Awakening Support System

Abstract

To provide an awakening support system capable of easing the stress that a guest feels when awakened from sleep, the guest staying at an accommodation facility, especially an accommodation facility such as a resort hotel located in a recreation and sightseeing area.SOLUTION: An awakening support system 1 for supporting awakening of a guest includes: shading means (curtain 3) which is provided for a window arranged in a guest room of an accommodation facility so as to be openable and closable to block the light entering from the outside to the inside of the room; opening / closing means (linear motor) 4 for opening / closing the shading means; a biometric information acquisition unit (sheet body 6 and pressure detection unit 7) which acquires biometric information from a guest in a bed; a guest terminal 8 comprising a sleeping state detection unit which detects a sleeping state of the guest on the basis of the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit; and a server terminal 9 comprising an awakening support operation executing unit which executes awakening support operation for opening the shading means to allow the light to enter the guest room by operating the opening / closing means on the basis of the sleeping state detected by the sleeping state detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an awakening assistance system that assists guests staying at a lodging facility in waking up. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when waking a human body from sleep, a device such as an alarm clock is used that uses a stimulus such as sound to wake the user at a predetermined time.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an alarm device that detects the reaction of the human body when an alarm action is performed, and is capable of selecting and applying a stimulus to the human body according to the detection result. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-372593 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 uses audio output means such as a speaker that generates sounds to wake up the user, almost forcibly waking the user from sleep. This can cause stress for the user. This tendency can be particularly noticeable, for example, among guests staying at resort hotels in health resorts and tourist destinations where guests can enjoy a resort atmosphere.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an awakening assistance system that can reduce the stress that guests staying at accommodation facilities, particularly resort hotels and other accommodation facilities in health resorts and tourist destinations, may feel when awakening from sleep. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the awakening assistance system is an awakening assistance system for assisting guests in waking up, and is equipped with a shading means that is openable and closable in a window installed in a guest room of a lodging facility and that blocks light from entering the interior from the outside, and an opening / closing means that opens and closes the shading means.The system is equipped with a biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information from the guest while they are in bed, a sleep state detection unit that detects the sleep state of the guest based on the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit, and an awakening assistance operation execution unit that executes an awakening assistance operation by operating the opening / closing means to open the shading means and allow the light to enter the guest room based on the sleep state detected by the sleep state detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the stress that guests staying at accommodation facilities, particularly resort hotels in health resorts and tourist destinations, may feel when waking up from sleep. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an awakening assistance system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a functional block diagram of the guest terminal 8 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the server terminal 9 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of guest data stored in the guest terminal 8 or the server terminal 9. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of accommodation facility data stored in the guest terminal 8 or the server terminal 9. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an example of a flowchart relating to an awakening assistance method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed on a guest terminal 8 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present disclosure.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wake-up assistance system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 assists in the wake-up of guests staying at lodging facilities such as resort hotels in health resorts or tourist destinations. The system 1 includes: a curtain 3 that can be opened and closed at a window 2 installed in the lodging facility and serves as a shading device for blocking light from entering the interior from the outside; a linear motor 4 that opens and closes the curtain 3; a sheet 6 that is placed between a reclining guest and a bed 5 and whose internal pressure fluctuates in response to external forces from the guest; a pressure detector 7 that detects the pressure fluctuations in the sheet 6 and generates and outputs biometric information indicating a value corresponding to the detected pressure; a guest terminal 8 that receives the biometric information output from the pressure detector 7; and a server terminal 9 that is connected to the guest terminal 8 via a network NW. The network NW may be configured from the Internet, an intranet, a wireless local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the like.

[0012] The sheet body 6 is formed into a bag shape by joining the edges of multiple strip-shaped resin films by heat sealing, adhesive bonding, or the like, and has a fluid (e.g., airtightness preventing air leakage) filled inside. The resin film here is made of, for example, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or the like, and has elasticity that allows it to maintain its shape and strength or pressure resistance that allows it to withstand internal pressure fluctuations due to external forces from a guest lying on the bed 5. A hollow tube (not shown) or the like is provided at the connection portion of the sheet body 6 with the pressure detection unit 7 to allow the fluid within the sheet body 6 to circulate to the pressure detection unit 7. The internal pressure of the sheet body 6 changes when subjected to external forces from the guest lying on the bed 5. More specifically, the sheet body 6 is subjected to external forces due to the guest's body movements, such as heartbeat, breathing, turning over, and snoring, generated by the guest lying on the bed 5. As a result, the fluid inside the sheet body 6 is compressed by external pressure and can flow into the pressure detection unit 7 through the tube.

[0013] The pressure detection unit 7 detects the pressure of the fluid flowing in through the sheet 6 and outputs a signal indicating a value corresponding to this pressure to the guest terminal 8 as biometric information. The pressure detection unit 7 is equipped with, for example, a piezoelectric or resistive pressure sensor (not shown). The pressure sensor is positioned so that it can come into direct contact with the fluid and outputs a current or voltage indicating a value corresponding to the pressure of the fluid as biometric information. The biometric information here includes the heart rate, skin potential, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body temperature, presence or absence of body movement of the guest while in bed, or information indicating the depth of the guest's sleep (e.g., phase coherence). The pressure detection unit 7 is electrically connected to the guest terminal 8, and is capable of transmitting and receiving biometric information to and from the guest terminal 8.

[0014] In this embodiment, the sheet member 6 and the pressure detection unit 7 constitute a biological information acquisition unit that acquires biological information from a guest staying in bed.

[0015] The guest terminal 8 is, for example, a portable terminal device that is loaned to a guest at the front desk of the accommodation facility and is compact enough to be carried or held by the guest. The guest terminal 8 is a computer that operates under program control, can be connected to the network NW via wired or wireless connection, and has the function of accessing other information processing devices such as a server terminal 9 connected to the network NW to obtain predetermined information or download predetermined programs. Specific examples of guest terminals 8 that have such functions include smartphones, mobile phones, and PDAs.

[0016] The server terminal 9 may be managed by a service provider that operates one or more accommodation facilities, and supports awakening from sleep in response to requests from guests who are service users. The server terminal 9 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, one server terminal is illustrated as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and multiple server terminals may be used.

[0017] In this embodiment, the system 1 is described as having a guest terminal 8 and a server terminal 9, and the guest uses the guest terminal 8 to operate the server terminal 9, but the server terminal 9 may be configured as a stand-alone terminal that has the function of being operated directly by the guest. Also, apart from the server terminal 9, the system may also include a terminal owned by the accommodation provider that operates the accommodation facility.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the guest terminal 8 of Fig. 1. The guest terminal 8 includes a communication unit 81, a storage unit 82, and a control unit 83.

[0019] The communication unit 81 is a communication interface for communicating with the pressure detection unit 7 or the server terminal 9 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0020] The storage unit 82 stores input data, programs for executing various control processes or functions in the control unit 83, and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The storage unit 82 also has a sleep history storage unit 821, etc. The storage unit 82 can also temporarily store data communicated with the server terminal 9. A database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the storage unit 82 or the guest terminal 8.

[0021] The sleep history storage unit 821 has a function of storing sleep history information relating to the past sleep states of guests (especially guests staying multiple nights). In this embodiment, the sleep history information may include, for example, a "bedtime state" indicating a state in which the guest is in a sleeping position, an "awake state" indicating a state after the bedtime state but not yet asleep, a "sleep onset state" indicating a state in which the guest has fallen asleep, a "REM sleep state" indicating a state of light sleep, a "non-REM sleep state" indicating a state of deep sleep, a "wake-up state" indicating a state in which the guest has finished sleeping, and a "mid-sleep awakening state" indicating a state in which the guest woke up from sleep between the sleep onset state and the wake-up state.

[0022] The control unit 83 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 82, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The control unit 83 has a sleep state detection unit 831, etc. This sleep state detection unit 831 is started by a program stored in the memory unit 82 and executed by the guest terminal 8, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0023] The sleep state detection unit 831 has a function of detecting the sleep state of the guest based on the biological information acquired from the guest by the sheet 6 and the pressure detection unit 7. A known method can be used to detect the sleep state. For example, the sleep state detection unit 831 detects which of the above-mentioned sleep states the lying guest is in based on the amplitude and period contained in the biological information acquired from the guest while in bed.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the server terminal 9 of Fig. 1. The server terminal 9 includes a communication unit 91, a display operation unit 92, a storage unit 93, and a control unit 94.

[0025] The communication unit 91 is a communication interface for communicating with the guest terminal 8 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0026] The display operation unit 92 is a user interface used, for example, by a service provider operating an accommodation facility to input instructions and to display text, images, etc. in accordance with input data from the control unit 94, and is composed of a display and a keyboard or a mouse when the server terminal 9 is configured as a personal computer, and is composed of a touch panel, etc. when the server terminal 9 is configured as a smartphone or tablet terminal. This display operation unit 92 is started up by a control program stored in the memory unit 93 and executed by the server terminal 9, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0027] The guest terminal 8 may be configured to have the function of a display operation unit, in which case the server terminal 9 may not be provided.

[0028] The memory unit 93 stores programs, input data, etc. for executing various control processes or functions in the control unit 94, and is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The memory unit 93 also temporarily stores the contents of communications with the guest terminal 8.

[0029] The control unit 94 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 9 by executing the programs stored in the memory unit 93, and is configured with a CPU, a GPU, or the like. The control unit 94 has an awakening support operation execution unit 941, a sleep state prediction unit 942, and the like. The awakening support operation execution unit 941 and the sleep state prediction unit 942 are activated by the programs stored in the memory unit 93 and executed by the guest terminal 8, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0030] The awakening support operation execution unit 941 has a function of executing an awakening support operation of opening the curtain 3 as a light blocking means to let light from outside into the guest room by operating the linear motor 4 as an opening / closing means based on the sleep state detected by the sleep state detection unit 831 included in the control unit 83 of the guest terminal 8. Specifically, the awakening support operation execution unit 941 can execute the above-mentioned awakening support operation when the sleep state detected by the sleep state detection unit 831 is a "REM sleep state."

[0031] Here, the sleep depth of a sleeping guest periodically increases and decreases. This cycle of increasing and decreasing sleep depth is generally called an ultradian rhythm. One cycle of an ultradian rhythm is approximately 90 minutes, broken down into 60 to 80 minutes of non-REM sleep, followed by 10 to 30 minutes of REM sleep, completing one sleep cycle. Therefore, if a guest's desired sleep duration is a multiple of 90 minutes, such as six hours, the guest's sleep depth will be at its shallowest during the wakefulness period, resulting in less sleep inertia and a more comfortable awakening. Based on this knowledge, it has been determined that the most desirable time to wake up is during the latter half of REM sleep, which corresponds to the end of the sleep cycle.

[0032] The sleep state prediction unit 942 has a function of predicting whether the guest will enter a "REM sleep state" in the future, based on sleep history information relating to the guest's past sleep states stored in the sleep history memory unit 821 included in the memory unit 82 of the guest terminal 8 and the guest's current sleep state detected by the sleep state detection unit 831 included in the control unit 83 of the guest terminal 8. For example, based on physiological indicators of the guest's past eye movements included in the history information, the sleep state prediction unit 942 identifies time periods when theta waves are likely to appear in the guest's electroencephalogram (time periods when the guest's eye movements are not sawtooth waves generated in REM sleep), and compares this with the guest's current sleep state to predict time periods when the guest will enter a "REM sleep state" in the future.

[0033] For example, when confirming the appearance of theta waves using electroencephalograms, it is possible to use the power spectrum of theta waves, the ratio of power spectra (sum of spectra from 4 Hz to 8 Hz / sum of spectra from 0.5 Hz to 24 Hz), wavelet transform, etc. Furthermore, when confirming the appearance of theta waves using electrooculography, it is possible to detect the appearance of high-amplitude waves from 1 Hz to 10 Hz.

[0034] The awakening assistance operation execution unit 941 can execute the awakening assistance operation based on the prediction result of the sleep state prediction unit 942. Here, if the sleep history information includes information related to comments or ratings from guests, this can be used as feedback information from the guests regarding the awakening assistance provided in the past, to generate a learning model by machine learning based on multiple guest data and accommodation facility data, and to execute awakening assistance based on the learning model. In addition, customized awakening assistance can be realized by attributed guests by age, gender, and family composition, and generating a learning model for each attributed guest.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of guest data stored in the guest terminal 8 or the server terminal 9. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The guest data 1000 shown in Figure 4 stores various data related to guests. For ease of explanation, Figure 4 shows an example of one guest (a guest identified by guest ID "10001"), but multiple pieces of information can be stored. Examples of the various data related to guests include basic information about the guest (contact information such as the guest's name, address, email address, age, gender, preference information, height, weight, etc.), accommodation history information (the name of the accommodation facility where the guest stayed, the room type, the facilities used, the dining facilities, etc.), sleep history information (physiological indicators of the guest's eye movements in the past (including electroencephalograms, electrooculography, etc.)), payment information (information necessary for reserving / paying for accommodation fees, transportation, facilities, plans, etc. included in the travel plan), etc.

[0037] Examples of guest preference information (especially preference information related to sleep) include the guest's desired environment in the guest room (temperature, humidity, air volume, etc.), the compatibility with the pillow used by the guest, the music or background music the guest prefers to play when waking up (e.g., the sound of blowing wind, the sound of rippling waves, or other soothing music), the aroma that relaxes the guest while sleeping, etc. Furthermore, preference information can be used to reflect the guest's preferences in the wake-up support.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of accommodation facility data stored in the guest terminal 8 or the server terminal 9. As shown in FIG.

[0039] The accommodation facility data 2000 shown in FIG. 5 stores various data related to accommodation facilities. For ease of explanation, FIG. 5 shows an example of one accommodation facility (an accommodation facility identified by accommodation facility ID "20001"), but information related to multiple accommodation facilities can be stored. Examples of the various data related to accommodation facilities include basic information about the accommodation facility (facility name, address, accommodation plan (price), access (transportation means, etc.)), facility information (room information (room type, by grade), equipment information (equipment in the room and facility), food and beverage facility information (restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.), recreational facilities (bowling alleys, karaoke, swimming pools, golf courses, private beaches, athletic facilities, etc.), surrounding area information (tourist attractions around the accommodation facility, food and beverage facilities (restaurants, etc.), and other information such as rental cars and shuttles), recreational facility information (golf courses, amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, etc.), service information (snorkeling experiences, diving experiences, trekking experiences, etc.), and transportation information (bus, taxi, train, airline, etc.).

[0040] <Processing flow> The flow of processing of the awakening assistance method executed by the system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an example of a flowchart relating to the awakening assistance method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] To use the system 1, a guest accesses the server terminal 9 using the web browser on the guest terminal 8 or an application provided by the service provider, and if using the service for the first time, the guest enters the basic guest information described above, or if the guest already has a user account, logs in after undergoing predetermined authentication, such as entering an ID and password, to use the service. After this authentication, a predetermined user interface is provided via a website, application, etc., and the process proceeds to step S101 shown in Figure 6.

[0042] First, in the process of step S101, the communication unit 91 of the server terminal 9 communicates with the communication unit 81 of the guest terminal 8 to receive predetermined advance information as the awakening condition. The predetermined information may be, for example, awakening assistance setting information, as shown in the example screen of FIG. 7 , which is displayed on a user interface provided via a web browser or application provided on the guest terminal 8. As shown in FIG. 7 , when obtaining awakening assistance, the guest may input or select the guest ID "10001" via the guest terminal 8 and the desired alarm time of "15:30", and then input the time by clicking or tapping the awakening assistance control start button.

[0043] Next, in the process of step S102, the control unit 83 of the guest terminal 8 transmits the alarm time input by the guest and an instruction to start awakening assistance control to the server terminal 9 via the communication unit 81.

[0044] Next, in the process of step S103, the control unit 94 of the server terminal 9 determines whether the calculation time required to predict whether the guest will enter a "REM sleep state" in the future has elapsed. The control unit 94 determines whether a predetermined calculation time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed, thereby predicting whether the guest will enter a "REM sleep state" periodically based on the calculation time. If the calculation time has elapsed (YES in step S103), the control unit 94 proceeds to step S104, and if the calculation time has not elapsed (NO in step S103), the control unit 94 returns to step S102.

[0045] Next, in the process of step S104, the sleep state prediction unit 942 included in the control unit 94 predicts a time in the future when the guest is likely to enter a "REM sleep state" and when the guest should be prompted to wake up (hereinafter referred to as the awakening assistance control start time) based on sleep history information about the guest's past sleep states and the guest's current sleep state. Note that the information required for the prediction process is obtained as needed from the detection results by the sleep state detection unit 831 of the guest terminal 8. After completing the process of step S104, the control unit 94 proceeds to step S105.

[0046] Next, in the process of step S105, the control unit 94 determines whether the current time is included in the time period including the awakening support control start time by comparing the time period (for example, a time width in 60-minute units) including the awakening support control start time calculated based on the prediction result of the sleep state prediction unit 942 with the current time acquired by the control unit 94. If the current time is not included in the time period including the awakening support control start time (NO in step S105), the control unit 94 repeats step S105, and if the current time is included in the time period including the awakening support control start time (YES in step S106), the control unit 94 proceeds to step S106.

[0047] Next, in the process of step S106, the control unit 94 performs the awakening support control at a time based on the awakening support control start time. Specifically, the awakening support operation execution unit 941 included in the control unit 94 executes the awakening support operation of operating the linear motor 4 as opening / closing means to open the curtain 3 as light blocking means and allow light from outside to pass into the passenger compartment. In this example, the operation of the linear motor 4 is started at the alarm time of "15:30", and the awakening support operation is executed such that the light is initially dim and gradually increases the illumination intensity of the sunlight shining in from outside so that it becomes brightest at "15:40", the time when the 90-minute sleep cycle ends.

[0048] In this way, guests are gradually exposed to light while they sleep, and are woken up comfortably by being exposed to the brightest light at 3:40 p.m., the end of the 90-minute sleep cycle.

[0049] Conventional systems use audio output means such as speakers to generate sounds to wake up the user, almost forcibly waking them up from sleep. This can cause stress for the user. This tendency can be particularly noticeable among guests staying at resort hotels in resort or tourist areas where they can enjoy a resort atmosphere.

[0050] In this regard, according to this embodiment, the awakening assistance operation execution unit 941 gradually assists the guest in waking up by opening the curtains 3, which serve as a light-blocking means, to allow light from outside to pass into the guest room, thereby waking up the guest in a stress-free manner.

[0051] Therefore, the awakening assistance system 1 of this embodiment can reduce the stress that guests staying at accommodation facilities, particularly resort hotels and other accommodation facilities in health resorts and tourist destinations, may feel when awakening from sleep.

[0052] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, they can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made. These embodiments, modifications, and omissions, substitutions, and modifications are included in the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the light blocking means is configured by the curtain 3. However, this is not limiting. For example, the light blocking means may be configured by blinds that are attached to the inside of the window. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Awakening support system, 2 Window, 3 Curtain (light blocking means), 4 Linear motor (opening / closing means), 5 Bed, 6 Seat body, 7 Pressure detection unit, 8 Guest terminal, 9 Server terminal, NW network

Claims

1. An awakening assistance system for assisting guests in waking up, comprising: a shading means that is provided in an openable and closable manner in a window installed in a guest room of a lodging facility and that blocks light from entering the interior from the outside; and an opening / closing means that opens and closes the shading means, a biological information acquisition unit that acquires biological information from the guest who is currently in bed; a sleep state detection unit that detects the sleep state of the guest based on the biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit; a sleep state prediction unit that predicts a time when the guest will enter a REM sleep state in the future based on sleep history information relating to the guest's past sleep states and the guest's current sleep state detected by the sleep state detection unit; an awakening assistance operation execution unit that executes an awakening assistance operation by operating the opening / closing means to open the shading means and allow the light to pass into the passenger compartment based on a prediction result of the sleep state prediction unit, The awakening assistance system is configured such that the awakening assistance operation execution unit starts the operation of the opening / closing means at the alarm time designated by the guest, and executes the awakening assistance operation by gradually increasing the intensity of sunlight irradiation so that the light is initially dim and becomes brightest at the end of the sleep cycle.

2. The awakening assistance system according to claim 1, a sleep history storage unit that stores the sleep history information relating to the past sleep states of the guest; The sleep history information includes feedback information related to comments or ratings from the guest. Awakening support system.

3. The awakening assistance system according to claim 1 or 2, The shading means is a curtain or a blind. Awakening support system.

4. The awakening assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The biological information includes the heart rate, respiratory rate, presence or absence of body movement of the guest while in bed, or information indicating the depth of sleep of the guest. Awakening support system.

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