Control device, control method, and control program

Abstract

A control device (100) comprises: an acquisition unit (120) that acquires state information indicating the state of a worker to whom a stimulus is applied and a relationship table (111) representing the correspondence relationship between the state and a comfort value; a specification unit (140) that uses the state information and the relationship table (111) to specify the comfort value of the worker; and a control unit (150) that determines, on the basis of the comfort value and a prescribed threshold value, whether or not to change the stimulus, and, when the comfort value is equal to or less than the threshold value, controls a stimulus output device which outputs a stimulus differing from the stimulus.

Description

Control device, control method, and control program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a control program.

[0002] Techniques for providing stimuli to workers are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for teaching an operation method using sound and light stimuli.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-205003

[0004] However, workers are working under the influence of stimuli, and depending on the worker's condition, it may not be desirable for them to be exposed to the same stimuli.

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to modify the stimulus.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a control device including: an acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating a status of a worker to whom a stimulus is being applied and relationship information indicating a correspondence between the status and a comfort value; an identification unit that identifies the comfort value of the worker using the status information and the relationship information; and a control unit that determines whether to change the stimulus based on the comfort value and a predetermined threshold, and controls a stimulus output device to output a stimulus different from the stimulus if the comfort value is equal to or less than the threshold.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the stimulus can be varied.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing a stimulus output system according to a first embodiment; 2 is a diagram showing hardware included in a control device according to the first embodiment; 3 is a block diagram showing functions of a control device according to the first embodiment; 4 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship table according to the first embodiment; 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a control device according to the first embodiment; 6 is a diagram showing an example of a stimulus management table according to a second embodiment;

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing a stimulation output system according to a first embodiment. The stimulation output system includes a control device 100 and a stimulation output device 200. The control device 100 and the stimulation output device 200 are connected via a network. The network may be a wired network or a wireless network.

[0011] The control device 100 is a device that executes the control method. The stimulus output device 200 is a speaker, a display, a vibrator, a compressor, a Peltier element, or the like. If the stimulus output device 200 is a speaker, the stimulus output by the stimulus output device 200 is sound. If the stimulus output device 200 is a display, the stimulus output by the stimulus output device 200 is an image or video. If the stimulus output device 200 is a vibrator, the stimulus output by the stimulus output device 200 is vibration. If the stimulus output device 200 is a compressor, the stimulus output by the stimulus output device 200 is pressure. If the stimulus output device 200 is a Peltier element (i.e., an air conditioner), the stimulus output by the stimulus output device 200 is a stimulus that provides a warm / cold sensation by absorbing or releasing heat.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows one stimulus output device 200. The number of stimulus output devices 200 may be two or more. That is, the control device 100 may be connected to one or more stimulus output devices 200 via a network. Fig. 1 shows a worker. For example, the worker is a worker working in a factory. The worker receives a stimulus output by the stimulus output device 200.

[0013] Next, the hardware of the control device 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware of the control device of embodiment 1. The control device 100 is also called a computer. The control device 100 has a processor 101, a volatile storage device 102, and a non-volatile storage device 103.

[0014] The processor 101 controls the entire control device 100. For example, the processor 101 is a central processing unit (CPU) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The control device 100 may also include a processing circuit.

[0015] The volatile memory device 102 is a main memory device of the control device 100. For example, the volatile memory device 102 is a random access memory (RAM). The nonvolatile memory device 103 is an auxiliary memory device of the control device 100. For example, the nonvolatile memory device 103 is a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0016] Next, a description will be given of functions of the control device 100. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the control device according to embodiment 1. The control device 100 includes a storage unit 110, an acquisition unit 120, an estimation unit 130, an identification unit 140, and a control unit 150.

[0017] The storage unit 110 may be realized as a storage area secured in the volatile storage device 102 or the non-volatile storage device 103. The storage unit 110 may also be called a memory. Some or all of the acquisition unit 120, estimation unit 130, identification unit 140, and control unit 150 may be realized by a processing circuit. Furthermore, some or all of the acquisition unit 120, estimation unit 130, identification unit 140, and control unit 150 may be realized as program modules executed by the processor 101. For example, the program executed by the processor 101 is also called a control program or a control program product. For example, the control program is recorded on a recording medium.

[0018] The storage unit 110 stores various information.

[0019] The acquisition unit 120 acquires biometric information of the worker to whom a stimulus is being applied. For example, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the biometric information from the storage unit 110. Also, for example, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the biometric information from an external device or a biometric information acquisition device. Note that the external device is a device that exists outside the control device 100. For example, the external device is a cloud server, an external memory, etc. The illustration of the external device is omitted. For example, the biometric information acquisition device is a wearable terminal, an electromyograph, etc. For example, the biometric information is temperature, electromyogram, heart rate, number of steps, gaze, etc.

[0020] The estimation unit 130 estimates the worker's condition based on the biometric information. For example, if the biometric information is temperature, the estimation unit 130 estimates that the worker's physical condition is poor if the temperature is equal to or higher than a threshold (e.g., normal body temperature). For example, if the biometric information is myoelectricity, the estimation unit 130 estimates that the worker's workload is high if the time period during which the myoelectricity value is equal to or higher than a threshold is longer than a predetermined time. For example, if the biometric information is heart rate, the estimation unit 130 estimates that the worker's physical condition is poor if the heart rate is equal to or higher than a threshold. For example, if the biometric information is step count, the estimation unit 130 estimates that the worker's workload is high if the step count is equal to or higher than a threshold. For example, if the biometric information is gaze, the estimation unit 130 estimates that the worker's concentration level is low if the gaze is in a predetermined direction.

[0021] When estimating the worker's condition, the estimation unit 130 may use personality information about the worker to estimate the worker's condition. The personality information is acquired by the acquisition unit 120 from the storage unit 110 or an external device. For example, the personality information indicates that the worker does not feel tired even when moving around a lot. The biometric information is the number of steps. The estimation unit 130 adds a value corresponding to the personality information to the threshold. The estimation unit 130 determines whether the worker's workload is high using the value obtained by the addition and the number of steps. In this way, the estimation unit 130 changes the value used for the determination depending on the worker. This allows the estimation unit 130 to estimate the worker's condition more accurately.

[0022] The acquisition unit 120 may acquire a facial image of the worker from the storage unit 110 or an external device. The estimation unit 130 may estimate a facial expression based on the facial image and estimate whether the worker is stressed or not based on the facial expression. The estimation unit 130 may also estimate whether the worker is in a state of concentration or not based on the facial expression. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 120 may acquire a skin potential from the storage unit 110 or an external device. The estimation unit 130 may estimate whether the worker is stressed or not based on the heart rate or skin potential. The estimation unit 130 may estimate whether the worker is in a state of concentration or not based on the heart rate, gaze, or skin potential.

[0023] The acquisition unit 120 acquires status information indicating the status of the worker from the estimation unit 130. Here, the status of the worker may be estimated by an external device. When the external device estimates the status of the worker, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the status information from the external device. When the external device estimates the status of the worker, the control device 100 does not need to have the estimation unit 130. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 120 may acquire the status information from a button. For example, the worker presses a button when he or she is feeling unwell. This allows the acquisition unit 120 to acquire status information indicating that the worker is feeling unwell from the button.

[0024] The acquisition unit 120 acquires the relationship table from the storage unit 110 or an external device. An example of the relationship table is shown. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship table according to the first embodiment. For example, the relationship table 111 is stored in the storage unit 110. The relationship table 111 is also referred to as relationship information. The relationship table 111 indicates the correspondence between the state and the comfort value.

[0025] The identifying unit 140 identifies the comfort value of the worker by using the state information and the relationship table 111 .

[0026] The control unit 150 determines whether or not to change the stimulus output by the stimulus output device 200 based on the comfort value and a predetermined threshold. If the comfort value is greater than the threshold, the control unit 150 determines not to change the stimulus. If the comfort value is equal to or less than the threshold, the control unit 150 determines to change the stimulus. Then, the control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 so that the stimulus is changed. In other words, the control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 to output a stimulus different from the current stimulus.

[0027] Next, the processing executed by the control device 100 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the control device of embodiment 1. (Step S11) The acquisition unit 120 acquires biometric information of the worker. (Step S12) The estimation unit 130 estimates the worker's condition based on the biometric information. (Step S13) The identification unit 140 identifies a comfort value using condition information indicating the worker's condition and the relationship table 111. (Step S14) The control unit 150 determines whether the comfort value is equal to or less than a threshold value. If the comfort value is greater than the threshold value, the processing ends. If the comfort value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing proceeds to step S15. (Step S15) The control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 to change the stimulus.

[0028] According to the first embodiment, the control device 100 can change the stimulus when the worker is not comfortable. Furthermore, by changing the stimulus, the possibility of improving the worker's comfort increases.

[0029] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, descriptions of the commonalities between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0030] In the first embodiment, a case where the stimulation is changed when the comfort value is equal to or lower than the threshold value has been described. In the second embodiment, a description will be given of what kind of stimulation is changed.

[0031] The acquisition unit 120 acquires the stimulus management table from the storage unit 110 or an external device. An example of the stimulus management table is shown below.

[0032] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a stimulus management table according to the second embodiment. For example, the stimulus management table 112 is stored in the storage unit 110. The stimulus management table 112 is also referred to as stimulus management information. The stimulus management table 112 indicates a stimulus to be output after the current stimulus. The stimulus management table 112 will now be described in detail.

[0033] The stimulus management table 112 has the following fields: worker ID (identifier), stimulus, output frequency, pre-output, post-output, and output timing. The worker ID field indicates the identifier of the worker. The stimulus field registers information indicating a stimulus. For vibrations registered in the stimulus field, a vibration level may be registered. The output frequency field indicates the frequency at which a stimulus is output. The pre-output field indicates that a stimulus is output when the worker is unsure about a task, or that a stimulus is output before the worker performs the task. The post-output field indicates that a stimulus is output to notify the worker that the action is correct while the worker is performing the task, or that a stimulus is output when the worker makes a mistake in the task. The output timing field indicates the timing at which pre-output or post-output is performed.

[0034] The acquiring unit 120 may acquire information that can identify a worker from the storage unit 110 or an external device. For example, the information that can identify a worker is a worker ID.

[0035] The control unit 150 uses the stimulus management table 112 to determine the next stimulus to be output. For example, the control unit 150 determines the next stimulus to be output based on information that can identify the worker and the stimulus management table 112. For example, the worker ID of the worker is assumed to be "W1." The current stimulus is assumed to be "sound." The control unit 150 refers to the stimulus item in the stimulus management table 112 and determines that "image," which has the second highest priority after "sound," is the stimulus to be output.

[0036] The control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 so that the stimulus is changed. For example, the control unit 150 stops the output of the speaker and controls the display so that information is displayed. In this way, the control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 to output the determined stimulus.

[0037] Next, the processing executed by the control device 100 will be described using a flowchart. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the control device of the second embodiment. The processing in Fig. 7 differs from the processing in Fig. 5 in that steps S15a and S15b are executed. Therefore, steps S15a and S15b will be described in Fig. 7. Further, a description of the processing other than steps S15a and S15b will be omitted.

[0038] (Step S15a) The control unit 150 determines a stimulus to be output based on the stimulus management table 112. (Step S15b) The control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 to output the determined stimulus.

[0039] According to the second embodiment, the control device 100 can provide the worker with a modified stimulus.

[0040] The acquisition unit 120 may acquire a video showing the worker from an external device or the like. The control unit 150 analyzes the video, and when it determines that the worker is preparing for work, controls the stimulus output device 200 to output a stimulus based on the pre-output item in the stimulus management table 112. For example, the control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 to output information indicating a work procedure. For example, by outputting the information indicating the work procedure, the worker can confirm the work. Note that the control unit 150 may perform the analysis using a trained model.

[0041] The acquisition unit 120 may also acquire video of the worker from an external device. The control unit 150 analyzes the video, and when it detects that the worker is unsure about a task or has made a mistake, it controls the stimulus output device 200 to output a stimulus based on the pre-output or post-output items in the stimulus management table 112. For example, when the worker is unsure about a task, the control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 to output information indicating the task procedure. Furthermore, when the worker makes a mistake, the control unit 150 controls the stimulus output device 200 to output information indicating the task is incorrect. The control unit 150 may perform this analysis using a trained model. This allows the worker to resolve their confusion when they are unsure about a task. Furthermore, when the worker makes a mistake, the worker can recognize their mistake.

[0042] The output timing item in the stimulus management table 112 will be explained. For example, depending on the worker, if the worker is unsure about a task, it may be desirable for the worker to be provided with information immediately. Therefore, the control unit 150 uses the stimulus management table 112 to control the output timing according to the worker. In this way, when the control unit 150 detects that the worker is unsure about a task or has made a mistake in a task, it controls the stimulus output device 200 so that a stimulus is output at a timing according to the worker. In this way, the control device 100 can provide the worker with a stimulus at an output timing according to the worker.

[0043] The embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the features of the embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

[0044] 100 Control device, 101 Processor, 102 Volatile storage device, 103 Non-volatile storage device, 110 Storage unit, 111 Relationship table, 112 Stimulus management table, 120 Acquisition unit, 130 Estimation unit, 140 Identification unit, 150 Control unit, 200 Stimulus output device.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires biological information of the worker being stimulated, personality information of the worker, and relationship information showing the correspondence between the state and the comfort value, An estimation unit estimates the worker's state based on a value obtained by adding a value corresponding to the personality information to a predetermined threshold, and the biological information. A unit that identifies the comfort level of the worker using the estimated state information and the relationship information, A control unit that determines whether or not to change the stimulus based on the comfort value and a predetermined threshold, and controls a stimulus output device that outputs a stimulus different from the stimulus if the comfort value is less than or equal to the threshold, A control device having

2. The acquisition unit acquires stimulus management information indicating the stimulus to be output after the stimulus, The control unit uses the stimulus management information to determine the next stimulus to be output and controls the stimulus output device to output the determined stimulus. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned stimulus management information indicates that a stimulus will be output before the worker performs the task. The acquisition unit acquires video footage showing the worker, The control unit analyzes the video and, if it determines that the worker is preparing to work, controls the stimulus output device so that a stimulus is output. The control device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned stimulus management information indicates that a stimulus should be output if the worker is unsure about the task or if the worker makes a mistake in the task. The acquisition unit acquires video footage showing the worker, The control unit analyzes the video and, if it detects that the worker is unsure about the task or has made a mistake in the task, controls the stimulus output device so that the stimulus is output. The control device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The aforementioned stimulus management information indicates the timing of stimulus output. The control unit, when it detects that the worker is unsure about the task or has made a mistake in the task, controls the stimulus output device so that the stimulus is output at the specified timing. The control device according to claim 4.

6. The control device The biometric information of the worker being stimulated, the personality information of the worker, and relational information showing the correspondence between the state and the comfort level are acquired. The worker's state is estimated based on a value obtained by adding a value corresponding to the personality information to a predetermined threshold, and the biological information. Using the estimated state information and relationship information, the comfort level of the worker is identified. Based on the comfort level and a predetermined threshold, a determination is made as to whether or not to change the stimulus. If the comfort value is below the threshold, control the stimulus output device that outputs a stimulus different from the stimulus. Control method.

7. In the control device, The biometric information of the worker being stimulated, the personality information of the worker, and relational information showing the correspondence between the state and the comfort level are acquired. The worker's state is estimated based on a value obtained by adding a value corresponding to the personality information to a predetermined threshold, and the biological information. Using the estimated state information and relationship information, the comfort level of the worker is identified. Based on the comfort level and a predetermined threshold, a determination is made as to whether or not to change the stimulus. If the comfort value is below the threshold, control the stimulus output device that outputs a stimulus different from the stimulus. A control program that executes a process.