Sleep induction device and sleep induction method

Abstract

To provide a sleep induction device that enables a user to fall asleep more comfortably. [Solution] The sleep induction device 100 includes a deep body temperature determination unit 20 that determines the deep body temperature of the user, a heat dissipation amount control unit 30 that controls the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, and a controller 13 that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 so that the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determination unit 20 changes within a first speed range.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sleep induction device and a sleep induction method for inducing a user to fall asleep, and an awakening induction device and an awakening induction method for inducing a user to wake up. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, devices have been provided for allowing a user to sleep comfortably. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bed that regulates the body temperature of a user as one example of such a device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-527428 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the bed disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be said to be sufficient for allowing the user to fall asleep comfortably.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a sleep induction device etc. that allows a user to fall asleep more comfortably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a sleep induction device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a deep body temperature determination unit that determines a deep body temperature of a user, a heat dissipation amount control unit that controls an amount of heat dissipated from the body of the user, and a controller that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit so that the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determination unit decreases within a rate range corresponding to a rate of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when falling asleep and within a rate range based on a rate of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when falling asleep in the past. The heat dissipation amount control unit controls the amount of heat dissipation of the user in a peripheral part of the user. The device comprises a vasodilator device for expanding subcutaneous blood vessels and increasing blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels, a blood flow sensor for measuring the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels, and a temperature control device for heating or cooling the peripheral part of the user, and when the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels measured by the blood flow sensor is smaller than a specified amount, the temperature control device heats the peripheral part of the user to increase the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels, and when the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels is larger than the specified amount, the temperature control device absorbs heat from the peripheral part of the user to control the amount of heat dissipated from the peripheral part of the user.

[0007] Further, a sleep induction method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a determination step in which a deep body temperature determination unit determines a deep body temperature of a user; a control step in which a heat dissipation amount control unit controls an amount of heat dissipated from the body of the user; and a change step in which a controller changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled in the control step so that the determined deep body temperature of the user decreases within a rate range corresponding to a rate of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when the user falls asleep and within a rate range based on a rate of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when the user previously fell asleep. In the control step, subcutaneous blood of the user is detected in a peripheral part of the user. The method comprises the steps of expanding a tube to increase blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessel, measuring the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessel, and heating or cooling the user's peripheral part. If the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessel measured in the measuring step is smaller than a specified amount, the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessel is increased by heating the user's peripheral part in the heating or cooling step, and when the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessel is greater than the specified amount, heat is absorbed from the user's peripheral part, thereby controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's peripheral part.

[0008] In addition, an awakening induction device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a deep body temperature determination unit that determines the deep body temperature of a user, a heat dissipation amount control unit that controls the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, and a controller that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit so that the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determination unit rises within a second rate range corresponding to the rate of rise of the deep body temperature when a person awakens.

[0009] In addition, an awakening induction method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second determination step of determining a user's core body temperature, a second control step of controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, and a second change step of changing the amount of heat dissipation controlled in the second control step so that the determined core body temperature of the user rises within a second rate range corresponding to the rate of rise of core body temperature when a person awakens. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a user can fall asleep more comfortably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overview diagram illustrating a sleep inducing device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sleep inducing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating the first speed range according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating the first speed range according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the sleep inducing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a sleep inducing device according to a first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of a sleep inducing device according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the awakening induction device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the second speed range according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] (Knowledge that led to this disclosure) It is generally known that regulating body temperature is effective in helping people fall asleep. For example, it is widely known that raising body temperature by taking a bath before going to sleep effectively helps people fall asleep. Taking a bath before going to sleep rapidly raises a person's body temperature, inducing a heat dissipation effect (i.e., a drop in body temperature) that attempts to return body temperature to its original state through the human thermoregulatory function. As body temperature drops due to this heat dissipation, people begin to feel sleepy. In other words, lowering body temperature is important in helping people fall asleep.

[0013] On the other hand, it is difficult to induce a person to fall asleep by simply lowering the person's body temperature. For example, it is known that a person who consumes ice cream or the like before falling asleep has difficulty falling asleep afterwards. In other words, a rapid drop in body temperature cannot induce a person to fall asleep. In other words, the speed and degree of the drop in body temperature are considered to be important in order to induce a person to fall asleep more comfortably. In particular, the body temperature of a person falls within a predetermined speed range from late night to dawn, when a person sleeps. Therefore, by artificially lowering the body temperature within such a predetermined speed range, it is possible to induce a person to fall asleep more comfortably. At this time, by setting a lower limit for the drop in body temperature and specifying the degree of the drop in body temperature, it is possible to reproduce a body temperature change close to that during natural sleep, and to induce a person to fall asleep more comfortably.

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below all show comprehensive or specific examples of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, as well as the steps and the order of the steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present disclosure will be described as optional components.

[0015] In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily precisely illustrated. Therefore, the scales and the like are not necessarily the same in each figure. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) [Sleep induction device] First, a sleep inducing device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an overview diagram for explaining the sleep inducing device according to the first embodiment.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the sleep inducing device 100 according to the present embodiment is a chair-type device on which a user sits. The sleep inducing device 100 includes a seat 11, a core body temperature determining unit 20, a heat dissipation amount control unit 30, and a controller 13 (see Fig. 2, which will be described later).

[0018] The chair unit 11 has a seat surface for seating the user at a position higher than the floor surface on which the sleep induction device 100 is placed, and a backrest against which the user can lean. The chair unit 11 has a rotation mechanism that allows the angle of the backrest to be changed relative to the seat surface. Therefore, the user can adjust the angle between the seat surface and the backrest as desired and use the sleep induction device 100 in any posture.

[0019] The sleep induction device 100 determines the deep body temperature of the user by the deep body temperature determination unit 20. More specifically, the deep body temperature determination unit 20 obtains the deep body temperature of the user by determination. As an example, the deep body temperature determination unit 20 is attached to a headrest connected to the backrest of the chair unit 11, and measures the temperature of the user's eardrum.

[0020] Here, the sleep induction device 100 monitors the variation in the user's body temperature using the deep body temperature. The deep body temperature is not easily affected by the outside air temperature and shows a substantially uniform variation based on the circadian rhythm, so it is suitable for monitoring the variation in the user's body temperature in the embodiment. In addition, it is generally believed that the temperature of the eardrum can be obtained at a value close to the deep body temperature, and the value directly measured from outside the body by the sleep induction device 100 may be determined and used as the deep body temperature.

[0021] The deep body temperature determination unit 20 may correct the acquired temperature value by calculation and determine the corrected temperature value as the deep body temperature. The deep body temperature determination unit 20 may determine the deep body temperature using the ZHF (Zero-Heat-Flow) method or the DHF (Dual-Heat-Flux) method. The deep body temperature determination unit 20 may acquire the skin temperature of the user's neck or face, or the sublingual temperature, and determine the deep body temperature by correction. The deep body temperature determination unit 20 may determine the deep body temperature in a non-contact manner by capturing electromagnetic waves emitted from the user.

[0022] The heat dissipation amount control unit 30 is a device that controls the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body. As an example, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 is attached to the chair unit 11 as an armrest and a footrest. The heat dissipation amount control unit 30 has flexibility that allows it to deform so as to cover the user's hands and feet. In this way, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 can secure a wide contact area with the user's hands and feet by deforming into the shape of the user's hands and feet, and can more efficiently control the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body.

[0023] The controller 13 is a device that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control section 30 so that the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determining section 20 falls within a first rate range.

[0024] The sleep inducing device 100 will be described in further detail below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sleep inducing device according to the first embodiment.

[0025] 2, the sleep inducing device 100 in this embodiment is realized by a deep body temperature determining section 20 and a heat dissipation amount control section 30 connected to a controller 13. The controller 13 changes the control content of the heat dissipation amount control section 30 based on the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determining section 20.

[0026] Here, as shown in Fig. 2, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 includes a blood flow sensor 31, a vasodilator 33, and a temperature regulator 35. The blood flow sensor 31 is a measuring device that measures the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels of the user. As an example, the blood flow sensor 31 is composed of a laser light source and a light receiving element. The blood flow sensor 31 calculates the speed of moving components in the blood by using a frequency shift in the reflected light of the laser light. The blood flow rate per unit time is calculated from the speed of the moving components in the blood.

[0027] The vasodilator 33 is a device that expands the subcutaneous blood vessels of a user in the peripheral parts of the user's hands and feet, and increases the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels. The vasodilator 33 expands the diameter of the subcutaneous blood vessels of the user by heating using the temperature regulator 35. The vasodilator 33 may be realized by a vacuum chamber or the like that maintains the peripheral parts of the user in a vacuum environment.

[0028] The temperature adjustment device 35 is a device that heats or cools the peripheral parts of the user. The temperature adjustment device 35 is realized by, for example, a Peltier element and a power supply unit. The temperature adjustment device 35 heats or cools the peripheral parts of the user by using a temperature gradient that occurs when a voltage is applied to the Peltier element by the power supply unit.

[0029] The heat dissipation amount control unit 30 reduces the core body temperature of the user by the above configuration. More specifically, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 expands the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral part of the user to make the user's body in a state where heat dissipation is easily performed. Next, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 uses the temperature adjustment device 35 to absorb heat from the peripheral part of the user in a state where the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels is greater than a specified amount while monitoring the blood flow rate of the user using the blood flow sensor 31. The expansion of the subcutaneous blood vessels is maintained by maintaining the blood flow rate in a state where it is greater than a specified amount. By absorbing heat from the peripheral part, heat dissipation is performed from the user's perspective. Here, the amount of heat absorption is controlled by controlling the voltage applied in the temperature adjustment device 35, and the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body is controlled.

[0030] [First speed range] It has been found that the deep body temperature in the human circadian rhythm decreases from late night to dawn, which is suitable for falling asleep. Therefore, it is considered possible to artificially induce such a decrease in deep body temperature to induce a user to fall asleep. In other words, the sleep induction device 100 in this embodiment is a device that induces a user to fall asleep by decreasing the deep body temperature of the user. Here, the sleep induction device 100 changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 so that the deep body temperature of the user decreases within the first speed range, as described above. The first speed range will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a first diagram illustrating the first speed range according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a second diagram illustrating the first speed range according to embodiment 1.

[0032] The upper graph in Figure 3 is a graph showing the change in the user's core body temperature (CBT) when the user changes from a standing position to a lying position (i.e., when the user assumes a sleeping posture). The lower graph in Figure 3 is a graph showing the level of drowsiness felt by the user at the same time as the upper graph. In the lower graph in Figure 3, the level of drowsiness increases as the vertical axis moves toward the positive side.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the user's deep body temperature drops just by assuming a sleeping posture, and at the same time, the level of drowsiness increases. The drop in deep body temperature here is within a range of 0.05°C or more and 0.25°C or less between 10:00 and 11:00. In other words, when the user falls asleep, the deep body temperature drops within a range of 0.05°C / h or more and 0.25°C / h or less. By artificially causing a drop in deep body temperature within this first speed range, the user can be led to fall asleep.

[0034] The upper graph in Fig. 4 is a graph showing the fluctuations in the depth of sleep of the user at each time during sleep, and the lower graph in Fig. 4 is a graph showing the fluctuations in the user's core body temperature at the same time as the upper graph.

[0035] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 4, the deep body temperature of the sleeping user gradually decreases from a maximum value of 37.0°C to a minimum value of 36.2°C over a period of about 5 hours from about 1 hour before falling asleep. The average per hour is 0.16°C / h, and it is found that the fluctuation is within the range of 0.05°C / h to 0.25°C / h, which is the first speed range. Here, if the deep body temperature of the user is extremely decreased, there is a possibility of hypothermia, etc., so it is preferable to set a predetermined lower limit for the adjustment of the deep body temperature. For example, in the lower diagram of FIG. 4, the deep body temperature during sleep decreases by a maximum of 0.8°C. In addition, the lower limit for the adjustment of the deep body temperature may be adjusted according to the user. For example, it may be 0.5°C, which is smaller than 0.8°C, in consideration of the safety of the user. Therefore, the predetermined lower limit for the adjustment of the deep body temperature may be selected from a range of -0.5°C or less and -0.8°C or more with respect to the user's normal body temperature (for example, 37.0°C when awake).

[0036] As shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 4, the user's sleep alternates between REM sleep and non-REM sleep. For example, sleep inducing device 100 may further increase the rate at which the deep body temperature decreases in accordance with the depth of the initial non-REM sleep. This can speed up the decrease in deep body temperature required for the user to fall asleep after starting to use sleep inducing device 100, and shorten the time lag between starting to use sleep inducing device 100 and the user falling asleep.

[0037] [Operation] Next, the operation of sleep induction device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the sleep induction device according to the first embodiment.

[0038] First, a user of the sleep induction device 100 sits on the chair 11 and starts using the device. The sleep induction device 100 uses the deep body temperature determination unit 20 to measure the temperature of the user's eardrum to determine the deep body temperature (S101). The sleep induction device 100 stores the normal body temperature of each user in advance, and determines whether it is appropriate to lower the deep body temperature. More specifically, the sleep induction device 100 determines whether the deep body temperature of the user has reached a target deep body temperature (S102). This determination makes it possible to prevent an action to lower the deep body temperature from being performed on a user whose deep body temperature has already been lowered. The target deep body temperature will be described later.

[0039] For example, if it is determined that the user's core body temperature has reached the target core body temperature (Yes in S102), the user's core body temperature has already dropped, and further lowering the core body temperature may result in hypothermia, so sleep inducing device 100 ends the process. If it is determined that the user's core body temperature has not reached the target core body temperature (No in S102), sleep inducing device 100 determines whether the user's core body temperature is below a predetermined lower limit (S103).

[0040] For example, if it is determined that the user's core body temperature is below a predetermined lower limit (No in S103), the user's core body temperature has already dropped, and further lowering the core body temperature may result in hypothermia, so sleep induction device 100 ends the process. Note that when the above process ends, sleep induction device 100 may notify the user that the operation has ended because the core body temperature has dropped. Also, the operations of sleep induction device 100 in the above steps S101 to S103 are provided for the safety of the user, but are not essential for guiding the user to fall asleep. Therefore, steps S101 to S103 do not have to be performed.

[0041] If it is determined that the core body temperature of the user is not below the predetermined lower limit (Yes in S103), the sleep inducing device 100 performs a first control step (S104) of controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body. More specifically, the sleep inducing device 100 controls the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body using the heat dissipation amount control unit 30. The vasodilator 33 of the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 first uses the temperature adjustment unit 35 to heat the user's hands and feet until the user's subcutaneous blood vessels are expanded (i.e., blood flow increases). The heat dissipation amount control unit 30 then uses the temperature adjustment unit 35 to cool the user's hands and feet, thereby controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's hands and feet.

[0042] At this time, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 controls the temperature gradient of the temperature adjustment device 35 so that the blood flow sensor 31 keeps the subcutaneous blood vessels expanded. This allows more blood to circulate through the expanded subcutaneous blood vessels, and heat is dissipated by heat exchange. The sleep induction device 100 further performs a first determination step (S105) of determining the deep body temperature of the user. The first determination step (S105) and the first control step (S104) may be performed simultaneously in parallel. In the first determination step (S105), the deep body temperature of the user is determined and acquired using the deep body temperature determination unit 20, similar to step S101.

[0043] The sleep inducing device 100 then determines whether the acquired deep body temperature of the user has reached a target deep body temperature (S106). The target deep body temperature is a value that is determined in advance depending on the method of using the sleep inducing device 100. For example, depending on the planned usage time of the sleep inducing device 100, the target deep body temperature is determined by the product of the rate at which the deep body temperature drops and the planned usage time. Also, for example, if the product of the rate at which the deep body temperature drops and the planned usage time falls below a predetermined lower limit, the target deep body temperature is determined to be equal to the predetermined lower limit. Note that the target deep body temperature may be determined by other methods.

[0044] If the sleep induction device 100 determines that the user's core body temperature has reached the target core body temperature (Yes in S106), the sleep induction device 100 ends the process. On the other hand, if the sleep induction device 100 determines that the user's core body temperature has not reached the target core body temperature (No in S106), the sleep induction device 100 further determines whether the user's core body temperature is below a predetermined lower limit (S107).

[0045] If it is determined that the user's core body temperature is below the predetermined lower limit (No in S107), the sleep inducing device 100 ends the process. If it is determined that the user's core body temperature is not below the predetermined lower limit (Yes in S107), the sleep inducing device 100 further determines whether the change in the user's core body temperature is within a first speed range (S108). If it is determined that the change in the user's core body temperature is within the first speed range (Yes in S108), the sleep inducing device 100 returns to the first control step (S104) and repeats the process until the target core body temperature is reached (Yes in S106) or the core body temperature falls below the predetermined lower limit (No in S107).

[0046] Also, when it is determined that the change in the core body temperature of the user is not within the first speed range (No in S108), the controller 13 of the sleep inducing device 100 changes the operation of the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 to execute a first change step (S109) of changing the amount of heat dissipated from the body of the user. More specifically, for example, when the change in the core body temperature of the user is slower than the first speed range, the controller 13 makes the temperature gradient of the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 larger, and further promotes cooling of the user's hands and feet by the temperature adjustment device 35. Also, for example, when the change in the core body temperature of the user is faster than the first speed range, the controller 13 makes the temperature gradient of the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 smaller, and further alleviates cooling of the user's hands and feet by the temperature adjustment device 35. At this time, a known feedback control such as PID control may be applied. Thereafter, the sleep inducing device 100 returns to the first control step (S104) and repeats the process until the target deep body temperature is reached (Yes in S106) or the deep body temperature falls below the predetermined lower limit (No in S107).

[0047] As an example, in the above-mentioned repeated process, the first determination step (S105) of determining the user's deep body temperature is performed every minute. In other words, the repeated process of the first control step (S104) to the first change step (S109) is performed at one-minute intervals. For example, the controller 13 calculates the rate of change of the user's deep body temperature from two points, the acquired deep body temperature and the deep body temperature one minute before, and performs the first change step (S109) of changing the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body every minute. Note that the deep body temperature determined in the first determination step (S105) may be the average of the deep body temperatures obtained by multiple measurements.

[0048] The above repetitive process may be changed in various ways depending on the user's physique, the temperature conditions in the room, etc. Therefore, the repetitive process may be performed at intervals of 5 minutes, 10 seconds, or other intervals. In addition, in order to calculate the rate of change in the user's body temperature more accurately, the rate may be calculated using three core body temperatures instead of two core body temperatures, the rate may be calculated using five core body temperatures, or other intervals.

[0049] Through the above process, the sleep inducing device 100 in this embodiment can reduce the deep body temperature of the user at a rate of change within the first rate range. The deep body temperature of the user is reduced at an appropriate rate of change, and a body temperature change close to that during natural sleep is reproduced. Therefore, the user is guided to sleep by a reduction in deep body temperature close to that during natural sleep, and can fall asleep more comfortably.

[0050] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the sleep induction device 100 in this embodiment comprises a deep body temperature determination unit 20 that determines the deep body temperature of the user, a heat dissipation amount control unit 30 that controls the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, and a controller 13 that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 so that the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determination unit 20 decreases within a first rate range corresponding to the rate at which the deep body temperature decreases when a person falls asleep.

[0051] According to this, the amount of heat dissipation is controlled so that the change in deep body temperature accompanying heat dissipation from the user's body falls within a first speed range. By controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, the deep body temperature of the user falls at a speed within the first speed range. Such a fall in deep body temperature is a phenomenon similar to that observed during natural sleep. Therefore, the user is guided to fall asleep by a body temperature change similar to that observed during natural sleep. Therefore, by using the sleep induction device 100, the user can fall asleep more comfortably.

[0052] Also, for example, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 may control the amount of heat dissipated from the user's peripheral parts by absorbing heat from the user's peripheral parts.

[0053] According to this, the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body is controlled simply by attaching the heat dissipation control unit 30 to the peripheral parts of the user. Therefore, no large-scale device such as an air conditioner is required. In other words, the sleep induction device 100 can be realized in a compact size.

[0054] Also, for example, the first rate range may be greater than or equal to 0.05° C. / h and less than or equal to 0.25° C. / h.

[0055] According to this, the user's core body temperature drops at a rate within the range of 0.05°C / h to 0.25°C / h. Therefore, the user is guided to sleep by a body temperature change close to that during natural sleep. Therefore, by using the sleep induction device 100, the user can fall asleep more comfortably.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, the controller 13 may further change the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control section 30 so that the core body temperature does not fall below a predetermined lower limit.

[0057] This makes it possible to avoid the possibility of hypothermia, etc., caused by lowering the user's core body temperature too much, and therefore allows the user to fall asleep more comfortably.

[0058] Also, for example, the predetermined lower limit may be selected from a range of −0.5° C. or lower and −0.8° C. or higher with respect to the user's normal body temperature.

[0059] According to this, the drop in the user's core body temperature is maintained within a range of -0.5°C or less and -0.8°C or more compared to the user's normal body temperature. This prevents the risk of hypothermia, etc., caused by lowering the user's core body temperature too much. This allows the user to fall asleep more comfortably.

[0060] Also, for example, a seat section 11 for a user to sit on may be further provided, and the core body temperature determining section 20 and the heat dissipation amount control section 30 may be attached to the seat section.

[0061] This allows the user to use sleep induction device 100 in a seated position. Therefore, sleep induction device 100 can be realized in a seated position that requires a relatively small area. In other words, sleep induction device 100 can be realized in a compact size.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 may have a vasodilator 33 in the user's peripheral area that dilates the subcutaneous blood vessels of the user and increases the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels.

[0063] This causes the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral area of ​​the user to expand. In the expanded subcutaneous blood vessels, the blood flow rate increases, and a lot of heat exchange takes place. In other words, the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body can be controlled more efficiently. Therefore, the sleep induction device 100 can induce the user to fall asleep more efficiently.

[0064] In addition, for example, the heat dissipation control unit 30 may further include a blood flow sensor 31 that measures the blood flow in subcutaneous blood vessels, and a temperature control device 35 that heats or cools the user's peripheral parts, and if the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels measured by the blood flow sensor 31 is smaller than a specified amount, the temperature control device 35 may heat the user's peripheral parts to increase the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels.

[0065] According to this, the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral parts of the user are expanded by heating using the temperature adjustment device 35. The expansion of the subcutaneous blood vessels can be monitored by the blood flow sensor 31. In the expanded subcutaneous blood vessels, the blood flow rate increases, and a lot of heat exchange takes place. In other words, the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body can be controlled more efficiently. Therefore, the sleep induction device 100 can more efficiently induce the user to fall asleep.

[0066] Also, for example, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 may control the amount of heat dissipated from the user's peripheral parts by absorbing heat from the peripheral parts of the user when the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels is greater than a specified amount.

[0067] According to this, sleep induction device 100 expands the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral area of ​​the user, and then controls the amount of heat dissipated from the peripheral area of ​​the user by cooling. At this time, sleep induction device 100 can cool the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral area of ​​the user within a range that does not cause the blood vessels to constrict. Therefore, sleep induction device 100 can more efficiently guide the user to fall asleep.

[0068] In addition, the sleep induction method in this embodiment includes a first determination step (S105) of determining the user's deep body temperature, a first control step (S104) of controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, and a first change step (S109) of changing the amount of heat dissipation controlled in the first control step (S104) so ​​that the determined deep body temperature of the user decreases within a first rate range corresponding to the rate at which the deep body temperature decreases when a person falls asleep.

[0069] According to this, the amount of heat dissipation is controlled so that the change in deep body temperature accompanying heat dissipation from the user's body falls within a first speed range. By controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, the deep body temperature of the user falls at a speed within the first speed range. Such a fall in deep body temperature is a phenomenon similar to that observed during natural sleep. Therefore, the user is guided to fall asleep by a body temperature change similar to that observed during natural sleep. Therefore, by using the sleep induction method, the user can fall asleep more comfortably.

[0070] [Variations] In the following, a modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. Note that in the modified example described below, the configuration of the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment 1. Therefore, the description will be centered on the heat dissipation amount control unit 30, and other parts that are substantially the same as those of embodiment 1 will be omitted or simplified.

[0071] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a sleep inducing device according to a first modification of the first embodiment.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 6A, sleep inducing device 100a in the first modification includes heat dissipation amount control unit 30 realized by a mitten-shaped glove. Heat dissipation amount control unit 30 is connected to a controller (not shown) by a cable or the like. Sleep inducing device 100a executes the same process as in the first embodiment based on the user's deep body temperature determined by a deep body temperature determination unit (not shown) also connected to the controller. Note that in this modification, heat dissipation amount control unit 30 has a shape that covers the user's hands, but heat dissipation amount control unit 30 realized by boots that cover the feet may also be provided.

[0073] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of a sleep inducing device according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 1. In FIG.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6B, the sleep inducing device 100b in the second modification includes a heat dissipation amount control unit 30 realized by a pad laid on the mattress of a bed. The heat dissipation amount control unit 30 in this modification may be placed in any position corresponding to the left and right hands and feet when the user lies supine on the mattress. The heat dissipation amount control unit 30 is connected to a controller (not shown) by a cable or the like. The sleep inducing device 100b executes the same process as in the first embodiment based on the deep body temperature of the user determined by a deep body temperature determination unit (not shown) also connected to the controller.

[0075] As described above, the heat dissipation amount control unit 30 in the present disclosure is not limited to being attached to the chair unit 11, and may be realized in any form as long as it can heat or cool the user's hands and feet. Therefore, the posture of the user using the sleep induction device 100 is not limited to sitting on the chair unit 11. However, the user of the sleep induction device 100 can fall asleep comfortably even in a sitting position by lowering the core body temperature. In other words, the user does not need to be in a lying position to sleep, and can use the sleep induction device 100 to sleep even in a limited installation space.

[0076] (Embodiment 2) [Awakening Induction Device] The second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Note that the awakening induction device 200 in this embodiment differs in part in device configuration and operation from the sleep induction device 100 in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0077] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the awakening induction device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG.

[0078] The awakening induction device 200 according to the present embodiment is a chair-type device on which a user sits and uses, similar to the sleep induction device 100 shown in FIG.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 7, the awakening induction device 200 includes a deep body temperature determining unit 60, a heat dissipation amount control unit 70, and a controller 53.

[0080] The awakening induction device 200 judges the deep body temperature of the user by the deep body temperature judgment unit 60. More specifically, the awakening induction device 200 monitors the fluctuation of the user's body temperature using the deep body temperature. The heat dissipation amount control unit 70 is a device that controls the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body. The controller 53 is a device that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 so that the deep body temperature of the user judged by the deep body temperature judgment unit 60 rises within a second speed range.

[0081] Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 includes a blood flow sensor 71, a vasoconstriction device 73, and a temperature adjustment device 75. The blood flow sensor 71 is a measuring device that measures the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels of the user. The vasoconstriction device 73 is a device that constricts the subcutaneous blood vessels of the user in the peripheral parts such as the hands and feet of the user, thereby reducing the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels. The vasoconstriction device 73 constricts the diameter of the subcutaneous blood vessels of the user by cooling using the temperature adjustment device 75. The temperature adjustment device 75 is a device that heats or cools the peripheral parts of the user.

[0082] The heat dissipation amount control unit 70 increases the core body temperature of the user by the above configuration. More specifically, the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 constricts the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral part of the user to make it difficult for heat to be dissipated from the user's body. Next, the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 heats the peripheral part of the user by the temperature adjustment device 75 in a state in which the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessels is smaller than a specified amount while monitoring the blood flow rate of the user using the blood flow sensor 71. By maintaining the blood flow rate in a state smaller than a specified amount, the constriction of the subcutaneous blood vessels is maintained. By heating from the peripheral part, heat dissipation from the peripheral part is suppressed from the user's point of view. Here, the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body is controlled by controlling the amount of heat by the temperature adjustment device 75.

[0083] [Second speed range] Contrary to the decrease in deep body temperature in the first embodiment, it is considered possible to induce a user to fall asleep by artificially increasing the deep body temperature. That is, the awakening induction device 200 in the present embodiment is a device that induces an awakening of a user by increasing the deep body temperature of the user. In particular, the awakening induction device 200 can be used for an application in which, in a user who is in an awakening state and has a high level of drowsiness, the awakening state is increased by decreasing the level of drowsiness of the user.

[0084] Here, the awakening induction device 200 changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 so that the core body temperature of the user rises within the second speed range, as described above. The second speed range will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the second speed range according to the second embodiment.

[0086] The upper graph in Fig. 8 is a graph showing the change in the user's core body temperature when the user changes from a lying position to a standing position (i.e., when the user assumes an awake posture). The lower graph in Fig. 8 is a graph showing the level of drowsiness felt by the user at the same time as the upper graph. In the lower graph in Fig. 8, the level of drowsiness increases toward the positive side of the vertical axis.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, the deep body temperature rises and the level of drowsiness drops simply by the user assuming an awake posture. The rise in deep body temperature here is within a range of 0.10°C or more and 0.30°C or less between 13:00 and 14:00. In other words, when the user wakes up, the deep body temperature rises within a range of 0.10°C / h or more and 0.30°C / h or less. By artificially causing the deep body temperature to rise within this second speed range, the user can be led to wake up.

[0088] [Operation] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the awakening induction device 200 according to the present embodiment. Note that the basic operation of the awakening induction device 200 is similar to the flow chart showing the operation of the sleep induction device 100 described in FIG. 5, and therefore will not be illustrated.

[0089] The awakening induction device 200 performs a second control step of controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body. More specifically, the awakening induction device 200 reduces the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body using the heat dissipation amount control unit 70. The vasoconstriction device 73 of the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 first cools the user's hands and feet using the temperature adjustment device 75 until the user's subcutaneous blood vessels are constricted (i.e., the blood flow rate is reduced). The heat dissipation amount control unit 70 then heats the user's hands and feet using the temperature adjustment device 75, thereby reducing the amount of heat dissipated from the user's hands and feet.

[0090] At this time, the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 controls the temperature gradient of the temperature adjustment device 75 so that the blood flow sensor 71 maintains the state in which the subcutaneous blood vessels are constricted. This allows less blood to circulate through the constricted subcutaneous blood vessels, while dissipating heat through heat exchange. The awakening induction device 200 further performs a second determination step of determining the deep body temperature of the user. The second determination step and the second control step may be performed simultaneously in parallel. In the second determination step, the deep body temperature of the user is determined and acquired using the deep body temperature determination unit 60.

[0091] The awakening induction device 200 then determines whether the acquired deep body temperature of the user has reached the target deep body temperature. If the awakening induction device 200 determines that the deep body temperature of the user has reached the target deep body temperature, the awakening induction device 200 ends the process. On the other hand, if the awakening induction device 200 determines that the deep body temperature of the user has not reached the target deep body temperature, the awakening induction device 200 further determines whether the change in the deep body temperature of the user is within a second speed range. If the change in the deep body temperature of the user is determined to be within the second speed range, the awakening induction device 200 returns to the second control step and repeats the process until the deep body temperature reaches the target deep body temperature.

[0092] Also, when it is determined that the change in the user's core body temperature is not within the second speed range, the controller 53 of the awakening induction device 200 changes the operation of the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 to execute a second change step of changing the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body. More specifically, for example, when the change in the user's core body temperature is slower than the second speed range, the controller 13 makes the temperature gradient of the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 larger, and further promotes heating of the user's hands and feet by the temperature adjustment device 75. Also, for example, when the change in the user's core body temperature is faster than the second speed range, the controller 53 makes the temperature gradient of the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 smaller, and further alleviates heating of the user's hands and feet by the temperature adjustment device 75. Thereafter, the awakening induction device 200 returns to the second control step and repeats the process until the target core body temperature is reached.

[0093] As a result, the awakening induction device 200 in this embodiment can increase the core body temperature of the user at a rate of change within the second rate range. The core body temperature of the user is increased at an appropriate rate of change, reproducing a body temperature change close to that observed during natural awakening. Therefore, the user is awakened by the increase in core body temperature close to that observed during natural awakening, and can be awakened more comfortably.

[0094] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the awakening induction device 200 in this embodiment includes a deep body temperature determination unit 60 that determines the deep body temperature of the user, a heat dissipation amount control unit 70 that controls the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, and a controller 53 that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 so that the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determination unit 60 rises within a second rate range corresponding to the rate of rise of the deep body temperature when a person awakens.

[0095] According to this, the amount of heat dissipation is controlled so that the change in core body temperature accompanying heat dissipation from the user's body falls within the second speed range. By controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, the core body temperature of the user rises at a speed within the second speed range. Such an increase in core body temperature is a phenomenon similar to that observed during natural awakening. Therefore, the user is led to awakening by a change in body temperature similar to that observed during natural awakening. Therefore, by using the awakening induction device 200, the user can be awakened more comfortably.

[0096] Also, for example, the second rate range may be 0.10° C. / h or more and 0.30° C. / h or less.

[0097] According to this, the user's core body temperature rises at a rate within the range of 0.10°C / h or more and 0.30°C / h or less. Therefore, the user is guided to awakening by a body temperature change close to that at the time of natural awakening. Therefore, by using the awakening induction device 200, the user can be awakened more comfortably.

[0098] Furthermore, for example, the heat dissipation amount control unit 70 may have a vasoconstriction device 73 that constricts the subcutaneous blood vessels of the user in the peripheral area of ​​the user, thereby reducing the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels.

[0099] According to this, the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral parts of the user are constricted. In the constricted subcutaneous blood vessels, the blood flow rate is reduced, and the heat exchange is reduced. In other words, the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body can be reduced. Therefore, the awakening induction device 200 can more efficiently induce the user to awaken.

[0100] In addition, for example, the heat dissipation control unit 70 may further include a blood flow sensor 71 that measures the blood flow in subcutaneous blood vessels, and a temperature control device 75 that heats or cools the user's peripheral parts, and if the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels measured by the blood flow sensor 71 is greater than a specified amount, the temperature control device 75 may cool the user's peripheral parts to reduce the blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessels.

[0101] According to this, subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral parts of the user are constricted by cooling using the temperature adjustment device 75. The constriction of the subcutaneous blood vessels can be monitored by the blood flow sensor 71. In the constricted subcutaneous blood vessels, the blood flow rate is reduced, so that heat exchange is reduced. In other words, the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body can be reduced. Therefore, the awakening induction device 200 can more efficiently induce the user to awaken.

[0102] In addition, the awakening induction method in this embodiment includes a second determination step of determining the user's core body temperature, a second control step of controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, and a second change step of changing the amount of heat dissipation controlled in the second control step so that the determined core body temperature of the user rises within a second rate range corresponding to the rate of rise of core body temperature when a person awakens.

[0103] According to this, the amount of heat dissipation is controlled so that the change in core body temperature accompanying heat dissipation from the user's body falls within the second speed range. By controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body, the core body temperature of the user rises at a rate within the second speed range. Such an increase in core body temperature is a phenomenon similar to that observed during natural awakening. Therefore, the user is led to awakening by a body temperature change similar to that observed during natural awakening. Therefore, by using the awakening induction method, the user can be woken up more comfortably.

[0104] Also, for example, in the wakefulness induction method, in a user who is in an wakeful state and has a high level of sleepiness, the wakefulness state of the user may be increased by lowering the level of sleepiness of the user.

[0105] According to this, in a user who is in an awakened state but has a high level of drowsiness, the level of drowsiness of the user is reduced and the awakened state is increased. Thus, by using the awakening induction method, the user can be awakened more comfortably.

[0106] (Other embodiments) Although the sleep induction device 100 and the sleep induction method, and the awakening induction device 200 and the awakening induction method according to the present disclosure have been described based on the above-mentioned embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications conceived by a person skilled in the art to each embodiment, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0107] For example, when the deep body temperature determined by the deep body temperature determination unit is equal to room temperature or is a value that is significantly different from the standard body temperature of a person, the user may be notified of the measurement abnormality of the deep body temperature. Also, for example, when it is determined that the user is in a sleep state based on brain waves or the like acquired by electrodes previously installed at multiple locations on the user's head, the notification of the measurement abnormality may not be made. Furthermore, in this case, the operation of the sleep induction device may be stopped. Also, when the sleep state of the user is determined and the user has already fallen asleep before the sleep induction operation of FIG. 5 begins, the sleep induction device may end the sleep induction operation. Furthermore, the sleep induction device may determine the sleep depth of the user based on brain waves or the like, and end the sleep induction operation when a predetermined sleep depth is reached. Furthermore, the sleep induction device may change the amount of heat dissipated from the user's body according to the sleep depth of the user. The determination of the sleep state of the user may be based on something other than brain waves, and may be realized by known sensing such as facial expression determination and body movement detection using an imaging device such as a camera, and pulse measurement using an optical sensor or the like.

[0108] The sleep induction device described in the above embodiment 1 and the awakening induction device described in the above embodiment 2 can share all of their components. Therefore, for example, the sleep induction device and the awakening induction device may be realized as an integrated unit.

[0109] Furthermore, for example, the controller described in the embodiment may be realized by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal owned by a user and an application executed on the mobile terminal.

[0110] Also, for example, the heat dissipation control unit may be realized by a spot air conditioner, etc. In this case, cold or hot air may be locally blown against the peripheral parts of the user, such as the hands and feet, to expand or contract the subcutaneous blood vessels in the peripheral parts, thereby causing a decrease or increase in the core body temperature.

[0111] In addition, the heat dissipation control unit controls the amount of heat dissipation from the user's extremities such as the hands and feet, but may control other parts. For example, the heat dissipation control unit may control the heat dissipation from the user's buttocks and thighs by a Peltier element installed in the seat of a chair.

[0112] For example, the present disclosure can be realized not only as a sleep induction device and an awakening induction device, but also as a program including, as steps, processes performed by each component of the sleep induction device and the awakening induction device, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded. The program may be pre-recorded on the recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0113] In other words, the above-mentioned comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by a system, an apparatus, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium, or may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Industrial Applicability]

[0114] The sleep induction device and the like disclosed herein are installed in a user's home, office, building such as a medical institution, or in a moving body such as an automobile, and are used to enable the user to get a comfortable sleep. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 11 Chair 13, 53 Controller 20, 60 Core body temperature determination section 30, 70 Heat dissipation control section 31, 71 Blood flow sensor 33. Vasodilator 35, 75 Temperature control device 73 Vasoconstrictor 100, 100a, 100b sleep induction device 200 Awakening Induction Device

Claims

1. A sleep induction device, comprising: a deep body temperature determination unit that determines a deep body temperature of a user of the sleep induction device; a heat dissipation amount control unit for controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the body of the user; A controller that changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit so that the deep body temperature of the user determined by the deep body temperature determination unit is decreased within a speed range that corresponds to a rate of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when the user falls asleep and coincides with a rate range of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when the user previously fell asleep, The heat dissipation amount control unit is a vasodilator for expanding a subcutaneous blood vessel of the user in a peripheral portion of the user to increase a blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel; a blood flow sensor for measuring a blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel; A temperature control device for heating or cooling the peripheral part of the user, When the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel measured by the blood flow sensor is smaller than a specified amount, the temperature control device heats the peripheral part of the user to increase the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel; In a state where the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel is greater than the specified amount, heat is absorbed from the peripheral part of the user, thereby controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the peripheral part of the user. Sleep induction device.

2. The controller further changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled by the heat dissipation amount control unit so that the core body temperature does not fall below a predetermined lower limit.

2. The sleep induction device of claim 1.

3. The predetermined lower limit is selected from a range of −0.5° C. or less and −0.8° C. or more with respect to the user's normal body temperature.

3. A sleep induction device as claimed in claim 2.

4. Further, a chair portion for seating the user is provided, The core body temperature determination unit and the heat radiation amount control unit are attached to the chair unit. A sleep induction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A sleep induction method using a sleep induction device, comprising: A determination step in which a deep body temperature determination unit determines a deep body temperature of a user of the sleep induction device; A control step of controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the body of the user by a heat dissipation amount control unit; and a change step in which the controller changes the amount of heat dissipation controlled in the control step so that the determined deep body temperature of the user decreases within a rate range that corresponds to a rate of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when the user falls asleep and coincides with a rate range of decrease in the deep body temperature of the user when the user previously fell asleep. In the control step, dilating a subcutaneous blood vessel of the user at a peripheral portion of the user to increase a blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel; measuring blood flow in the subcutaneous blood vessel; heating or cooling the extremity of the user; When the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel measured in the measuring step is smaller than a prescribed amount, the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel is increased by heating the peripheral part of the user in the heating or cooling step; In a state where the blood flow rate in the subcutaneous blood vessel is greater than the specified amount, heat is absorbed from the peripheral part of the user, thereby controlling the amount of heat dissipated from the peripheral part of the user. Sleep induction method.

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