Sleep assistance system

Abstract

A sleep assistance system (10) is provided with: a blower unit (21) that blows out wind to a peripheral part of a sleeping person; and a control unit (31) that controls the wind from the blower unit (21) so as to promote a decrease in the core body temperature of the sleeping person on bedding.

Description

Sleep Support System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sleep assistance system.

[0002] Conventionally, there are known technologies for controlling the environment in a bed to ensure good quality sleep. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an environmental control system for controlling the environment in a bed by using air blown from a blower, the environmental control system including a sleeping position detection means for detecting the sleeping position of a user and a plurality of temperature and humidity sensors. The environmental control system of Patent Document 1 identifies the temperature and humidity sensor closest to the user based on the detection result of the user's sleeping position, and controls the air blowing operation of the blower based on the detection result of the identified temperature and humidity sensor.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-131849

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to control the in-bed environment based on the detection results of the temperature and humidity sensor in order to get a good night's sleep.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a sleep assistance system that can efficiently improve the quality of a person's sleep.

[0006] A sleep assistance system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a blower that blows air toward the peripheral parts of a sleeping person, and a controller that controls the airflow from the blower to promote a decrease in the person's core body temperature.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the quality of a person's sleep can be efficiently improved.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sleep support system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating the state inside the bedding shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is another diagram illustrating the state inside the bedding. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a sleep support system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating changes in core body temperature when air is blown toward the feet of a person sleeping on the bedding. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the sleep support system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the relationship between the air volume of the air blower, the person's heat dissipation function, the rate of change in peripheral body temperature, and bodily sensation during sleep. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a sleep support system according to a first variation of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the sleep support system according to the first variation of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a sleep support system according to a second variation of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the sleep support system according to the second variation of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of air temperature control by a control unit. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation of the sleep support system according to the second variation of the embodiment.

[0009] (Summary of the Present Disclosure) As an overview of the present disclosure, an example of a sleep assistance system according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0010] A sleep assistance system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a blower that blows air toward the peripheral parts of a sleeping person, and a controller that controls the airflow from the blower to promote a decrease in the person's core body temperature.

[0011] The inventors have discovered that controlling the airflow directed toward a sleeping person's feet can significantly lower the person's core body temperature. Therefore, the sleep support system according to this embodiment can promote a decrease in the sleeping person's core body temperature and improve the quality of the person's sleep simply by directing airflow toward the person's feet, eliminating the need to control the environment, such as the temperature and humidity, within the bed. Therefore, the sleep support system according to this embodiment can efficiently improve the quality of the person's sleep.

[0012] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the sleep assistance system according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit controls the airflow of the blower unit based on the person's core body temperature.

[0013] This makes it possible to adjust the airflow from the air blower in accordance with the person's core body temperature, thereby more effectively lowering the person's core body temperature and further improving the quality of the person's sleep.

[0014] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to the second aspect, in which the control unit controls the airflow from the blower unit so that the rate at which the person's core body temperature decreases is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0015] This allows the core body temperature of a person to be lowered at a desired rate by setting a predetermined threshold.

[0016] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to the second or third aspect, in which the control unit acquires the person's deep body temperature measured by a deep body temperature measuring unit, and controls the airflow from the blower unit based on the acquired deep body temperature.

[0017] This allows the directly acquired core body temperature of the person to be used to control the airflow from the air blower, thereby improving the accuracy of the airflow control from the air blower.

[0018] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to the second or third aspect, in which the control unit acquires the person's heart rate, estimates the person's core body temperature based on the acquired heart rate, and controls the airflow from the blower unit based on the estimated core body temperature.

[0019] This allows the heart rate, which is easily measurable, to be measured and the deep body temperature to be estimated from the measured heart rate, making it easier to obtain information about the deep body temperature.

[0020] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the control unit acquires the person's peripheral body temperature and controls the air volume of the air blower unit so as to maximize the air volume of the air blower unit within a range that does not cause the person's peripheral body temperature to decrease.

[0021] Since people become more susceptible to feeling cold when their peripheral body temperature drops while their core body temperature is dropping, controlling the airflow as described above can speed up the rate at which their core body temperature drops while making them less likely to feel cold.

[0022] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the control unit controls the air volume of the air blower unit so that the air volume of the air blower unit during a predetermined period from when the person starts to go to sleep is greater than the air volume of the air blower unit when the person wakes up.

[0023] This further promotes a decrease in a person's core body temperature during a predetermined period from the time the person starts going to bed, which has a large impact on the quality of the person's sleep, thereby effectively improving the quality of the person's sleep.

[0024] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the control unit acquires bodily sensation information, which is information indicating the bodily sensation of the person, and controls the airflow from the blower unit based on the bodily sensation information.

[0025] This allows the airflow from the blower to be controlled according to the physical sensations of the sleeping person, such as the temperature and cold sensation, allowing the sleeping person to sleep comfortably and further improving the quality of their sleep.

[0026] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the sleep assistance system according to the eighth aspect, in which the bodily sensation information is information indicating whether the person is feeling cold.

[0027] This allows the airflow from the blower to be controlled depending on whether the sleeping person is feeling cold or not, making it possible to make the person feel less cold and further improving the quality of their sleep.

[0028] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the sleep assistance system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the bodily sensation information is a peripheral body temperature of the person.

[0029] This allows the airflow from the blower to be controlled according to peripheral body temperature, which is likely to affect a person's physical sensation.

[0030] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to the tenth aspect, wherein the control unit controls the airflow of the blower unit to be reduced when the person's peripheral body temperature is low.

[0031] Since people become more susceptible to feeling cold when their peripheral body temperature drops while their core body temperature is dropping, controlling the airflow as described above can speed up the rate at which their core body temperature drops while making them less likely to feel cold.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is the sleep assistance system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the bodily sensation information is a detection result of body movement of the person.

[0033] This allows the airflow from the blower to be controlled in accordance with the body movements of the person, which tend to change depending on the person's physical sensation.

[0034] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to the twelfth aspect, in which the person is sleeping in bedding, and the detection result is a result of detecting the body movement based on vibrations of the bedding.

[0035] This improves the accuracy of body movement detection. Also, since body movement can be detected without attaching a sensor to the person, it is possible to prevent body movement detection from disturbing the person's sleep.

[0036] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, further comprising a temperature control unit that heats the air blown out by the air blowing unit.

[0037] This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the person's peripheral parts from dropping excessively.

[0038] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to the fourteenth aspect, in which the control unit causes the temperature adjustment unit to heat the air blown by the air blowing unit during a predetermined period until the person wakes up.

[0039] This allows the air blown out by the air blowing unit to be heated during the period when the person's core body temperature rises as they prepare to wake up, thereby promoting a rise in the person's core body temperature, thereby making the person's awakening more comfortable.

[0040] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the control unit acquires the temperature of the person's sleeping environment and controls the airflow from the blower unit based on the acquired temperature of the sleeping environment.

[0041] This allows air to be blown to the peripheral parts of a person according to the temperature of the sleeping environment, reducing discomfort during sleep.

[0042] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, in which the control unit controls the airflow from the blower unit based on seasonal information.

[0043] This allows air to be blown to the peripheral parts of a person depending on the season, reducing discomfort during sleep.

[0044] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects, wherein the control unit acquires the person's peripheral body temperature and controls the airflow from the blower unit based on the acquired peripheral body temperature of the person.

[0045] This allows air to be blown to the peripheral parts of the person in accordance with the person's peripheral body temperature so as to reduce discomfort during sleep.

[0046] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the sleep assistance system according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, wherein the peripheral part is a foot of the person.

[0047] This allows air to be blown to the feet of a person, which have the largest surface area among the extremities of a person, thereby effectively promoting a decrease in the person's core body temperature.

[0048] Also, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to the nineteenth aspect, in which the person is sleeping in bedding and the air blowing unit blows air toward the feet surrounded by the bedding.

[0049] This makes the bedding less susceptible to the influence of the surrounding environment.

[0050] Also, for example, a sleep support system according to a 21st aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep support system according to the 20th aspect, wherein the bedding includes a lower bedding placed below the person and an upper bedding placed above the person, and a portion of the upper bedding is fixed to the lower bedding in the area where the person's feet are located.

[0051] This prevents the space surrounded by the upper and lower bedding from collapsing even if the position of the feet changes due to tossing and turning, and allows the air blowing section to stably blow air toward the feet.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, a sleep assistance system according to a 22nd aspect of the present disclosure is a sleep assistance system according to any one of the 19th to 21st aspects, wherein the air blowing unit blows air toward the feet from a direction intersecting the height direction of the person when viewed from above while sleeping.

[0053] This makes it difficult for the feet to move out of the position where the wind hits, even if the position of the feet changes due to tossing and turning in bed, and the air blowing section can stably blow air onto the feet.

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0055] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in independent claims are described as optional components.

[0056] Furthermore, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. In each drawing, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0057] (Embodiment) [Overview] First, an overview of a sleep support system according to this embodiment will be described using Figures 1 and 2A. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sleep support system 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2A is a diagram showing the state inside bedding 80 shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a plan view of bedding 80 in which person 90 is sleeping, viewed from above. In Figure 1, the outlines of person 90 and blower device 20 inside bedding 80 are shown by dashed lines. In addition, Figure 2A shows the state around feet 91 of person 90 in bedding 80, where blower device 20 is placed.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, sleep support system 10 includes air blower 20 having air blower 21 and controller 30 that controls the airflow from air blower 21.

[0059] The sleep assistance system 10 assists the sleep of a person 90 who is sleeping on bedding 80 or the like. In this specification, "sleeping" means that the person 90 is in a sleeping position on the bedding 80 or the like in order to sleep, and if the person 90 is trying to sleep, the person 90 is considered to be asleep even if the person 90 has not actually fallen asleep. The bedding 80 includes, for example, lower bedding 81 such as a mattress or a futon placed below the person 90, and upper bedding 82 such as a blanket or a comforter placed above the person 90. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A , the feet 91 of the person 90 are surrounded by the bedding 80, specifically, sandwiched between the lower bedding 81 and the upper bedding 82.

[0060] Furthermore, in the region of the bedding 80 where the feet 91 of the person 90 are located, a portion of the upper bedding 82 is fixed to the lower bedding 81, for example. The portion of the upper bedding 82 is fixed, for example, by being sandwiched between the lower bedding 81 and the floor surface or bed frame that supports the lower bedding 81. The portion of the upper bedding 82 may be fixed to the lower bedding 81 using a fixing device such as a clip. This prevents the space surrounded by the lower bedding 81 and the upper bedding 82 from collapsing even if the position of the feet 91 changes due to turning over in bed, etc., and allows the air blowing unit 21, described later, to stably blow air toward the feet 91. Note that the region of the bedding 80 where the feet 91 of the person 90 are located is the region of the bedding 80 that is located closer to the feet than the knees of the person 90.

[0061] The air blower 21 blows air toward the feet 91, which are the extremities of the person 90 sleeping in the bedding 80. The air blower 21 is installed so that it can blow air directly onto the feet 91 of the person 90. The control device 30 (specifically, the control unit 31, which will be described later) controls the airflow from the air blower 21 so as to promote a decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 sleeping in the bedding 80. The control device 30, for example, drives the air blower 21 with an air volume that can significantly reduce the core body temperature of the person 90. According to the sleep assistance system 10, simply blowing air toward the feet 91 of the person 90 can promote a decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90, thereby efficiently improving the quality of sleep of the person 90.

[0062] The appearance of blower 21 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 2A and is not particularly limited. Fig. 2B is another diagram showing the state inside bedding 80. Fig. 2B shows a plan view of person 90 sleeping on bedding 80, as viewed from above with bedding 80 removed. Blower device 20 may be provided with blower 21a shown in Fig. 2B instead of blower 21 shown in Fig. 2A.

[0063] [Configuration] The detailed configuration of sleep support system 10 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3 in addition to Fig. 1, Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of sleep support system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0064] The sleep assistance system 10 includes a blower 20, a control device 30, a core body temperature measuring unit 51, and a bodily sensation information measuring unit 52.

[0065] The blower device 20 includes a blower section 21 and a temperature regulator section 22. The operation of the blower device 20 is controlled by a control section 31 of the control device 30.

[0066] The blower unit 21 is disposed, for example, between the lower bedding 81 and the upper bedding 82 at the feet of the person 90. In the example shown in FIG. 2A , the blower unit 21 is composed of a plurality of fans or other blowers. The plurality of blowers are lined up, for example, along the edge of the bedding 80 on the side of the person 90's feet when viewed from above. The plurality of blowers are also surrounded by a frame body in all directions except for the front and rear of the blowing direction of the air. In the example shown in FIG. 2A , the frame body is transparent, but it may also be opaque. The air from the blower is blown out so as to directly hit the soles of the feet 91 of the person 90, for example.

[0067] The configuration and arrangement of the air blower 21 are not particularly limited as long as it can blow air toward the feet 91 of the person 90. For example, as described above, the sleep support system 10 may include an air blower 21a shown in FIG. 2B instead of the air blower 21. The air blower 21a includes a blower 25 and an air duct 26, and air from the blower 25 is blown to the feet 91 of the person 90 via the air duct 26. In this case, for example, the air outlet of the air duct 26 is disposed between the lower bedding 81 and the upper bedding 82 at the feet of the person 90. As long as the portion of the air blower 21a including the air outlet of the air duct 26 is disposed between the lower bedding 81 and the upper bedding 82, the other portion may be disposed outside the bedding 80. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 2B , the air outlet of the air duct 26 is wider than the portion of the air duct 26 on the blower 25 side.

[0068] In the example shown in FIG. 2B , when the sleeping person 90 is viewed from above, the air blower 21a blows air toward the feet 91 from a direction intersecting the height direction of the person 90 (i.e., the direction connecting the head and feet when the person 90 is standing upright). This makes it difficult for the feet 91 to move out of the position where the air hits, even if the position of the feet 91 changes due to turning over in bed, etc., and allows the air blower 21a to stably blow air toward the feet 91. This also makes it possible to reduce the size of the air outlet of the air duct 26. The direction intersecting the height direction of the person 90 may be a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the person 90. Furthermore, the air from the air blower duct 26 may be blown so that it directly hits the soles of the feet 91 of the person 90, as in the example of the air blower 21 shown in FIG. 2A . Furthermore, when viewed from above, air blower 21 may blow air toward feet 91 from a direction intersecting the height direction of sleeping person 90. In sleep assistance system 10, air blower 21 can be replaced with air blower 21a, and therefore in the following description, air blower 21 can be read as air blower 21a.

[0069] The air volume of the blower 21 is changeable, and the air volume is adjusted, for example, by adjusting the power supplied to the blower 21. The air volume of the blower 21 may be changeable in stages or continuously.

[0070] The temperature adjustment unit 22 adjusts the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21. The temperature adjustment unit 22 is a heater, for example, composed of an electric heating wire or the like, that heats the air blown by the air blower 21. This allows the air blower 21 to blow warm air to the feet 91 of the person 90. For example, when the control unit 31 determines that the ambient temperature of the bedding 80, acquired from a temperature sensor or the like (not shown), is below a predetermined value, the temperature adjustment unit 22 heats the air blown by the air blower 21 based on the control of the control unit 31. This prevents the temperature of the feet 91 of the person 90 from dropping excessively. Note that the air blower device 20 does not necessarily have to include the temperature adjustment unit 22. Alternatively, the temperature adjustment unit 22 may have a function of cooling the air blown by the air blower 21. For example, the temperature adjustment unit 22 may be a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, that can perform both heating and cooling.

[0071] The temperature adjustment unit 22 may also have a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21. The measurement result by the temperature sensor is used to control the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21.

[0072] The control device 30 includes a control unit 31 , a storage unit 32 , and an acquisition unit 33 .

[0073] The control unit 31 is a processing circuit (processing unit) that controls the operation of the air blower 20. The control unit 31 performs various information processes to control the operation of the air blower 20. The control unit 31 controls the airflow of the air blower 21. For example, the control unit 31 controls the airflow volume of the air blower 21 based on the core body temperature of the person 90. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the "airflow volume" of the air blower 21 refers to the airflow volume per unit time blown out by the air blower 21. The control unit 31 may also control the temperature of the air blown out by the air blower 21 (i.e., the air temperature) by controlling the temperature adjustment unit 22. Details of the control performed by the control unit 31 will be described later. The control unit 31 includes, for example, a memory that stores programs and the like, and a processor that executes the programs. The programs may be stored in the storage unit 32.

[0074] The storage unit 32 stores information and data necessary for the processing performed by the control unit 31. The storage unit 32 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory. Note that at least a part of the storage unit 32 may be provided in a device separate from the control device 30, and the control unit 31 may obtain the data stored in the storage unit 32 via a network such as the Internet.

[0075] The acquisition unit 33 communicates with the core body temperature measurement unit 51 and the body sensation information measurement unit 52 and acquires data from them. The acquisition unit 33 includes a communication interface (communication circuit) for communicating with external devices, etc. The acquisition unit 33 may also include an input device for acquiring input operations from the user. The input device is, for example, a touch panel, an operation switch, or an operation button.

[0076] The deep body temperature measuring unit 51 measures the deep body temperature of the person 90 and outputs the measurement result to the control device 30. The deep body temperature measuring unit 51 is, for example, a deep body temperature measuring meter that uses a heat flow compensation method or the like. The deep body temperature measuring unit 51 may also be a device that measures one or more pieces of biological information of the person 90 and calculates the deep body temperature based on the measured one or more pieces of biological information.

[0077] The bodily sensation information measuring unit 52 detects bodily sensation information that is information indicating bodily sensations such as hot and cold sensations of the person 90. The bodily sensation information is, for example, information that indicates whether the person 90 is feeling cold.

[0078] The bodily sensation information measuring unit 52 measures, for example, the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 as bodily sensation information and outputs the measurement result to the control device 30. In this case, the bodily sensation information measuring unit 52 is a peripheral body temperature meter that measures the peripheral body temperature of the person 90. Specifically, the bodily sensation information measuring unit 52 measures the surface temperature of the feet 91 of the person 90 (i.e., the skin temperature of the feet 91) as the peripheral body temperature. The peripheral body temperature meter may be one that uses a contact-type temperature sensor or one that uses a non-contact-type temperature sensor.

[0079] The sleep assistance system 10 may not include at least one of the deep body temperature measuring unit 51 and the bodily sensation information measuring unit 52, and the acquisition unit 33 may acquire at least one of the deep body temperature and the bodily sensation information of the person 90 by communicating with one or more external devices having the functions of at least one of the deep body temperature measuring unit 51 and the bodily sensation information measuring unit 52. In this case, the external device may be a dedicated measuring device, or may be an information terminal or a wearable terminal owned by the user.

[0080] [Measurement Results of Core Body Temperature] Next, the results of measurements made by the present inventors on how the core body temperature changes when air is blown onto the feet of a subject sleeping on bedding will be described.

[0081] Specifically, the inventors measured the core body temperature of four Japanese male subjects (age 23.0±1.9 years, height 169.6±4.5 cm, weight 58.1±2.7 kg) under the following conditions 1 to 3. Condition 1: No air was blown onto the subject's feet. Condition 2: One fan was blown 0.9 m above the subject's feet overnight.３ Condition 3: For the first three hours after going to bed, the air was blown out at a volume of 1.4 m per fan relative to the subject's feet. ３ / min, and then blows out air at a rate of 0.9 m per fan. ３ The air was blown out at a volume of 1 / min.

[0082] In each condition, the room temperature was controlled to 26° C., and no fan was used to heat the room. Four fans were placed at the feet of the subjects in their bedding.

[0083] Deep body temperature was measured at 30-second intervals using a heat flow compensation deep body thermometer (Terumo Corporation, CM-210), and the median of the measurements taken while asleep was used as a representative value for deep body temperature during sleep for comparison. A decrease in the median deep body temperature indicates an overall decrease in deep body temperature during sleep.

[0084] Table 1 shows the median core body temperature measurement results for four subjects, Subjects 1 to 4. Table 1 also shows the results of the determination of whether or not core body temperature was significantly lower under Conditions 2 and 3 compared to Condition 1 in the "Significant Difference" column. In the "Significant Difference" column, "〇" indicates that core body temperature was significantly lower than under Condition 1. This determination was made based on the Mann-Whitney U test, with a p-value of less than 0.05 being determined as "〇". Outliers were also excluded using the interquartile range. In the "Significant Difference" column, "-" indicates that the determination was not "〇" and that core body temperature was not significantly lower than under Condition 1.

[0085]

[0086] As shown in Table 1, 0.9 m per fan overnight. ３Under condition 2, in which air was blown onto the subjects' feet at a volume of 1 / min, it was confirmed that core body temperature significantly decreased in three of the four subjects. Furthermore, under condition 3, in which the air volume was increased more than under condition 2 for three hours after the start of sleep, it was confirmed that core body temperature significantly decreased in all four subjects. Note that the p-values ​​for determining that core body temperature significantly decreased under conditions 2 and 3 were less than 0.01.

[0087] These results demonstrate that controlling the volume of airflow directed at the feet can significantly lower a person's core body temperature. We also found that increasing the volume of airflow for a certain period after going to bed is effective in lowering a person's core body temperature.

[0088] Therefore, in the sleep support system 10, the control unit 31 can promote a decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80 by appropriately controlling the air volume of the air blower 21. For example, the memory unit 32 stores an air volume of the air blower 21 that can significantly decrease the core body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80, which has been determined in advance through experiments or the like, and the control unit 31 controls the air volume of the air blower 21 to be the air volume stored in the memory unit 32. The control unit 31 may also control the air volume of the air blower 21 so that the air volume of the air blower 21 for a predetermined period from when the person 90 starts to sleep is greater than the air volume of the air blower 21 when the person 90 wakes up.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating changes in core body temperature when air is blown onto the feet 91 of a person 90 sleeping on bedding 80. In FIG. 4, the solid line shows the change in core body temperature of the person 90 when no air is blown onto the feet 91 of the person 90, and the dashed line shows the change in core body temperature of the person 90 when an appropriate volume of air is blown onto the feet 91 of the person 90. As shown in FIG. 4, the core body temperature of the sleeping person 90 generally decreases from the time the person starts to sleep until a certain point, then begins to rise and continues to rise until the person wakes up. It is also known that a lower core body temperature of a sleeping person improves the quality of sleep. Therefore, blowing air at a volume that promotes a decrease in the core body temperature of the sleeping person 90 can improve the quality of sleep of the person 90.

[0090] In this way, the sleep support system 10 can improve the quality of sleep of the sleeping person 90 by simply blowing air onto the feet 91 of the sleeping person 90 to promote a decrease in the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90. For example, the sleep support system 10 does not require the use of multiple temperature and humidity sensors or the like to control the environment, such as the temperature and humidity, in the bed, as in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the sleep support system 10 can efficiently improve the quality of sleep of the person 90. Furthermore, because the sleep support system 10 does not require control of the environment over a wide area in the bed, it is also possible to save energy.

[0091] [Operation] Next, an example of the operation of the sleep support system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sleep support system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0092] First, a person 90 (i.e., a user of the sleep support system 10) who is about to sleep enters the bedding 80 and turns on the blower 21, causing the blower 21 to start blowing air at a predetermined volume toward the feet 91 of the person 90. The predetermined volume is, for example, a volume determined in advance through experiments or the like that can promote a decrease in core body temperature for an average person while sleeping. Alternatively, the predetermined volume may be set to a value corresponding to the user. Then, the control unit 31 acquires the core body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80, measured by the core body temperature measurement unit 51, via the acquisition unit 33 (step S11). For example, the core body temperature measurement unit 51 measures the core body temperature of the person 90 at predetermined intervals. The control unit 31 stores the results of the core body temperature measurements at the predetermined intervals, along with time information, in the memory unit 32 as a core body temperature history. The control unit 31 continues to acquire the core body temperature of the person 90 at predetermined intervals until the person 90 wakes up. This predetermined interval is, for example, 10 seconds or more and 10 minutes or less.

[0093] The control unit 31 also acquires, as bodily sensation information, the peripheral body temperature (specifically, the temperature of the feet 91) of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80 measured by the bodily sensation information measurement unit 52 via the acquisition unit 33 (step S12). For example, the bodily sensation information measurement unit 52 measures the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 at predetermined intervals, and the control unit 31 stores the results of the peripheral body temperature measurements at the predetermined intervals together with time information as a peripheral body temperature history in the storage unit 32. The control unit 31 continues to acquire the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 at predetermined intervals until the person 90 wakes up. This predetermined interval is, for example, at least 10 seconds and at most 10 minutes.

[0094] Next, after a certain time has elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep, the control unit 31 determines whether the rate of decrease in the person 90's core body temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step S13). The control unit 31, for example, references the history of the core body temperature of the person 90 while sleeping on the bedding 80 stored in the memory unit 32 and determines whether the rate of decrease in the core body temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The rate of decrease in the core body temperature used in this determination is, for example, an average rate calculated from the amount of change in the core body temperature over a certain period of time immediately prior to the determination. The predetermined threshold used in the determination may be set to, for example, a value greater than the rate of decrease in the core body temperature of an average person while sleeping. Alternatively, the rate of decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 while sleeping without using the sleep support system 10 may be measured in advance and the predetermined threshold may be set to a value greater than the measured rate of decrease.

[0095] Furthermore, the time when person 90 starts to go to sleep is, for example, the time when air blower 21 starts to blow air at a predetermined volume toward feet 91 of person 90, but is not limited to this and can be set as appropriate. For example, the time when person 90 starts to go to sleep may be set in advance, or may be the time when a sensor (not shown) detects that person 90 has entered bedding 80. Furthermore, this certain time is, for example, between 10 minutes and 30 minutes.

[0096] If the control unit 31 determines that the rate of decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (No in step S13), it controls the airflow rate of the air blower 21 to be increased (step S14). At this time, the increase in the airflow rate of the air blower 21 may be a predetermined value, or the control unit 31 may determine the increase in the airflow rate of the air blower 21 based on the rate of decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90. For example, the greater the difference between the rate of decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 and the predetermined threshold, the greater the increase in the airflow rate of the air blower 21. Then, step S13 is performed again after a certain period of time. This certain period of time is, for example, between 10 minutes and 30 minutes.

[0097] Furthermore, in step S14, in addition to or instead of controlling the airflow rate of the air blower 21 to be increased, the control unit 31 may cause the temperature adjustment unit 22 to cool the air blown out by the air blower 21. Furthermore, this cooling by the temperature adjustment unit 22 may be performed in step S14 a predetermined number of times after the second time when step S14 has been performed two or more times. This allows the reduction in core body temperature to be promoted without significantly increasing the airflow rate, even in conditions where the core body temperature is difficult to reduce due to, for example, a high ambient temperature around the bedding 80.

[0098] In this way, by going through step S13 and, if necessary, step S14, the control unit 31 can control the airflow from the blower unit 21 so that the rate at which the core body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80 drops is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0099] On the other hand, if the control unit 31 determines that the rate of decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S13), it determines whether the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is decreasing (step S15). The control unit 31, for example, refers to the history of the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80 stored in the memory unit 32, and determines whether the peripheral body temperature has tended to decrease over a certain period of time immediately prior to the determination. Note that in step S15, the control unit 31 may determine whether the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has decreased and whether the rate of decrease in the peripheral body temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

[0100] If the control unit 31 determines that the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has decreased (Yes in step S15), it controls the airflow rate of the air blower 21 to be reduced (step S16). At this time, the amount of reduction in the airflow rate of the air blower 21 may be a predetermined value, or the control unit 31 may determine the amount of reduction in the airflow rate of the air blower 21 based on the rate of decrease in the peripheral body temperature of the person 90. For example, the greater the rate of decrease in the peripheral body temperature of the person 90, the greater the amount of reduction in the airflow rate of the air blower 21. Then, after a certain period of time, step S15 is performed again. This certain period of time is, for example, not less than 10 minutes and not more than 30 minutes. Note that after step S16, step S13 may be performed again instead of step S15.

[0101] Furthermore, in step S16, in addition to or instead of controlling the airflow rate of the air blower 21 to be reduced, the control unit 31 may cause the temperature adjustment unit 22 to heat the air blown out by the air blower 21. Furthermore, this heating by the temperature adjustment unit 22 may be performed a predetermined number of times after the second time in the case where step S16 has been performed two or more times. This makes it possible to suppress a drop in peripheral body temperature without significantly reducing the airflow rate, even in conditions where peripheral body temperature is likely to drop due to low ambient temperature around the bedding 80, for example.

[0102] In this way, by going through step S15 and, if necessary, step S16, the control unit 31 can control the airflow from the blower unit 21 so that the peripheral body temperature of the sleeping person 90 does not decrease.

[0103] On the other hand, if the control unit 31 determines that the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has not decreased (No in step S15), it controls the blower unit 21 with an air volume determined based on the rate of rise of the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 (step S17). For example, if the rate of rise of the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 31 determines not to change the current air volume of the blower unit 21. Furthermore, for example, if the rate of rise of the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 31 determines the air volume so that the greater the difference between the rate of rise of the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 and the predetermined value, the greater the air volume becomes compared to the current air volume of the blower unit 21. Furthermore, if the rate of rise of the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 31 may increase the current air volume of the blower unit 21 by a predetermined amount. The predetermined value may also be 0.

[0104] After step S17, the control unit 31 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep (step S18). The length of this predetermined period of time is, for example, two hours or more and five hours or less. If the control unit 31 determines that the predetermined period of time has not elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep (No in step S18), step S15 is performed again after a certain period of time has elapsed. This certain period of time is, for example, one minute or more and 30 minutes or less. At this time, step S13 may be performed again instead of step S15. Also, at this time, step S18 may be performed again instead of step S15, and the current airflow rate determined in step S17 may be maintained until the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0105] In this way, by performing steps S13 to S17 for a predetermined period from when the person 90 starts to sleep, the control unit 31 can control the airflow volume of the air blower 21 to maximize the airflow volume within a range that does not lower the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80. This can promote a decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 without making the person 90 feel cold, thereby further improving the quality of sleep of the person 90. This point will be explained in detail using FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the relationship between the airflow volume of the air blower 21 and the heat dissipation function, the rate of change in peripheral body temperature, and the physical sensation of the person 90 while sleeping. FIG. 6 illustrates how the heat dissipation function, the rate of change in peripheral body temperature, and the physical sensation of the person 90 change as the airflow volume of the air blower 21 increases. For the sake of explanation, Figure 6 shows a simplified illustration of the heat dissipation function, the rate of change in peripheral body temperature, and how the body temperature feels for the person 90. However, in reality, due to the influence of the environment and individual differences, the results may not necessarily be exactly as shown in Figure 6. For example, the time change in peripheral body temperature does not necessarily change linearly with the air volume. Furthermore, for example, the air volume that defines the boundary of the body temperature feeling may also change.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 6 , as the airflow rate of the air blower 21 changes, the heat dissipation function of the person 90, the rate of change in the peripheral body temperature, and the person's bodily sensation also change. Specifically, as the airflow rate of the air blower 21 increases, the heat dissipation function of the person 90 increases. Therefore, the core body temperature of the person 90 decreases due to heat dissipation, and as the airflow rate of the air blower 21 increases, the rate of decrease in the core body temperature of the person 90 also increases. On the other hand, the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 increases while sleeping because heat from the core of the person 90 moves to the peripheral parts to lower the core body temperature, and therefore increases at a high rate when the peripheral parts are not exposed to air. As the airflow rate of the air blower 21 increases, the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 while sleeping becomes less likely to increase and begins to decrease at a certain airflow rate. Furthermore, the person 90 is likely to feel hot when the rate of increase in peripheral body temperature is high, and is likely to feel comfortable when the rate of increase in peripheral body temperature falls below a certain level. Furthermore, when the core body temperature of person 90 drops, the person 90 is likely to feel cold if the peripheral body temperature also drops. Therefore, by maximizing the airflow of the blower 21 within a range in which the rate of change in the peripheral body temperature of the sleeping person 90 satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, within a range in which the peripheral body temperature does not drop, the heat dissipation function can be maximized in a state in which person 90 is unlikely to feel cold. As a result, the drop in the core body temperature of person 90 is effectively promoted, and the quality of sleep of person 90 can be further improved.

[0107] 5 again, when the control unit 31 determines that a predetermined period has elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep (Yes in step S18), it determines whether the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90 is rising (step S19). For example, the control unit 31 refers to the deep body temperature history of the sleeping person 90 in the bedding 80 stored in the memory unit 32, and determines whether the deep body temperature has tended to rise for a certain period of time immediately before the determination.

[0108] If the control unit 31 determines that the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90 has not risen (No in step S19), the control unit 31 maintains the current airflow rate of the air blower 21, and step S19 is performed again after a certain period of time. On the other hand, if the control unit 31 determines that the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90 has risen (Yes in step S19), the control unit 31 controls the airflow rate of the air blower 21 to be reduced (step S20). The airflow continues until the person 90 wakes up and the drive of the air blower 21 is turned off. The control unit 31 controls the airflow rate of the air blower 21, for example, so that the airflow rate is lower than the airflow rate at the time the air blower 21 started to blow air. The control unit 31 may also reduce the airflow rate of the air blower 21 to zero. In other words, the control unit 31 may stop the drive of the air blower 21, and the operation of the sleep support system 10 may end in step S20.

[0109] Furthermore, in step S20, instead of or in addition to controlling the airflow rate of the air blower 21 to be reduced, the control unit 31 may cause the temperature adjustment unit 22 to heat the air blown by the air blower 21. That is, the control unit 31 may cause the temperature adjustment unit 22 to heat the air blown by the air blower 21 during a predetermined period until the person 90 wakes up. This heats the air blown by the air blower 21 during the period when the person 90's core body temperature rises in the stage of preparation for waking up as described with reference to FIG. 4, thereby promoting the rise in the core body temperature of the person 90. As a result, the person 90 can wake up more comfortably.

[0110] In this way, the control unit 31 controls the air volume of the air blower unit 21 so as to promote a decrease in the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90 during a predetermined period from when the person 90 starts to sleep, and controls the air volume of the air blower unit 21 to be reduced after the end of the predetermined period. In other words, the control unit 31 controls the air volume of the air blower unit 21 so that the air volume of the air blower unit 21 during the predetermined period from when the person 90 starts to sleep is greater than the air volume of the air blower unit 21 when the person 90 wakes up. This promotes a decrease in the deep body temperature of the person 90 during a predetermined period from when the person 90 starts to sleep, which has a significant impact on the quality of the sleep of the person 90, thereby effectively improving the quality of the sleep of the person 90. The predetermined period in this case may be determined in advance as described above, or the predetermined period may be determined by the control unit 31 to be a period up to the point at which the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90 changes from a decrease to an increase, or a period based on that point.

[0111] Note that at least some of the above operations may be omitted as long as sleep assistance system 10 operates to control the airflow from blower 21 so as to promote a decrease in the core body temperature of sleeping person 90. For example, steps S15 to S17 may be omitted, or at least one of steps S18 and S19 may be omitted, or steps S18 to S20 may be omitted.

[0112] Furthermore, in step S15, the control unit 31 may acquire the detection result of the body movement of the sleeping person 90 instead of the peripheral body temperature of the sleeping person 90 as the body sensation information. That is, in this case, the body sensation information is the detection result of the body movement of the sleeping person 90 on the bedding 80. Then, in step S15, the control unit 31 determines whether the amount of body movement of the sleeping person 90 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If the control unit 31 determines that the amount of body movement of the sleeping person 90 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to step S16. If the control unit 31 determines that the amount of body movement of the sleeping person 90 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, in step S17, the control unit 31 controls the air volume of the air blower unit 21 to an air volume determined based on the amount of body movement of the sleeping person 90. In this way, the air volume of the air blower unit 21 is controlled in accordance with the body movement of the sleeping person 90, which is likely to change depending on the body sensation of the person 90. In this case, the body sensation information measuring unit 52 includes a body movement detector consisting of an acceleration sensor attached to the person 90, a plurality of pressure sensors attached to the bedding 80, or an image sensor that photographs the person 90, instead of or in addition to the peripheral body temperature measuring device, and outputs the detection results of these sensors as the body movement detection results.

[0113] Furthermore, the body movement detector included in the bodily sensation information measuring unit 52 may be configured with a sensor that detects vibrations of the bedding 80, such as an acceleration sensor attached to the bedding 80. In this case, the body movement detection result is a result of body movement being detected based on the vibrations of the bedding 80 detected by the sensor. This can improve the accuracy of body movement detection. Furthermore, since the sensor can be easily attached to the bedding 80 without being attached to the person 90, it is possible to prevent the detection of body movement from disturbing the sleep of the person 90 with a simple configuration.

[0114] [Modification 1] Next, a description will be given of Modification 1 of the embodiment. In the following description of Modification 1, differences from the embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0115] 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sleep support system 10a according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 7, sleep support system 10a according to this modification differs from sleep support system 10 according to the embodiment in that it includes a heart rate measurement unit 55 instead of core body temperature measurement unit 51.

[0116] The heart rate measuring unit 55 measures the heart rate of the person 90 and outputs the measurement result to the control device 30. The heart rate measuring unit 55 is a heart rate measuring device.

[0117] It should be noted that sleep assistance system 10a may not include heart rate measurement unit 55, and acquisition unit 33 may acquire the heart rate of person 90 by communicating with an external device having the function of heart rate measurement unit 55. In this case, the external device may be a dedicated measuring device or a wearable device owned by the user.

[0118] Next, an example of the operation of the sleep support system 10a according to this modification will be described below. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sleep support system 10a according to this modification.

[0119] First, a person 90 (i.e., a user of the sleep support system 10a) who is about to sleep enters the bedding 80 and turns on the driving of the air blower 21, for example, so that the air blower 21 starts blowing air at a predetermined volume toward the feet 91 of the person 90. Then, the control unit 31 acquires the heart rate of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80, measured by the heart rate measurement unit 55, via the acquisition unit 33 (step S31). For example, the heart rate measurement unit 55 measures the heart rate of the person 90 at predetermined intervals. The control unit 31 continues to acquire the heart rate of the person 90 at predetermined intervals until the person 90 wakes up. This predetermined interval is, for example, at least 10 seconds and not more than 10 minutes.

[0120] Next, the control unit 31 estimates the deep body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80 based on the acquired heart rate (step S32). The control unit 31 stores the deep body temperature estimated from the heart rate measured at predetermined intervals together with time information as a deep body temperature history in the memory unit 32. The deep body temperature tends to increase as the heart rate increases, and the control unit 31 estimates the deep body temperature from the heart rate based on, for example, a function or data table showing the relationship between the heart rate and the deep body temperature.

[0121] After step S32, the same operations as those from step S12 onwards described above as the operations of the sleep assistance system 10 are performed.

[0122] The sleep support system 10a does not directly measure the deep body temperature of the person 90, but instead measures the heart rate, which is easier to measure than the deep body temperature, and estimates the deep body temperature from the measured heart rate, making it easier to obtain information about the deep body temperature.

[0123] [Modification 2] Next, a description will be given of Modification 2 of the embodiment. In the following description of Modification 2, differences from the embodiment and Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and descriptions of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0124] 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sleep support system 10b according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 9, sleep support system 10b according to this modification differs from sleep support system 10 according to the embodiment in that it further includes an environmental temperature measurement unit 53 and a peripheral body temperature measurement unit 56 instead of the bodily sensation information measurement unit 52.

[0125] In the sleep support system 10b, the control unit 31 controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 using the temperature regulator 22 based on the acquired information.

[0126] The environmental temperature measurement unit 53 measures the temperature of the sleeping environment of the person 90. The temperature of the sleeping environment of the person 90 is, for example, the air temperature around the bedding 80 on which the person 90 sleeps, and as a specific example, the room temperature of the room in which the bedding 80 is placed. The environmental temperature measurement unit 53 outputs the measurement results of the temperature of the sleeping environment of the person 90 to the control device 30. The acquisition unit 33 of the control device 30 acquires the measurement results from the environmental temperature measurement unit 53. The environmental temperature measurement unit 53 is a temperature sensor that measures the air temperature, and is provided, for example, in the room in which the bedding 80 is placed.

[0127] The peripheral body temperature measuring unit 56 is a peripheral body temperature measuring device that measures the peripheral body temperature of the person 90. The peripheral body temperature measuring unit 56 measures the surface temperature of the feet 91 of the person 90 (i.e., the skin temperature of the feet 91) as the peripheral body temperature. The peripheral body temperature measuring device may use a contact temperature sensor or a non-contact temperature sensor. Furthermore, the peripheral body temperature measured by the peripheral body temperature measuring unit 56 may be used as the above-mentioned body sensation information.

[0128] Alternatively, sleep support system 10b may not include at least one of environmental temperature measurement unit 53 and peripheral body temperature measurement unit 56, and instead acquire at least one of the temperature of the sleeping environment and the peripheral body temperature of person 90 by having acquisition unit 33 communicate with one or more external devices having the functions of at least one of environmental temperature measurement unit 53 and peripheral body temperature measurement unit 56. In this case, the external device may be a dedicated measuring device or may be an information terminal or wearable device owned by the user. Sleep support system 10b may also include a body movement detector used in bodily sensation information measurement unit 52 described in the configuration of sleep support system 10 above. Sleep support system 10b may also include heart rate measurement unit 55 described in the configuration of sleep support system 10a above instead of deep body temperature measurement unit 51.

[0129] Next, an example of the operation of sleep support system 10b according to this modification will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of sleep support system 10b according to this modification. In the example of operation shown in Fig. 10, control unit 31 controls the temperature of the air blown by blower unit 21 using temperature adjustment unit 22. Note that control unit 31 may perform the operation described using Fig. 5 in parallel with the operation shown in Fig. 10. In other words, control unit 31 may control both the temperature and volume of the air blown by blower unit 21.

[0130] First, a person 90 (i.e., a user of the sleep support system 10b) who is about to sleep enters the bedding 80 and turns on the air blower 21, causing the air blower 21 to start blowing air at a predetermined volume toward the feet 91 of the person 90. The control unit 31 then acquires seasonal information indicating the current season (step S41). For example, the control unit 31 may have a clock circuit, measure time, determine the current date, and acquire the determined date as seasonal information. The control unit 31 may also acquire the current date or other seasonal information from an external device via a network such as the Internet via the acquisition unit 33. The control unit 31 may also acquire seasonal information input by the user via the acquisition unit 33. The seasonal information may be information indicating the current month or date, or information indicating which of the four seasons it is currently in.

[0131] Next, the control unit 31 acquires the temperature of the sleeping environment of the person 90 measured by the environmental temperature measurement unit 53 via the acquisition unit 33 (step S42).

[0132] Next, the control unit 31 controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blower unit 21 based on at least one of the acquired seasonal information and the temperature of the sleeping environment (step S43). The control unit 31 determines the temperature of the air blown by the air blower unit 21 based on at least one of the seasonal information and the temperature of the sleeping environment, and uses the temperature adjustment unit 22 to adjust the temperature of the air blown by the air blower unit 21 to the determined air temperature. The memory unit 32 stores information indicating a correspondence relationship, such as a table in which at least one of the seasonal information and the temperature of the sleeping environment is associated with the air temperature, and the control unit 31 determines the air temperature by referring to the information. The temperature that person 90 finds comfortable may change depending on the season and the temperature of the sleeping environment, but controlling the air temperature makes it less likely that person 90 will feel uncomfortable while sleeping.

[0133] Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of air temperature control by the control unit 31. Fig. 11 shows an example of air temperature when the control unit 31 controls the air temperature of the air blown out by the blower unit 21 based on seasonal information. Note that the example of air temperature shown in Fig. 11 is just one example, and the air temperature is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 11.

[0134] 11 , the control unit 31 determines the air temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 based on the season indicated by the seasonal information. For example, the control unit 31 determines the air temperature so that the air temperature is higher in seasons with lower air temperatures. As a result, the air temperature changes depending on the season, and the air blown by the air blower 21 promotes a decrease in core body temperature while making it easier for the person 90 to fall asleep comfortably without feeling uncomfortable.

[0135] 11 , the control unit 31 may change the air temperature according to a plurality of divided periods from when the person 90 goes to sleep until when they wake up. In the example shown in FIG. 11 , the period from when the person 90 goes to sleep until when they wake up is divided into a first period, a second period, and a third period, and the control unit 31 determines the air temperature according to each period. For example, the control unit 31 determines the air temperature so that the air temperature is different between the first period, which is a predetermined period from when the person 90 goes to sleep, and the third period, which is a predetermined period until when the person 90 wakes up. The control unit 31 may also determine the air temperature so that the air temperature is different between the second period, which is a period between the first period and the third period, and at least one of the first period and the third period.

[0136] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 31 determines the air temperature so that the air temperature is higher in the third period than in at least one of the first period and the second period. As a result, during the period in which the core body temperature of person 90 rises in preparation for waking up as described with reference to Fig. 4, the air temperature of the air blown by the air blowing unit 21 becomes higher, thereby promoting the rise in core body temperature. As a result, the person 90 can wake up more comfortably.

[0137] The first, second, and third periods are, for example, preset and stored in the memory unit 32. The first, second, and third periods may also be determined based on changes in the core body temperature of the person 90 while they are sleeping. For example, the control unit 31 determines the first period to be the period from when the person starts sleeping until the core body temperature decreases at a rate equal to or greater than a predetermined rate, determines the second period to be the period after the first period until the core body temperature increases at a rate equal to or greater than a predetermined rate, and determines the third period to be the period after the second period until the person wakes up. The number of periods for changing the air temperature is not limited to three, namely the first, second, and third periods, and may be two periods or four or more periods.

[0138] Furthermore, when the control unit 31 controls the air temperature based on both the seasonal information and the temperature of the sleeping environment, the control unit 31 may adjust the air temperature determined based on the seasonal information based on the temperature of the sleeping environment. For example, the higher the temperature of the sleeping environment, the lower the air temperature determined based on the seasonal information.

[0139] Furthermore, when the control unit 31 controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 based on the temperature of the sleeping environment, the control unit 31 determines the air temperature so that, for example, the lower the temperature of the sleeping environment, the higher the air temperature. Also, even when the control unit 31 controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 based on the temperature of the sleeping environment, the air temperature may be changed according to the multiple periods divided into the time from when the user goes to sleep until waking up, as described above.

[0140] Furthermore, the control unit 31 determines the air temperature in the first period so that the air temperature becomes higher, for example, the colder the season or the lower the temperature of the sleeping environment. As a result, the air temperature becomes higher in an environment where the person 90 is more likely to feel cold, which makes it easier for the person 90 to fall asleep.

[0141] Furthermore, in step S42, the control unit 31 may acquire the peripheral body temperature of person 90 measured by peripheral body temperature measurement unit 56 via the acquisition unit 33, and change the air temperature determined based on at least one of the seasonal information and the temperature of the sleeping environment based on the acquired peripheral body temperature of person 90. For example, the control unit 31 may lower the air temperature determined based on at least one of the seasonal information and the temperature of the sleeping environment the higher the peripheral body temperature of person 90.

[0142] The air temperature may be set arbitrarily by the user. If the control unit 31 does not use either the seasonal information or the temperature of the sleeping environment to control the air temperature, the control unit 31 does not need to acquire either the seasonal information or the temperature of the sleeping environment in steps S41 and S42.

[0143] Next, another example of the operation of sleep support system 10b according to this modified example will be described. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of sleep support system 10b according to this modified example. In the other example of operation shown in Fig. 12, similar to the example shown in Fig. 10, control unit 31 controls the temperature of the air blown by blower unit 21 using temperature adjustment unit 22. Note that control unit 31 may perform the operation described using Fig. 5 in parallel with the operation shown in Fig. 12.

[0144] First, a person 90 about to sleep enters the bedding 80 and turns on the blower 21, causing the blower 21 to start blowing air at a predetermined volume toward the feet 91 of the person 90. The controller 31 then acquires the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80, measured by the peripheral body temperature measurement unit 56, via the acquisition unit 33 (step S51). For example, the peripheral body temperature measurement unit 56 measures the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 at predetermined intervals, and the controller 31 stores the results of the peripheral body temperature measurements at the predetermined intervals, along with time information, in the memory unit 32 as a peripheral body temperature history. The controller 31 continues to acquire the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 at predetermined intervals until the person 90 wakes up. This predetermined interval is, for example, between 10 seconds and 10 minutes.

[0145] Next, after a certain time has elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep, the control unit 31 determines whether the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has decreased (step S52). The processing in the control unit 31 in step S52 is, for example, the same processing as in step S15 described above. This allows the control unit 31 to determine whether the person 90 is feeling cold. The processing in step S52 may be processing to determine whether the person 90 is feeling cold using the detection result of body movement instead of the peripheral body temperature of the person 90, as in step S15. Furthermore, in step S52, the control unit 31 may determine whether the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has decreased and whether the rate of decrease in peripheral body temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0146] When the control unit 31 determines that the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has decreased (Yes in step S52), it controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blowing unit 21 to be higher than the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 (step S53). For example, the control unit 31 determines the temperature of the air blown by the air blowing unit 21 to be "the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 + α (°C)", and uses the temperature adjustment unit 22 to adjust the temperature of the air blown by the air blowing unit 21 to the determined air temperature.

[0147] On the other hand, if the control unit 31 determines that the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has not decreased (No in step S52), it controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 to be lower than the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 (step S54). For example, the control unit 31 determines the air temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 to be "the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 - β (°C)", and uses the temperature adjustment unit 22 to adjust the air temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 to the determined air temperature.

[0148] By performing steps S52 to S54 in this manner, if the person 90 feels cold, air having a temperature higher than the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is blown to the peripheral parts of the person 90, thereby preventing the person 90 from feeling uncomfortable when going to sleep. Therefore, blowing air not only can promote a decrease in core body temperature, but also can make it easier for the person 90 to fall asleep.

[0149] Furthermore, in steps S52 to S54, the control unit 31 may make the air temperature higher than the peripheral body temperature if the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is equal to or lower than the peripheral body temperature if the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is equal to or lower than the peripheral body temperature, regardless of whether the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 has decreased. This also makes it possible for the person 90 to fall asleep more comfortably. Furthermore, since the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 is correlated with the blood flow rate in the peripheral parts of the person 90, an excessive decrease in blood flow rate can be suppressed to suppress a decrease in heat dissipation from the peripheral parts, thereby further promoting a decrease in core body temperature.

[0150] After step S53 or step S54, the control unit 31 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep (step S55). The length of this predetermined period is, for example, two hours or more and seven hours or less. If the control unit 31 determines that the predetermined period has not elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep (No in step S55), step S52 is performed again after a certain time has elapsed. This certain time is, for example, one minute or more and 30 minutes or less. In this way, step S52 and step S53 or S54 are repeated until the predetermined period has elapsed. Alternatively, instead of the operation of step S55, the control unit 31 may determine whether the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90 has increased after a predetermined period has elapsed since the person 90 started to sleep. In this case, step S52 and step S53 or S54 are repeated until the deep body temperature of the sleeping person 90 has increased.

[0151] When the control unit 31 determines that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the person 90 began sleeping (Yes in step S55), it controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 to be higher than the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 (step S56). The blowing of air at the temperature controlled in step S56 continues until the person 90 wakes up and the drive of the air blower 21 is turned off. The control unit 31, for example, determines the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 to be "the peripheral body temperature of the person 90 + γ (°C)" and uses the temperature adjustment unit 22 to adjust the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 to the determined temperature. As a result, during the period when the person 90's core body temperature rises in preparation for waking up, the temperature of the air blown by the air blower 21 becomes higher, thereby promoting the rise in core body temperature. As a result, the person 90 can wake up more comfortably.

[0152] The above α, β, and γ are set, for example, by receiving an input from a user. α, β, and γ may also be determined or adjusted based on at least one of the temperature of the sleeping environment of the person 90 and the peripheral body temperature of the person 90. For example, the control unit 31 increases α and γ and decreases β as the season becomes colder, the temperature of the sleeping environment becomes lower, or the peripheral body temperature becomes lower.

[0153] As described above, in the sleep assistance system 10b, the control unit 31 acquires at least one of seasonal information, the temperature of the sleeping environment of the person 90, and the peripheral body temperature of the person 90, and controls the temperature of the air blown by the air blowing unit 21 based on the at least one of the information. This allows the blowing of air to the peripheral parts of the person 90 to promote a decrease in the core body temperature, and the control of the air temperature reduces discomfort felt by the person 90 while sleeping, thereby improving the quality of sleep of the person 90.

[0154] While the sleep assistance system according to the present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments (including modified examples), the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as the modifications do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art and configurations constructed by combining components of different embodiments are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0155] For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 31 controls the air volume of the blower 21 based on the core body temperature of the sleeping person 90, but this is not limited to this. For example, an air volume suitable for promoting a decrease in the core body temperature of the sleeping person 90 may be confirmed in advance, and the confirmed air volume may be stored in the memory unit 32. In this case, the control unit 31 controls the blower 21 at the confirmed air volume stored in the memory unit 32. In this case, some of the operations from step S12 onwards may also be performed.

[0156] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the air blower 21 blows air toward the feet of the person 90 sleeping on the bedding 80, but this is not limited to this. The air blower 21 may also blow air toward the sleeping person 90 on something other than the bedding 80, such as a vehicle seat or a nap chair.

[0157] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the blower 21 blows air toward the feet 91 of the person 90, but this is not limiting. The blower 21 may also blow air toward the hands of the person 90, which are peripheral parts of the person 90.

[0158] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sleep assistance system is realized by multiple devices, but it may also be realized as a single device. For example, the sleep assistance system may be realized as a single device in which the air blower and the control device are integrated. Furthermore, when the sleep assistance system is realized by multiple devices, the components of the sleep assistance system may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner. Furthermore, the multiple devices may communicate via a network such as the Internet.

[0159] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0160] For example, the processes described in the above embodiments may be realized by centralized processing using a single device, or may be realized by distributed processing using multiple devices. Furthermore, the processor that executes the above programs may be a single processor or multiple processors. That is, centralized processing or distributed processing may be performed.

[0161] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, they may be realized as any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium. For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a sleep assistance method executed by a computer such as a control device. Also, the present disclosure may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the sleep assistance method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is stored.

[0162] The sleep assistance system according to the present disclosure can be used as a system used when a person is sleeping.

[0163] 10, 10a, 10b Sleep support system 20 Air blower 21, 21a Air blower section 22 Temperature adjustment section 25 Air blower 26 Air duct 30 Control device 31 Control section 32 Memory section 33 Acquisition section 51 Deep body temperature measurement section 52 Body sensation information measurement section 53 Environmental temperature measurement section 55 Heart rate measurement section 56 Peripheral body temperature measurement section 80 Bedding 81 Lower bedding 82 Upper bedding 90 Person 91 Feet

Claims

1. A fan that blows air so as to directly hit the extremities of a person, The system includes a control unit that controls the airflow from the air blower to promote a decrease in the core body temperature of the person, Sleep support system.

2. The control unit controls the airflow from the air blower based on the person's core body temperature. The sleep support system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit controls the airflow from the air blower so that the rate of decrease in the person's core body temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold. The sleep support system according to claim 2.

4. The control unit acquires the core body temperature of the person measured by the core body temperature measurement unit, and controls the airflow of the blower unit based on the acquired core body temperature. The sleep support system according to claim 2.

5. The control unit acquires the person's heart rate, estimates the person's core body temperature based on the acquired heart rate, and controls the airflow of the air blower based on the estimated core body temperature. The sleep support system according to claim 2.

6. The control unit acquires the peripheral body temperature of the person and controls the airflow of the air blower to maximize the airflow of the air blower within a range where the peripheral body temperature of the person does not decrease. The sleep support system according to claim 3.

7. The control unit controls the airflow of the air blower so that the airflow of the air blower during a predetermined period from the time the person falls asleep is greater than the airflow of the air blower when the person wakes up. The sleep support system according to claim 1.

8. The control unit acquires sensory information, which is information indicating the person's physical sensations, and controls the airflow of the blower based on the sensory information. The sleep support system according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned sensory information indicates whether or not the person feels cold. The sleep support system according to claim 8.

10. The aforementioned subjective information is the peripheral body temperature of the person. The sleep support system according to claim 8.

11. The aforementioned sensory information is the result of detecting the person's body movements. The sleep support system according to claim 8.

12. The system further includes a temperature control unit that heats the air blown out by the aforementioned air blowing unit. The sleep support system according to claim 1.

13. The control unit acquires the temperature of the sleeping environment of the person and controls the airflow of the blower based on the acquired temperature of the sleeping environment. The sleep support system according to claim 1.

14. The control unit controls the airflow of the blower based on seasonal information. The sleep support system according to claim 1.

15. The control unit acquires the peripheral body temperature of the person and controls the airflow of the blower based on the acquired peripheral body temperature of the person. The sleep support system according to claim 1.

16. The aforementioned peripheral portion is the person's foot. A sleep support system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The aforementioned person was sleeping in bedding, The aforementioned air blower blows air towards the feet surrounded by the bedding. The sleep support system according to claim 16.

18. The bedding includes a lower bedding placed beneath the person and an upper bedding placed above the person. In the area where the person's feet are located, a portion of the upper bedding is fixed to the lower bedding. The sleep support system according to claim 17.

19. The aforementioned air blower blows air towards the feet from a direction that intersects the direction of the person's height when viewed from above while the person is sleeping. The sleep support system according to claim 16.

20. The peripheral portion is located within a space covered by bedding, The aforementioned air blowing unit includes a blower that generates wind and an air blowing duct that sends the wind generated by the blower. The air outlet of the air duct is positioned at a predetermined location within the space covered by the bedding so that the air blown out from the air outlet directly hits the peripheral portion. The sleep support system according to claim 1.