JP7496963B2 - Rating System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an evaluation system that involves measuring psychological sweating.

Depending on the cause, sweating can be classified into psychological sweating, thermal sweating, gustatory sweating, etc.
Psychological sweating, thermal sweating, and gustatory sweating refer to the phenomenon of sweating on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet when you are nervous or excited, sweating all over the body when it is hot or you exercise, and sweating when you eat spicy foods, respectively.
More specifically, psychological sweating refers to the phenomenon in which tension or excitement activates the sympathetic nervous system, stimulating sweating in the peripheral nerves of the hands and feet.

Psychological sweating is induced by various stimuli in daily life, and is induced instantly, albeit in small amounts, when a person is startled. In other words, it is known to be highly sensitive to stimuli. The reason why a person's palms are always wet while awake is due to the high sensitivity of this psychological sweating.
As a technology that utilizes the high sensitivity of such psychological sweating, a mental health evaluation device that accurately evaluates the personality and ego state of the subject at the time of the examination while using the amount of psychological sweating as a biological index has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). Also, a cognitive behavior evaluation device has been disclosed that can grasp whether the driver accurately recognizes and predicts danger based on the amount of psychological sweating of the driver in response to an image of a driving caution situation (yellow light, a group of children, etc.) when evaluating the driving ability of the driver using a driving simulator (Patent Document 2).

Patent Document 1 aims to improve the accuracy of assessment by combining data on mental sweating with a conventional method for assessing mental health, while Patent Document 2 aims to improve the accuracy of assessment by combining data on mental sweating with a conventional method for assessing driving ability. However, there is an issue that mental sweating is easily fluctuated due to various factors such as individual differences, environment, and stress, making it difficult to perform a stable and highly accurate assessment.

Patent No. 2512695 Japanese Patent No. 5366248

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an evaluation system that involves measuring psychological sweating and is capable of performing stable and highly accurate evaluation.
The "evaluation" in the evaluation system of the present invention means an evaluation involving the measurement of mental sweating, including a "mental health evaluation" such as in Patent Document 1 and a "cognitive behavior evaluation" such as in Patent Document 2.

The present invention provides the following evaluation systems [1] to [11] and evaluation methods [12] to [21].

[1] An evaluation system comprising: a mental sweating measurement sensor that measures mental sweating; a parameter measurement sensor that measures parameters that cause fluctuations in the mental sweating; an event trigger means that induces mental sweating; and a computing device having a function of evaluating a response to a stimulus via the event trigger means based on the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor, and a function of determining the reliability of the evaluation.
[2] The evaluation system according to [1], further comprising a storage device that stores a reference value of the parameter, and the judgment is made by comparing the reference value with the measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor.
[3] The evaluation system according to [1] or [2], wherein the arithmetic device has a function of determining a threshold value of mental sweating induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means, and a function of comparing data derived from a measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor with the threshold value.
[4] The evaluation system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the arithmetic device has a function of adjusting the reference value of the parameter.
[5] The evaluation system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the event trigger means is a stress evaluation means for performing a stress evaluation.
[6] The evaluation system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the event trigger means is a risk perception ability evaluation means for performing a risk perception ability evaluation.
[7] The evaluation system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the parameter is at least one selected from the group consisting of skin temperature, body temperature, skin blood flow, room temperature, skin pressure, skin potential, and electroencephalogram.
[8] The evaluation system according to any one of [3] to [7], further comprising a correction means for correcting a threshold value of mental sweating induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means and/or a sensitivity of the mental sweating measuring sensor in accordance with the subject.
[9] The evaluation system according to any one of [1] to [8], further comprising an output device that outputs a calculation result of the calculation device.
[10] The evaluation system according to any one of [1] to [9], further comprising a computing device reproducibility confirmation means for confirming reproducibility of a computation result of the computing device.
[11] The evaluation system described in any of [1] to [10], wherein the mental perspiration measuring sensor comprises: an air supply means; a capsule having an opening in close contact with the skin surface of a subject, and mixing, in an internal space, the sweat dispersed from the skin surface with air supplied from the air supply means; an exhaust passageway through which a mixed gas formed by mixing the sweat with the air supplied from the air supply means in the internal space of the capsule is exhausted to the outside of the capsule; and a measuring means for measuring an amount of sweat on the skin surface based on a difference between a humidity of the air supplied from the air supply means to the capsule and a humidity of the mixed gas exhausted from the exhaust passageway.

[12] An evaluation method comprising the steps of: measuring a parameter that is a factor of fluctuations in mental sweating using a parameter measurement sensor; inducing mental sweating by a stimulus via an event trigger means; measuring the mental sweating induced by the stimulus via the event trigger means using the mental sweating measurement sensor; evaluating a response to the stimulus via the event trigger means based on data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor; and determining the reliability of the evaluation.
[13] The evaluation method according to [12], further comprising a step of storing a reference value of the parameter in a storage device, and performing the judgment by comparing the reference value with a measurement value of the parameter measuring sensor.
[14] The evaluation method according to [12] or [13], further comprising a step of determining a threshold value of mental sweating induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means and storing the determined threshold value in a storage device, and performing the evaluation by comparing the threshold value of mental sweating stored in the storage device with a measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor.
[15] The evaluation method according to any one of [12] to [14], wherein in the step of measuring the psychological sweating, the psychological sweating is measured continuously multiple times, and in the step of evaluating the response to the stimulus, the response to the stimulus is evaluated based on a change in the measurement value measured continuously multiple times.
[16] The evaluation method according to [13], further comprising a step of comparing the reference value with a measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor, and outputting error information if the measurement value is outside a range of the reference value.
[17] The evaluation method according to [16], wherein the error information warns that the fluctuation of the mental sweating is large and that the mental sweating induced by the stimulation via the event trigger means is different from the mental sweating induced by the stimulation in a subject under normal conditions.
[18] The evaluation method according to [13], wherein the adjustment of the reference value and/or the adjustment of the sensitivity of the mental sweating measuring sensor is performed using at least one selected from the group consisting of personal data of the subject, a measurement value of the parameter measuring sensor, and a measurement value of mental sweating induced by a test stimulus.
[19] The evaluation method according to [14], wherein the calculation and/or adjustment of the threshold value is performed using at least one selected from the group consisting of personal data of the subject, a measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor, and a measurement value of psychological sweating induced by a test stimulus.
[20] The evaluation method according to any one of [12] to [19], wherein the event trigger means is a stress evaluation means for performing a stress evaluation, and the stress evaluation is performed by each of the steps.
[21] The event trigger means is a risk perception ability evaluation means for performing a risk perception ability evaluation, and the risk perception ability evaluation is performed by each of the steps. The evaluation method according to any one of [12] to [19].

The present invention provides an evaluation system that involves measuring psychological sweating and is capable of performing stable and highly accurate evaluations.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an evaluation system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mental perspiration measuring sensor that constitutes an evaluation system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an evaluation method according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an evaluation method according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an evaluation method according to still another embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a part of a process for evaluating risk perception ability in a simulated automobile driving session using a simulator. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an evaluation method according to still another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an evaluation method according to still another embodiment.

The evaluation system of the present invention is described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[Evaluation system with measurement of mental sweating]
The evaluation system of the present invention comprises a mental sweating measurement sensor 1 that measures mental sweating, a parameter measurement sensor 100 that measures parameters that cause fluctuations in mental sweating, an event trigger means 200 that induces mental sweating, and a calculation device 19 having a function of evaluating a response to a stimulus via the event trigger means 200 based on data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor, and a function of determining the reliability of the evaluation.
As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the above configuration, the device may also include a memory device 18 for storing reference values of the parameters and a threshold value of mental sweating induced by stimulation via the event trigger means 200, an output device 20 for displaying the results of calculations by a calculation device 19, and an input device 22 for inputting personal data of the subject, etc.
In addition to the above functions, the calculation device 19 can also have a function of determining a threshold for mental sweating induced by stimulation via the event trigger means, a function of comparing data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor with the threshold, and a function of adjusting the reference value of the parameter.

(Mental sweat rate measuring sensor 1)
The mental perspiration measuring sensor 1 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of measuring mental perspiration. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the mental perspiration measuring sensor 1 may be a housing capsule 3 having an opening 2 attached to the skin surface SK, an intake hole 4 for drawing natural air into the housing capsule 3, a mixing chamber 5 communicating with the opening 2 to diffuse sweat on the skin surface SK and to mix the diffused sweat and the natural air to form mixed air, and an exhaust hole 6 for discharging the mixed air from the mixing chamber 5, a first humidity sensor 7 for measuring the humidity of the natural air, and a second humidity sensor 8 for measuring the temperature and humidity of the mixed air. The mental perspiration measuring sensor 1 shown in Fig. 2 further includes an air blower 13 for discharging natural air upstream of the first humidity sensor.
The mental sweating measurement sensor 1 in the form shown in FIG. 2 quantitatively measures the amount of mental sweating, but in other embodiments, it is also possible to use a sensor that measures the occurrence of mental sweating using an electrical method, such as measuring the electrical resistance or potential of the palm or the sole of the foot.
In the case where the mental sweating measurement sensor 1 quantitatively measures the amount of mental sweating, the "mental sweating threshold" means the threshold of the measurement value of the quantitatively measured mental sweating, and in the case where the mental sweating measurement sensor 1 measures the occurrence of mental sweating by an electrical method, the "mental sweating threshold" means the threshold of the measurement value of mental sweating measured by an electrical method.

<Blower section 13>
When the blower 13 is outside the casing capsule 3, for example, a compressor can be used as the blower 13. The compressor draws in natural air and then blows out the natural air. The natural air blown out from the compressor is supplied to the mixing chamber 5 of the casing capsule 3 via a flexible pipe 14. When the blower 13 is inside the casing capsule 3, it is preferable that the blower 13 is disposed upstream of the mixing chamber 5. The blower 13 disposed upstream of the mixing chamber 5 draws in natural air from the intake hole 4 and blows it into the mixing chamber 5. For example, an electric air fan, an air pump, or an air blower can be used as the blower 13.

<Case Capsule 3>
The shape of the housing capsule 3 is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be formed into a substantially tubular shape (one example is a substantially cylindrical shape) with a closed upper end.
The material of the housing capsule 3 is not particularly limited, but it can be made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

The air intake hole 4 for drawing natural air into the interior of the housing capsule has a smaller diameter (smaller size) than the inner diameter of the cylindrical housing capsule 3.

The capsule casing 3 has an opening 2 at its lower end (on the skin surface SK side) that is attached (attached) to the skin surface SK.
The opening area of the opening 2 is not limited, but may be, for example, ¹ cm2. When the unit of the amount of sweat on the skin surface SK is expressed in mg/ ^cm2 ·min, if the opening area of the opening 2 is 1 ^cm2 , the measured value of the amount of sweat can be used as it is without being converted by dividing it by the area.
The casing capsule 3 can be attached to the skin surface SK by applying, for example, double-sided tape, adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive to the periphery of the opening 2 .

The housing capsule 3 has a mixing chamber 5 therein which communicates with the opening 2 .
The mixing chamber 5 functions as a space for dissipating sweat from the skin surface SK while being in contact with the skin surface SK and for mixing the dispersed sweat with natural air.

The exhaust hole 6 for exhausting the mixed air from the mixing chamber 5 has a smaller diameter (smaller size) than the inner diameter of the cylindrical housing capsule 3.

<First Humidity Sensor 7>
The first humidity sensor 7 has a function of measuring the humidity of the natural air blown by the blower 13 .
2, a first humidity sensor 7 is disposed inside a box 15 located outside the housing capsule 3. In this embodiment, the first humidity sensor 7 measures the absolute humidity of natural air sent out from the compressor, which is the blower 13, and supplied into the box 15.
Instead of the first humidity sensor 7 that measures absolute humidity, a relative humidity sensor and a temperature sensor can be disposed inside the box 15 to determine the absolute humidity of the natural air that has flowed into the box 15. A temperature sensor and a humidity sensor formed integrally may also be used.

<Second Humidity Sensor 8>
The second humidity sensor 8 has a function of measuring the humidity of the mixed air.
2, a second humidity sensor 8 is disposed inside a box 16 that is outside the housing capsule 3. In this embodiment, the second humidity sensor 8 measures the absolute humidity of the mixed air exhausted from the housing capsule 3 and supplied to the inside of the box 16.
Instead of the second humidity sensor 8 that measures absolute humidity, a relative humidity sensor and a temperature sensor can be disposed inside the box 16 to determine the absolute humidity of the natural air that has flowed into the box 16. A temperature sensor and a humidity sensor formed integrally may also be used.

<Circuit configuration>
2, the first humidity sensor 7 and the second humidity sensor 8 are electrically connected to filter circuits F1 and F2, respectively. When the detection signals output from the sensors are input to the filter circuits F1 and F2, the filter circuits F1 and F2 remove noise components contained in the detection signals and then amplify the detection signals by a predetermined amplification factor.
A differential amplifier DA1 is connected to the output sides of the filter circuits F1 and F2.
The output side of the filter circuit F1 is connected to the inverting input terminal (-) of the differential amplifier DA1.
The output side of the filter circuit F2 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal (+) of the differential amplifier DA1.
With this configuration, the differential amplifier DA1 outputs a signal which is the difference between a signal corresponding to the absolute humidity of the natural air detected by the first humidity sensor 7 and a signal corresponding to the absolute humidity of the mixed air detected by the second humidity sensor 8. The signal output from the differential amplifier DA1 corresponds to the amount of sweat dissipated from the skin surface SK into the mixing chamber 5.
When the signal output from the differential amplifier DA1 is input to the calculation device 19, the calculation device 19 calculates the actual amount of sweat dissipated from the skin surface SK to the mixing chamber 5 based on each input signal. The amount of sweat obtained by the calculation can be displayed on the output device 20.

(Parameter Measurement Sensor 100)
The parameter measurement sensor 100 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of measuring a parameter that is a factor in fluctuations in mental sweating.
Examples of events that can cause fluctuations in mental sweating include "skin temperature, body temperature, skin blood flow,""roomtemperature,""skinpressure," and "alertness level (drowsiness)." It is preferable that the parameter is at least one selected from the group consisting of skin temperature, body temperature, skin blood flow, room temperature, skin pressure, skin potential, and brain waves.
The measurement results from the parameter measuring sensor 100 are transmitted to the computing device 19 .

<Skin temperature sensor, body temperature sensor, skin blood flow sensor, room temperature sensor>
When measuring skin temperature as the parameter, a skin temperature sensor having a function of measuring the temperature of the skin surface becomes the parameter measurement sensor 100, and for example, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermopile, etc. can be used.
When body temperature is measured as the parameter, a body temperature sensor having a function of measuring body temperature becomes the parameter measurement sensor 100, and for example, a thermometer can be used.
When skin blood flow is measured as the parameter, a skin blood flow sensor having a function of measuring skin blood flow becomes the parameter measurement sensor 100, and for example, a laser Doppler type skin blood flow sensor can be used.
When measuring room temperature as the parameter, a room temperature sensor serves as the parameter measuring sensor 100, and for example, a room temperature gauge or the like can be used.

Humans constantly generate heat in the body, and when it is hot, they actively release heat, and when it is cold, they are regulated to not release heat as much as possible. One of the mechanisms of heat dissipation is through skin blood flow. When it is hot, heat is released by sending blood warmed deep inside to the peripheral skin, so the skin blood flow increases and the skin temperature rises, and when it is cold, the blood sent to the skin is reduced and heat release is suppressed, so the skin blood flow decreases and the skin temperature also decreases. Since such thermoregulation mechanisms affect mental sweating, mental sweating needs to be measured at a temperature that is generally considered comfortable (20°C to 26°C). Simply put, the fluctuation factor may be evaluated based on the temperature of the measurement environment, but it is desirable to evaluate it from biological information taking into account individual differences, and skin temperature is a convenient method. For example, the skin temperature of the palm is about 30°C in a comfortable environment.
For example, if at least one of the skin temperature, body temperature, skin blood flow, and room temperature is below a predetermined value, that is, a "low temperature state," information about the low temperature can be output to call attention.

<Skin pressure sensor>
When measuring skin pressure as the parameter, a skin pressure sensor having a function of measuring pressure applied to the skin can be the parameter measurement sensor 100.
It is known that the sweating response can be suppressed by applying pressure to the skin. For example, when the skin pressure is at or above a certain value, a "high pressure state," information on this state can be output to alert the user.
There is also data that shows that mental sweating is significantly reduced by applying pressure to the back of the body, as if leaning the body against the back of a chair. It is desirable to place skin pressure sensors not only on the measurement site of mental sweating, but also on each part of the skin that may be subjected to pressure.

<Skin potential sensor>
When measuring skin potential as the parameter, the parameter measurement sensor 100 can be an electrodermal activity sensor having a function of measuring skin activity.
Electrodermal activity (EDA) is known as a parameter that indicates mental activity. It is generally believed that EDA is an electrical phenomenon caused by the activity of eccrine sweat glands that is modified by the state of the epidermis and sweat ducts, and is thought to be closely related to the phenomenon of sweating.
EDA is broadly divided into skin potential activity (SPA) and skin conductance activity (SCA), and skin potential activity (SPA) is further divided into skin potential level (SPL) and skin potential reflex (SPR).
The skin potential level (SPL) is the direct current component of skin potential activity (SPA), and SPL generally shows high negative values when the level of arousal is high (when excited), whereas in a drowsy or relaxed state, SPL tends to be positive.
Skin potential reflex (SPR) is an alternating current component of skin potential activity (SPA), and SPR occurs frequently when stimuli are caused by changes in the external environment such as pain, touch, hearing, and vision, as well as when deep breathing, moving the body, doing mental arithmetic, or thinking. It is said that the amplitude of SPR has an almost linear relationship with the strength of the stimulus.
Electrodermal activity is thought to reflect the function of sweating nerve activity, and by observing electrodermal activity, it is possible to qualitatively understand psychological sweating.
A skin electrodermal activity sensor can be implemented by using Ag-AgCl electrodes or the like to measure the potential difference between hairy and hairless areas.
Using common measurement methods, a normal level of arousal is said to be around -25mV. For example, if the SPL is a "low level of arousal" - closer to zero than -10mV - that information can be output to alert the user.

<EEG sensor>
When measuring an electroencephalogram as the parameter, an electroencephalogram sensor having a function of measuring an electroencephalogram can be the parameter measurement sensor 100 .
It is said that alpha waves of 8 to 13 Hz are a component of brain waves that increase when one is relaxed, and it has been confirmed that an increase in alpha waves occurs in sync with the SPL approaching zero. That is, for example, when there is a significant increase in alpha waves, this information can be output as a "low arousal level" to call attention.
It is known that low-potential waves of 2 to 7 Hz are detected during drowsiness or dozing, so this can be used as an indicator. In such a low-alertness state, it is highly likely that mental sweating is suppressed.

(Event trigger means 200)
The event trigger means 200 has a function of inducing mental sweating, and examples thereof include stress evaluation means for performing stress evaluation and risk perception ability evaluation means for performing risk perception ability evaluation.

<Stress assessment method>
An example of a stress assessment means is a stress assessment device that presents on a screen questions that evoke stressful situations, such as "Are you dissatisfied with your company or your boss?", or images that may be stressful, such as "An inquiry from your boss or a customer," and evaluates the subject's reaction to these questions and images.

<Measures for assessing risk perception ability>
An example of a danger perception ability evaluation means is a danger perception ability evaluation device that presents images of dangerous situations (such as a person jumping out into the road) and cautionary situations (such as a yellow traffic light or a group of children) during a simulated car drive using a simulator, and evaluates the subject's reaction to these images.

[Evaluation method using the above evaluation system]
As shown in FIG. 3, the evaluation method of the present invention includes a step (ST3') of measuring a parameter that is a cause of fluctuations in mental sweating using a parameter measurement sensor, a step (ST1) of inducing mental sweating by a stimulus via an event trigger means, a step (ST2) of measuring the mental sweating induced by the stimulus via the event trigger means using a mental sweating measurement sensor, a step (ST4) of evaluating the response to the stimulus via the event trigger means based on data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor, and a step (ST5') of determining the reliability of the evaluation based on the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor.
Here, the "data derived from the measurement value of the mental perspiration measurement sensor" in (ST4) means not only the measurement value data of the mental perspiration measurement sensor itself, but also data obtained by removing the baseline from the measurement value data or performing appropriate calculation processing on the measurement value data.

In (ST4), an increase in the amount of sweating due to the stimulation via the event trigger means is evaluated as "there is a reaction." For example, the cumulative amount of sweating for a few seconds before the stimulation via the event trigger means is compared with the cumulative amount of sweating for a few seconds after the stimulation is presented, and if the latter is greater, it can be evaluated as "there is a reaction." Alternatively, a positive differential value after the stimulation is presented can be evaluated as "there is a reaction." The method of determining from the trend of the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor is also equivalent, so the point where the measurement value crosses the moving average line of the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor for a few seconds can also be evaluated as "there is a reaction."

In (ST5'), for example, the "parameter reference value" stored in advance in the storage device is compared with the "measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor." If the measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor is not within the range of the parameter reference value, it is determined that the measurement value of the mental sweat measurement sensor obtained by measuring under that condition is a measurement value with large fluctuations. In other words, under that condition, it is highly likely that the amount of mental sweating in response to a stimulus via the event trigger means is different from the amount of mental sweating induced under normal conditions with small fluctuations, so it is determined that the reliability of the evaluation based on the measurement value of the mental sweating measurement sensor is low and an accurate evaluation cannot be performed (evaluation is not possible).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 comprises preparation processes (ST1') to (ST6') and evaluation processes (ST0) to (ST4).
Each step will be described below.

In (ST1'), the subject's personal data (age, gender, etc.) is entered via the input device 22 and stored in the storage device 18.

In (ST2'), the subject is asked to wear the parameter measurement sensor 100 and the mental sweat rate measurement sensor 1.

In (ST3'), the parameter that is a factor in fluctuations in mental sweating is measured using the parameter measurement sensor 100. As described above, it is preferable that the parameter is at least one selected from the group consisting of skin temperature, body temperature, skin blood flow, room temperature, skin pressure, skin potential, and brain waves. The measurement results by the parameter measurement sensor 100 are transmitted to the calculation device 19.

In (ST4'), the measurement results of (ST3') are used to perform calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of arbitrary numerical values, averaging of arbitrary intervals, differentiation and integration of arbitrary intervals, offset adjustment, and frequency analysis. It is also possible to perform multiple calculations.

In (ST5'), the reliability of the evaluation based on the measurement value of the mental perspiration rate measuring sensor is determined.
In (ST5'), for example, in the evaluation of risk perception ability in a simulated driving of a car using a simulator, the parameters "room temperature" and "skin potential" that are factors in fluctuations in mental sweating are measured. After confirming that the room temperature is 25.1°C ± 0.3°C, which is an appropriate temperature, and that the skin potential does not fall below -10 mV, the subject is asked to perform a simulated driving (steering wheel operation, accelerator and brake operation) while playing scenes such as "a person jumping out from the front", "discovering an oncoming vehicle", and "overtaking a bicycle" as event trigger means, and mental sweating during the simulated driving is measured. If the room temperature is low and/or the skin potential is below -10 mV, there is a high possibility that the amount of mental sweating of the subject in the normal state is suppressed, and there is a high possibility that it will not be measured accurately. Therefore, it is determined that an accurate evaluation cannot be performed (evaluation is not possible) in the state of the parameters. The determination result may be displayed on an output device in the form of "measurement error" or the like.
If it is determined as a result of the evaluation in ST5' that accurate information cannot be obtained from the evaluation based on the measurement value of the mental sweat measurement sensor under those conditions (evaluation is not possible), it is preferable to have a step (ST5'-a) of outputting the judgment result in the form of a "measurement error" or the like.
In (ST5'-a), it is preferable to instruct specific remedial measures such as "adjust the room temperature" and "check the wearing state." For example, if the measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor indicates "low level of awakening (i.e., sweating is suppressed)," it is preferable to encourage awakening and then proceed to the next step.

In (ST6'), a threshold value of mental sweating induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means for inducing mental sweating is determined and stored in the storage device.
It is preferable that the threshold value for psychological sweating induced by stimulation via the event trigger means is determined using at least one selected from the group consisting of the subject's personal data, the measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor, and the measurement value of psychological sweating induced by a test stimulation.
When the threshold value is determined using the measured value of psychological sweating induced by the test stimulus, the threshold value can be determined according to a rule such as "30% of the measured value of psychological sweating induced by the test stimulus is set as the threshold value."
When the threshold value is determined using the subject's personal data and the measured value of psychological sweating induced by the test stimulus, the threshold value can be determined, for example, taking into account the subject's age and sex, according to a rule such as "for young people who sweat a lot, the threshold value should be 30% of the measured value of psychological sweating induced by the test stimulus, and for elderly people who sweat a little, the threshold value should be 30% of the measured value of psychological sweating induced by the test stimulus."
It is also possible to determine that psychological sweating has been induced by the stimulation via the event trigger means based on the instantaneous value of the measured value of psychological sweating exceeding a threshold value immediately after the stimulation via the event trigger means.
Psychological sweating reflects the activity of the skin sympathetic nerves, and (1) the maximum and differential values of the continuously measured amount of sweating represent the strength of nerve activity, (2) the average and integral values of the continuously measured amount of sweating represent the amount of sweating output, and (3) the frequency of the continuously measured amount of sweating represents the frequency of nerve activity. Any of (1) to (3) above can be used to evaluate psychological sweating induced by an event trigger means. However, the responsiveness of the psychological sweating sensor changes depending on the flow rate of air supplied to the humidity sensor and the characteristics of the humidity sensor, and (1) and (3) above are easily affected by the characteristics of the device, so it is desirable to first consider (2) "the average and integral values of the continuously measured amount of sweating". On the other hand, in cases where stimuli are presented one after another, such as in the evaluation of danger recognition while driving a car, the amount of induced sweating may accumulate in (2), so it is desirable to perform the processing of (1) and (3) above.
The threshold value of mental sweating can be set for a numerical value that has been subjected to arithmetic processing such as (1), (2), and (3).

When the threshold value is determined using a measured value of psychological sweating induced by a test stimulus, it is preferable to add steps (ST51') to (ST55') in FIG.
In (ST51'), a test stimulus is applied to the subject. Hand grip, deep breathing, mental arithmetic, reciting numbers backwards, etc. can be used as the test stimulus. It is preferable to store the reference value of mental sweating caused by each test stimulus in a storage device in advance.
In (ST52'), the mental sweating rate induced by the test stimulus is measured using the mental sweating rate measuring sensor 1 attached in (ST2').
In (ST53'), the measurement result of (ST52') is used to perform arithmetic processing such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of any numerical value, averaging of any interval, differentiation and integration of any interval, offset adjustment, frequency analysis, etc. A plurality of arithmetic processings can also be performed.
In (ST54'), the reference value of mental perspiration due to the test stimulus stored in the storage device is compared with the measured value of the mental perspiration measuring sensor.
In (ST55'), the sensitivity of the mental sweating measuring sensor is adjusted based on the comparison result in (ST54'). For example, the measured value of the mental sweating measuring sensor can be multiplied or divided by an arbitrary numerical value to set a certain value, and the mental sweating induced by the stimulus via the event trigger means can be displayed as a percentage, with the value of the mental sweating induced when the test stimulus is applied being set to 100%.
In order to adjust the sensitivity of the mental sweating measuring sensor, the measured value of the mental sweating induced by the test stimulus and the measured value of the parameter measuring sensor may be used together. For example, when the measured value of the parameter measuring sensor indicates that the arousal level is low (i.e., sweating is suppressed), the sensitivity of the mental sweating measuring sensor can be adjusted to be high.

As mentioned above, psychological sweating is characterized by being easily fluctuated due to various factors such as individual differences, environment, and stress. However, in (ST6') and/or (ST55'), these "fluctuations" can be effectively eliminated by determining the threshold value for psychological sweating and/or adjusting the sensitivity of the psychological sweating measurement sensor using at least one selected from the group consisting of the subject's personal data, the measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor, and the measurement value of psychological sweating induced by the test stimulus.

As described above, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 comprises the preparation process (ST1') to (ST6') and the evaluation process (ST0) to (ST4). After the preparation process (ST1') to (ST6'), the event trigger means 200 is prepared at (ST0) and the evaluation process (ST0 to ST4) is started.

In (ST1), mental sweating is induced using an event trigger means 200 (stress assessment means, risk perception ability assessment means, etc.).

In (ST2), the mental sweating measurement sensor 1 is used to measure the mental sweating induced by the stimulation via the event trigger means.

In (ST3), the measurement results in (ST2) are used to perform arithmetic processing such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of any numerical value, averaging of any interval, differentiation and integration of any interval, offset adjustment, frequency analysis, and calculation of maximum value. Multiple arithmetic processing can also be performed.
Generally, when awake, psychological sweating occurs all the time and settles at a certain value (baseline) if no psychological stimulation is applied. This baseline is not necessary to evaluate psychological sweating induced by stimulation via an event trigger means (= response to a presented stimulation), so offset adjustment is effective.

In (ST4), the "threshold value of mental sweating induced by a stimulus via an event trigger means" previously stored in the storage device is compared with the "data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor", and if the data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor exceeds the threshold value, it is evaluated that there is a "response" to the stimulus.
By setting a threshold, it is possible to eliminate minor mental changes and electrical noise. It is effective to set a threshold when the increase in sweating (amount of reaction) is above a certain level.
If the data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor is less than the threshold value, it is determined that "mental sweating is induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means" and it is determined that "a reaction to a stimulus via the event trigger means exists" (ST41). After the determination, for example, in accordance with the event trigger means, an output such as "the person can appropriately recognize dangerous situations and situations requiring caution when driving a car" or "Stress factors in the workplace include 'A, B, C...'" is produced.
If the data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor is greater than the threshold value, it is determined that "mental sweating is not induced by the stimulus via the event trigger means" and it is determined that "there is no reaction to the stimulus via the event trigger means" (ST42). After the determination, for example, in accordance with the event trigger means, an output such as "the person is unable to appropriately recognize dangerous situations and cautionary situations while driving a car" or "there are no particular stress factors at work" is made.
As a specific example, FIG. 6 shows a part of the risk perception ability evaluation process in a simulated car driving using a simulator. The upper part (a) of FIG. 6 shows measurement data obtained by measuring mental sweating during the simulated driving (steering wheel operation, accelerator and brake operation) while displaying scenes such as "a person rushing out from the front", "discovery of an oncoming vehicle", and "overtaking a bicycle" as images using the event trigger means. As shown in the upper part (a) of FIG. 6, it can be seen that the amount of sweating of elderly people is extremely small compared to young people. This is due to the decrease in mental sweating due to aging. The middle part (b) of FIG. 6 shows data displayed as a percentage of the amount of sweating during the hand grip test, which is set to 100%, after removing the baseline. The lower part (c) of FIG. 6 shows waveform data obtained by differentiating the middle part (b) of FIG. 6. The threshold value is set to 1 for young people and 0.5 for elderly people, and when the waveform data in the lower part (c) of FIG. 6 exceeds the threshold value, it is evaluated as "there is a reaction (the danger is recognized)".

If the amount of sweating is already large before mental sweating is induced by the stimulation via the event trigger means 200, the person is in a state of hypertension, and since it is impossible to distinguish whether the mental sweating is induced by the stimulation via the event trigger means 200 or is due to the influence of the original state of hypertension, it is preferable to evaluate mental sweating after the amount of sweating has stabilized. Specifically, it is preferable to add each of the steps (ST1") to (ST3") in Fig. 7 as a step preceding (ST1).
In (ST1''), the mental sweating rate measuring sensor 1 is used to measure mental sweating rate before it is induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means.
In (ST2''), the measurement results of (ST1'') are used to perform arithmetic processing such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of any numerical value, averaging of any interval, differentiation and integration of any interval, offset adjustment, and frequency analysis. It is also possible to perform multiple arithmetic processing.
In (ST3"), a reference value of mental sweating before being induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means stored in a storage device is compared with the measured value of the mental sweating measuring sensor 1. If the measured value exceeds the reference value, it is preferable not to proceed to (ST1) but to repeat (ST1") to (ST3") to confirm that the measured value of mental sweating falls within the reference value and the amount of sweating has stabilized, and then to evaluate the mental sweating in response to the stimulus via the event trigger means.
Psychological sweating is a phenomenon that varies greatly from person to person, and the reference value for psychological sweating herein means the reference value for a subject.

When performing measurement over a long period of time, there is a possibility that the level of alertness may decrease or the body temperature may fluctuate due to the influence of fatigue, etc., so when the comparison result of (ST4) is "psychological sweating threshold value > measured value of mental sweating measurement sensor", it is preferable to add each of the steps (ST41') to (ST43') in Figure 8 before determining (ST42).
In (ST41'), the parameter measurement sensor 100 evaluates the parameters (such as the level of alertness and body temperature).
In (ST42'), the reference values of the parameters stored in the storage device are compared with the measured values of the parameter measuring sensors to determine whether the subject's alertness and body temperature are within the range of the reference values.
In (ST43'), if it is determined in (ST42') that the parameter is not within the range of the standard value, adjustments are made to factors that affect the parameter that is out of the standard value (for example, by promoting wakefulness or adjusting the room temperature), and/or the sensitivity of the mental sweat measurement sensor is readjusted, and/or the mental sweat threshold is readjusted, and the evaluation is continued again with steps (ST1) to (ST4).

There is a possibility that the measurement of the amount of sweating in response to a stimulus via an event trigger means may or may not result in a reaction by chance. In order to further improve the evaluation accuracy, it is preferable to measure the amount of sweating in response to a stimulus via the same type of event trigger means multiple times and confirm the reproducibility. Specifically, it is preferable to add a repeatability confirmation process of (ST51) to (ST61) or (ST52) to (ST62) in FIG. 8 as a pre-process before the evaluation determination in (ST41) and (ST42).
If it is determined in (ST61) or (ST62) that there is no reproducibility, it is preferable to return to (ST1'') and continue the evaluation again through the steps including (ST1'') to (ST3'') and (ST1) to (ST4).
The confirmation of repeatability may be performed over several days, not consecutively in a short period of time. When the confirmation of repeatability is to be performed again at a later date, the current measurement result may be recorded in a storage device together with the corresponding stimulation via the event trigger means. When the confirmation of repeatability is to be performed again at a later date, it is preferable to return to (ST2') and continue the evaluation again through the steps including (ST2') to (ST6') and (ST1) to (ST4), since the sensor may be reattached or the environment may change.

The evaluation system configured as described above can perform stable and highly accurate evaluations in stress evaluations using a mental sweat measurement sensor, cognitive behavior evaluations while driving, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Psychological perspiration measurement sensor 2 Opening 3 Housing capsule 4 Intake hole 5 Mixing chamber 6 Exhaust hole 7 First humidity sensor 8 Second humidity sensor 13 Blower 14 Flexible pipe 15 Box 16 Box 17 Flexible pipe 18 Storage device 19 Arithmetic device 20 Output device 21 Control device 22 Input device 100 Parameter measurement sensor 200 Event trigger means

Claims (20)

A mental sweating measurement sensor that measures mental sweating;
A parameter measurement sensor that measures a parameter that is a factor of the fluctuation of the mental sweating;
An event trigger means for inducing mental sweating;
a computing device having a function of evaluating a response to a stimulus via the event trigger means based on a measurement value of the mental sweat rate measuring sensor, and a function of determining reliability of the evaluation,
The evaluation system, wherein the parameter is at least one selected from the group consisting of skin blood flow, skin pressure, skin potential, and electroencephalogram. a storage device for storing reference values of the parameters;
The evaluation system according to claim 1 , wherein the judgment is made by comparing the reference value with the measured value of the parameter measuring sensor. The evaluation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computing device has a function of determining a threshold value of mental sweating induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means, and a function of comparing data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor with the threshold value. The evaluation system according to claim 2, wherein the computing device has a function for adjusting the reference values of the parameters. The evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the event trigger means is a stress evaluation means for performing a stress evaluation. The evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the event trigger means is a risk perception ability evaluation means for performing a risk perception ability evaluation. The evaluation system according to claim 3, further comprising a correction means for correcting the threshold of mental sweating induced by stimulation via the event trigger means and/or the sensitivity of the mental sweating measurement sensor to suit the subject. The evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an output device that outputs the calculation results of the calculation device. The evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a computing device reproducibility confirmation means for confirming the reproducibility of the computation results of the computing device. The evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mental sweat measurement sensor comprises an air supply means, a capsule that mixes in its internal space the sweat dispersed from the skin surface of the subject with the air supplied from the air supply means while the opening is in close contact with the skin surface of the subject, an exhaust passage that exhausts to the outside of the capsule a mixed gas formed by mixing the sweat with the air supplied from the air supply means in the internal space of the capsule, and a measuring means that measures the amount of sweat on the skin surface based on the difference between the humidity of the air supplied from the air supply means to the capsule and the humidity of the mixed gas exhausted from the exhaust passage. A method for operating an evaluation system including a parameter measuring sensor, an event trigger means, a mental sweat measuring sensor, a computing device, and a storage device, comprising:
A step of measuring a parameter that is a factor of fluctuation in mental sweating by the parameter measuring sensor;
A step of the event trigger means inducing mental sweating by stimulation;
A step of measuring mental sweating induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means using the mental sweating measuring sensor;
A step of evaluating a response to a stimulus via the event trigger means based on data derived from a measurement value of the mental sweat rate measuring sensor by the computing device ;
The computing device determines the reliability of the evaluation;
A method for operating an evaluation system, wherein the parameter is at least one selected from the group consisting of skin blood flow, skin pressure, skin potential, and electroencephalogram. The storage device includes a step of storing a reference value of the parameter,
The method for operating the evaluation system according to claim 11 , wherein the computing device makes the determination by comparing the reference value with the measured value of the parameter measuring sensor. The computing device determines a threshold value of mental sweating induced by a stimulus via the event trigger means, and the storage device stores the threshold value;
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the calculation device performs the evaluation by comparing the mental sweating threshold value stored in the storage device with data derived from the measurement value of the mental sweating measuring sensor. The mental sweat rate measuring sensor continuously measures the mental sweat rate a plurality of times in the step of measuring the mental sweat rate;
14. The method for operating the evaluation system according to claim 11, wherein the calculation device evaluates the response to the stimulus based on a change in the measured value obtained by the multiple, consecutive measurements. The method for operating the evaluation system according to claim 12, further comprising a step in which the computing device compares the reference value with the measured value of the parameter measuring sensor, and outputs error information if the measured value falls outside the range of the reference value. The method for operating the evaluation system according to claim 15, wherein the error information warns that the fluctuation of the mental sweating is large and that the mental sweating induced by the stimulation via the event trigger means is different from the mental sweating induced by the stimulation in a subject under normal conditions. The method of operating the evaluation system according to claim 12, wherein the computing device adjusts the reference value and/or adjusts the sensitivity of the psycho-emotion measuring sensor using at least one selected from the group consisting of personal data of the subject, the measurement value of the parameter measuring sensor, and the measurement value of psycho-emotion induced by a test stimulus. The method for operating the evaluation system according to claim 13, wherein the computing device calculates and/or adjusts the threshold value using at least one selected from the group consisting of personal data of the subject, the measurement value of the parameter measurement sensor, and the measurement value of psychological sweating induced by a test stimulus. The event trigger means is a stress evaluation means for performing a stress evaluation,
19. A method for operating an evaluation system according to claim 11, wherein stress evaluation is performed by each of said steps. The event trigger means is a risk perception ability evaluation means for performing a risk perception ability evaluation,
A method for operating an evaluation system according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein risk perception ability evaluation is performed by each of the steps.