Determination system, sensor, determination method, and program

Abstract

A determination system (100) has an acquisition unit (11), a determination unit (12), and an output unit (13). The acquisition unit (11) acquires the detection result of a first sensor (51) that detects the body movement of the parts of a user which are exposed from a covered part, and the detection result of a second sensor (52) that detects the body movement of the user. The determination unit (12) determines the sleeping state of the user, including the covered part, on the basis of the detection results of the first sensor (51) and the second sensor (52) obtained by the acquisition unit (11). The output unit (13) outputs information based on the determination result of the determination unit (12).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a determination system, a sensor, a determination method, and a program for determining a user's state while sleeping. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system. This air conditioning system includes a head movement amount measuring device that measures the amount of head movement of a sleeper, a torso movement amount measuring device that measures the amount of torso movement of the sleeper, and a controller. The controller calculates the difference between the amounts of body movement measured by these measuring devices, and when the difference falls below a threshold, it sends an abnormality signal to an alarm to notify a third party or the sleeper himself that the sleeper has protruded from the bedding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-120815 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a determination system and the like that can easily provide a suitable environment for a user when sleeping. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A determination system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires a detection result from a first sensor that detects body movement of a part of a user that is exposed under a covering unit, and a detection result from a second sensor that detects body movement of the user. The determination unit determines the sleeping state of the user, including the covering unit, based on the detection results from the first sensor and the second sensor acquired by the acquisition unit. The output unit outputs information based on the determination result of the determination unit. The determination unit determines the sleeping state of the user based on a result of comparison between the frequency at which the second sensor detects the body movement of the user and the frequency at which the first sensor detects the body movement of the user.

[0006] A sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a communication function for communicating with the determination system and a detection function for detecting the user's body movements, and transmits the detection results of the detection function to the determination system using the communication function.

[0007] A determination method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step, a determination step, and an output step. In the acquisition step, a detection result of a first sensor that detects body movement of a part of the user that is exposed from a covering portion and a detection result of a second sensor that detects body movement of the user are acquired. In the determination step, a sleeping state of the user including the covering portion is determined based on the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor acquired in the acquisition step. In the output step, the determination result of the determination step is output. In the determining step, the sleeping state of the user is determined based on a result of comparison between a frequency at which the second sensor detects the body movement of the user and a frequency at which the first sensor detects the body movement of the user.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the determination method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The determination system and the like according to the present disclosure has the advantage of easily providing an environment suitable for the user when sleeping. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including the determination system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a space in which the determination system according to the embodiment is used. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a table listing information showing correlations with Clo values. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of the first experiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of the second experiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of the third experiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the correlation between the Clo value and the comfortable temperature. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the determination system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a determination system according to the first modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) First, the inventor's point of view will be explained below.

[0012] When using an air conditioner while sleeping, the air conditioner settings (room temperature, air volume, etc.) that a user finds comfortable may vary depending on the clothing and / or bedding the user wears, regardless of the season.

[0013] However, it is difficult for users to know the optimal settings depending on the clothes they wear and / or the bedding they use. For this reason, users are limited to basic settings, such as setting the room temperature to 27°C in summer and 20°C in winter. In this case, it is difficult for the air conditioner to provide an environment that is suitable for the user, which often leaves the user dissatisfied.

[0014] In view of the above, the inventors have come up with the present disclosure.

[0015] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following explanation and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0016] The inventors have provided the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0017] (Embodiment) [1-1. Overall structure] First, the overall configuration including a determination system 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including the determination system 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a space 2 in which the determination system 100 according to an embodiment is used.

[0018] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the space 2 is a room 2 that a user U1 uses at least when sleeping. The room 2 is rectangular in plan view, and an entrance / exit 20 to the room 2 is provided at a first corner 21 (the upper left corner in FIG. 2) of the four corners. A bed 3 is provided at a second corner 22 (the upper right corner in FIG. 2) of the four corners of the room 2. An air conditioner 4 is provided at a third corner 23 (the lower right corner in FIG. 2) of the four corners of the room 2.

[0019] The bed 3 is a place where the user U1 sleeps. In the embodiment, the bed 3 is configured as a bed placed on the floor of the room 2. The bed 3 may be any place where the user U1 can lie down and sleep, and may be, for example, the floor of the room 2 itself.

[0020] Bedding 31 to be used by user U1 may be placed on the bed 3. The bedding 31 may include first bedding and second bedding. The first bedding is located between user U1 and the bed 3 when sleeping, and is bedding for user U1 to lie on. The first bedding may include, for example, a pillow, a sheet, a mattress, or a futon. The second bedding is located above user U1 when sleeping, and is bedding that covers a part of user U1 (for example, the entire user U1 except for the head). The second bedding may include, for example, a towel blanket, a blanket, or a comforter.

[0021] When the user U1 uses the bedding 31, the bedding 31 may include at least one of the first bedding and the second bedding. For example, the user U1 may use only a sheet (first bedding) on ​​the bed 3, and may not use a second bedding such as a comforter on the bed 3. Also, the bedding 31 does not necessarily have to be installed on the bed 3. For example, the user U1 may go to sleep on the bed 3 without using the bedding 31.

[0022] The air conditioning device 4 is, for example, an air conditioner installed on the wall of the room 2, and is a device that controls the temperature (indoor temperature) of the room 2 to a set temperature by sending temperature-controlled air into the room 2. In the embodiment, the air conditioning device 4 is capable of both cooling and heating operations. Note that the air conditioning device 4 may be a device that is capable of only cooling operation, or may be a device that is capable of only heating operation.

[0023] The air conditioner 4 includes a communication unit 41, a control unit 42, and a storage unit 43. In this embodiment, the air conditioner 4 further includes a first sensor 51. The first sensor 51 will be described later in [1-2. Determination system].

[0024] The communication unit 41 receives a first control signal including a command corresponding to an operation input received by the remote controller by communicating with the remote controller corresponding to the air conditioner 4. The communication unit 41 receives the first control signal by communicating with the remote controller using, for example, infrared rays as a medium. Note that the communication between the communication unit 41 and the remote controller is not limited to infrared communication, and may be wireless communication using, for example, radio waves as a medium.

[0025] Furthermore, the communication unit 41 communicates with an output unit 13 (described later) of the determination system 100 to receive a second control signal transmitted from the output unit 13. The communication unit 41 receives the second control signal by communicating with the output unit 13 via an external network such as the Internet. The communication between the communication unit 41 and the output unit 13 may be wired communication as well as wireless communication. Furthermore, the standard of communication between the communication unit 41 and the output unit 13 is not particularly limited.

[0026] The control unit 42 is, for example, a microcomputer, and realizes various functions by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 43 using a processor. In this embodiment, the control unit 42 controls the temperature (indoor temperature) of the room 2 based on a first control signal received by the communication unit 41 so that the temperature becomes the set temperature specified by the first control signal. The control unit 42 also controls the temperature of the room 2 based on a second control signal received by the communication unit 41 so that the temperature becomes the set temperature specified by the second control signal. If the communication unit 41 receives the second control signal while the control unit 42 is performing control based on the first control signal, the control unit 42 prioritizes the control based on the second control signal.

[0027] The memory unit 43 is a storage device that stores information (such as computer programs) necessary for the control unit 42 to perform various controls. The memory unit 43 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory, but is not particularly limited and any known electronic information storage means can be used. The memory unit 43 stores, for example, a set temperature designated by the first control signal or the second control signal.

[0028] [1-2. Judgment System] Next, details of the determination system 100 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the determination system 100 includes an acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, an output unit 13, and a storage unit 14. In the embodiment, the determination system 100 is only required to include at least the acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12, and the output unit 13, and may not include the storage unit 14.

[0029] In the embodiment, the determination system 100 is configured by a server located in a remote location away from a facility having a room 2 where a user U1 sleeps. The determination system 100 may be installed in the facility. The embodiment will be described focusing on one user U1, with the determination system 100 determining the sleeping state of the user U1.

[0030] The acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection result of the first sensor 51 by communicating with the first sensor 51. For example, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection result of the first sensor 51 by communicating with the first sensor 51 in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). The communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the first sensor 51 may be wired communication in addition to wireless communication. Furthermore, the standard of communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the first sensor 51 is not particularly limited.

[0031] The first sensor 51 detects the body movement of a part of the user U1 that is exposed from the covering 6. Here, the covering 6 refers to a part that covers the user U1. The covering 6 may include, for example, clothing worn by the user U1 or bedding 31 (second bedding) used by the user U1. In the embodiment, the first sensor 51 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor that detects infrared rays emitted by the user U1. The first sensor 51 detects a change in the detection level as the body movement of the user U1. This is because the detection level of the first sensor 51 fluctuates when a part of the user U1 that is exposed from the covering 6 (for example, the head and / or limbs) moves.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first sensor 51 is provided in the air conditioning device 4. In this embodiment, the detection range of the first sensor 51 includes part or all of the bed 3 (see the hatched area in FIG. 2). In other words, the first sensor 51 only needs to be installed so that the part of the user U1 that is exposed from the covering part 6 is included in the detection range.

[0033] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection result of the second sensor 52 by communicating with the second sensor 52. For example, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection result of the second sensor 52 by communicating with the second sensor 52 in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as WiFi (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). The communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the second sensor 52 may be wired communication in addition to wireless communication. Furthermore, the standard of communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the second sensor 52 is not particularly limited.

[0034] The second sensor 52 detects the body movement of the user U1. Unlike the first sensor 51, the second sensor 52 detects the body movement of the user U1 regardless of whether the covering unit 6 is present. In the embodiment, the second sensor 52 is a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor, and indirectly detects the body movement of the user U1 by detecting the shaking of the bed 3 or the first bedding on which the second sensor 52 is placed. In the embodiment, the second sensor 52 is an acceleration sensor, for example. This is because the body movement of the user U1 causes the shaking of the bed 3 or the first bedding on which the user U1 is sleeping. Note that the second sensor 52 may be attached to the clothing of the user U1 to directly detect the body movement of the user U1.

[0035] In the embodiment, the second sensor 52 is built into the information terminal 7 carried by the user U1. That is, the embodiment is based on the premise that the user U1 goes to sleep with the information terminal 7 placed on the bed 3 or the first bedding. The information terminal 7 may include, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0036] The determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1, including the covering unit 6, based on the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 acquired by the acquisition unit 11. That is, the determination unit 12 determines the type of clothing worn by the user U1 and / or the type of bedding 31 used by the user U1. For example, the determination unit 12 determines whether the clothing worn by the user U1 is short-sleeved or long-sleeved. Furthermore, for example, the determination unit 12 determines whether the bedding 31 (second bedding) used by the user U1 is thin or thick.

[0037] The inventors of the present application have found that there is a correlation between the Clo value and the body movements of the parts of the user U1 exposed from the covering unit 6 while sleeping, and the combination of the body movements of the user U1 while sleeping with or without the covering unit 6. Therefore, in the embodiment, the determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1 by calculating the Clo value based on the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

[0038] Here, the Clo value is an index indicating the insulating and heat-retaining properties of clothing, and is proposed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). A Clo value of "1" is defined as the heat-retaining power of clothing that makes an adult male feel comfortable while sitting quietly in a chair in a room with an air temperature of 21°C, a relative humidity of 50% or less, and an air velocity of 0.1 m / s or less, and that maintains an average skin temperature of 33°C. In the embodiment, the Clo value is used as an index indicating the type of clothing worn by user U1 and / or the type of bedding 31 used by user U1. Note that the Clo value used in the embodiment is not a general index for clothing itself, but is an index that is uniquely converted to include the amount of bedding.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows an example of the correlation between the Clo value and the covering portion 6. FIG. 3 is a table listing information indicating the correlation between the Clo value. As shown in FIG. 3, when the Clo value is "1," the clothing is a short-sleeved jacket and shorts, and the bedding 31 (second bedding) is either none or a relatively thin bedding with low thermal insulation such as a towel blanket, or clothing and / or bedding 31 with equivalent thermal insulation. When the Clo value is "2," the clothing is long-sleeved pajamas, and the bedding 31 is either none or a relatively thin bedding with low thermal insulation such as a towel blanket, or clothing and / or bedding 31 with equivalent thermal insulation. When the Clo value is "3," the clothing is a short-sleeved jacket and shorts, and the bedding 31 is either none or a relatively thin bedding with high thermal insulation such as a blanket, or clothing and / or bedding 31 with equivalent thermal insulation. If the Clo value is "4", the clothing is long-sleeved pajamas and the bedding 31 is relatively thin bedding with good heat retention, such as a blanket, or clothing and / or bedding 31 with equivalent heat retention. If the Clo value is "5 or more", the clothing does not matter and the bedding 31 is relatively thick bedding with good heat retention, such as a duvet, or bedding 31 with equivalent heat retention.

[0040] In the embodiment, the determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1 based on a comparison result between the frequency at which the second sensor 52 detects the body movement of the user U1 and the frequency at which the first sensor 51 detects the body movement of the user U1. In particular, the determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1 based on the frequency at which the first sensor 51 detects the body movement of the user U1 during the period in which the second sensor 52 detects the body movement of the user U1. In other words, the frequency is the ratio of the number of times the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 simultaneously detected the body movement of the user U1 to the number of times the second sensor 52 detected the body movement of the user U1. In the embodiment, the frequency is expressed as a percentage. That is, the determination unit 12 calculates the frequency based on the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52, and determines the sleeping state of the user U1 by calculating the Clo value corresponding to the calculated frequency with reference to data such as that shown in FIG. 3 .

[0041] An example of the correlation between frequency and Clo value is shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the determination unit 12 calculates the Clo value as "1" when the frequency is 80% or more, "2" when the frequency is 70% or more and less than 80%, and "3" when the frequency is 60% or more and less than 70%. Furthermore, the determination unit 12 calculates the Clo value as "4" when the frequency is 50% or more and less than 60%, and "5 or more" when the frequency is less than 50%.

[0042] Note that the correlation between frequency and Clo value is an example and is not limited to this. For example, the frequency range corresponding to the Clo value may be different from the range shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, for example, the determination unit 12 may calculate the Clo value by dividing the frequency into multiple stages. Furthermore, the frequency range corresponding to the Clo value may vary slightly depending on the season.

[0043] The following describes the results of an experiment conducted by the inventors of the present application to verify the correlation between the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 and the state of the user U1 while sleeping. The experiment was conducted in a space (room) 2 shown in FIG.

[0044] In the first experiment, user U1 went to bed wearing a short-sleeved jacket and shorts. User U1 also used a cooling sheet as the first bedding, but did not use the second bedding. Therefore, in the first experiment, user U1's hands and feet were exposed from their clothing and bedding throughout the entire time they were sleeping.

[0045] In the second experiment, user U1 used a thick down comforter as the second bedding. In the second experiment, no specific clothing was specified for user U1. Furthermore, in the second experiment, user U1's hands and feet were kept covered by his / her clothing and bedding throughout the entire sleep period.

[0046] In the third experiment, user U1 went to bed wearing long-sleeved pajamas. User U1 also used a fleece sheet as the first bedding and a blanket as the second bedding 31. In the third experiment, user U1's hands and feet were not exposed from their clothing or bedding throughout the entire time they were sleeping.

[0047] 4 to 6 show the results of the first to third experiments, respectively. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of the first experiment. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of the second experiment. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of the third experiment. In each of FIGS. 4 to 6, the left vertical axis represents the detection level of the first sensor 51, the right vertical axis represents the detection level of the second sensor 52, and the horizontal axis represents time. In FIG. 4, times t1, t2, t3, and t4 are all times when the user U1 intentionally turned over in sleep during the predetermined period T1. The same applies to times t5, t6, t7, and t8 in FIG. 5 and times t9, t10, t11, and t12 in FIG. 6. Furthermore, in each of FIGS. 4 to 6, the dashed line graph represents the transition of the detection level of the first sensor 51, and the solid line graph represents the transition of the detection level of the second sensor 52.

[0048] 4 to 6, when the detection level of the first sensor 51 is greater than a predetermined value (here, zero), it is indicated that the first sensor 51 is detecting the body movement of the user U1. Also, in FIGS. 4 to 6, when the slope of the detection level of the second sensor 52 changes, it is indicated that the second sensor 52 is detecting the body movement of the user U1.

[0049] In the first experiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 detected the body movement of the user U1 at all of the times t1, t2, t3, and t4 in the predetermined period T1. In other words, in the first experiment, the frequency was 100%. This experimental result is thought to be due to the fact that the hands and feet of the user U1 were exposed, making it easy for the first sensor 51 as well as the second sensor 52 to detect the body movement of the user U1.

[0050] In the second experiment, as shown in Fig. 5, at times t5, t6, t7, and t8, the second sensor 52 detected the body movement of the user U1, while the first sensor 51 did not detect the body movement of the user U1. In other words, in the second experiment, the frequency was 0%. This experimental result is thought to be due to the fact that the user U1 was covered with a duvet, and the duvet was thick, making it difficult for the first sensor 51 to detect the body movement of the user U1.

[0051] 6, in the third experiment, the second sensor 52 detected the body movement of the user U1 at all of times t9, t10, t11, and t12, while the first sensor 51 detected the body movement of the user U1 only at times t9 and t12. In other words, in the third experiment, the frequency was 50%. This experimental result is thought to be due to the fact that, as in the second experiment, the user U1 was covered with a blanket, but the blanket was thinner than a duvet, making it easier for the first sensor 51 to detect the body movement of the user U1 compared to the second experiment.

[0052] As shown in the first to third experiments, a correlation is observed between the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the detection results of the second sensor 52 and the state of the user U1 while sleeping (here, the type of covering part 6).

[0053] In the embodiment, the determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1 within a predetermined time (for example, one hour) after the user U1 goes to sleep. Here, the timing when the user U1 starts to go to sleep may be, for example, the time when the information terminal 7 receives an input indicating the start of sleep by the user U1 operating the information terminal 7. In this case, the determination unit 12 can grasp the time by communicating with the information terminal 7.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, the timing when the user U1 starts to go to sleep may be the point in time when the illuminance sensor of the air conditioner 4 detects illuminance below a threshold while the first sensor 51 is detecting the presence of the user U1 (i.e., the point in time when the lighting fixtures in the room 2 are turned off). In this case, the determination unit 12 can ascertain this point in time by communicating with the first sensor 51 and the illuminance sensor. Furthermore, for example, if an application that measures the sleep time of the user U1 is installed in the information terminal 7, the determination unit 12 may determine the point in time when the application estimates that the user U1 has gone to sleep as the point in time when the user U1 started to go to sleep. In either case, the determination system 100 can automatically determine the point in time when the user U1 starts to go to sleep.

[0055] The output unit 13 outputs information based on the determination result of the determination unit 12. In the embodiment, the output unit 13 has a control information generation unit 131, and outputs (transmits) the control information (second control signal) generated by this function to the air conditioner 4 as information based on the determination result of the determination unit 12. In other words, the output unit 13 outputs (transmits) the control information (second control signal) to the air conditioner 4 based on the determination result of the determination unit.

[0056] The control information generation unit 131 generates control information (second control signal) for the air conditioner 4 based on the determination result of the determination unit 12. Here, the inventors of the present application have found through experiments that there is a correlation between the Clo value and the temperature of the space (room) 2 at which the user U1 feels comfortable when waking up (hereinafter also referred to as "comfort temperature"). In the experiment, a subject goes to sleep in the space (room) 2 whose environment is determined in advance. Parameters that determine the environment include the set temperature of the air conditioner 4 and the Clo value. The subject then subjectively reports whether or not the environment was comfortable when waking up. The experiment was conducted on multiple subjects while changing the above parameters.

[0057] The results of the above experiment are shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a graph showing an example of the correlation between Clo value and comfortable temperature. In Figure 7, the vertical axis represents comfortable temperature (unit: Celsius), and the horizontal axis represents Clo value. The plotted points in Figure 7 represent data from subjects who subjectively declared that they felt "comfortable." As shown in Figure 7, there is a negative correlation between Clo value and comfortable temperature. In Figure 7, function f1 is a function obtained by approximating a large amount of data obtained through the experiment to a linear function. Function f1 may also be a quadratic or higher order function.

[0058] In this embodiment, the control information generator 131 uses the function f1 shown in FIG. 7 to calculate a comfort temperature corresponding to the Clo value calculated by the determiner 12, and generates control information (second control signal) including a command to change the set temperature to the calculated comfort temperature. FIG. 3 shows an example of a combination of the Clo value and the corresponding comfort temperature. The comfort temperatures shown in FIG. 3 are natural numbers, but may include decimals. Note that if the calculated comfort temperature is the same as the current set temperature of the air conditioner 4, the control information generator 131 does not generate control information.

[0059] Here, Fig. 7 shows the results of an experiment conducted in winter. Human sensitivity to temperature may vary depending on the season (especially the outdoor temperature). Therefore, the function f1 may be corrected depending on the outdoor temperature. For example, if the determination system 100 is used in summer, the control information generator 131 may use a function obtained by correcting the function f1 shown in Fig. 7 so as to shift it upward by a predetermined temperature.

[0060] The season can be determined based on date and time information obtained from a time server, for example. For example, if the obtained date and time information is March to May, it can be determined as "spring," if it is June to August, it can be determined as "summer," if it is September to November, it can be determined as "autumn," and if it is December to February, it can be determined as "winter."

[0061] Then, the output unit 13 outputs (transmits) the control information (second control signal) generated by the control information generation unit 131 to the air conditioner 4. The timing to output the control information may be the time when the control information generation unit 131 generates the control information, or the day after the control information generation unit 131 generates the control information.

[0062] Incidentally, for example, when the air conditioner 4 is operating in heating mode at the time of the change from winter to spring, there is a limit to adjusting the set temperature to match the comfort temperature. Similarly, for example, when the air conditioner 4 is operating in cooling mode at the time of the change from autumn to winter, there is a limit to adjusting the set temperature to match the comfort temperature. In these cases, that is, when the calculated comfort temperature reaches the limit temperature, the control information generator 131 may generate control information (second control signal) including a command to switch the operation of the air conditioner 4. For example, if the air conditioner 4 is currently operating in heating mode, the control information will include a command to switch to cooling mode. In other words, the control information may include information to switch the operation of the air conditioner 4 from either cooling mode or heating mode to the other.

[0063] Note that if the operation of the air conditioners 4 is switched without the user U1's permission, the user U1 may feel uncomfortable. For this reason, when the control information is generated, a question signal inquiring about whether or not to switch the operation of the air conditioners 4 may be transmitted to the information terminal 7 of the user U1. Furthermore, before the control information is generated, an input from the user U1 about whether or not to switch the operation of the air conditioners 4 may be received in advance via the information terminal 7.

[0064] The storage unit 14 is a storage device that stores information (such as computer programs) necessary for the determination unit 12 and the output unit 13 to perform various controls. The storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory, but is not particularly limited and any known electronic information storage means can be used.

[0065] [2. Operation] The operation of the determination system 100 configured as above will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the determination system 100 in the embodiment. In the following, the determination unit 12 will be described as communicating with the information terminal 7 to determine the timing when the user U1 starts to go to sleep.

[0066] First, the determination unit 12 waits until the user U1 starts to go to sleep (S1: No). Then, when the determination unit 12 determines the timing when the user U1 starts to go to sleep (S1: Yes), the acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 by communicating with the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 (S2). Process S2 corresponds to acquisition step ST1 of the determination method. Note that process S2 may be executed constantly, regardless of the timing when the user U1 starts to go to sleep.

[0067] Next, the determination unit 12 calculates the frequency using the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 acquired by the acquisition unit 11 during a predetermined time period after the user U1 has gone to sleep (S3). Then, the determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1 by calculating a Clo value corresponding to the calculated frequency with reference to data such as that shown in Fig. 3 (S4). The processes S3 and S4 correspond to determination step ST2 of the determination method.

[0068] Thereafter, the control information generation unit 131 uses the function f1 to calculate a comfort temperature corresponding to the Clo value calculated by the determination unit 12 (S5). Then, the control information generation unit 131 compares the calculated comfort temperature with the current set temperature of the air conditioner 4 (S6). If the calculated comfort temperature is different from the current set temperature of the air conditioner 4 (S6: Yes), the control information generation unit 131 generates control information (a second control signal) (S7). Then, the output unit 13 outputs (transmits) the control information generated by the control information generation unit 131 to the air conditioner 4 (S8). Process S8 corresponds to output step ST3 of the determination method. On the other hand, if the calculated comfort temperature is the same as the current set temperature of the air conditioner 4 (S6: No), no control information is generated (S9). In this case, the output unit 13 does not execute process S8. Thereafter, the above series of processes are repeated.

[0069] [3. Effects, etc.] The advantages of the determination system 100 according to the embodiment will be described below.

[0070] As already mentioned, it is difficult to know the optimal settings for the air conditioner 4 according to the clothes worn by the user U1 and / or the bedding 31 used by the user U1, so only basic settings are made, and as a result, there is a problem in that it is difficult for the air conditioner 4 to provide an environment suitable for the user U1.

[0071] In contrast, in the determination system 100 according to the embodiment, the determination unit 12 can determine the sleeping state of the user U1, including the covering unit 6 (clothing and / or bedding). Therefore, the use of the determination system 100 according to the embodiment has the advantage that it is easy to provide an environment suitable for the user U1 when sleeping, taking into consideration the covering unit 6, such as the clothing worn by the user U1 and / or the bedding used by the user U1. For example, by outputting (transmitting) control information (second control signal) for the air conditioner 4 based on the determination result of the determination unit 12 to the air conditioner 4, the air conditioner 4 is controlled to a set temperature that takes into consideration the covering unit 6, making it easy to provide an environment in which the user U1 can sleep comfortably.

[0072] Instead of the determination system 100 in the embodiment, an aspect can be considered in which input of information about the covering part 6 used by the user U1 is accepted in advance, and the air conditioner 4 is controlled based on the accepted information. However, this aspect has the problem that the information must be entered every time the user U1 changes the covering part 6 they use, for example, at the change of seasons, which is inconvenient for the user U1.

[0073] Alternatively, instead of the determination system 100 in the embodiment, a thermal image sensor may be used to acquire thermal images of the user U1 and the covering portion 6 while the user is asleep, and the sleeping state of the user U1 may be estimated based on the acquired thermal images. However, this requires a relatively expensive sensor, namely, a thermal image sensor, which can be costly.

[0074] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of relatively inexpensive pyroelectric infrared sensors may be used to determine the sleeping state of user U1 (here, whether user U1 is protruding from the bedding) from the difference in the amount of body movement between the head and torso of user U1. However, this approach requires that pyroelectric infrared sensors be installed around each of the head and torso of user U1, which places restrictions on the placement of the sensors. Another drawback of this approach is that, for example, when the bedding 31 is washed or replaced, the sensors must be installed again, which is inconvenient for user U1.

[0075] In contrast to this, in the determination system 100 of the embodiment, for example, if an infrared sensor installed in an existing air conditioning device 4 is used as the first sensor 51 and an acceleration sensor installed in an information terminal 7 carried by the user U1 is used as the second sensor 52, it is possible to determine the sleeping state of the user U1 with a simple configuration without preparing additional sensors.

[0076] [4. Modifications] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0077] Therefore, modifications of the embodiment will be exemplified below.

[0078] [4-1. Variation 1] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a determination system 100 in Modification 1 of the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the determination system 100 in this modification differs from the determination system 100 in the embodiment in that the output unit 13 has a notification information generation unit 132 and outputs notification information. Specifically, the output unit 13 transmits the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit 132 to the information terminal 7 of user U1 as information based on the determination result of the determination unit 12. In other words, the output unit 13 outputs (transmits) the notification information regarding the determination result of the determination unit 12 to the information terminal 7 used by user U1.

[0079] The notification information may be text and / or image data displayed on the display of the information terminal 7, audio data played through the speaker of the information terminal 7, or a combination of these. The notification information may include, for example, information comparing the comfort temperature calculated based on the determination result of the determination unit 12 with the current set temperature of the air conditioner 4. In this case, the user U1 can adjust the set temperature of the air conditioner 4 by checking the notification information via the information terminal 7.

[0080] Furthermore, for example, if the control of the air conditioner 4 (here, the set temperature) is changed by the output unit 13 outputting (transmitting) control information (second control signal) to the air conditioner 4, the output unit 13 may output, as notification information, information indicating that the control of the air conditioner 4 will be changed or has been changed. In other words, the notification information may include information regarding the change in the control of the air conditioner 4. In this case, the user U1 can understand that the control of the air conditioner 4 will be changed.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, at the change of seasons, the output unit 13 may output (transmit) as notification information information prompting the user U1 to change the clothing and / or bedding 31 used by the user U1. That is, the notification information may include information prompting the user U1 to change the covering unit 6. For example, at the change of seasons from winter to spring, the notification information may include a message such as, "It's time to reconsider your clothing and bedding. You may be able to sleep better if you use a thinner comforter or fewer comforters." Also, for example, at the change of seasons from autumn to winter, the notification information may include a message such as, "It's time to reconsider your clothing and bedding. You may be able to sleep better if you use a thicker comforter or more comforters."

[0082] In this modification, output unit 13 may not have control information generating unit 131, but may have only notification information generating unit 132. That is, in this modification, output unit 13 may output only notification information without outputting control information.

[0083] [4-2. Variation 2] The determination system 100 in the second modification of the embodiment differs from the determination system 100 in the embodiment in that the determination unit 12 further determines whether or not the covering unit 6 has moved as the sleeping state. Here, the movement of the covering unit 6 may include, for example, the movement of second bedding such as a towel blanket or a comforter from a position where it covers the user U1, or the movement of the second bedding to a position where it covers the user U1.

[0084] Specifically, the determination unit 12 calculates the frequency for each predetermined time (section) from when the user U1 goes to sleep until he wakes up. Then, when the determination unit 12 finds a mixture of sections in which the frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 50%) and sections in which the frequency is less than the predetermined value from when the user U1 goes to sleep until he wakes up, the determination unit 12 determines that the covering unit 6 (second bedding) has moved.

[0085] Here, if the determination unit 12 determines that the covering unit 6 has moved, it is considered that the user U1 unconsciously feels that the environment of the space (room) 2 is not conducive to a good night's sleep. In such a case, the output unit 13 may, for example, generate control information (second control signal) using the control information generation unit 131 and output (transmit) it to the air conditioner 4, thereby changing the control of the air conditioner 4 so that the user U1 can sleep more easily. In addition, in such a case, the output unit 13 may, for example, generate notification information using the notification information generation unit 132 and output it to the information terminal 7, thereby urging the user U1 to replace the covering unit 6 so that the user U1 can sleep more easily.

[0086] [4-3. Other Modifications] In the above embodiment, the output unit 13 outputs (transmits) to the air conditioner 4 control information (second control signal) including a command to change the set temperature of the air conditioner 4, but this is not limited to this. For example, the output unit 13 may output to the air conditioner 4 control information including a command to change the air volume or air direction of the air conditioner 4, instead of a command to change the set temperature of the air conditioner 4. Furthermore, the output unit 13 may output to the air conditioner 4 control information including a command to change at least two or more parameters of the set temperature, air volume, and air direction of the air conditioner 4.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the determination system 100 determines the sleeping state of the user U1 in the room 2 in which the air conditioner 4 is installed and controls the air conditioner 4 based on the determination result, but this is not limited to this. For example, the determination system 100 may be used to determine the sleeping state of the user U1 in a room 2 in which the air conditioner 4 is not installed. In this case, instead of controlling the air conditioner 4 based on the determination result, the determination system 100 may prompt the user U1 to change the clothing they are wearing and / or the bedding 31 they are using based on the determination result, as in the above-mentioned first modification example.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the first sensor 51 is a sensor provided in the air conditioner 4, but this is not limiting. For example, if the air conditioner 4 is not provided with the first sensor 51, the first sensor 51 may be installed in the room 2 separately from the air conditioner 4.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the second sensor 52 is a sensor attached to the information terminal 7 carried by the user U1, but this is not limiting. For example, if the information terminal 7 is not designed to include the second sensor 52, or if the user U1 goes to sleep without the information terminal 7 nearby, the second sensor 52 may be installed in the room 2 separately from the information terminal 7.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the second sensor 52 is an acceleration sensor, but is not limited to this. For example, the second sensor 52 may be a piezoelectric sensor. In this case, the second sensor 52 may be provided in the first bedding, such as a mattress.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the determination system 100 determines the sleeping state of one user U1, but this is not limiting. For example, the determination system 100 may determine the sleeping state of each of multiple users U1. In this case, since there are multiple rooms 2 corresponding to the multiple users U1, the determination system 100 only needs to acquire detection results from the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 for each room 2.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the number of first sensors 51 is one, but it may be two or more. Also, in the above embodiment, the number of second sensors 52 is one, but it may be two or more.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the determination system 100 is realized as a single device, but it may be realized by multiple devices. When the determination system 100 is realized by multiple devices, the components of the determination system 100 may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner. In other words, the present disclosure may be realized by cloud computing or edge computing.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, all or some of the components of the determination system 100 of the present disclosure may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor memory.

[0095] Furthermore, the components of the determination system 100 in the present disclosure may be configured with one or more electronic circuits. Each of the one or more electronic circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0096] The one or more electronic circuits may include, for example, a semiconductor device, an integrated circuit (IC), or a large scale integration (LSI). The IC or LSI may be integrated on a single chip or on multiple chips. Although the IC or LSI is referred to here as an IC or LSI, the name may vary depending on the degree of integration, and may be called a system LSI, a very large scale integration (VLSI), or an ultra large scale integration (ULSI). Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, can be used for the same purpose.

[0097] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, or computer program. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as an optical disc, HDD, or semiconductor memory, on which the computer program is stored. For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the control method in the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, or may be distributed via a communication channel, such as the Internet.

[0098] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and for that purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0099] Therefore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only essential components for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are shown in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0100] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0101] (summary) As described above, the determination system 100 in the embodiment includes the acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12, and the output unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection result of the first sensor 51 that detects the body movement of the part of the user U1 that is exposed from the covering unit 6, and the detection result of the second sensor 52 that detects the body movement of the user U1. The determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1, including the covering unit 6, based on the detection result of the first sensor 51 and the detection result of the second sensor 52 acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The output unit 13 outputs information based on the determination result of the determination unit 12.

[0102] This has the advantage that it is easy to provide an environment suitable for the user U1 when sleeping, taking into consideration the covering portion 6 such as the clothes worn by the user U1 and / or the bedding used by the user U1.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, the determination unit 12 determines the sleeping state of the user U1 based on a comparison result between the frequency at which the second sensor 52 detects the body movement of the user U1 and the frequency at which the first sensor 51 detects the body movement of the user U1.

[0104] This has the advantage that it is easy to determine the state of the covering part 6 while sleeping.

[0105] Furthermore, for example, the output unit 13 outputs control information to the air conditioner 4 based on the determination result of the determination unit 12.

[0106] This has the advantage that by controlling the temperature of the space 2 to a temperature that the user U1 finds comfortable when sleeping, it is easy to provide an environment that is suitable for the user U1 when sleeping.

[0107] Furthermore, for example, the control information includes information for switching the operation of the air conditioner 4 from one of cooling operation and heating operation to the other.

[0108] This has the advantage that even if the temperature control of space 2 using either the cooling operation or the heating operation reaches its limit, by switching to the other operation, it becomes easier to control the temperature of space 2 to a temperature that user U1 finds comfortable when sleeping.

[0109] Furthermore, for example, the output unit 13 outputs notification information relating to the determination result of the determination unit 12 to the information terminal 7 used by the user U1.

[0110] This has the advantage that the user U1 can easily grasp the sleeping state by checking the notification information using the information terminal 7.

[0111] Furthermore, for example, the notification information includes information relating to changes in the control of the air conditioners 4.

[0112] This has the advantage that by notifying the user U1 that the control of the air conditioner 4 will be changed, the user U1 is less likely to feel uncomfortable.

[0113] Furthermore, for example, the notification information includes information that prompts the user U1 to replace the covering portion 6.

[0114] This has the advantage that it becomes easier for the user U1 to choose a covering portion 6 that suits him / herself, and it becomes easier to provide an environment that suits the user U1 when sleeping.

[0115] Furthermore, for example, the determination unit 12 further determines whether the covering unit 6 has moved to indicate the sleeping state.

[0116] This has the advantage that it is possible to indirectly determine not only the type of the covering portion 6 but also the degree of satisfaction of the user U1 with the covering portion 6, making it easier to determine the sleeping state of the user U1 in more detail.

[0117] Furthermore, for example, the first sensor 51 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor, and the second sensor 52 is a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor.

[0118] This has the advantage that it is easier to determine the sleeping state of the user U1 with a simple and inexpensive configuration compared to when a thermal image sensor is used, for example.

[0119] Furthermore, for example, the determination system 100 in the embodiment may further include a second sensor 52.

[0120] This has the advantage that the user does not need to prepare the second sensor 52.

[0121] Furthermore, the sensor (second sensor 52) in the embodiment has a communication function for communicating with the determination system 100 and a detection function for detecting body movements of the user U1. The sensor transmits the detection result of the detection function to the determination system 100 using the communication function.

[0122] Moreover, the determination method in the embodiment includes an acquisition step ST1, a determination step ST2, and an output step ST3. In the acquisition step ST1, a detection result of a first sensor 51 that detects body movement of a part of the user U1 that is exposed from the covering portion 6 and a detection result of a second sensor 52 that detects body movement of the user U1 are acquired. In the determination step ST2, the sleeping state of the user U1, including the covering portion 6, is determined based on the detection results of the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 acquired in the acquisition step ST1. In the output step ST3, information based on the determination result of the determination step ST2 is output.

[0123] This has the advantage that it is easy to provide an environment suitable for the user U1 when sleeping, taking into consideration the covering portion 6 such as the clothes worn by the user U1 and / or the bedding used by the user U1.

[0124] Furthermore, the program in the embodiment causes one or more processors to execute the above-described determination method.

[0125] This has the advantage that it is easy to provide an environment suitable for the user U1 when sleeping, taking into consideration the covering portion 6 such as the clothes worn by the user U1 and / or the bedding used by the user U1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0126] The present disclosure is applicable to a determination system that determines the state of a user while sleeping, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 100 Judgment System 11 Acquisition Department 12 Judgment section 13 Output section 2. Room (space) 31 Bedding 4 Air conditioning equipment 41 Communications Department 42 Control Unit 43 Storage section 51 First Sensor 52 Second Sensor 6 Covering part 7 Information terminals ST1 Acquisition step ST2 Judgment step ST3 Output Step T1 specified period U1 User

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a detection result of a first sensor that detects body movement of a part of the user that is exposed from the covering unit and a detection result of a second sensor that detects body movement of the user; a determination unit that determines a sleeping state of the user including the covering unit based on the detection result of the first sensor and the detection result of the second sensor acquired by the acquisition unit; an output unit that outputs information based on the determination result of the determination unit, the determination unit determines the sleeping state of the user based on a comparison result between a frequency at which the second sensor detects the body movement of the user and a frequency at which the first sensor detects the body movement of the user. Judging system.

2. The determination unit calculates, as the comparison result, a frequency at which the first sensor detects the user's body movement during a period in which the second sensor detects the user's body movement. The determination system according to claim 1 .

3. The frequency calculated as the comparison result is the ratio of the number of times the first sensor and the second sensor simultaneously detected the user's body movement to the number of times the second sensor detected the user's body movement. The determination system according to claim 2 .

4. The output unit outputs control information to the air conditioning equipment based on the determination result of the determination unit. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control information includes information for switching the operation of the air conditioner from one of a cooling operation and a heating operation to the other. The determination system according to claim 4 .

6. the output unit outputs notification information regarding the determination result of the determination unit to an information terminal used by the user. The determination system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The notification information includes information regarding a change in control of the air conditioner. The determination system according to claim 6 .

8. the notification information includes information prompting the user to replace the covering portion. The determination system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The determination unit further determines whether or not the covering unit has moved, as the sleeping state. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the first sensor is a pyroelectric infrared sensor, the second sensor is a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor; The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. further comprising the second sensor; The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. a communication function for communicating with the determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a detection function for detecting a body movement of the user; transmitting the detection result by the detection function to the determination system using the communication function; Sensor.

13. an acquiring step of acquiring a detection result of a first sensor that detects a body movement of a part of the user that is exposed from the covering portion and a detection result of a second sensor that detects the body movement of the user; a determining step of determining a sleeping state of the user including the covering portion based on the detection result of the first sensor and the detection result of the second sensor acquired in the acquiring step; an output step of outputting the determination result of the determination step, In the determining step, the sleeping state of the user is determined based on a comparison result between a frequency at which the second sensor detects the body movement of the user and a frequency at which the first sensor detects the body movement of the user. Judgment method.

14. one or more processors, Executing the determination method according to claim 13, program.

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