System for mentally activating person

Abstract

Provided is a system for mentally activating a person.　This system for mentally activating a person comprises: a gaze object in which a graphic including a picture and / or a symbol is displayed on a surface; a sound provision means for providing sound using one or more speakers; an illumination means for illuminating the gaze object; and an environment control means for controlling, as a controlled variable, the volume of the sound provided by the sound provision means and / or the brightness of illumination provided by the illumination means. In a first period, the environment control means changes the controlled variable from a state having a first value or higher to a state having a second value or lower. In a second period, the environment control means changes the controlled variable from a state having a third value or lower to a state having a fourth value or higher. Both the first period and the second period are at least 6 seconds or longer.

Description

A system to stimulate the human spirit

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for stimulating the human mind.

[0002] A technology relating to a system for relaxing children in a medical environment has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). The system relaxes children by reproducing visual and audio information related to space in an examination room.

[0003] Special Publication No. 2007-514997

[0004] The prior art systems can relax people, but they cannot stimulate their spirits. Furthermore, the prior art systems are intended to alleviate the anxiety of children who visit medical facilities for examinations, and are not intended to stimulate the spirits of people who are feeling depressed, for example.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a system for revitalizing the human mind.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the present invention is a system for stimulating a person's mind, comprising: an object to be gazed upon that displays a graphic including a picture and / or a symbol on its surface; a sound providing means that provides sound by one or more speakers; a lighting means that illuminates the object to be gazed upon; and an environmental control means that controls the volume of the sound from the sound providing means and / or the brightness of the lighting from the lighting means as a controlled quantity, wherein the environmental control means changes the controlled quantity from a state equal to or greater than a first value to a state equal to or less than a second value during a first period, and changes the controlled quantity from a state equal to or less than a third value to a state equal to or greater than a fourth value during a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are both 6 seconds or longer.

[0007] According to the present invention, a system for revitalizing a person's mind can be provided.

[0008] It is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a system for stimulating a person's mind.It is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing device.It is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing device.It is a diagram showing a change in a controlled amount over time.

[0009] <Overview> The following describes an embodiment, with appropriate reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, sound and paintings are used together, and the sound and / or lighting are gently changed to stimulate the mind of the viewer. Freely expressive media, such as video, can be too stimulating for the eyes, making it easy to lose concentration. In contrast, when a painting or other media is shown while the sound and / or lighting are gently changed, the viewer's concentration on the painting increases, and with this increased concentration, their mood gradually becomes uplifted or calmed in line with the atmosphere. This stimulates the mind.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a system S for stimulating the human mind. The system S for stimulating the human mind includes an information processing device 1, an audio device 2, a lighting device 3, a communication device 4, a gaze target 5, a guide device 6, etc., which are installed in an acoustic room R.

[0011] The acoustic room R is, for example, a private room with acoustic design, having sound-absorbing and reflecting materials on the walls. However, the acoustic room R is not limited to this. The information processing device 1 controls the acoustic device 2 and the lighting device 3. The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described in detail later.

[0012] The acoustic device 2 has a sound source reproduction unit 21 and a speaker 22. The sound source reproduction unit 21 is a device that reproduces audio data in, for example, MP3 format. The MP3 format audio data is, for example, environmental sound or music. The sound source reproduction unit 21 reproduces the audio data sent from the information processing device 1 in accordance with a control signal from the information processing device 1. The speaker 22 is, for example, a dynamic speaker that produces sound by vibrating a diaphragm based on a voice coil and a magnet. The speaker 22 outputs the electrical signal of the sound source sent from the sound source reproduction unit 21 as sound. The speaker 22 may have an additional speaker 22b arranged at a different position as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0013] The lighting device 3 has an illumination lamp 31 and an illumination lamp control unit 32. The illumination lamp 31 is, for example, an LED lamp that emits visible light. The illumination lamp control unit 32 controls the illumination lamp 31 in accordance with a control signal from the information processing device 1. The illumination lamp control unit 32 has a signal input unit, an electric / electronic circuit, and a voltage / current output unit, all of which are not shown in FIG. 1 . The electric / electronic circuit processes the input signal and sets the voltage / current to be output. The voltage / current output unit outputs a voltage / current to the illumination lamp 31, turning on the illumination lamp 31.

[0014] The communication device 4 receives a control signal from the information processing device 1, which will be described later, and sends the received control signal to the sound device 2 and lighting device 3 described above.

[0015] The gaze target 5 is a display object whose display cannot be freely changed like a display, and examples of this include paintings, calligraphy, calligraphy and prints.

[0016] The guide device 6 is a guide for maintaining a predetermined distance or more between the gazed object 5 and the person viewing the gazed object 5. The guide device 6 may be, for example, a chair, sofa, or bench on which the viewer sits, or an intrusion prevention fence or rope.

[0017] When the width of the gazed-up object 5 is X cm, the predetermined distance is preferably 1.0 × X cm or more, more preferably 1.8 × X cm or more, and preferably 2.2 × X cm above the gazed-up object 5. By increasing the predetermined distance, the person's attention can be maintained on the gazed-up object 5. From this perspective, the predetermined distance is preferably 50 cm or more, more preferably 100 cm or more, and preferably 150 cm or more, regardless of the width of the gazed-up object 5. When the width of the gazed-up object 5 is X cm (where X is 50 cm or more), the predetermined distance is preferably 2.5 × X cm ± 100 cm, more preferably 2.5 × X cm ± 50 cm, and preferably 2.5 × X cm ± 30 cm. Confirmation by 10 subjects revealed that the optimal predetermined distance is approximately 2.5 times the width (cm) of the painting.

[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0019] The CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with programs recorded in the ROM 12 or programs loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. The RAM 13 also stores data and the like required for the CPU 11 to execute various processes. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14.

[0020] The input / output interface 15 is connected to an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20. The output unit 16 is composed of a display, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images and sounds. The input unit 17 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and inputs various information. The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices via a network including the Internet.

[0021] Removable media 201, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, is appropriately attached to the drive 20. Programs read from the removable media 201 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as needed. The removable media 201 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same way as the storage unit 18.

[0022] <Functional Configuration of Information Processing Device 1> FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 1, the audio device 2, and the lighting device 3.

[0023] In the CPU 11 of the information processing device 1, an environment acquisition unit 111 and an environment control unit 112 function during operation.

[0024] The storage unit 18 of the information processing device 1 also has various databases. The storage unit 18 has, for example, a sound source DB 181 and an illumination DB 182. The sound source DB 181 stores sound sources and patterns of playback volume of the sound sources. The illumination DB 182 stores patterns of light emission from the lighting device 3.

[0025] The environment acquisition unit 111 acquires a sound source playback pattern including a sound source and a playback volume pattern of the sound source from the sound source DB 181. The environment acquisition unit 111 also acquires a light pattern emitted from the lighting device 3 from the irradiation DB 182. For example, the environment acquisition unit 111 acquires a sound source playback pattern or a light pattern that matches the gaze target object 5.

[0026] The environment control unit 112 transmits the sound source reproduction pattern to the sound source reproduction unit 21 via the communication unit 19 and the communication device 4. In parallel, the environment control unit 112 transmits the voltage / current pattern to be output to the lighting device 3 to the illumination light control unit 32 via the communication unit 19 and the communication device 4.

[0027] <Control Pattern> Based on the above-described hardware configuration and functional configuration, the output that the system S for stimulating the human mind provides to a human will be described.

[0028] The environment control unit 112 sets, for example, the playback volume of audio data provided by the sound source DB 181 as the controlled amount. This allows the person's mood to be gradually elevated or gradually calmed. The environment control unit 112 sets, for example, the brightness of the lighting device 3 provided by the irradiation DB 182 as the controlled amount, allowing the person's attention to be gradually elevated or gradually calmed, while also maintaining the person's attention on the gaze target 5. The environment control unit 112 may control the controlled amount during the control period, and may not control the controlled amount before or after the control period.

[0029] The sound device 2 receives a control signal (sound source playback pattern) from the environment control unit 112. The sound source playback unit 21 plays the sound source based on the received sound source playback pattern. The lighting device 3 receives a control signal (light pattern) from the environment control unit 112. The illumination lamp control unit 32 applies a voltage and current to the lighting device 3 based on the received voltage and current pattern (light pattern) to control the lighting output.

[0030] 4 is a diagram showing changes over time in controlled variables (e.g., playback volume, illuminance, etc.). The horizontal axis represents control time, and the vertical axis represents controlled variables. These control patterns are stored in the sound source DB 181 and / or the illumination DB 182. The controlled variable is, for example, the playback volume of audio data played back by the sound source playback unit 21. The controlled variable is, for example, the brightness of the lighting device 3 controlled by the illuminating lamp control unit 32.

[0031] The environment control unit 112 plays back a sound source through the sound source playback unit 21 based on the controlled variable stored in the sound source DB 181. The environment control unit 112 also irradiates the gazed object 5 with illumination light through the illuminating light control unit 32 based on the controlled variable stored in the irradiation DB 182. The environment control unit 112 can also be considered to control the controlled variable during a predetermined control period. Specifically, the environment control unit 112 changes (e.g., linearly changes) the controlled variable (e.g., volume) from a volume (state) equal to or greater than a first value to a volume (state) equal to or less than a second value during a first period. The environment control unit 112 also changes (e.g., linearly changes) the controlled variable (e.g., volume) from a volume (state) equal to or less than a third value to a volume (state) equal to or greater than a fourth value during a second period. In the first and second periods, the environmental control unit 112 controls the controlled quantities for a period of at least 6 seconds, preferably at least 10 seconds, and more preferably at least 20 seconds.

[0032] Gently changing the volume and / or illuminance of a painting or other image while showing it is more effective at revitalizing the mind of a depressed person than using a visual medium that allows for free expression, such as a video. A visual medium that allows for free expression, such as a video, can be too stimulating to the eyes, leading to a loss of concentration. In contrast, gently changing the atmosphere while showing a painting or other image increases concentration on the painting, and once concentration is enhanced, the mood gradually elevates or calms in accordance with the atmosphere. This invigorates the mind. Tests with 10 subjects revealed that in order to gradually change the atmosphere, the change must take at least six seconds. Furthermore, when the atmosphere was changed over a period of 10 seconds or more, five of the ten subjects reported a mentally revitalizing effect. Furthermore, when the atmosphere was changed over a period of 20 seconds or more, the mentally revitalizing effect was confirmed in all ten subjects, and three were even moved to tears.

[0033] When the minimum value of the controlled amount, e.g., volume, within the control period is A and the maximum value of the controlled amount, e.g., volume, within the control period is B, it is preferable that the environmental control unit 112 controls the controlled amount (e.g., volume) in accordance with the following equations 1 to 4. That is, the first and third values ​​are 80% or more of the control range, and the second and fourth values ​​are 20% or less of the control range. A+(B-A)×0.8≦first value (1) Second value≦A+(B-A)×0.2 (2) A+(B-A)×0.8≦third value (3) Fourth value≦A+(B-A)×0.2 (4)

[0034] The first and third values ​​may be 90% or more of the control range, and the second and fourth values ​​may be 10% or less of the control range. The first and third values ​​may be 100% of the control range (i.e., the maximum value), and the second and fourth values ​​may be 0% of the control range (i.e., the minimum value). If the environmental control unit 112 performs control to change the controlled variable over time from the maximum value to the minimum value of the control range and also change it over time from the minimum value to the maximum value of the control range, a greater mental stimulation effect can be obtained.

[0035] The environmental control unit 112 preferably controls the controlled variable so that it monotonically decreases during the first period. The environmental control unit 112 preferably controls the controlled variable so that it monotonically increases during the second period. The environmental control unit 112 may control the controlled variable at a rate of change of (B-A) x 0.4 / sec or less during the control period, preferably at a rate of change of (B-A) x 0.3 / sec or less, and more preferably at a rate of change of (B-A) x 0.2 / sec or less. The environmental control unit 112 preferably controls the controlled variable so that it gradually changes, as described above, and preferably controls it so that it monotonically changes. This allows for a gentle change in the atmosphere, making it easier to increase concentration on painting, etc.

[0036] It is preferable that the environmental control unit 112 controls the controlled amount by setting the first value and the fourth value to the same value. It is also preferable that the environmental control unit 112 controls the controlled amount by setting the second value and the third value to the same value. This makes the change in atmosphere continuous, eliminating the sense of incongruity.

[0037] The environmental control unit 112 may control the controlled variable so that the control period includes a third period between the first period and the second period, during which the controlled variable transitions from the second value to a third value. The environmental control unit 112 may control the transition of the controlled variable during the third period so that the controlled variable monotonically increases when the third value is greater than the second value, monotonically decreases when the third value is smaller than the second value, and remains constant when the second value and the third value are equal. This provides a period with relatively little change in atmosphere, making it possible to maintain an excited state or a calm state.

[0038] The environmental control unit 112 may repeat the above-described control. The environmental control unit 112 preferably repeats the control 3 to 50 times, more preferably 3 to 30 times, and preferably 5 to 10 times. The total control period may be preferably 3 to 60 minutes, more preferably 5 to 40 minutes, and preferably 10 to 20 minutes. Repeatedly elevating or calming the mood is effective for mental stimulation. A test with 10 subjects found that repeating the control period three times (three control periods) was more effective at stimulating the mind than performing the control period only once.

[0039] When the environmental control unit 112 repeats the above-described control, i.e., when the first period begins again after the second period, the control period preferably includes a fourth period between the second and first periods, during which the controlled amount transitions from a fourth value to a first value. The environmental control unit 112 may control the controlled amount so that the controlled amount monotonically increases when the first value is greater than the fourth value, monotonically decreases when the first value is smaller than the fourth value, and remains constant when the fourth value is equal to the first value. When the control period is repeated, the environmental control unit 112 may change the lengths of the first, second, third, and fourth periods each time the control period is repeated, or may control the controlled amount without changing them. The environmental control unit 112 may also control the controlled amount by constantly changing the controlled amount without including the fourth period.

[0040] The environmental control unit 112 may control the controlled amount by making the first period and the third period consecutive. The environmental control unit 112 may control the controlled amount by making the third period and the second period consecutive. The environmental control unit 112 may control the controlled amount by making the second period and the fourth period consecutive. The environmental control unit 112 may control the controlled amount by making the fourth period and the first period consecutive.

[0041] In the above-described formulas 1 to 4, the value of A may be 0, i.e., mute if the controlled variable is volume, or off if the controlled variable is brightness. The value of A may be adjustable by the environment control unit 112. If the controlled variable is volume, the value of B is preferably 40 decibels or more and 100 decibels or less, more preferably 50 decibels or more and 90 decibels or less, and suitably 60 decibels or more and 80 decibels or less. If the controlled variable is brightness, the value is preferably 100 lux or more and 1000 lux or less, more preferably 200 lux or more and 800 lux or less, and suitably 400 lux or more and 600 lux or less. The value of B may be adjustable by the environment control unit 112.

[0042] <Modifications> In the above description, an example has been described in which the environment control unit 112 controls one controlled variable (e.g., volume), but the environment control unit 112 may control two or more controlled variables. Below, an example will be described in which the environment control unit 112 individually controls the volume of each of two speakers. The acoustic device 2 has one sound source reproduction unit 21a, another sound source reproduction unit 21b, one speaker 22a, and another speaker 22b. The environment control unit 112 controls the one sound source reproduction unit 21a and the other sound source reproduction unit 21b. The one sound source reproduction unit 21a controls the volume of the one speaker 22a in accordance with a signal from the environment control unit 112. The other sound source reproduction unit 21b controls the volume of the other speaker 22b in accordance with a signal from the environment control unit 112. Hereinafter, it will be appropriately expressed that the environment control unit 112 controls the volume. It is preferable that the environmental control unit 112 controls the volume of the one speaker 22a and the other speaker 22b in opposite phases. That is, when the playback volume of one speaker 22a is gradually increased and decreased as shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable that the environmental control unit 112 controls the playback volume of the other speaker 22b to be gradually increased and decreased in synchronization. A plurality of the one speaker 22a and a plurality of the other speaker 22b may be provided.

[0043] The above relationship will be explained in more detail. The environmental control unit 112 controls the volume from one speaker 22a in accordance with the relationship shown in Equations 1 to 4. The environmental control unit 112 controls the other sound source playback unit 21b in synchronization with this control. The other sound source playback unit 21b plays the sound source from the other speaker 22b. The first to fourth periods described below are the same periods as the first to fourth periods shown in FIG. 4. The environmental control unit 112 controls the volume played from the other speaker 22b. The environmental control unit 112 controls the volume played from the other speaker 22b by changing the volume from a fifth value or less to a sixth value or more in the first period, and by changing the volume from a seventh value or more to an eighth value or less in the second period. For example, when the minimum volume value in the first period and the second period is C and the maximum volume value in the first period and the second period is D, the environmental control unit 112 controls the volume based on the relationships that hold in the following equations 5 to 8: Fifth value≦C+(D−C)×0.2 (5) C+(D−C)×0.8≦sixth value (6) Seventh value≦C+(D−C)×0.2 (7) C+(D−C)×0.8≦eighth value (8)

[0044] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0045] Although the above-described embodiment does not specifically mention the color temperature of the visible light illumination, it is preferably 4000 K or less. An example of an illumination that emits visible light with a color temperature of 4000 K or less is a halogen lamp, in which case LED illumination is not preferable. This can reduce eye irritation and improve concentration on the painting. Visible light is light with a wavelength that is visible to the human eye, and in terms of wavelength range, is light with a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 800 nm or less.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the illumination lamp 31 may further include a light source that emits ultraviolet light, such as a black light. In this case, the object 5 to be gazed upon has an ultraviolet-excited luminescent material on its surface. The ultraviolet-excited luminescent material emits visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet-excited luminescent material may be coated on the surface of the object 5 to be gazed upon. The ultraviolet light referred to here is light having a wavelength of 300 nm or more and 400 nm or less.

[0047] In the gaze object 5, for example, an ultraviolet-excited luminescent substance is applied on top of a normal color material, such as oil-based paint. When exposed to visible light, a color based on the normal color material appears. The ultraviolet-excited luminescent substance emits a predetermined color under ultraviolet light. As a result, different images appear under visible light and ultraviolet light. Because ultraviolet light is invisible to the eye, the observer does not know that ultraviolet light has been irradiated onto the gaze object 5. Therefore, when ultraviolet light is irradiated, an unexpected image appears to emerge for the observer. Based on the illuminance of the visible light and ultraviolet light, the images appear to be mixed and overlapping.

[0048] The ultraviolet-excited luminescent material is, for example, a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material. The ultraviolet-excited luminescent material is, for example, a pigment. The ultraviolet-excited luminescent material may be applied so that spray marks of the color material (pigment) are visible. The application is achieved by spraying using an airbrush.

[0049] When observing the colorant (pigment) spray marks, the outline of the colorant application area is unclear, and when the outline is observed under magnification, it is confirmed that the colorant is dispersed in discrete areas. Colorant (pigment) spray marks refer to marks that, when observed under black light and magnified using, for example, a 50x magnifying glass, can be observed in any of the following states (A) to (D): (A) Dots of pigment-containing paint are scattered at intervals. (B) The paint density is increased, and the dots of pigment-containing paint are partially bonded together, forming spots. (C) The paint density is further increased, and the pigment-containing paint forms a mottled pattern with no gaps. (D) One or more types of pigment-containing paint that are different in type (density, chromaticity, saturation, and / or brightness) and are in any of the states (A) to (C) are superimposed on the above (A) to (C).

[0050] This allows for delicate depictions such as a landscape in a fog, ensuring a wide range of expression. The ultraviolet-excited luminescent material is located at least partially overlapping the image visible under visible light. When ultraviolet light is irradiated, an image different from that when only visible light is irradiated appears. For example, when only visible light is irradiated onto the gazed-up object 5, a scene of a weeping cherry tree in full bloom shining in the sun is observed. When ultraviolet light is irradiated, additional light is emitted from the ultraviolet-excited luminescent material, and a scene of a weeping cherry tree dimly visible in the fog of moonlight is observed.

[0051] When the environmental control unit 112 controls the illumination of visible light through the lighting control unit 32, the synchronized irradiation of ultraviolet light may be controlled by on / off control. The environmental control unit 112 may, for example, turn on the ultraviolet light during the first period and turn it off during the second period through the lighting control unit 32. The environmental control unit 112 may also irradiate the ultraviolet light so as to include the third period but not the fourth period. This allows for a painting that looks different during the day and at night, and in this case, the mental stimulation effect was extremely high. Six out of ten subjects were moved to tears. The ultraviolet light irradiation may be turned on during the first period and turned off during the second or fourth period. The environmental control unit 112 preferably controls both the volume and the lighting. The environmental control unit 112 may also control only one of the volume and the lighting. It is preferable that the environmental control unit 112 controls both the volume and the lighting, and particularly when irradiating ultraviolet light, it is preferable not to control the volume. This enhances the viewer's concentration on the painting.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the above-described functional configuration is merely an example and is not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient that the system S for stimulating the human mind is provided with a function that can execute the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the above-described example.

[0053] The location of the functional blocks is not particularly limited and may be arbitrary. For example, the functional blocks of the information processing device 1 may be transferred to another device, or the functional blocks of another device may be transferred to a server. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, a single piece of software, or a combination of these.

[0054] When a series of processes is executed by software, the programs constituting the software are installed onto a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated into dedicated hardware. The computer may also be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0055] The recording medium containing such a program may be configured as a removable medium (not shown) that is distributed separately from the device main body in order to provide the program to users, etc., or may be configured as a recording medium that is pre-installed in the device main body and provided to users, etc. Since the program can be distributed via a network, the recording medium may be installed in or accessible from a computer that is connected or connectable to the network.

[0056] In other words, the present invention can be applied to a variety of embodiments having the following configurations.

[0057] (1) That is, a system for stimulating a person's mind (e.g., system S for stimulating a person's mind in FIG. 1) includes a gazed object (e.g., gazed object 5 in FIG. 1) displaying a graphic including a picture and / or a symbol on its surface, a sound providing means (e.g., sound device 2 in FIG. 1) providing sound through one or more speakers (e.g., speaker 22 in FIG. 1), a lighting means (e.g., lighting device 3 in FIG. 1) illuminating the gazed object, and an environmental control means (e.g., environmental control unit 112 in FIG. 3) controlling the volume of the sound provided by the sound providing means and / or the brightness of the lighting provided by the lighting means as a controlled variable, wherein the environmental control means changes the controlled variable from a state equal to or greater than a first value to a state equal to or less than a second value during a first period, and changes the controlled variable from a state equal to or less than a third value to a state equal to or greater than a fourth value during a second period, each of the first and second periods being 6 seconds or longer. This system stimulates the person's mind. When a painting or other image is shown while the atmosphere is gently changed, the person's concentration on the painting increases, and as the concentration increases, the person's mood gradually becomes uplifted or calmed according to the atmosphere. By changing the atmosphere over a period of six seconds or more, the person's mind is invigorated.

[0058] (2) In a system for stimulating a person's mind, the second value may be smaller than the first value, the fourth value may be larger than the third value, and the environmental control means may decrease the controlled amount from a state equal to or greater than the first value to a state equal to or less than the second value during the first period, and increase the controlled amount from a state equal to or less than the third value to a state equal to or greater than the fourth value during the second period. This allows the stimulation state to decrease temporarily and then increase again. This results in a greater mental stimulation effect.

[0059] (3) In a system for stimulating a person's mind, the environmental control means changes the controlled quantity based on the relationships that satisfy the following equations 1 to 4, where A is the minimum value of the controlled quantity within the first period and the second period, and B is the maximum value of the controlled quantity within the first period and the second period: A+(B-A)×0.8≦the first value (1) The second value≦A+(B-A)×0.2 (2) A+(B-A)×0.8≦the third value (3) The fourth value≦A+(B-A)×0.2 (4) This provides a higher mental stimulation effect.

[0060] (4) In the system for revitalizing a person's mind, the environmental control means may control the controlled amount during the first period and the second period at a rate of change of (B-A) x 0.4 / second or less. The controlled amount is preferably changed gradually and monotonously, which allows for a gentle change in the atmosphere and facilitates increased concentration on a painting or the like.

[0061] (5) The system for stimulating the human mind may further include an additional sound providing means (e.g., the other sound source reproduction unit 21b in FIG. 1) that provides additional sound by one or more additional speakers (e.g., the other speaker 22b in FIG. 1) that are arranged at positions different from the one or more speakers (e.g., one speaker 22a in FIG. 1), and the environmental control means controls the additional sound as an additional controlled quantity, and the environmental control means changes the additional controlled quantity from a state that is not greater than a fifth value to a state that is not less than a sixth value during the first period, and changes the additional controlled quantity from a state that is not less than a seventh value to a state that is not greater than an eighth value during the second period, and controls the additional sound of the additional sound providing means based on the relationship that holds in the following equations 5 to 8, where C is the minimum value of the additional controlled quantity during the first period and the second period, and D is the maximum value of the additional controlled quantity during the first period and the second period. Fifth value≦C+(D−C)×0.2 (5) C+(D−C)×0.8≦sixth value (6) Seventh value≦C+(D−C)×0.2 (7) C+(D−C)×0.8≦eighth value (8)

[0062] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing device, 2 Acoustic device, 21 Sound source reproduction unit, 22 Speaker, 3 Lighting device, 31 Lighting lamp, 32 Lighting lamp control unit, 4 Communication device, 5 Gaze object, 50 Base material, 51 First graphic layer, 52 Second graphic layer, 52a Second graphic layer, 52b Second graphic layer, 52c Second graphic layer, 52d Second graphic layer, 100 Lighting device

Claims

1. A system for stimulating a person's mind, comprising: an object to be gazed upon that displays on its surface a graphic including a picture and / or a symbol; sound providing means for providing sound by one or more speakers; lighting means for illuminating the object to be gazed upon; and environmental control means for controlling the volume of the sound from the sound providing means and / or the brightness of the lighting from the lighting means as a controlled quantity, wherein the environmental control means changes the controlled quantity from a state equal to or greater than a first value to a state equal to or less than a second value during a first period, and changes the controlled quantity from a state equal to or less than a third value to a state equal to or greater than a fourth value during a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are both six seconds or longer.

2. A system for stimulating a person's mind as described in claim 1, wherein the second value is smaller than the first value, the fourth value is larger than the third value, and the environmental control means decreases the controlled amount from a state equal to or greater than the first value to a state equal to or less than the second value during the first period, and increases the controlled amount from a state equal to or less than the third value to a state equal to or greater than the fourth value during the second period.

3. The system for stimulating the human mind according to claim 2, wherein the environmental control means changes the controlled amount based on the relationship in which the following formulas 1 to 4 hold, where A is the minimum value of the controlled amount in the first period and the second period, and B is the maximum value of the controlled amount in the first period and the second period. A+(B-A)×0.8≦the first value (1) The second value≦A+(B-A)×0.2 (2) A+(B-A)×0.8≦the third value (3) The fourth value≦A+(B-A)×0.2 (4) 4. A system for stimulating the human mind as described in claim 3, wherein said environmental control means controls said controlled amount within said first period and said second period at a rate of change of not more than (B-A) x 0.4 / second.

5. A system for stimulating the human mind as claimed in claim 3, further comprising additional sound providing means for providing additional sound by one or more additional speakers arranged at positions different from the one or more speakers, wherein the environmental control means controls the additional sound as an additional controlled quantity, and wherein the environmental control means: during the first period, changes the additional controlled quantity from a state not exceeding a fifth value to a state not less than a sixth value, and during the second period, changes the additional controlled quantity from a state not less than a seventh value to a state not more than an eighth value, and controls the additional sound of the additional sound providing means based on the relationships represented by the following equations 5 to 8, where C is the minimum value of the additional controlled quantity during the first period and the second period, and D is the maximum value of the additional controlled quantity during the first period and the second period. Fifth value≦C+(D−C)×0.2 (5) C+(D−C)×0.8≦sixth value (6) Seventh value≦C+(D−C)×0.2 (7) C+(D−C)×0.8≦eighth value (8)

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