Respiration guidance device, respiration guidance system, respiration guidance method, and program

Abstract

A respiration guidance device (2) provides respiration guidance to a user. The respiration guidance device (2) is provided with: a calculation unit (13) for calculating a respiration cycle of the user from biological information on the user; a cycle recording unit (14) for recording a pattern of a predetermined respiration guidance cycle; and a stimulation presentation unit (16) for presenting a stimulus for guiding the respiration cycle of the user to a target respiration cycle, on the basis of the predetermined respiration guidance cycle. The respiration guidance device (2) associates the predetermined respiration guidance cycle with the respiration cycle of the user and outputs the same to a display unit (17).

Description

Respiratory induction device, respiratory induction system, respiratory induction method and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a breathing induction device, a breathing induction system, a breathing induction method, and a program.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refresh induction system that includes a breathing information presenting means for presenting changes in the user's breathing state detected by a breathing sensor as breathing information to the user, a breathing induction means for assigning a target value only to the exhalation period of the user's inhalation period and exhalation period to induce the exhalation period to be extended, an exhalation start detecting means for detecting the start point of the user's exhalation period from the output of the breathing sensor, and a target value setting means for setting a target value for guiding the exhalation period from the start point to a target time or longer, and an induction control means for presenting the target value for the exhalation period set by the target value setting means by the breathing information presenting means.

[0003] Patent No. 5123138

[0004] However, compared to the refreshment guidance system of Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that it is more difficult for the user to determine whether they are breathing at a cycle that is closer to the intended cycle.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a breathing induction device, a breathing induction system, a breathing induction method, and a program that allow a user to determine whether they are breathing at a cycle close to the intended cycle.

[0006] A respiratory induction device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a respiratory induction device that induces breathing for a user, and includes a calculation unit that calculates the user's respiratory cycle from the user's biometric information, a cycle recording unit that records a pattern of a predetermined respiratory induction cycle, and a stimulus presentation unit that presents a stimulus to induce the user's respiratory cycle to a target respiratory cycle based on the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, and the respiratory induction device associates the predetermined respiratory induction cycle with the user's respiratory cycle and outputs them to a display unit.

[0007] A breathing induction system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a breathing induction device and a display unit that displays the predetermined breathing induction cycle and the user's breathing cycle in association with each other.

[0008] Furthermore, a respiratory induction method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a respiratory induction method for guiding a user's breathing, and includes calculating a respiratory cycle of the user from biometric information of the user, recording a pattern of a predetermined respiratory induction cycle, presenting a stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a target respiratory cycle based on the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, and outputting the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the user's respiratory cycle in association with each other on a display unit.

[0009] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute a breathing guidance method.

[0010] According to the breathing induction device and the like of the present disclosure, the user can determine whether or not they are able to breathe at a cycle close to the intended cycle.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a respiratory induction device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing means for acquiring a current peak frequency and peak amplitude of a user from the user's biological information. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a display unit displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing another example of a display unit displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing yet another example of a display unit displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. FIG. 3D is a diagram showing yet another example of a display unit displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of a respiratory induction device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing presentation of a stimulus.

[0012] 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 the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0013] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. In addition, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (Embodiment) <Functions and Configuration> Hereinafter, a breathing guidance system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3D.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a respiratory induction device 2 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing means for acquiring a current peak frequency and peak amplitude of a user from the user's biological information. Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a display unit 17 displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. Fig. 3B is a diagram showing another example of a display unit 17 displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. Fig. 3C is a diagram showing yet another example of a display unit 17 displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. Fig. 3D is a diagram showing yet another example of a display unit 17 displaying a user's respiratory cycle in association with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle.

[0017] First, the function and configuration of the respiration guidance system 1 will be described.

[0018] 1, the breathing guidance system 1 is a system for guiding breathing to a user. For example, the breathing guidance system 1 guides breathing to a user while the user is resting in an easy chair, a bed, a massage chair, or the like.

[0019] Specifically, the respiratory guidance system 1 includes a respiratory guidance device 2 and a display unit 17. The respiratory guidance device 2 includes a measurement unit 11, an estimation unit 12, a calculation unit 13, a period recording unit 14, a period setting unit 15, and a stimulus presentation unit 16. In this embodiment, the respiratory guidance device 2 may include only the calculation unit 13, the period recording unit 14, and the stimulus presentation unit 16. In this case, the respiratory guidance system 1 may further include one or more of the measurement unit 11, the estimation unit 12, and the period setting unit 15.

[0020] The measurement unit 11 measures biological information of the user and outputs the measured biological information to the estimation unit 12 .

[0021] In this embodiment, the measurement unit 11 measures a signal based on the user's heartbeat. (a) in Fig. 2 shows the signal measured by the measurement unit 11. The measurement unit 11 is, for example, an electrocardiogram capable of measuring an electrical signal based on the user's heartbeat. The measurement unit 11 may be any type of sensor capable of measuring a signal based on the heartbeat, such as a photoplethysmograph capable of measuring an optical signal based on the user's heartbeat, or a motion monitor capable of measuring a vibration signal based on the user's heartbeat.

[0022] When the measurement unit 11 is an electrocardiograph, the measurement unit 11 extracts heartbeat data from the measured signal. That is, the measurement unit 11 can acquire heartbeat data, which is information such as the user's heart rate, heartbeat variability, and heartbeat interval. The heartbeat data is included in the user's biological information of the present disclosure. The measurement unit 11 outputs the acquired heartbeat data to the estimation unit 12.

[0023] The estimation unit 12 estimates the user's heartbeat interval from the user's biological information. Specifically, the estimation unit 12 acquires heartbeat data, which is an example of biological information, from the measurement unit 11, and estimates the user's heartbeat interval based on the heartbeat data. (b) of Fig. 2 shows the estimated heartbeat interval.

[0024] Furthermore, if the measurement unit 11 is a photoplethysmograph, the estimation unit 12 may estimate the user's heartbeat interval from a pulse wave, which is the user's biological information. Furthermore, if the measurement unit 11 is a body movement meter, the measurement unit 11 may estimate the user's heartbeat interval from body movement, which is the user's biological information.

[0025] The estimation unit 12 outputs the estimated heartbeat interval of the user to the calculation unit 13 .

[0026] The calculation unit 13 calculates the user's respiratory cycle from the user's heart rate data. Specifically, the calculation unit 13 calculates the user's respiratory cycle from the cycle of heart rate fluctuations based on the user's heart rate intervals estimated by the estimation unit 12 based on the heart rate data. The respiratory cycle is a breathing cycle that is repeated at regular intervals, that is, the period from the start of one breath to the start of the next breath.

[0027] More specifically, the calculation unit 13 performs frequency analysis on time-series data of heartbeat intervals, which are the cycles of the user's heartbeat fluctuations. As a result, the calculation unit 13 extracts the peak frequency of the heartbeat frequency power in a range (e.g., 0.1 Hz to 0.40 Hz) that includes the high-frequency component that is the respiratory frequency component and the bands surrounding it. The peak frequency represents the user's respiratory cycle. (c) in FIG. 2 shows the actual peak frequency of the user. The calculation unit 13 then outputs the extracted peak frequency of the heartbeat frequency power, i.e., the user's respiratory cycle, to the display unit 17.

[0028] In addition, if the measurement unit 11 can directly measure the user's breathing, the calculation unit 13 may acquire the number of breaths per unit time, which is the user's biometric information measured by the measurement unit 11, and calculate the user's breathing cycle from the acquired number of breaths per unit time.

[0029] The cycle recording unit 14 records patterns of predetermined breathing induction cycles. That is, the cycle recording unit 14 records a plurality of patterns corresponding to predetermined breathing induction cycles. The predetermined breathing induction cycle is a breathing cycle that the user aims to achieve in order to induce the user's breathing cycle. The pattern is a predetermined breathing induction cycle pattern for changing the user's mood to a desired mood. For example, the pattern includes a relaxation pattern of the predetermined breathing induction cycle that is expected to have a relaxing effect on the user, and an intonation pattern of the predetermined breathing induction cycle that is expected to have an intonation effect on the user's mood. The pattern may also include a concentration pattern of the predetermined breathing induction cycle that is expected to have an effect of allowing the user to concentrate on work. Furthermore, known patterns may also be included.

[0030] The cycle setting unit 15 sets a predetermined breathing induction cycle for each of the plurality of set patterns. Specifically, a mode for guiding the user's emotion toward a target emotion is input to the cycle setting unit 15 via the input unit 20, such as a smartphone or a touch input unit. The cycle setting unit 15 has a plurality of modes for guiding the input user's emotion toward the target emotion, and sets a predetermined breathing induction cycle recorded in the cycle recording unit 14 according to each of the plurality of modes. For example, in the case of a relaxation pattern of a predetermined breathing induction cycle that is expected to have a relaxing effect on the user, the cycle setting unit 15 sets a predetermined breathing induction cycle of approximately 6 times per minute as the relaxation mode. As another example, in the case of an intonation pattern of a predetermined breathing induction cycle that is expected to have an intonation effect on the user, the cycle setting unit 15 sets a predetermined breathing induction cycle of approximately 10 times per minute as the intonation mode.

[0031] The cycle setting unit 15 sets a predetermined breathing induction cycle (a predetermined number of times per minute) according to the pattern of breathing induction to be performed on the user, and outputs the set predetermined breathing induction cycle to the stimulation presentation unit 16 .

[0032] In addition, when the difference between the respiratory cycle and the induction cycle is large, that is, when the difference between the respiratory cycle and the induction cycle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the cycle setting unit 15 may set a target respiratory cycle in stages so that the user's respiratory cycle approaches a predetermined respiratory induction cycle.

[0033] The stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a target respiratory cycle based on a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. Specifically, the stimulus presentation unit 16 calculates the difference between the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the user's respiratory cycle. If the difference is equal to or greater than a reference value, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle by starting respiratory induction for the user from an induction cycle that matches the user's respiratory cycle. In other words, if the difference between the respiratory cycle and the induction cycle is equal to or greater than a reference value, the stimulus presentation unit 16 may present a stimulus to the user according to the target respiratory cycle set in stages by the cycle setting unit 15. Specifically, if the difference is equal to or greater than the reference value, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a first stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a first respiratory induction cycle (target respiratory cycle). After presenting the first stimulus, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a second stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a second respiratory induction cycle (target respiratory cycle). The first respiratory induction cycle may be equal to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle or may be a cycle between the user's respiratory cycle and the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, and the second respiratory induction cycle may be equal to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle or may be a cycle between the first respiratory induction cycle and the predetermined respiratory induction cycle.

[0034] Although two respiratory induction cycles are exemplified in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a third or subsequent respiratory induction cycle may be set, and the stimulation presentation unit 16 may present to the user a stimulation based on the third or subsequent respiratory induction cycle.

[0035] The stimuli presented by the stimulus presentation unit 16 are periodic stimuli that can be detected by the five human senses. The stimuli are optical stimuli, tactile stimuli, or auditory stimuli. Optical stimuli are, for example, stimuli that brighten or darken the brightness of light or change the color of light. Tactile stimuli are, for example, stimuli that change the strength of wind blowing against the user or that change the vibrations given to the user when the user is wearing a vibrator. Auditory stimuli are, for example, stimuli that increase or decrease the volume of sound or change the tone.

[0036] For this reason, the stimulus presentation unit 16 includes a light source that applies light to the user to provide optical stimuli to the user, a tactile stimulus body that applies tactile stimulus to the user through airflow or vibration, contact, electrical stimulus, etc., and an acoustic device that outputs sound to provide sound stimuli to the user. If the stimulus presentation unit 16 includes a light source, the light source presents stimuli to the user by, for example, adjusting the intensity of light output (luminous intensity or illuminance). If the stimulus presentation unit 16 includes a vibrator or blower tactile stimulus body, the tactile stimulus body presents stimuli to the user by, for example, adjusting the intensity of vibration and airflow. If the stimulus presentation unit 16 is an acoustic device, the acoustic device presents stimuli to the user by, for example, adjusting the intensity of sound.

[0037] In this way, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a stimulus to the user, allowing the user to breathe in accordance with the stimulus. Furthermore, when the user's breathing cycle deviates from the predetermined breathing induction cycle so that the difference between the user's breathing cycle and the predetermined breathing induction cycle is equal to or greater than a reference value, the stimulus presentation unit 16 can provide the user with a stepwise stimulus. This allows the user to regulate their breathing in a stepwise manner in accordance with the stimulus.

[0038] Furthermore, the stimulus presentation unit 16 outputs to the display unit 17 a predetermined breathing induction period in the stimulus presented to the user.

[0039] The display unit 17 acquires the user's respiratory cycle from the calculation unit 13 and acquires the predetermined respiratory induction cycle from the stimulation presentation unit 16. The display unit 17 displays the user's respiratory cycle and the predetermined respiratory induction cycle in association with each other. That is, the display unit 17 can also display the user's respiratory cycle and the predetermined respiratory induction cycle side by side. In this case, the display unit 17 displays the user's respiratory cycle and the predetermined respiratory induction cycle in chronological order.

[0040] For example, as shown in Fig. 3A, the display unit 17 can display an actual respiratory cycle based on the user's heart rate with a solid line and a target respiratory cycle with a thick solid line. Note that Fig. 3A illustrates an example in which the target respiratory cycle is constant, but this is not limiting. For example, the target respiratory cycle may vary over time.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3B, the display unit 17 can display the actual breathing cycle based on the user's heart rate with a thin bar, and the target breathing cycle with a thick bar.

[0042] The display unit 17 also displays the state of respiratory induction in the user using the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude (frequency power corresponding to the frequency in the target respiratory cycle) corresponding to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle shown in (c) of Figure 2 and / or the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude (frequency power corresponding to the actual peak frequency) of the user's respiratory cycle.

[0043] For example, as shown in Fig. 3C , the display unit 17 can display the frequency power (heart rate variability) of the user's actual respiratory cycle obtained by frequency analysis as a thick solid line, and the frequency power (heart rate variability) of the target respiratory cycle as a solid line. Also, in Fig. 3C , the display unit 17 displays the frequency power of the user's actual respiratory cycle and the frequency power of the target respiratory cycle in chronological order.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3D, the display unit 17 can display the frequency power in the actual breathing cycle of the user that has been subjected to frequency analysis and the frequency power in the target breathing cycle in a bar graph.

[0045] The closer the frequency power corresponding to the frequency in the target respiratory cycle is to the frequency power corresponding to the actual peak frequency, the more correctly the user is breathing, i.e., the closer the user's respiratory cycle is to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. For this reason, the display unit 17 displays both the frequency power corresponding to the frequency in the target respiratory cycle corresponding to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the frequency power corresponding to the user's actual peak frequency.

[0046] This allows the user to check whether breathing is in accordance with the predetermined respiratory induction cycle by looking at the display unit 17. If the user feels that they are deviating from the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, they can adjust their breathing so that it is closer to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle.

[0047] <Processing Operation> Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the processing operation of the breathing induction device 2, breathing induction system 1, breathing induction method and program according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the respiratory guidance device 2 according to the embodiment. In this processing operation, the measurement unit 11 is an electrocardiograph.

[0049] First, the measurement unit 11 measures a signal based on the user's heartbeat (S11). Specifically, the measurement unit 11 measures the user's heartbeat and extracts heartbeat data from the measured signal to obtain heartbeat data. The measurement unit 11 outputs the measured heartbeat data to the estimation unit 12.

[0050] Next, the estimation unit 12 estimates the user's heartbeat interval from the user's biological information (S12). Specifically, the estimation unit 12 acquires heartbeat data from the measurement unit 11 and estimates the user's heartbeat interval indicated in the heartbeat data. The estimation unit 12 outputs the estimated user's heartbeat interval to the calculation unit 13.

[0051] Next, the calculation unit 13 calculates the user's respiratory cycle from the user's heartbeat data (S13). Specifically, the calculation unit 13 acquires the user's heartbeat interval estimated by the estimation unit 12 and performs frequency analysis on the time-series data of the user's heartbeat interval. In this frequency analysis, the calculation unit 13 defines a range including a high-frequency component that is determined to be a respiratory frequency component and bands before and after that frequency component, and extracts a peak frequency of the heartbeat frequency power within that range. The calculation unit 13 outputs the user's respiratory cycle indicated by the calculated peak frequency to the display unit 17.

[0052] Next, the cycle setting unit 15 sets a predetermined breathing induction cycle corresponding to each of a plurality of modes for executing each of the plurality of set patterns (S14). The cycle setting unit 15 outputs the set predetermined breathing induction cycle to the stimulation presentation unit 16.

[0053] Next, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to the target respiratory cycle based on the predetermined respiratory induction cycle (S15).The stimulus presentation unit 16 then outputs the predetermined respiratory induction cycle in the stimulus presented to the user to the display unit 17.

[0054] Next, the display unit 17 displays the user's breathing cycle in association with the predetermined breathing induction cycle (S16), thereby enabling the user to recognize whether or not the user is breathing at a cycle close to the intended cycle.

[0055] Then, the flowchart of FIG. 4 ends.

[0056] Here, the processing operation in step S15 in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the presentation of stimuli.

[0058] First, the stimulation presentation unit 16 calculates the difference between a predetermined respiratory induction period and the user's respiratory period (S21).

[0059] Next, the stimulus presentation section 16 determines whether the difference is equal to or greater than a reference value (S22).

[0060] When the stimulus presentation unit 16 determines that the difference is equal to or greater than the reference value (Yes in S22), it starts respiratory induction for the user from an induction cycle that matches the user's respiratory cycle. That is, when the difference between the respiratory cycle and the induction cycle is equal to or greater than the reference value, the stimulus presentation unit 16 starts respiratory induction for the user according to the target respiratory cycle gradually set by the cycle setting unit 15, thereby gradually presenting stimuli for gradually guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle (S23). For example, when the difference is equal to or greater than the reference value, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a first stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a first respiratory induction cycle. After presenting the first stimulus, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a second stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a second respiratory induction cycle. Note that the stimulus presentation unit 16 may terminate respiratory induction if there is no difference.

[0061] On the other hand, if the stimulus presentation unit 16 determines that there is a difference but that the difference is less than the reference value (No in S22), it starts normal respiratory induction for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. That is, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents the user with a normal stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle (S24).

[0062] Then, the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends.

[0063] <Operational Effects> Next, operational effects of the respiratory induction device 2, the respiratory induction system 1, the respiratory induction method, and the program according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0064] As described above, the respiratory induction device 2 according to this embodiment of the first technology is a respiratory induction device 2 that induces breathing for a user, and includes a calculation unit 13 that calculates the user's respiratory cycle from the user's biological information, a cycle recording unit 14 that records a predetermined respiratory induction cycle pattern, and a stimulus presentation unit 16 that presents a stimulus to induce the user's respiratory cycle to a target respiratory cycle based on the predetermined respiratory induction cycle. The respiratory induction device 2 then outputs the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the user's respiratory cycle to a display unit 17 in association with each other.

[0065] For example, when respiratory induction is being performed, it may be difficult for the user to recognize whether the user is breathing at a cycle close to the intended cycle. However, according to the present embodiment, the display unit 17 displays the user's respiratory cycle in association with the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, allowing the user to recognize the difference between their own respiratory cycle and the predetermined respiratory induction cycle. The display unit 17 displays the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the user's respiratory cycle.

[0066] In other words, according to the present disclosure, the user can determine whether or not they are breathing at a cycle close to their intended cycle. Therefore, if the user's breathing cycle deviates from a predetermined respiratory induction cycle, the user will be conscious of trying to align their breathing cycle with the predetermined respiratory induction cycle. As a result, the user will be able to breathe at a cycle close to their intended cycle.

[0067] In particular, by identifying the user's respiratory cycle through calculations based on the user's biometric information, the user's respiratory cycle can be compared with a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. Furthermore, the stimulus presentation unit 16 can provide a stimulus to the user to induce the user's respiratory cycle so that the user's respiratory cycle approaches the predetermined respiratory induction cycle. As a result, the user can more easily regulate their breathing so that their respiratory cycle conforms to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle.

[0068] In addition, the respiratory induction system 1 according to this embodiment of the ninth technology includes a respiratory induction device 2 described in any one of the first to eighth technologies, and a display unit 17 that displays a predetermined respiratory induction period in association with the user's respiratory period.

[0069] This system also provides the same effects as those described above.

[0070] Furthermore, the respiratory induction method according to this embodiment of the tenth technology is a respiratory induction method for guiding a user's breathing, and includes calculating the user's respiratory cycle from the user's biometric information, recording a predetermined respiratory induction cycle pattern, presenting a stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a target respiratory cycle based on the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, and associating the predetermined respiratory induction cycle with the user's respiratory cycle and outputting the result to display unit 17.

[0071] This method also provides the same effects as those described above.

[0072] Moreover, a program according to this embodiment of the eleventh technique is a program for causing a computer to execute the breathing induction method described in the tenth technique.

[0073] This program also provides the same effects as those described above.

[0074] The respiratory induction device 2 according to the present embodiment of the second technology is the respiratory induction device 2 described in the first technology. In this case, the respiratory induction device 2 further includes an estimation unit 12 that estimates the user's heartbeat interval from the user's biological information. Then, a calculation unit 13 calculates the user's respiratory cycle from the cycle of heartbeat variability based on the heartbeat interval.

[0075] According to this, it is possible to calculate the user's respiratory cycle by estimating the user's heartbeat interval from the user's biological information, thereby making it possible to estimate the user's respiratory cycle with high accuracy.

[0076] Furthermore, the respiratory induction device 2 according to this embodiment of the third technology is the respiratory induction device 2 described in the first or second technology. In this case, the display unit 17 displays the state of respiratory induction in the user using the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude corresponding to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle and / or the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude in the user's respiratory cycle.

[0077] This allows the user to recognize the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude corresponding to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle and / or the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude in the user's respiratory cycle displayed on the display unit 17.

[0078] Furthermore, by displaying the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude corresponding to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude in the user's respiratory cycle on the display unit 17, the user can recognize the difference between the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude corresponding to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude in the user's respiratory cycle. Therefore, if the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude in the user's respiratory cycle deviates from the heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude corresponding to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, the user will be conscious of adjusting the strength of their breathing, the respiratory cycle, etc. As a result, the user can breathe with a heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude close to the intended heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude.

[0079] The respiratory induction device 2 according to the present embodiment of the fourth technology is the respiratory induction device 2 according to any one of the first to third technologies. In this case, the display unit 17 displays the user's respiratory cycle and a predetermined respiratory induction cycle in chronological order.

[0080] This allows the user to recognize the difference between their own breathing cycle and the predetermined breathing induction cycle in a time series. Therefore, if the user's breathing cycle deviates from the predetermined breathing induction cycle, the user will be conscious of trying to continuously align their breathing cycle with the predetermined breathing induction cycle. As a result, the user can continue to breathe at a cycle close to the intended breathing cycle.

[0081] Furthermore, the respiratory induction device 2 according to this embodiment of the fifth technology is the respiratory induction device 2 described in any one of the first to fourth technologies. In this case, the stimulus presentation unit 16 calculates a difference between a predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the user's respiratory cycle, and if the difference is equal to or greater than a reference value, presents a stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle by starting respiratory induction for the user from an induction cycle that matches the user's respiratory cycle.

[0082] For example, if the user's breathing cycle deviates from a predetermined breathing induction cycle, the user may suddenly find it difficult to synchronize their breathing. If the user finds it difficult to synchronize their breathing cycle, the user may give up on breathing induction.

[0083] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by starting respiratory induction for the user from an induction cycle that matches the user's respiratory cycle, it is possible to induce the user's respiratory cycle to a predetermined respiratory induction cycle. As a result, it is possible to induce breathing while suppressing an increase in the burden on the user, and the user can breathe at a cycle that is close to the intended cycle.

[0084] Furthermore, the respiratory induction device 2 according to this embodiment of the sixth technology is the respiratory induction device 2 described in any one of the first to fifth technologies. In this case, when the difference is equal to or greater than a reference value, the stimulus presentation unit 16 presents a first stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to the first respiratory induction cycle, and, after presenting the first stimulus, presents a second stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to the second respiratory induction cycle.

[0085] This allows the user's breathing cycle to be guided to a predetermined breathing induction cycle by gradually initiating breathing induction for the user. As a result, breathing induction can be performed while suppressing an increase in the burden on the user, allowing the user to breathe at a cycle close to the intended cycle.

[0086] The breathing induction device 2 according to the present embodiment of the seventh technology is the breathing induction device 2 according to any one of the first to sixth technologies. In this case, the breathing induction device 2 has a plurality of modes for guiding the user's emotion to a target emotion, and further includes a cycle setting unit 15 for setting a predetermined breathing induction cycle according to each of the plurality of modes.

[0087] This allows the user to select a desired mode, and the user's breathing cycle can be induced to a predetermined breathing induction cycle corresponding to the selected mode, which is expected to result in a change in the user's desired emotion.

[0088] Furthermore, the breathing induction device 2 according to the present embodiment of the eighth technology is the breathing induction device 2 according to any one of the first to seventh technologies. In this case, the stimulus is an optical stimulus, a tactile stimulus, or an auditory stimulus.

[0089] According to this, by providing the user with any one of optical stimulation, tactile stimulation, and auditory stimulation, the user's breathing cycle can be induced to a predetermined breathing induction cycle.

[0090] (Other Modifications) Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0091] For example, in the present embodiment, any biological information may be used as long as it is possible to extract the user's respiratory cycle in the breathing induction device and breathing induction system, and the measurement unit may have any configuration as long as it is able to measure the user's biological information. Therefore, the biological information and the measurement unit are not limited to those in the present embodiment.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the estimation unit, calculation unit, period setting unit, and stimulation presentation unit included in the respiratory guidance device and respiratory guidance system, or the estimation unit, calculation unit, period setting unit, and stimulation presentation unit used in the respiratory guidance method and program, are typically realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit. These may be implemented individually on a single chip, or some or all of them may be implemented on a single chip.

[0093] Furthermore, the integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI may also be used.

[0094] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a storage medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0095] Furthermore, all of the numbers used above are examples for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers shown as examples.

[0096] The division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0097] The order in which the steps in the flowchart are executed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and other orders may be used. Also, some of the steps may be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0098] In addition, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art would think of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope that does not deviate from the intent of this disclosure.

[0099] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Respiratory guidance system 2 Respiratory guidance device 12 Estimation unit 13 Calculation unit 14 Period recording unit 15 Period setting unit 16 Stimulus presentation unit 17 Display unit

Claims

1. A respiratory induction device for guiding breathing to a user, comprising: a calculation unit for calculating the respiratory cycle of the user from biometric information of the user; a cycle recording unit for recording a pattern of a predetermined respiratory induction cycle; and a stimulus presentation unit for presenting a stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a target respiratory cycle based on the predetermined respiratory induction cycle, wherein the respiratory induction device outputs the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the user's respiratory cycle in association with each other to a display unit.

2. A respiratory induction device as described in claim 1, further comprising an estimation unit that estimates the user's heart rate interval from the user's biometric information, and the calculation unit calculates the user's respiratory cycle from a period of heart rate fluctuation based on the heart rate interval.

3. A respiratory induction device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit displays the state of the respiratory induction in the user using a heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude corresponding to the specified respiratory induction cycle and / or a heartbeat frequency intensity amplitude in the respiratory cycle of the user.

4. The respiratory induction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit displays the user's respiratory cycle and the predetermined respiratory induction cycle in chronological order.

5. A respiratory induction device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the stimulation presentation unit calculates a difference between the predetermined respiratory induction cycle and the user's respiratory cycle, and if the difference is equal to or greater than a reference value, presents a stimulation for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to the predetermined respiratory induction cycle by starting respiratory induction for the user from an induction cycle that matches the user's respiratory cycle.

6. The respiratory induction device of claim 5, wherein the stimulus presentation unit, when the difference is equal to or greater than a reference value, presents a first stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a first respiratory induction cycle, and, after presenting the first stimulus, presents a second stimulus for guiding the user's respiratory cycle to a second respiratory induction cycle.

7. A breathing induction device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cycle setting unit having a plurality of modes for guiding the user's emotions to target emotions and setting the predetermined breathing induction cycle in accordance with each of the plurality of modes.

8. The respiratory induction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stimulus is a light stimulus, a tactile stimulus, or an auditory stimulus.

9. A respiratory induction system comprising: a respiratory induction device according to claim 1 or 2; and a display unit that displays the predetermined respiratory induction cycle in association with the user's respiratory cycle.

10. A respiratory induction method for guiding a user's breathing, comprising: calculating the user's breathing cycle from the user's biometric information; recording a predetermined breathing induction cycle pattern; presenting a stimulus for guiding the user's breathing cycle to a target breathing cycle based on the predetermined breathing induction cycle; and outputting the predetermined breathing induction cycle and the user's breathing cycle in association with each other on a display unit.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the respiratory guidance method according to claim 10.

Images