13 when the light emission condition is satisfied. In addition, in the light emission process, the light emission control unit 337 may cause the light emitter 13 to emit light in multiple colors simultaneously when the light emission condition is satisfied.

[0144] The light-emitting condition for light emission may include, for example, a condition that is satisfied when the clocked time reaches the preset time. In this case, when the clocked time reaches the preset time, the light emitter 13 emits light while a time signal sound is played. Furthermore, if the stationary device 1 has a communication module and receives information via this communication module, the light-emitting condition may include a condition that is satisfied when such information is received.

[0145] Furthermore, in the above-described time-arrival processing, the light emission control unit 337 also controls the light emission from the light emitter 13, and the control of light emission in this time-arrival processing is also an example of the emission processing. Therefore, for example, when the light emission condition that the measured time reaches a time determined according to the alarm time is satisfied during the execution of the light emission processing, the light emission control unit 337 causes the light emitter 13 to blink, as described above.

[0146] Fig. 11 is a time chart showing the execution status of the image generation process, the time signal playback process, and the light emission process. In the example shown in Fig. 11, similar to the example shown in Fig. 6, a sleep-inducing sound is played at time t1 (which is the same as the planned bedtime in Fig. 11) determined according to the planned bedtime (second time) set by the setting unit 332. Also, at time t3 (which is the same as the alarm time in Fig. 11) determined according to the alarm time (first time) set by the setting unit 332, an alarm sound is played depending on the situation.

[0147] 11 , in this embodiment, a fixed image generation process is executed as the image generation process during the sleep time period (first time period) from time t1 determined based on the expected bedtime to time t3 determined based on the alarm time. Therefore, during the sleep time period, image generation unit 336 generates an image regardless of the output of object sensor 21, and therefore an image unrelated to the output of object sensor 21 is displayed on display 11. Note that during the sleep time period, the output of object sensor 21 is not required, so the supply of power to object sensor 21 may be stopped. In this case, no signal is output from object sensor 21, and image generation unit 336 may output a fixed, unchanging image based on the absence of a signal input from object sensor 21.

[0148] 11, in this embodiment, in an active time period (second time period), which is a time period different from the resting time period (a time period not including the resting time period), a sensor response image generation process is executed as the image generation process. Therefore, in the active time period, image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the output of object sensor 21, and therefore an image according to the output of object sensor 21 is displayed on display 11.

[0149] 11, in this embodiment, the time signal playback process is stopped during the sleep time period. Therefore, during the sleep time period, the sound control unit 335 does not play the time signal sound even if the clock reaches a preset time (for example, on the hour). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light emission process is stopped during the sleep time period. Therefore, during the sleep time period, the light emission control unit 337 keeps the light emitter 13 turned off without emitting light, even if the light emission conditions are met.

[0150] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 11, in this embodiment, a time signal playback process is executed during the active time period. Therefore, during the active time period, the sound control unit 335 plays a time signal sound when the clocked time reaches a preset time (for example, on the hour). Furthermore, in this embodiment, a light emission process is executed during the active time period. Therefore, during the active time period, the light emission control unit 337 causes the light emitter 13 to emit light when the above light emission conditions are met.

[0151] In this embodiment, during the active period, an image is generated according to the output of the object sensor 21, and this image is displayed on the display 11. Therefore, it is possible to inform the user whether or not the user has been correctly detected based on the output of the object sensor 21.

[0152] Furthermore, the sleep time period from time t1 determined according to the planned bedtime to time t3 determined according to the alarm time is the time period during which the user should go to sleep. Therefore, during this sleep time period, it is necessary to avoid encouraging movement of the user or other people around the sleeping user. However, when the sensor response image generation process is performed, an image corresponding to the output of the object sensor 21 is displayed on the display 11, which may encourage movement of the user who is trying to go to sleep or other people around the user, thereby disturbing the user's sleep. In contrast, in this embodiment, the sensor image generation process is not performed during the sleep time period, but the fixed image generation process is performed, thereby preventing movement of the user or other people around the user during this time period and preventing the user's sleep from being disturbed.

[0153] Furthermore, if the time signal sound is played or the light emitter 13 emits light during the sleep time, the user's sleep may be disturbed. In this embodiment, the time signal playback process and the light emission process are stopped during the sleep time, thereby preventing the user's sleep from being disturbed.

[0154] The sleep time period during which the image generation process is executed may be any time period including a time before time t3 determined according to the alarm time (first time). Therefore, the sleep time period may be a time period including a time immediately prior to the alarm time (i.e., a time period extending until immediately prior to the alarm time). The sleep time period may also be a time period not including time t1 determined according to the planned bedtime (second time). Therefore, the sleep time period may be a time period from any time after time t1 determined according to the planned bedtime to time t3 determined according to the alarm time. Alternatively, the sleep time period may be a time period from any time before time t1 determined according to the planned bedtime to time t3 determined according to the alarm time. Alternatively, if the planned bedtime is not set, the sleep time period may be a time period from the time the alarm time is set by the user via setting unit 332 to a time determined according to the alarm time. Alternatively, the sleep time period may be a time period from a time determined according to the planned bedtime until the alarm time arrives and the time-at-due process is completed. Alternatively, the sleep period may be a period during which an alarm setting is turned on that plays an alarm sound at a time determined by the alarm time.

[0155] Furthermore, the active time period during which the sensor response image generation process is executed may be any time period different from the resting time period. Therefore, the active time period may be all time periods excluding the resting time period, or may be a portion of the time periods excluding the resting time period. Alternatively, if the resting time period is a period during which the alarm setting is on, the active time period may be a period during which the alarm setting is off. Furthermore, the sensor response image generation process may not be executed during the entire active time period, but may be executed during a portion of the active time period. For example, the sensor response image generation process may be stopped during the playback of a time signal sound, even during the active time period. In this case, the image generation unit 336 may generate a time signal image unrelated to the output of the object sensor 21.

[0156] <Image generation processing> Next, the image generation process will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a diagram similar to Fig. 4, which schematically shows the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 when the stationary device 1 is placed next to a bed B. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an image generated by the image generation unit 336 in the image generation process, displayed on the display 11. In the example shown in Fig. 13, a date and time image including the date, day of the week, and time, and a character image are displayed on the display 11. The date and time image does not change according to the output of the object sensor 21.

[0157] First, the generation of an image by image generation unit 336 during the sensor response image generation process will be described. In the sensor response image generation process, image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the output of object sensor 21. In this embodiment, image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the position and movement of an object detected by detection unit 333 based on the output of object sensor 21. In particular, in this embodiment, image generation unit 336 generates an object image, such as a character image or a car, whose position or movement changes according to the position or movement of the object detected by detection unit 333.

[0158] In the present embodiment, in the sensor response image generation process, when the detection unit 333 detects the position of an object in the response action display area E, the image generation unit 336 generates an image (first image) corresponding to the position of the detected object. The image generation unit 336 may generate an image such that the position of the character image or object image in the left-right direction on the display 11 (the position of the character image or object image in the generated image) changes depending on the position of the object in the circumferential direction in the response action display area E. For example, when the position of the object is detected in the center of the response action display area E in the circumferential direction, the image generation unit 336 generates an image such that the character image or object image is displayed in the center of the display 11. Therefore, for example, when an object is detected at position b in FIG. 12 , the character image is displayed in the center of the display 11 as shown in FIG. 13(B). On the other hand, for example, when the position of the object is detected to one side of the center in the circumferential direction in the response action display area E, the image generation unit 336 generates an image such that the character image or object image is displayed on the side corresponding to the one side in the left-right direction from the center of the display 11. Therefore, for example, if an object is detected at positions c and d in Figure 12, a character image will be displayed at a position to the left or right of the center of the display 11, as shown in Figures 13(C) and 13(D), respectively.

[0159] Furthermore, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image such that the size of the character image or object image displayed on the display 11 changes depending on the distance from the object sensor 21 to the position of the object within the response action display area E. For example, if an object is detected at a distance from the object sensor 21 in the radial direction within the response action display area E, the image generation unit 336 generates an image such that the character image or object image is displayed small on the display 11. Therefore, for example, if an object is detected at position c in FIG. 12, a relatively small character image is displayed on the display 11, as shown in FIG. 13(C). On the other hand, for example, if an object is detected at a position close to the object sensor 21 in the radial direction within the response action display area E, the image generation unit 336 generates an image such that the character image or object image is displayed large on the display 11. Therefore, for example, if an object is detected at position d in FIG. 12, a relatively large character image is displayed on the display 11, as shown in FIG. 13(D). Alternatively, the image generating unit 336 may generate an image such that a number indicating the distance from the object sensor 21 to the position of the object within the response action display area E is displayed on the display 11.

[0160] On the other hand, in the sensor response image generation process, if the detection unit 333 does not detect the position of an object within the response action display area E, the image generation unit 336 generates a constant, unchanging image (second image). For example, in this case, the image generation unit 336 generates an image that does not include a character image or an object image. Therefore, for example, if an object is detected at position a1 or a2 in FIG. 12, no character image is displayed on the display 11, as shown in FIG. 13(A).

[0161] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the sensor response image generation process, the image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the movement of an object detected by the detection unit 333 within the response action display area E. For example, the image generation unit 336 generates an image that changes depending on whether or not movement equal to or greater than a reference movement level is detected by the detection unit 333. Furthermore, the image generation unit 336 generates an image that changes depending on whether or not movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level detected by the detection unit 333 is detected as moving in a circumferential direction within the response action display area E.

[0162] Specifically, for example, when the detection unit 333 detects a movement below the reference movement level or when no movement of the object is detected, the image generation unit 336 generates a still character image or object image (fourth image). Therefore, for example, when a still object is detected at position d in FIG. 12, an image of a standing character is displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG. 13(D). In addition, in this case, a still animation (for example, an action of the character peering forward, an action of the character sitting down, etc.) may be played once every few seconds. This allows the user to know that the user's stillness has been detected.

[0163] Furthermore, when the detection unit detects a movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level, the image generation unit 336 generates several frames of character or object images (third images) of the moving object. In particular, when the detection unit detects that the movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level is moving in the circumferential direction, the image generation unit 336 generates a character or object image moving in the left-right direction. Therefore, for example, when a large movement of an object moving in the circumferential direction is detected at position b in FIG. 12, an image of the character walking in the left-right direction is displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG. 13(B). On the other hand, when the detection unit detects that the movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level is not moving in the circumferential direction, the image generation unit 336 generates a character or object image moving in place (e.g., jumping). Therefore, for example, when an object making a large movement in place is detected at position c in FIG. 12, an image of the character jumping is displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG. 13(C).

[0164] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when an object that has been detected in the response operation display area E by the detection unit 333 is detected within the detection area of ​​the object sensor 21 but outside the response operation display area E, the image generation unit 336 generates an image such that the image is switched in the first manner. For example, when a large movement of an object moving in the radial direction away from the response operation display area E is detected at position f in Fig. 12, in this embodiment, the image generation unit 336 generates a character image or object image that moves away when switching from an image including a character to an image not including a character.

[0165] On the other hand, in this embodiment, when an object that was detected within response motion display area E by detection unit 333 is no longer detected within the detection area of ​​object sensor 21, but is detected within the detection area of ​​object sensor 21 without being detected outside response motion display area E, image generation unit 336 generates an image so that the image is switched in the second manner. For example, when a large movement of an object moving in the circumferential direction away from response motion display area E is detected at position g in FIG. 12 , in this embodiment, image generation unit 336 does not particularly generate a character image or object image when switching from an image including a character to an image not including a character. Therefore, the character image or object image that was displayed on display 11 suddenly disappears at the left or right edge of display 11.

[0166] In this embodiment, an image is generated according to the position of the object detected by the detection unit 333, allowing the user to know whether the position of the object is being properly recognized by the object sensor 21. Note that the image generation unit 336 may generate an image regardless of the position of the object detected by the detection unit 333.

[0167] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image generated by the image generation unit 336 when the detection unit 333 detects the position of an object in the response motion display area E is different from the image generated by the image generation unit 336 when the detection unit 333 does not detect the position of an object in the response motion display area E. As a result, the user can know whether the response motion display area E is set appropriately. In particular, since the response motion display area E is set based on the area in which the bed B is located, which is set based on the user's input, the user can know whether the area in which the bed B is located is set appropriately by the object sensor 21. Note that the image generation unit 336 may generate any image as long as different images are generated when the position of an object is detected in the response motion display area E and when the position of an object is not detected in the response motion display area E.

[0168] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image generated by the image generation unit 336 when the detection unit 333 detects a movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level is different from the image generated by the image generation unit 336 when the detection unit 333 does not detect a movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level. This allows the user to know whether the detection unit 333 has detected a movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level. In particular, as described above, when the stationary device 1 is in the alarm sound playback state and a movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level is detected, the volume of the alarm sound can be reduced or the playback of the alarm sound can be stopped. Therefore, the user can know how much movement is required to reduce the volume of the alarm sound or stop the playback of the alarm sound.

[0169] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the manner in which the image switches differs depending on whether an object that was detected within response operation display area E is now detected within the detection area of ​​object sensor 21 but outside response operation display area E, or whether it is no longer detected within the detection area of ​​object sensor 21. This allows the user to know whether, when the object moves outside response operation display area E, it has moved into or out of the detection area of ​​object sensor 21.

[0170] Next, the generation of images by the image generation unit 336 in the fixed image generation process will be described. As described above, in the fixed image generation process, the image generation unit 336 generates images regardless of the output of the object sensor 21. In particular, in this embodiment, the image generation unit 336 generates a fixed image that does not change. For example, as shown in FIG. 13(E), the image generation unit 336 continues to display an image of a character lying down without changing. Note that in the fixed image generation process, the image generation unit 336 may generate a changing image as long as it is an image that is independent of the output of the object sensor 21. For example, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image that changes over time.

[0171] <Processing flow> Next, the flow of processing related to the image generation processing, time signal playback processing, and light emission processing will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the outline of the flow of execution processing for executing the image generation processing, time signal playback processing, and light emission processing. The execution processing shown in Figure 14 is executed by the processor 33.

[0172] When the execution process starts, first, the determination unit 334 determines whether the current time period is a sleep time period (step S41). In this embodiment, the determination unit 334 determines whether the current time period is a time period between a time determined according to the planned bedtime and a time determined according to the alarm time. If it is determined in step S41 that the current time period is a sleep time period, the image generation unit 336 executes a certain image generation process (step S42), the sound control unit 335 stops the time signal playback process (step S43), and the light emission control unit 337 stops the light emission process (step S44). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S41 that the current time period is not a sleep time period, the image generation unit 336 executes a sensor response image generation process (step S45), the sound control unit 335 executes the time signal playback process (step S46), and the light emission control unit 337 executes the light emission process (step S47).

[0173] 15 is a flowchart showing the outline of the flow of the sensor response image generation process. The sensor response image generation process shown in FIG.

[0174] When the sensor response image generation process starts, first, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not an object has entered or exited the response action display area E (step S51). That is, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not movement such as that shown by positions f and g in FIG. 12 has been detected. If it is determined in step S51 that an object has not entered or exited the response action display area E, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not an object has been detected in the response action display area E (step S52). If it is determined in step S52 that an object has not been detected, the image generation unit 336 does not generate a character image (step S53).

[0175] If it is determined in step S52 that an object has been detected, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not a large movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level has been detected (step S54). If it is determined in step S54 that a large movement has not been detected, the image generation unit 336 generates a character image that is standing still (step S55). If it is determined in step S54 that a large movement has been detected, the determination unit 334 determines whether or not the large movement is moving in the circumferential direction (step S56). If it is determined in step S56 that the large movement is not moving, the image generation unit 336 generates a character image that is jumping (step S57). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S56 that the large movement is moving, the image generation unit 336 generates a character image that is walking (step S58).

[0176] If it is determined in step S51 that the entry or exit of an object has been detected, the determination unit 334 determines whether the object has entered or exited the response action display area E by moving in the radial direction (step S59). If it is determined in step S59 that the object has entered or exited by moving in the radial direction (if there has been the movement shown at position f in FIG. 12), the image generation unit 336 generates an animation image (for example, an image of a character moving away) (step S60). On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S59 that the object has entered or exited by moving in the radial direction, the image generation unit 336 does not generate an animation image (step S61).

[0177] <<Variations>> Next, a modified example of the image generation process will be described.

[0178] In one variation, in the sensor response image generation process, the image generation unit 336 may generate different images depending on whether the position of the object detected by the detection unit 333 is within the sleeping determination area C or outside the sleeping determination area C. For example, when the position of the object detected by the detection unit 333 is within the sleeping determination area C, the image generation unit 336 generates a character image (fifth image) of a character on a bed. When the position of the object detected by the detection unit 333 is outside the sleeping determination area C, the image generation unit 336 generates a character image (sixth image) of a character beside the bed. This allows the user to know at what position the object is determined to be located within the sleeping determination area C.

[0179] In another variation, when the detection unit 333 detects the position of an object in an area within a predetermined lower limit distance (e.g., 15 cm) from the object sensor 21, the image generation unit 336 may not execute the sensor response image generation process even during the active time period. Therefore, when the detection unit 333 detects the position of an object in an area within a predetermined lower limit distance (e.g., 15 cm) from the object sensor 21, the image generation unit 336 may not generate an image according to the output of the object sensor 21. In this case, the image generation unit 336 may generate an image unrelated to the output of the object sensor 21, or may not substantially generate an image, as shown in FIG. 13(A). This prevents an inappropriate image from being displayed when the distance from the object sensor 21 to the position of the object is too close and the detection unit 333 is unable to perform accurate detection.

[0180] <Checking detection status> As described above, whether or not the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the sleep determination region C and whether or not the detection unit 333 detects a small movement are used to determine the state of the stationary device 1. In particular, whether or not the in-region presence condition and the presence estimation condition are satisfied (i.e., whether or not the presence condition is satisfied) is used to determine whether or not to play an alarm sound.

[0181] As described above, it is assumed that when the user makes a large movement (e.g., sitting up, rolling over, moving arms and legs, etc.) within the sleeping determination area C, the detection unit 333 detects a large movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level within the sleeping determination area C. Similarly, it is assumed that when the user makes a small movement (e.g., breathing, etc.) on the bed B near the object sensor 21, the detection unit 333 detects a small movement less than the reference movement level near the object sensor 21. Therefore, if a large movement is detected within the sleeping determination area C or a small movement is detected near the object sensor 21 even though the user is not within the sleeping determination area C or near the object sensor 21, the alarm sound may be inappropriately played or stopped.

[0182] For example, when air is being blown onto bed B by an air conditioning device such as an electric fan, large or small movements occur due to the fan swinging or the bedding moving even when the user is not on bed B. Therefore, in such a case, even though the user is not on bed B, large movements may be detected within the sleeping determination area C or small movements may be detected near the object sensor 21, but the user may not notice them.

[0183] Therefore, in this embodiment, when desired by the user, a status check process is performed to determine whether the detection state by the detection unit 333 is normal. Particularly in this embodiment, the status check process determines whether a large movement is detected within the sleep determination region C or a small movement is detected near the object sensor 21, even though the user is not supposed to be within the sleep determination region C or near the object sensor 21. Then, in the status check process, if a large movement is detected within the sleep determination region C or a small movement is detected near the object sensor 21, even though the user is not supposed to be within the sleep determination region C or near the object sensor 21, the detection state is determined to be an abnormal state. On the other hand, in the status check process, if no large movement is detected within the sleep determination region C and no small movement is detected near the object sensor 21, the detection state is determined to be normal.

[0184] <<Example of check control processing>> A specific example of the check control process including the status check process will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. The check control process is initiated when the user inputs a request to execute the status check process, and is terminated after the status check process is completed and the result is notified to the user. Figures 16 and 17 are time charts of the operation and detection status of the sound control unit 335 and the like during execution of the check control process. In particular, Figures 16 and 17 are time charts of the sound played by the sound control unit 335, the image generated by the image generation unit 336, the light emission state of the light emitter 13 controlled by the light emission control unit 337, and the movement detected by the detection unit 333.

[0185] 16 is a time chart showing a case where the detected state is determined to be normal in the state check process. In the example shown in FIG. 16, at time t 11 At time t, the user inputs a request to execute the status check process. The user inputs a request to execute the status check process, for example, by operating the operation unit 20.11 When an input indicating a desire for a check is made in step 336, the check execution unit 338 starts the check control process.

[0186] The check control process may be started at a time other than when the user inputs a request for a check. For example, the check control process may be started when the stationary device 1 is started for the first time and initial settings are performed. The check control process may also be started when new information about bed B (such as the relative position of the stationary device 1 with respect to bed B) is input via the operation unit 20, for example, when the user changes the installation location of the stationary device 1 or replaces bed B with one of a different size.

[0187] time t 11 When the check control process is started in the display 11, a check guide image is first generated by the image generation unit 336, and this check guide image is displayed on the display 11. The check guide image may include a message outlining the status check process that is about to start. For example, the check guide image may include a message indicating that a check will be made to see if there is any movement in the sleep determination area C. In addition, the check guide image may include a leaving message urging the user to leave the area including the sleep determination area C. For example, the check guide image may include a message indicating that the user needs to stay at least 3.5 m away from the stationary device 1 while the status check process is being executed. Alternatively, the check guide screen may include a message indicating that the user should not approach the stationary device 1 while a check sound is being played during the status check process. Note that the check guide images may be displayed all at once on the display 11, or may be displayed in sequence multiple times so as to be switched each time the user operates the operation unit 20.

[0188] Also, at time t 11When the check control process is started in the above, the check execution unit 338 may prompt the user to input the relative positional relationship of the stationary device 1 with respect to bed B and the distance from the stationary device 1 to bed B. As a result, when the user inputs the relative positional relationship and the distance to bed B, the setting unit 332 sets the area in which bed B is located based on the input relative positional relationship and the distance to bed B. By setting the area in which bed B is located immediately before the start of the status check process in this way, it is possible to prevent the detection status from being erroneously determined due to an incorrect setting of the area in which bed B is located.

[0189] In this embodiment, when the check control process is started, first a check guide image is generated and displayed on the display 11. However, the check guide image does not have to be generated, and it does not have to be displayed on the display 11. In this case, as soon as the check control process is started, a check guide image is generated and displayed on the display 11. 12 The following operations are performed.

[0190] In the example shown in FIG. 16, after that, at time t 12 In step (b), the user inputs an input indicating consent to the start of the status check process. The input indicating consent is made by the user operating the operation unit 20, for example.

[0191] In this embodiment, time t 12 When an input indicating consent to the start of the status check process is made at time t, the sound control unit 335 plays a process start sound indicating that the status check process will start from now. The process start sound is a sound effect. For example, the process start sound is a voice message indicating that the status check process will start after a predetermined countdown time (for example, 10 seconds). Note that the sound control unit 335 plays a sound at time t 12 Even if an input indicating consent to the start of the status check process is made in step 1, the process start sound may not be played.

[0192] Also, at time t12 When an input indicating consent to the start of the status check process is made at time t, the image generating unit 336 generates a countdown image indicating the remaining time until the status check process starts, and this countdown image is displayed on the display 11. The countdown image is generated at time t 11 The countdown image is an image that indicates the remaining time until the status check process starts, for example.

[0193] In this embodiment, time t 12 The sound control unit 335 does not play any sound other than the process start sound until the countdown time has elapsed. However, the sound control unit 335 may play a sound indicating the remaining time until the status check process starts.

[0194] In the example shown in FIG. 12 The time t when the countdown time has elapsed 13 In this case, the check execution unit 338 starts the status check process. Therefore, in this embodiment, the check execution unit 338 starts the status check process after the countdown time has elapsed since the check guidance screen was displayed on the display 11. Since the status check process is not started until the countdown time has elapsed since the check guidance screen was displayed, the user can move away from the stationary device 1 during this time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from moving away from the stationary device 1 and erroneously determining that the detected status is an abnormal status.

[0195] In this embodiment, the check execution unit 338 determines whether the detection state is normal based on whether the normality determination condition is satisfied in the state check process. The check execution unit 338 determines that the detection state is normal when the normality determination condition is satisfied, and determines that the detection state is abnormal when the normality determination condition is not satisfied.

[0196] In this embodiment, the normality determination condition is a condition that is met when the determination unit 334 has never determined that the existence condition is met from the start of the status check process until a predetermined check time (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed. Therefore, the normality determination condition is a condition that is not met if the determination unit 334 has determined that the existence condition is met even once from the start of the status check process until the predetermined check time has elapsed.

[0197] The presence condition is a condition that is satisfied when the determination unit 334 determines that either the in-region presence condition or the presence estimation condition is satisfied. However, the presence condition may be a condition that is satisfied when at least one of the in-region presence condition or the out-of-region presence condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the object presence condition may be a condition that is satisfied when the in-region presence condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the object presence condition may be another condition whose sufficiency is determined based on the detection by the detection unit 333 of at least one of large movements and their positions and small movements.

[0198] Therefore, the normality determination condition is satisfied when, from the start of the state check process until the predetermined check time has elapsed, the detection unit 333 has not detected any large movement (movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level) or small movement (movement less than the reference movement level) within the sleep determination area C. On the other hand, the normality determination condition is not satisfied when, from the start of the state check process until the predetermined check time has elapsed, the detection unit 333 has detected at least one of large movement (movement equal to or greater than the reference movement level) and small movement (movement less than the reference movement level) within the sleep determination area C even once.

[0199] In this embodiment, the normality determination condition is determined to be satisfied only when it is determined that the existence condition is not satisfied even once over a predetermined check time, thereby preventing a false determination that the normality determination condition is satisfied and thus a false determination that the detection state is in a normal state.

[0200] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the detection state is determined to be normal when the presence condition is not satisfied, i.e., when neither large nor small movement is detected within the sleep determination region C. Therefore, in this embodiment, when determining whether the detection state is normal, whether large movement is detected within the separation determination region D is not taken into consideration, and therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the presence condition for stopping the alarm sound is satisfied (determine whether the absence estimation condition shown in C13 of FIG. 5 is satisfied).

[0201] The normality determination condition may be any other condition as long as it includes the condition that the existence condition is not satisfied. For example, the normality determination condition may be a condition that is satisfied when the existence condition is not satisfied for an arbitrary period of time (a period of time shorter than the check time) during a predetermined check time.

[0202] While the status check process is being executed, the image generation unit 336 generates an image indicating that the status check process is being executed. Therefore, while the status check process is being executed, an image indicating that the status check process is being executed is displayed on the display 11. This allows the user to understand that the status check process is being executed.

[0203] Furthermore, the sound control unit 335 plays a check sound while the status check process is being executed. Therefore, the sound control unit 335 plays the check sound from the start of the status check process until the end of the status check process. The check sound is, for example, music. However, the check sound may also be a sound effect that is played continuously.

[0204] In addition, during the execution of the status check process, the light emission control unit 337 blinks the light emitter 13. Therefore, the light emission control unit 337 blinks the light emitter 13 from the start of the status check process to the end of the status check process.

[0205] Here, while the status check process is being executed, the user needs to be away from the stationary device 1. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user will not be able to see the display 11 of the stationary device 1 while the status check process is being executed. In this embodiment, a check sound is played and the light emitter 13 is illuminated at the start and end of the status check process. Therefore, even if the user cannot see the display 11, the user can know the start and end of the status check process.

[0206] The sound control unit 335 may play a sound when starting the status check process and when ending the status check process. Therefore, the sound control unit 335 may stop playing a sound except when starting the status check process (a predetermined time before or after the start of the status check process) and when ending the status check process (a predetermined time before or after the end of the status check process). Alternatively, the sound control unit 335 may not play a sound when starting the status check process or when ending the status check process. Similarly, the light emission control unit 337 may cause the light emitter 13 to emit light when starting the status check process and when ending the status check process. Therefore, the light emission control unit 337 may stop the light emitter 13 from emitting light except when starting the status check process (a predetermined time before or after the start of the status check process) and when ending the status check process (a predetermined time before or after the end of the status check process). Alternatively, the light emission control unit 337 may not cause the light emitter 13 to emit light when starting the status check process or when ending the status check process.

[0207] In the example shown in FIG. 16, the status check process is started at time t 13 From the time t when the check time has elapsed 14 16, the detection unit 333 has not detected any large or small movements within the sleeping determination region C. 14 Since the normality determination condition is satisfied in step 1, the detection state is determined to be normal.

[0208] time t 14 If it is determined that the detected state is normal at time t, the state check process is terminated. Accordingly, the sound control unit 335 plays a process end sound indicating that the state check process has ended. The process end sound is a sound effect. For example, the process end sound is a voice message indicating that the state check process has ended. After the process end sound has been played, the sound playback is stopped. Note that the sound control unit 335 plays a sound at time t 14 Even if the status check process is completed at time t, the process completion sound does not have to be played. 14 When the status check process is completed in step 1, the light emission control unit 337 may temporarily light or blink the light emitter 13. However, when the light emission control unit 337 blinks the light emitter 13, the light emission control unit 337 blinks the light emitter 13 in a manner different from the blinking during the status check process (for example, by changing the light emission color).

[0209] Also, at time t 14 If it is determined that the detection state is normal at time t, the image generating unit 336 generates a normal determination image indicating that the detection state is normal. The normal determination image is, for example, an image including a message indicating that the detection state is normal. Specifically, the normal determination image is, for example, an image including a message indicating that no moving object was found in the sleep determination area C. In addition, at time t 14 If the detection state is determined to be normal at time t 15 When the user inputs an input indicating that he / she agrees to end the check, the check control process ends.

[0210] 17 is a time chart showing a case where the detected state is determined to be an abnormal state in the state check process. In the example shown in FIG. 17, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 16, at time t 12 At time t 13The status check process starts at

[0211] In the example shown in FIG. 13 Time t before the countdown time has elapsed 16 At time t 16 At time t , the determination unit 334 determines that the existence condition is satisfied, and therefore the check execution unit 338 determines that the detection state is an abnormal state because the normality determination condition is no longer satisfied. In this embodiment, the check execution unit 338 determines that the existence condition is satisfied at time t 16 In this embodiment, if the determination unit 334 determines that the existence condition is satisfied before the check time has elapsed since the start of the status check process, the check execution unit 338 terminates the status check process before the check time has elapsed since the start of the status check process. By terminating the status check process before the check time has elapsed in this manner, the status check process can be terminated early, and the user can be notified of the results of the status check process early.

[0212] time t 16 When the detection state is determined to be an abnormal state and the state check process is terminated in the process, the sound control unit 335 plays a process end sound indicating that the state check process has ended. The process end sound played at this time may be a different sound from the sound played when the detection state is determined to be a normal state and the state check process is terminated. For example, the process end sound played when the detection state is a normal state may be a sound effect for the correct answer, and the process end sound played when the detection state is an abnormal state may be a sound effect for the incorrect answer.

[0213] Also, at time t 16When the status check process is completed in step S10, the light emission control unit 337 may temporarily light or blink the light emitter 13. At this time, the light emitter 13 may light or blink in a different light emission mode from when the detection status is determined to be normal and the status check process is completed. For example, the light emitter 13 may light up in blue when the detection status is normal, and may blink in red when the detection status is abnormal.

[0214] Also, at time t 16 When it is determined that the detection state is an abnormal state in the sleep determination area C, the image generation unit 336 generates an abnormality determination image indicating that the detection state is an abnormal state. The abnormality determination image is an image including a message indicating that the detection state is an abnormal state. Specifically, the abnormality determination image is an image including an abnormality determination message such as a message indicating that a moving object has been found in the sleep determination area C or a message indicating that the stationary device 1 may not operate correctly if left as is. This allows the user to know that the detection state is an abnormal state.

[0215] In addition, the abnormality determination image is an image including an image relating to the object detection status based on the detection result of the detection unit 333 during execution of the status check process. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the image relating to the object detection status. In particular, Fig. 18 shows an image displayed on the display 11.

[0216] If the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the sleeping determination area C and also detects the location where the large movement occurred during the state check process, the image generation unit 336 generates an image corresponding to the position of the object detected by the detection unit 333 (the location where the large movement occurred), as shown in FIG. 18(A), for example, as an image related to the object detection situation. If the detection unit 333 detects a large movement within the sleeping determination area C during the state check process but detects the distance to the location rather than the position, the image generation unit 336 generates an image corresponding to the distance to the object detected by the detection unit 333, as shown in FIG. 18(B), for example, as an image related to the object detection situation. Furthermore, if the detection unit 333 does not detect a large movement within the sleeping determination area C during the state check process but detects a small movement, the image generation unit 336 generates an image indicating the presence of an object near the detection unit 333, as shown in FIG. 18(C), for example, as an image related to the object detection situation. Note that the image generated in this case may be an image that changes depending on the detected small movement. Therefore, when the detection unit 333 detects a small movement without detecting the position of the object and the distance to the object, the image generation unit 336 generates an image indicating that the small movement has been detected. By generating an image relating to the object detection status and displaying it on the display 11 in this way, the user can know what kind of detection is being performed by the detection unit 333. In particular, in this embodiment, when a position where a large movement is occurring is detected, the image generation unit 336 generates an image according to the position of the object and displays it on the display 11, so that the user can easily identify the reason why it has been determined that a movement is occurring.

[0217] The image including the abnormality determination message and the image regarding the object detection status based on the detection result of the detection unit 333 may be displayed all at once on the display 11, or may be displayed in sequence multiple times so that they are switched each time the user operates the operation unit 20.

[0218] In this embodiment, the check execution unit 338 executes the condition check process again if it determines that the detected condition is an abnormal condition in the first condition check process in the check control process. Therefore, after generating the abnormality determination image, the image generation unit 336 generates an image explaining that the condition check process will be executed again, and the generated image is displayed on the display 11. Thereafter, at time t 17 When the user inputs an input indicating that he / she agrees to start the status check process at time t 18 The status check process starts again at

[0219] Here, in the status check process, if the determination unit 334 determines that the existence condition is satisfied even once, the detection status is determined to be an abnormal status. Therefore, the conditions for determining that the detection status is an abnormal status are relatively strict. In this embodiment, even if the detection status is determined to be an abnormal status once in the status check process, the status check process can be executed again to carefully determine the detection status. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the detection status is determined to be a normal status in the first status check process, the check control process is terminated without executing the status check process again.

[0220] The check execution unit 338 may not execute the status check process again even if the first status check process determines that the detected status is an abnormal status. Also, the check execution unit 338 may execute the status check process again even if the first status check process determines that the detected status is a normal status.

[0221] In the example shown in FIG. 18 Time t before the countdown time has elapsed 19 At time t 19 In step 3, the determining unit 334 determines that the existence condition is satisfied, and the check executing unit 338 therefore determines that the detected state is an abnormal state, and ends the state check process.

[0222] time t 19 When it is determined that the detection state is an abnormal state in the sleep determination area C, the image generation unit 336 generates an abnormality determination image. After that, the image generation unit 336 generates an image explaining how to deal with the problem. Specifically, the image generation unit 336 generates an image including, for example, a message prompting the user to check whether there is any movement in the sleep determination area C or a message prompting the user to change the installation location of the stationary device 1.

[0223] After that, the user is asked whether or not to perform the status check process again. In the example shown in FIG. 17, 20 At time t , the user inputs an instruction indicating that it is not necessary to perform the status check process again. When an input indicating that it is not necessary to perform the status check process again is made in this manner, the image generating unit 336 generates a check completion image indicating the end of the status check process, and the check completion image is displayed on the display 11. After that, at time t 21 When the user inputs an input indicating that he / she agrees to end the check, the check control process ends.

[0224] In this embodiment, the check execution unit 338 determines that the detection state is normal when the normality determination condition, including the presence condition not being satisfied, is satisfied in the state check process, and determines that the detection state is abnormal when the normality determination condition is not satisfied. This allows the user to know whether the determination unit 334 has determined that the presence condition is satisfied in the current state. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user can confirm whether the stationary device 1 is properly detecting the user's absence on the bedding. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stationary device 1 is a portable device. Therefore, if the detection state is determined to be abnormal in the state check process, the user can change the installation location of the stationary device 1.

[0225] <Processing flow> Next, the flow of the check control process will be described with reference to Fig. 19 and Fig. 20. Fig. 19 is a flowchart that schematically shows the flow of the check control process. In particular, Fig. 19 is a diagram that schematically shows the flow of image generation by the image generation unit 336 in the check control process. In Fig. 19, actions shown in double frames indicate actions that can proceed to the next action by the user providing input via the operation unit 20. On the other hand, in Fig. 19, actions shown in single frames indicate actions that can proceed to the next action without user input.

[0226] 19, when the check control process is started, the image generation unit 336 first generates a check guide image, and the check guide image is displayed on the display 11 (step S71). When the user performs an operation input such as pressing the operation unit 20 (an input indicating that the user agrees to the start of the status check process) while the check guide screen is displayed on the display 11, the image generation unit 336 generates a start confirmation image for confirming whether or not the user agrees to the start of the status check process, and the start confirmation image is displayed on the display 11 (step S72).

[0227] When the user performs an operation input (input indicating consent to the start of the status check process) such as pressing the operation unit 20 while the start confirmation image is displayed on the display 11, the image generation unit 336 generates a countdown image indicating the remaining time until the status check process (step S73). After that, when the countdown time has elapsed since the operation input, the check execution unit 338 executes the status check process shown in Fig. 20 (step S74).

[0228] Next, the check execution unit 338 determines whether or not the detection state is determined to be an abnormal state in the state check process (step S75). If the detection state is determined to be not an abnormal state in step S75 (if the detection state is determined to be a normal state), the image generation unit 336 generates a normal determination image, and the normal determination image is displayed on the display 11 (step S76). When the normal determination image is displayed on the display 11 and the user performs an operation input such as pressing the operation unit 20 (an input indicating consent to the end of the check), the check control process is ended.

[0229] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S75 that the detected state is an abnormal state, the image generation unit 336 generates an abnormality determination image, and the abnormality determination image is displayed on the display 11 (step S77). When the user performs an operation input such as pressing the operation unit 20 (an input indicating that the user understands the content of the abnormality determination image) while the abnormality determination image is displayed on the display 11, the check execution unit 338 determines whether or not this execution of the state check process was the first time (step S78).

[0230] If it is determined in step S78 that this execution of the status check process is the first time, the image generation unit 336 generates a recheck explanation image that explains that the status check process will be executed again, and this recheck explanation image is displayed on the display 11 (step S79). With the recheck explanation image displayed on the display 11, if the user performs an operation input such as pressing the operation unit 20 (an input indicating that the user agrees to the start of the status check process), step S72 and subsequent steps are repeated again.

[0231] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S78 that this is the second or subsequent execution of the status check process, the image generation unit 336 generates a solution explanation image that explains a solution method, and the solution explanation image is displayed on the display 11 (step S80). When the user performs an operation input, such as pressing the operation unit 20, while the solution explanation image is displayed on the display 11 (an input indicating that the content of the solution explanation image has been understood), the check execution unit 338 determines whether or not it is necessary to execute the status check process again (step S81). In this embodiment, the check execution unit 338 determines whether or not it is necessary to execute the status check process based on the operation input by the user via the operation unit 20. If the user inputs an input indicating that it is necessary to execute the status check process again in step S81, steps S72 and subsequent steps are repeated again.

[0232] On the other hand, if the user inputs in step S81 indicating that it is not necessary to execute the status check process again, the image generating unit 336 generates a check end image indicating the end of the status check process, and this check end image is displayed on the display 11 (step S82). If the user inputs an operation such as pressing the operation unit 20 in step S82 (an input indicating that the end of the check is accepted), the check control process is ended.

[0233] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the status check process. The status check process in Fig. 20 is executed by the processor 33 when the flow chart in Fig. 19 proceeds to step S74.

[0234] 20, when the state check process is started, the detection unit 333 detects object movement based on the output of the object sensor 21 (step S91). Next, the determination unit 334 determines whether a large movement or a small movement has been detected within the sleeping determination region C based on the detection result by the detection unit 333 (step S92). If a large movement or a small movement has been detected within the sleeping determination region C in step S92, the check execution unit 338 determines that the detection state is an abnormal state, and the state check process is terminated.

[0235] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S92 that neither large nor small movement has been detected in the sleeping determination area C, it is determined whether or not a predetermined check time has elapsed since the start of the state check process (step S94). If it is determined in step S94 that the check time has not elapsed, steps S91 and thereafter are repeated again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S94 that the check time has elapsed, the check execution unit 338 determines that the detection state is normal and stable, and the state check process is terminated.

[0236] Although preferred embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0237] 1 Stationary Device 10 Main Unit 11 Display 12 speakers 13 Luminous Object 20 Control section 21 Object Sensor 22 Operation sensor 30 Control Unit

Claims

1. a timing unit that measures time; A sensor whose output changes depending on the position of surrounding objects; a setting unit that sets a first time based on an input by a user; an image generation unit that generates an image; a sound control unit that reproduces an alarm sound when the time measured by the timing unit reaches a time determined in accordance with the first time, The image generation unit generates an image regardless of the output of the sensor during a first time period that includes a time before the first time, and performs a sensor response image generation process to generate an image according to the output of the sensor during a second time period that is different from the first time period.

2. a detection unit that detects the position of the object based on an output of the sensor; the sound control unit stops the reproduction of the alarm sound when a condition is satisfied, including that the position of the object that was detected within a first area during the reproduction of the alarm sound is no longer detected within the first area; 2. The alarm clock of claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates an image that is different from an image generated when the object is detected in a second region including the first region during the sensor response image generation process than an image generated when the object is not detected in the second region.

3. a detection unit that detects the position of the object based on an output of the sensor; the image generation unit generates a first image when the object is detected in the second area, and generates a second image when the object is not detected in the second area, in the sensor response image generation process; generating an image such that the first image is switched to the second image in a first manner when the object that has been detected within the second area is detected outside the second area; 3. The alarm clock of claim 2, wherein an image is generated so as to switch from the first image to the second image in a second manner when an object that was detected within the second area is no longer detected within the area range of the sensor.

4. a detection unit that detects the position of the object based on an output of the sensor; the sound control unit stops playing the alarm sound when a condition is satisfied, including that the position of the object that was detected within a first area during playback of the alarm sound is no longer detected within the first area; The alarm clock according to claim 1 , wherein the image generating section generates an image according to the position of the object in the sensor response image generating process.

5. Further comprising a storage unit that stores a plurality of sets and a plurality of different images; Each set is associated with a different character image than the other sets, 5. The alarm clock according to claim 4, wherein the image generating section generates the image in the sensor response image generating process such that the position of the image of the character in the generated image changes depending on the position of the object.

6. a storage unit for storing a plurality of sets, a plurality of different images, and a plurality of different alarm sounds; Each set is associated with a different image and alarm sound from the other sets. the image generator generates an image associated with the set selected by the user; 10. The alarm clock of claim 1, wherein the sound control plays an alarm sound associated with a set selected by a user.

7. a detection unit that detects the movement of the object based on the output of the sensor, the image generation unit generates a third image when a movement of the object equal to or greater than a predetermined size is detected in the sensor response image generation process; 2. The alarm clock of claim 1, wherein the sound control unit stops playing the alarm sound or reduces the volume of the alarm sound when movement of the object equal to or greater than the predetermined size is detected.

8. 8. The alarm clock according to claim 7, wherein the image generating section generates a fourth image when no movement of the object equal to or greater than the predetermined size is detected in the sensor response image generating process.

9. The alarm clock according to claim 7 , wherein the setting unit sets the predetermined magnitude related to the movement of the object based on a user input.

10. the setting unit sets a second time based on an input by a user; the first time zone includes the second time; 2. The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the sound control unit reproduces a sleep-inducing sound when the time measured by the clock unit reaches a time determined according to the second time.

11. 2. The alarm clock of claim 1, wherein the sound control unit plays a time signal sound when the time measured by the timing unit reaches a predetermined time during the second time period, and does not play the time signal sound even when the time measured by the timing unit reaches the predetermined time during the first time period.

12. a light-emitting portion that emits light; a light emission control unit that controls the light emission of the light emitting unit, 2. The alarm clock of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting control unit causes the light-emitting unit to emit light when a predetermined condition is met during the second time period, and does not cause the light-emitting unit to emit light during the first time period even when the predetermined condition is met.

13. 3. The alarm clock of claim 2, wherein the image generation unit generates a fifth image when the object is detected within the first area during the sensor response image generation process, and generates a sixth image when the object is detected outside the first area.

14. The alarm clock according to claim 1 , wherein the image generating section does not execute the sensor response image generating process when the object is detected within a predetermined lower limit distance from the sensor.

15. The alarm clock according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit that displays the image generated by the image generation unit.

16. 1. A method for controlling an alarm clock, comprising: To measure time, setting a first time based on a user operation; generating an image; and reproducing an alarm sound when the measured time reaches a time determined in accordance with the first time, The control method includes generating the image by performing a sensor response image generation process that generates an image during a first time period that includes a time before the first time, regardless of the output of a sensor whose output changes depending on the position of surrounding objects, and that generates an image according to the output of the sensor during a second time period that is different from the first time period.

17. A control program for an alarm clock, comprising: To measure time, setting a first time based on a user operation; generating an image; When the measured time reaches a time determined according to the first time, an alarm sound is played; on the computer, The control program includes executing a sensor response image generation process in which, during a first time period including a time before the first time, an image is generated regardless of the output of a sensor whose output changes depending on the position of surrounding objects, and, during a second time period different from the first time period, an image is generated according to the output of the sensor.

Images