Physiological Load Estimation for Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stress measurement methods focus solely on stress levels without considering the underlying causes, failing to provide effective processes for reducing user stress.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that estimates a user's workload and visual load based on physiological data from sensors, allowing for targeted interventions to mitigate stress by distinguishing between workload and visual load factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stress measurement focuses only on stress level, then measurement simplicity is improved, but stress reduction effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the general stress measurement into two distinct components: workload (measured by heart rate) and visual load (measured by pupil diameter). This segmentation allows the system to identify specific stress sources and apply targeted interventions, resolving the contradiction by maintaining measurement simplicity while improving stress reduction effectiveness through differentiated analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new measurement parameter (pupil diameter) to complement the traditional heart rate measurement. By changing the measurement parameters to include both physiological indicators, the system can distinguish between different types of stress, thereby improving stress reduction effectiveness without significantly complicating the measurement process.
2Device complexity
If general stress measurement is used, then measurement complexity is reduced, but intervention precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments stress measurement into distinct components (workload and visual load) using different physiological parameters. This segmentation enables precise identification of stress sources, allowing for targeted interventions that address specific causes rather than applying generic stress reduction techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses physiological indicators (heart rate and pupil diameter) as intermediaries to bridge the gap between simple measurement and precise intervention. These intermediaries provide objective, quantifiable data that enable the system to make accurate assessments and apply appropriate interventions based on the detected stress type.
3Ease of operation
If only heart rate is measured, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but stress source identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different physiological measurement methods (heart rate measurement and pupil diameter measurement) into a unified stress assessment system. This combination allows the system to maintain operational simplicity while capturing comprehensive information about stress sources, preventing information loss by using multiple complementary indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a multi-functional measurement approach where different physiological parameters serve different diagnostic purposes. Heart rate indicates general arousal and workload, while pupil diameter specifically indicates visual load and concentration. This universality allows a single system to perform multiple assessment functions without sacrificing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an information processing apparatus including an estimation part configured to estimate a load experienced by a user, on the basis of data from a sensor measuring a physiological index of the user, the estimation part estimating, as the load, at least one of a workload experienced by the user carrying out a predetermined task and a visual load experienced by the user making alert concentration.