JP7726142B2 - Awakening support system, awakening support method, and awakening support program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an awakening assistance system, an awakening assistance method, and an awakening assistance program.

In recent years, optical alarm clocks that use light to wake up sleepers have been proposed as alarm clocks that allow them to wake up comfortably.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes a light alarm clock that can wake up a sleeper by changing the timing at which light starts to be emitted in accordance with the depth of sleep of the sleeper.

JP 2013-104831 A

The optical alarm clock disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 changes the timing at which light starts to be emitted, but does not allow for adjustment of the maximum brightness at the time of waking. As a result, if the brightness of the optical alarm clock does not suit the user, there is a risk that the user will not be able to wake up comfortably.

This disclosure has been made in light of these circumstances, and provides an awakening assistance system, an awakening assistance method, and an awakening assistance program that promote a more comfortable awakening.

The awakening assistance system according to the present disclosure includes:
1. A wake-up assistance system that shifts a user from a sleep state to a wake-up state by irradiating the user with light from a light source,
learning brightness information based on the brightness of the light source at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period;
Based on the learning results, the brightness of the light source at the target wake-up time preset by the user is determined.

The awakening assistance system disclosed herein learns the brightness information of a light source at the user's awakening timing, and then irradiates the user with light of the learned brightness from the light source at a preset target awakening time. Therefore, by irradiating the user with light of an appropriate brightness, it is possible to encourage a more comfortable awakening.

The wake-up assistance system further measures the brightness of the surrounding environment,
the brightness information is brightness obtained by subtracting brightness of the surrounding environment from brightness of the light source at the time when the user wakes up,
The brightness of the surrounding environment may be detected at the target wake-up time, and the brightness of the light source may be determined based on the brightness of the learning result.
With this configuration, the brightness of the light source can be adjusted so that the brightness perceived by the user remains the same even if the indoor environment changes, for example, thereby promoting a more comfortable awakening.

The awakening assistance system further determines a direction of the user's face,
the brightness information is brightness obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source based on the orientation of the face at the time when the user wakes up,
The direction of the user's face may be detected at the target awakening time, and the brightness of the light source may be determined based on the learning result.
With this configuration, the brightness of the light source is adjusted so that the brightness perceived by the user remains the same even when the user turns over in bed, for example, thereby promoting a more comfortable awakening.

If the user remains asleep for a predetermined time or more after the target wake-up time, the brightness of the light source may be changed to its maximum value. With this configuration, even if the user is unable to wake up at the preset target wake-up time, the brightness of the light source can be adjusted to its maximum brightness after the predetermined time, forcing the user to wake up.

The awakening assistance method according to the present disclosure includes:
1. A wake-up assistance method for transitioning a user from a sleeping state to an awake state by irradiating the user with light from a light source, comprising:
learning brightness information based on the brightness of the light source at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period;
Based on the learning results, the computer executes a process to determine the brightness of the light source at the target wake-up time preset by the user.

The awakening assistance method disclosed herein learns the brightness information of a light source at the user's awakening timing, and then irradiates the user with light of the learned brightness from the light source at a preset target awakening time. Therefore, by irradiating the user with light of an appropriate brightness, the user can be encouraged to awaken more comfortably.

The awakening assistance program according to the present disclosure includes:
1. A wake-up assistance program for transitioning a user from a sleep state to an wake-up state by irradiating the user with light from a light source,
learning brightness information based on the brightness of the light source at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period;
The computer is caused to execute a process for determining the brightness of the light source at the target wake-up time preset by the user based on the learning result.

The awakening assistance program disclosed herein learns the brightness information of a light source at the user's awakening timing, and then irradiates the user with light of the learned brightness from the light source at a preset target awakening time. Therefore, by irradiating the user with light of an appropriate brightness, the user can be encouraged to awaken more comfortably.

This disclosure provides an awakening assistance system, awakening assistance method, and awakening assistance program that promotes a more comfortable awakening.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an awakening assistance system 10 according to a first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an awakening assistance method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an awakening assistance system 20 according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an awakening assistance method according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an awakening assistance system 30 according to a second embodiment. 10 is an example showing a first correction angle p and a second correction angle y according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an awakening assistance method according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an awakening assistance device 40 according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an awakening assistance method according to a fourth embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
<Awakening Support System>
First, an awakening assistance system 10 according to a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the awakening assistance system 10 according to the first embodiment. The awakening assistance system 10 includes a learning unit 12 and a determination unit 13. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the light source 11 is not included in the awakening assistance system 10, but this is not limiting and the light source 11 may be included in the awakening assistance system 10. The awakening assistance system 10 irradiates the user with light from the light source 11, thereby transitioning the user from a sleeping state to a waking state. The timing at which the user transitions from a sleeping state to a waking state is referred to as the awakening timing.

Light source 11 emits light toward the user. Light source 11 may be, for example, an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light. Light source 11 may be at least one light source. Furthermore, when two or more light sources are used, different types of light sources may be used. The color of light emitted by light source 11 is, for example, a bluish color that is easy on the eyes. However, the color is not limited to this and may also be an incandescent color.

The brightness of the light source 11 fades in from the irradiation start time Ts preset by the user toward the target wake-up time _Tg preset by the user. The brightness B of the light source 11 at time T ( _Ts ≦T≦ _Tg ) on the n+1th day (n is an integer of 1 or more and represents the number of days) is expressed using the following equation 1:

...Equation 1

Here, T _s is the irradiation start time of the light source 11 set by the user on the n+1th day.
T _g is the target wake-up time set by the user on the n+1th day.
B _g1 is the brightness of the learning result up to the nth day.

The brightness B of the light source 11 expressed using the above formula 1 is calculated by linearly interpolating the learned brightness B _g1 so that the light source 11 starts emitting light at time _Ts and reaches the learned brightness B _g1 at time _Tg . However, the format for interpolating the brightness B _g1 is not limited to this, and polynomial interpolation, Lagrange interpolation, or Newtonian interpolation may also be used. For example, when the brightness B is calculated by quadratically interpolating the brightness B _g1 , the brightness B of the light source 11 changes more significantly over time.
Here, the brightness _Bg1 is expressed using the following equation 2.

...Equation 2

however,
B _x is the brightness of the light source 11 at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).

The brightness B _g1 expressed using Equation 2 is the average value of the brightness B _x of the light source 11 at the wake-up timing for n days.

The brightness B _g1 on the first day when the user starts using the awakening assistance system 10 is not the brightness obtained as a result of learning but is a predetermined initial value. The brightness B _g1 obtained as a result of learning on the second day and thereafter when the user starts using the awakening assistance system 10 is expressed using the above formula 2 and is the brightness obtained as a result of learning by the learning unit 12, which will be described later.

The learning unit 12 learns brightness information based on the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 at the wake-up timing for a predetermined period. Furthermore, the determination unit 13 determines the brightness B of the light source at the target wake-up time _Tg based on the brightness _Bg1 obtained as a result of learning. The brightness information learned by the learning unit 12 is not limited to the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 at the wake-up timing itself, and may be brightness obtained by correcting the brightness _Bx , as in the embodiment described below.
1 , when the light source 11 is not included in the awakening assistance system 10, the control signal for the light source brightness B determined by the determination unit 13 is transmitted to the light source 11. In this case, the light source 11 may include a control unit (not shown), and the control unit may receive the control signal for the light source brightness B from the determination unit 13 and control the brightness of the light source 11.
On the other hand, when the light source 11 is included in the awakening assistance system 10, the determination unit 13 may determine and control the brightness B of the light source 11.
Furthermore, the method of transmission and reception between the light source 11 and the awakening assistance system 10 may be wired or wireless. The wireless network includes, for example, a wireless communication network using a communication line standard such as LTE. The wireless network may also include a wireless communication network such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a fifth-generation mobile communication system.

An example of learning by the learning unit 12 will be described with reference to Table 1. Table 1 is a table showing an example of learning by the learning unit 12 according to embodiment 1. Table 1 shows examples of the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 at the timing of awakening for 10 days when the awakening assistance system 10 according to embodiment 1 was used. For example, on the third day shown in Table 1, the brightness _B3 of the light source 11 at the timing of awakening is 66 lux. In other words, on the third day shown in Table 1, the user transitioned from a sleeping state to an awakening state at the timing when light with a brightness of 66 lux was emitted from the light source 11.

The learning unit 12 stores the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 at the awakening timing for 10 days shown in Table 1. Here, the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 at the awakening timing may be saved in a database (not shown).

The determination unit 13 determines the brightness B of the light source 11 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day based on the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 shown in Table 1. The brightness B of the light source 11 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day is the learned brightness _Bg1 . Furthermore, the learned brightness _Bg1 is an average value of the brightness _Bx as shown in Equation 2. With reference to Table 1 and Equation 2, the learned brightness _Bg1 is 56 lux.

The brightness _Bg1 of the learning result is not limited to the average value of the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 at the awakening timing. For example, the brightness _Bg1 of the learning result may be the maximum or minimum value of the brightness _Bx of the light source 11 at the awakening timing.

The learning unit 12 can also select the days to learn. For example, assume that the user wakes up at 8:00 PM on the fourth day shown in Table 1, and wakes up at 7:00 AM on the other days. In this case, the learning unit 12 may learn brightness levels B _{1 to B 3} and brightness levels B _{5 to B 10} , excluding brightness level B ₄ .

Furthermore, the learning unit 12 can reset the days to be learned. For example, suppose that the commuting location for days 4 to 10 shown in Table 1 is different from the commuting location for days 1 to 3 shown in Table 1, and the wake-up time has changed. In this case, the learning unit 12 may learn the brightness levels B4 _{to B10 for days 4 to 10 to be learned, rather than learning the brightness levels B1 to B3} before the wake-up time changed. In this case, the learning unit 12 may transfer the brightness levels _{B1 to B3} that are not to be learned to a database (not shown).

When the user has been asleep for a predetermined time or longer since the target awakening time _Tg , the determination unit 13 may change the brightness B of the light source 11 to the maximum value. At this time, the determination unit 13 may change the color of the light that the light source 11 irradiates toward the user.

<Wake-up support method>
Next, a description will be given of the awakening assistance method according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the awakening assistance method according to embodiment 1.

First, the learning unit 12 learns brightness information based on the brightness B _x (step ST1). Next, the determination unit 13 determines the brightness B of the light source 11 at the target awakening time T _g based on the learned brightness B _g1 (step ST2).

The awakening assistance system 10 according to embodiment 1 may be distributed across multiple devices or physically located in a single device.

In this way, the awakening assistance system 10 according to embodiment 1 learns the brightness information of the light source 11 at the user's awakening timings over a predetermined period, and irradiates the user with light of the learned brightness from the light source 11 at a predetermined target awakening time. In other words, by using the awakening assistance system according to embodiment 1, light of an appropriate brightness is irradiated onto the user, thereby promoting a more comfortable awakening.

(Embodiment 2)
<Awakening Support System>
Next, an awakening assistance system 20 according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the awakening assistance system 20 according to the second embodiment. The awakening assistance system 20 includes an illuminance sensor 23, a learning unit 22, and a determination unit 24. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the light source 21 is not included in the awakening assistance system 20, but this is not a limitation, and the light source 21 may be included in the awakening assistance system 20. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the illuminance sensor 23 is included in the awakening assistance system 20, but this is not a limitation, and the illuminance sensor 23 may not be included in the awakening assistance system 20. The awakening assistance system 20 transitions the user from a sleeping state to an awakening state by irradiating the user with light from the light source 21.

The illuminance sensor 23 measures the brightness of the user's surrounding environment. At least one illuminance sensor 23 is installed in the user's surrounding environment. When multiple illuminance sensors 23 are installed in the user's surrounding environment, the brightness of the user's surrounding environment is determined as the average value of the multiple illuminance sensors 23, the maximum value of the multiple illuminance sensors 23, or the minimum value of the multiple illuminance sensors 23. The illuminance sensor 23 is, for example, a light meter, a terminal device, or a smartwatch. The more illuminance sensors 23 installed in the user's surrounding environment, the higher the accuracy of the brightness of the user's surrounding environment determined by the illuminance sensor 23.

The brightness perceived by the user at the awakening timing is the brightness obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21. The brightness _Bf2 obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 is expressed by the following equation 3.

...Equation 3

where B is the brightness of the light source 21.
E is the brightness of the user's surrounding environment measured by the illuminance sensor 23 .
a is a constant for calculating the brightness perceived by the user, and is defined by the distance from the light source 21 to the user, etc.

The brightness of the light source 21 fades in from the irradiation start time Ts preset by the user toward the target wake-up time _Tg preset by the user. The brightness B of the light source 11 at time T ( _Ts ≦T≦ _Tg ) on the n+1th day (n is an integer of 1 or more and represents the number of days) is expressed using the following equation 4:

...Equation 4

Here, T _s is the irradiation start time of the light source 21 set by the user on the n+1th day.
T _g is the target wake-up time set by the user on the n+1th day.
E _T is the brightness of the user's surrounding environment measured by the illuminance sensor 23 at time T on the n+1th day.
a is a constant for calculating the brightness perceived by the user, and is defined by the distance from the light source 21 to the user, etc.
B _g2 is the brightness of the learning result up to the nth day.

The brightness B of the light source 21 expressed using the above equation 4 is calculated by linearly interpolating the learned brightness _Bg2 so that the light source 21 starts emitting light at time _Ts and the brightness at time _Tg is ( _Bg2 + E _Tg )/a based on the learned brightness _Bg2 . However, the format for interpolating the brightness _Bg2 is not limited to this, and polynomial interpolation, Lagrange interpolation, or Newtonian interpolation may also be used. For example, when the brightness B of the light source 21 is calculated by quadratically interpolating the brightness _Bg2 , the brightness B of the light source 21 changes more significantly as time passes.
Here, the brightness _Bg2 is expressed using the following equation 5.

...Equation 5

Here, _Bf2x is the brightness obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
B _x is the brightness of the light source 21 at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
E _x is the brightness of the illuminance sensor 23 at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
a is a constant for calculating the brightness perceived by the user, and is defined by the distance from the light source 21 to the user, etc.

The brightness B _g2 expressed using Equation 5 is the average value of the brightness B _f2x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 at the awakening timing for n days.

The brightness B _g2 on the first day when the user starts using the awakening assistance system 10 is not the brightness obtained as a result of learning but is a predetermined initial value. The brightness B _g1 obtained as a result of learning on the second day and thereafter when the user starts using the awakening assistance system 20 is expressed using the above formula 5 and is the brightness obtained as a result of learning by the learning unit 22, which will be described later.

The learning unit 22 learns the brightness B _f2x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period. Furthermore, the determination unit 24 determines the brightness B of the light source at the target awakening time T _g based on the brightness B _g2 obtained as a result of the learning.
Here, the method of transmitting and receiving information between the light source 21 and the awakening assistance system 20 and the method of controlling the light source 21 by the decision unit 24 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

An example of learning by the learning unit 22 will be described with reference to Table 2. Table 2 is a table showing an example of learning by the learning unit 22 according to embodiment 2. Table 2 shows the brightness at each awakening timing for 10 days when the awakening assistance system 20 according to embodiment 2 was used. In Table 2, the constant a for calculating the brightness perceived by the user is set to 1. For example, on the third day shown in Table 2, the brightness B _f23 obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 at the awakening timing of the user is 41 lux. In other words, this indicates that the user transitioned from a sleeping state to an awakening state at the timing when light with a brightness of 66 lux was irradiated from the light source 21.

The learning unit 22 stores the brightness _Bx of the light source 21 at the awakening timing and the brightness _Ex of the user's surrounding environment at the awakening timing for 10 days shown in Table 2. Here, the brightness _Bx of the light source 21 at the awakening timing and the brightness _Ex of the user's surrounding environment at the awakening timing may be stored in a database (not shown).

The learning unit 22 subtracts the brightness E _x of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness B _x of the light source 21 shown in Table 2 to calculate the brightness B _f2x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21. For example, on the third day shown in Table 2, the learning unit 22 subtracts the brightness E ₃ of the surrounding environment, which is 25 lux, from the brightness B ₃ of the light source 21, which is 66 lux, to calculate the brightness B _f23 obtained by subtracting the brightness of the surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 as 41 lux.

The determination unit 24 determines the brightness B of the light source 21 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day based on the brightness _Bf2x shown in Table 2. The brightness B of the light source 21 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day is a brightness based on the learned brightness _Bg2 , and is given by ( _Bg2 +E _Tg )/a. Furthermore, the learned brightness _Bg2 is an average value of the brightness _Bf2x as shown in Equation 5. With reference to Table 2 and Equation 5, the learned brightness _Bg2 is 41 lux.

The brightness B _g2 of the learning result is not limited to the average value of the brightness B _f2x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 at the time of awakening. For example, the brightness of the learning result B _g2 may be the maximum or minimum value of the brightness B _f2x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 at the time of awakening.

Other configurations and operations of the learning unit 22 and the determination unit 24 are similar to those of the learning unit 12 and the determination unit 13 in embodiment 1, and therefore will not be described here.

<Wake-up support method>
Next, a description will be given of an awakening assistance method according to embodiment 2. Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the awakening assistance method according to embodiment 2.

First, the illuminance sensor 23 detects the brightness E _x of the user's surrounding environment (step ST01). Next, the learning unit 22 learns the brightness B _f2x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 21 at the user's awakening timing during a predetermined period (step ST02). Next, the determination unit 24 determines the brightness B of the light source 21 at the target awakening time T _g based on the learned brightness B _g2 (step ST03).

The awakening assistance system 20 according to embodiment 2 may be distributed across multiple devices or physically located in a single device.

In this way, the awakening assistance system 20 according to the second embodiment learns the brightness B _f2x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period. The awakening assistance system 20 irradiates the user with light B from the light source 21 at a predetermined target awakening time T _g with a brightness based on the learned brightness B _g2 . In other words, by using the awakening assistance system 20, the brightness perceived by the user is not affected by, for example, changes in the indoor environment, changes in wake-up time, or seasonal changes in brightness. In other words, by using the awakening assistance system 20, the brightness of the light source 21 is adjusted so that the user's perceived brightness remains constant, thereby promoting a more pleasant awakening.

(Embodiment 3)
<Awakening Support System>
Next, an awakening assistance system 30 according to a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the awakening assistance system 30 according to the second embodiment. The awakening assistance system 30 includes an image sensor 33, a learning unit 32, and a determination unit 34. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the light source 31 is not included in the awakening assistance system 30, but this is not a limitation, and the light source 31 may be included in the awakening assistance system 30. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the image sensor 33 is included in the awakening assistance system 30, but this is not a limitation, and the image sensor 33 may not be included in the awakening assistance system 30. The awakening assistance system 30 transitions the user from a sleep state to an awakening state by irradiating the user with light from the light source 31.

The image sensor 33 determines the orientation of the user's face. At least one image sensor 33 is installed in the user's surrounding environment. The more image sensors 33 installed in the surrounding environment, the higher the accuracy of the image sensor 33's determination of the orientation of the user's face. The image sensor 33 may be, for example, a camera installed in the room, a terminal device, or a smartwatch.

The brightness perceived by the user at the awakening timing is the brightness obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 31 based on the orientation of the user's face. The brightness _Bf3 obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 31 based on the orientation of the user's face is expressed by the following Equation 6.
...Equation 6

where B is the brightness of the light source 31 .
l is the shortest distance between the light source 31 and the face.
p is the first correction angle.
y is the second correction angle.
L(l) is the correlation function between distance and angle.
θ(p, y) is the correlation function between angle and illuminance.

The first correction angle p and the second correction angle y will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is an example showing the first correction angle p and the second correction angle y according to embodiment 3. A line extending the shortest distance l between the light source 31 and the face 36 is designated as line L1. A line parallel to the z-axis direction in Figure 6 and extending from the face center point A1 is designated as line L2. A line connecting the face center point A1 and the eye 35 is designated as line L3. The first correction angle p is the angle between line L1 and line L2. The second correction angle y is the angle between line L2 and line L3.

The light source 31 fades in brightness from an irradiation start time Ts preset by the user toward a target wake-up time _Tg preset by the user. The brightness B of the light source 31 at time T ( _Ts ≦T≦ _Tg ) on the n+1th day (n is an integer of 1 or more and represents the number of days) is expressed using the following equation 7:

...Equation 7

Here, T _s is the irradiation start time of the light source 21 set by the user on the n+1th day.
T _g is the target wake-up time set by the user on the n+1th day.
l _T is the shortest distance between the light source 31 and the face at time T on the n+1th day.
p _T is the first correction angle at time T on the n+1th day.
y _T is the second correction angle at time T on the n+1th day.
L(l _T ) is the correlation value between the distance and the angle at time T on the n+1th day.
θ(p _T , y _T ) is the correlation value between the angle and the illuminance at time T on the n+1th day.
B _g3 is the brightness of the learning result up to the nth day.

The brightness B of the light source 31 expressed using the above equation 7 is calculated by linearly interpolating the learned brightness Bg3 so that the light source ₃₁ starts emitting light at time _Ts and the brightness _Bg3 based on the learned brightness _Bg3 at time Tg is _Bg3 /(L( _lTg )θ( _pTg , _yTg )). However, the format for interpolating the brightness _Bg3 is not limited to this, and polynomial interpolation, Lagrange interpolation, or Newtonian interpolation may also be used. For example, when the brightness B is calculated by quadratically interpolating the brightness _Bg3 , the brightness B of the light source 31 changes more significantly as time passes.
Here, the brightness _Bg3 is expressed using the following equation 8.

...Equation 8

Here, _Bf3x is the brightness of the light source 31 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
B _x is the brightness of the light source 31 at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
l _x is the shortest distance between the light source 31 and the face at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
p _x is the first correction angle at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
y _x is the second correction angle at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
L(l _x ) is the correlation value between the distance and the angle at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
θ(p _x , y _x ) is the correlation value between the angle and the illuminance at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).

The brightness B _g3 expressed using Equation 8 is the average value of the brightness B _f3x obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 31 based on the orientation of the user's face at the awakening timing for n days.

The brightness B _g3 on the first day when the user starts using the awakening assistance system 30 is not the brightness obtained as a result of learning but is a predetermined initial value. The brightness B _g3 obtained as a result of learning on the second day and thereafter when the user starts using the awakening assistance system 30 is expressed using the above formula 8 and is the brightness obtained as a result of learning by the learning unit 32, which will be described later.

The learning unit 32 learns brightness B _f3x corrected based on the orientation of the user's face from the brightness of the light source 31 at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period. Furthermore, the determination unit 34 determines brightness B of the light source at the target awakening time T _g based on brightness B _g3 obtained as a result of the learning.
Here, the method of transmitting and receiving information between the light source 31 and the awakening assistance system 30 and the method of controlling the light source 31 by the decision unit 34 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

An example of learning by the learning unit 32 will be described with reference to Table 3. Table 3 is a table showing an example of learning by the learning unit 32 according to embodiment 3. Table 3 shows the brightness at each awakening timing for 10 days when the awakening assistance system 30 according to embodiment 3 was used. For example, on the third day shown in Table 3, the brightness B _f33 at the awakening timing of the user, which is the brightness of the light source 31 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face, is 37 lux. In other words, this indicates that the user transitioned from a sleeping state to an awakening state at the timing when light with a brightness of 66 lux was irradiated from the light source 31.

The learning unit 32 stores the brightness _Bx of the light source 31 at the wake-up timing for 10 days shown in Table 3, the correlation value L( _lx ) between the distance and the angle at the wake-up timing, and the correlation value θ( _px , _yx ) between the angle and the illuminance at the wake-up timing. Here, the brightness _Bx of the light source 31 at the wake-up timing, the correlation value L( _lx ) between the distance and the angle at the wake-up timing, and the correlation value θ( _px , _yx ) between the angle and the illuminance at the wake-up timing may be saved in a database (not shown).

The learning unit 32 calculates brightness _Bf3x by correcting brightness _Bx of light source 31 shown in Table 3 based on the orientation of the user's face. For example, on the third day shown in Table 2, the learning unit 32 multiplies 66 lux, which is brightness B3 of light source 31, by _0.7 , which is the correlation value L( _l3 ) between distance and angle, and 0.8, which is the correlation value θ( _p3 , _y3 ) between angle and illuminance. As a result, the learning unit 32 calculates brightness _Bf33 , which is brightness of light source 31 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face, as 37 lux. Note that in Table 3, brightness _Bf3x , which is brightness _Bx of light source 31 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face and which is calculated by the learning unit 32, is rounded to the nearest integer.

The determination unit 34 determines the brightness B of the light source 31 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day based on the brightness _Bf3x shown in Table 3. The brightness B of the light source 31 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day is a brightness based on the learned brightness _Bg3 , and is expressed as _Bg3 /(L( _lTg )θ( _pTg , _yTg )). Furthermore, the learned brightness _Bg3 is an average value of the brightness _Bf3x as shown in Equation 8. With reference to Table 3 and Equation 8, the learned brightness _Bg3 is 33 lux. However, the learned brightness _Bg3 is rounded to the nearest integer.

The brightness B _g3 of the learning result is not limited to the average value of the brightness B _f3x obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 31 based on the orientation of the user's face at the time of awakening. For example, the brightness of the learning result B _g3 may be the maximum or minimum value of the brightness B _f3x obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 31 based on the orientation of the user's face at the time of awakening.

Other configurations and operations of the learning unit 32 and the determination unit 34 are similar to those of the learning unit 12 and the determination unit 13 in embodiment 1, and therefore will not be described here.

<Wake-up support method>
Next, a description will be given of an awakening assistance method according to embodiment 3. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the awakening assistance method according to embodiment 3.

First, image sensor 33 detects the orientation of the user's face (step ST001). Next, learning unit 32 learns brightness B _f3x obtained by correcting the brightness of light source 31 for a predetermined period based on the orientation of the user's face (step ST002). Next, determination unit 34 determines brightness B of light source 21 at target awakening time T _g based on brightness B _g3 obtained as a result of learning (step ST003).

The awakening assistance system 30 according to embodiment 3 may be distributed across multiple devices or physically located in a single device.

In this way, the awakening assistance system 30 according to the third embodiment learns brightness B _f3x obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 31 based on the orientation of the user's face at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period. The awakening assistance system 30 irradiates the user with light B from the light source 31 at a predetermined target awakening time T _g based on the learned brightness B _g3 . In other words, by using the awakening assistance system 30, the brightness perceived by the user is not affected by, for example, changes in sleeping position depending on the user's sleeping position from day to day or changes in the location of the alarm clock. In other words, by using the awakening assistance system 30, the brightness of the light source 31 is adjusted so that the user's perceived brightness is consistent, thereby facilitating a more comfortable awakening for the user.

(Embodiment 4)
<Awakening support device>
Next, an awakening assistance device 40 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the awakening assistance device 40 according to the fourth embodiment. The awakening assistance device 40 has a movable unit 50 and a fixed unit 60. The movable unit 50 and the fixed unit 60 are connected via a connecting unit 61. The movable unit 50 rotates around a central axis C1 of the connecting unit 61. Furthermore, the movable unit 50 also rotates in the x direction and the y direction with the connecting unit 61 as a fixed end. The awakening assistance device 40 detects the brightness of the user's surrounding environment and the orientation of the user's face, and irradiates the user with light from a light source 51, thereby transitioning the user from a sleeping state to an awake state.

The movable part 50 has a light source 51 and a camera 53. The camera 53 has the same configuration and operation as the image sensor 33 according to the third embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
The fixed unit 60 has a learning unit 62, a determination unit 68, an illuminance sensor 63, a display unit 64, an operation unit 65, a terminal unit 66, and a power supply 67. The illuminance sensor 63 has the same configuration and operation as the illuminance sensor 23 according to the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
Here, the light source 51, the learning unit 62, the determination unit 68, the display unit 64, the operation unit 65, the terminal unit 66, and the power supply 67 will be described.

The brightness perceived by the user at the awakening timing is the brightness obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 51 based on the orientation of the user's face. The brightness Bf4 obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source ₅₁ based on the orientation of the user's face is expressed by the following equation 9.

...Equation 9

where B is the brightness of the light source 51 .
l is the shortest distance between the light source 51 and the face.
p is the first correction angle.
y is the second correction angle.
L(l) is the correlation function between distance and angle.
θ(p, y) is the correlation function between angle and illuminance.
E is the brightness of the user's surrounding environment measured by the illuminance sensor 63 .
is.
a is a constant for calculating the brightness perceived by the user, and is defined by the distance from the light source 21 to the user, etc.

The brightness of the light source 51 fades in from an irradiation start time Ts preset by the user toward a target wake-up time _Tg preset by the user. The brightness B of the light source 51 at time T ( _Ts ≦T≦ _Tg ) on the n+1th day (n is an integer of 1 or more and represents the number of days) is expressed using the following equation 10:

...Equation 10

Here, _Ts is the irradiation start time of the light source 51 set by the user at the (n+1)th time.
T _g is the target wake-up time set by the user on the n+1th day.
E _T is the brightness of the user's surrounding environment measured by the illuminance sensor 63 at time T on the n+1th day.
l _T is the shortest distance between the light source 51 and the face at time T on the n+1th day.
p _T is the first correction angle at time T on the n+1th day.
y _T is the second correction angle at time T on the n+1th day.
L(l _T ) is the correlation value between the distance and the angle at time T on the n+1th day.
θ(p _T , y _T ) is the correlation value between the angle and the illuminance at time T on the n+1th day.
a is a constant for calculating the brightness perceived by the user, and is defined by the distance from the light source 21 to the user, etc.
B _g4 is the brightness of the learning result up to the nth day.

The brightness B of the light source 51 expressed using the above formula 10 is calculated by linearly interpolating the learned brightness _Bg4 so that the light source 51 starts emitting light at time _{Ts and} the brightness at time Tg is ( _Bg4 + E _Tg )/(aL(l _Tg )θ(p _Tg , y _Tg )) based on the learned brightness _Bg4 . However, the format for interpolating the brightness _Bg4 is not limited to this, and polynomial interpolation, Lagrange interpolation, or Newtonian interpolation may also be used. For example, when the brightness B of the light source 51 is calculated by quadratically interpolating the brightness _Bg4 , the brightness B of the light source 51 changes more significantly as time passes.
Here, the brightness _Bg4 is expressed using the following equation 8.
...Equation 11

Here, B _f4x is the brightness obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 51 corrected based on the direction of the user's face at the time of awakening on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
B _x is the brightness of the light source 51 at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer between 1 and n).
l _x is the shortest distance between the light source 51 and the face at the time of awakening on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
p _x is the first correction angle at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
y _x is the second correction angle at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
L(l _x ) is the correlation value between the distance and the angle at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
θ(p _x , y _x ) is the correlation value between the angle and the illuminance at the awakening timing on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).
E _x is the brightness of the user's surrounding environment measured by the illuminance sensor 63 at the time of awakening on the xth day (x is an integer satisfying 1≦x≦n).

The brightness B _g4 expressed using Equation 11 is the average value of the brightness B f4x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 51 corrected based on the direction of the user's face at the wake-up timing for n _days .

The brightness B _g4 on the first day when the user starts using the awakening assistance device 40 is not the brightness obtained as a result of learning but is a predetermined initial value. The brightness B _g4 obtained as a result of learning on the second day and thereafter when the user starts using the awakening assistance device 40 is expressed using the above formula 11 and is the brightness obtained as a result of learning by the learning unit 62, which will be described later.

The learning unit 62 learns brightness _Bf4x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 51 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face at the user's wake-up timing for a predetermined period. Furthermore, the learning unit 62 determines and controls the brightness B of the light source at the target wake-up time _Tg based on the brightness _Bg4 obtained as a result of the learning.

An example of learning by the learning unit 62 will be described with reference to Table 4. Table 4 is a table showing an example of learning by the learning unit 62 according to embodiment 2. Table 4 shows the brightness at each awakening timing for 10 days when the awakening assistance device 40 according to embodiment 4 was used. In Table 4, the constant a for calculating the brightness perceived by the user is set to 1. For example, on the third day shown in Table 4, the brightness B f43 at the awakening timing of the user is 12 _lux , which is the brightness obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 51 based on the orientation of the user's face. In other words, this indicates that the user transitioned from a sleeping state to an awakening state at the timing when light with a brightness of 66 lux was emitted from the light source 51.

The learning unit 62 stores the brightness _Bx of the light source 51 at the wake-up timing for 10 days shown in Table 4, the brightness Ex of the user's surrounding environment at the wake-up timing, the correlation value L( _lx ) between the distance and the angle at the wake _- up timing, and the correlation value θ( _px , _yx ) between the angle and the illuminance at the wake-up timing. Here, the brightness _Bx of the light source 51 at the wake-up timing, the brightness Ex of the user's surrounding environment at the wake-up timing, the correlation value L( _lx ) between the distance and the _angle at the wake-up timing, and the correlation value θ( _px , _yx ) between the angle and the illuminance at the wake-up timing may be saved in a database (not shown).

The learning unit 62 calculates brightness _Bf4x by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from brightness _Bx of light source 51 shown in Table 4, which is corrected based on the orientation of the user's face. For example, on the third day shown in Table 2, the learning unit 62 multiplies 66 lux, which is brightness _B3 of light source 51, by 0.7, which is the correlation value L( _l3 ) between distance and angle, and 0.8, which is the correlation value θ( _p3 , _y3 ) between angle and illuminance. As a result, the learning unit 62 calculates brightness Bf4x, which is corrected based on the orientation of the user's face, as 37 lux. However, the brightness Bf4x is rounded to the nearest integer.
Next, the learning unit 62 subtracts the brightness _E3 of the surrounding environment, 25 lux, from the brightness 37 lux obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source 51 based on the orientation of the user's face. As a result, the learning unit 62 calculates the brightness B _f43 obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 51 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face as 12 lux.

The determination unit 68 determines and controls the brightness B of the light source 51 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day based on the brightness _Bf4x shown in Table 4. The brightness B of the light source 51 at the target awakening time _Tg on the 11th day is a brightness based on the learned brightness _Bg4 , and is given by ( _Bg4 + E _Tg )/(aL(l _Tg )θ(p _Tg , y _Tg )). Furthermore, the learned brightness _Bg4 is an average value of the brightness _Bf4x as shown in Equation 11. With reference to Table 4 and Equation 11, the learned brightness _Bg4 is 33 lux. However, the learned brightness _Bg4 is rounded to the nearest integer.

The brightness B _g4 of the learning result is not limited to the average value of the brightness B _f4x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 51 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face at the time of awakening. For example, the brightness of the learning result B _g4 may be the maximum or minimum value of the brightness B _f4x obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of the light source 51 corrected based on the orientation of the user's face at the time of awakening.

Other configurations and operations of the learning unit 62 and the determination unit 68 are similar to those of the learning unit 12 and the determination unit 13 in embodiment 1, and therefore will not be described here.

The display unit 64 displays the current time and the target wake-up time. The display unit 64 may also display the current date and day of the week. The display unit 64 may be equipped with a backlight so that the display unit 64 is bright when the user is operating the operation unit 65.

Operation unit 65 is an operation button for setting and changing the current time and target wake-up time displayed on display unit 64. In the example shown in FIG. 8, operation unit 65 is a contact-type button, but is not limited to this and may be a non-contact button. Furthermore, operation unit 65 may set and change the target wake-up time in response to the user's voice.

The power supply 67 is a push button, allowing the user to turn the power of the awakening assistance device 40 on and off. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the power supply 67 is a contact button, but this is not limited to this and it may also be a contactless button. The power supply 67 may also control the power of the awakening assistance device 40 on and off in response to the user's voice.

Terminal unit 66 is a terminal that allows connection of awakening assistance device 40 to another terminal device or a power outlet. Awakening assistance device 40 can transmit and receive data to and from another terminal device by connecting a wired cable to terminal unit 66. Furthermore, awakening assistance device 40 can be charged from a power outlet by connecting a wired cable to terminal unit 66.
The method of transmission and reception between awakening assistance device 40 and another terminal device may be a wired or wireless network. The wireless network includes, for example, a wireless communication network using a communication line standard such as LTE. The wireless network may also include a wireless communication network such as a wireless local area network (LAN) or a fifth-generation mobile communication system.

<Wake-up support method>
Next, a description will be given of an awakening assistance method according to embodiment 4. Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an awakening assistance method according to embodiment 4.

First, camera 53 detects the orientation of the user's face (step ST0001). Next, illuminance sensor 63 detects the brightness of the user's surrounding environment (step ST0002). Next, learning unit 62 learns brightness B _f4x , which is obtained by subtracting the brightness of the user's surrounding environment from the brightness of light source 51 over a predetermined period corrected based on the orientation of the user's face (step ST0003). Next, determination unit 68 determines and controls brightness B of light source 51 at target awakening time T _g based on brightness B _g4 obtained as a result of learning (step ST0004).

In this way, the awakening assistance device 40 according to the fourth embodiment learns brightness B f4x, which is the brightness of the light source ₅₁ corrected based on the orientation of the user's face at the timing of awakening for a predetermined period, minus the brightness of the user's surrounding environment. The awakening assistance device 40 irradiates the user with light B from the light source 51 at a predetermined target awakening time T _g based on the learned brightness B _g4 . In other words, by using the awakening assistance device 40, the brightness perceived by the user is not affected by, for example, differences in sleeping position from day to day and seasonal variations in brightness. In other words, by using the awakening assistance device 40, the brightness of the light source 51 is adjusted so that the user perceives the same brightness, thereby facilitating a more comfortable awakening for the user.

The awakening assistance device according to embodiment 4 is not limited to being a single physical device. In other words, the awakening assistance device may be distributed across multiple devices. For example, the light source 51 may be physically configured as a single light source device, and the learning unit 62 and the determination unit 68 may be configured as a single personal computer.

Furthermore, some or all of the processing in the above-described awakening assistance systems 10, 20, 30 and awakening assistance device 40 can be implemented as a computer program. Such programs can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R/Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). Furthermore, the programs may be supplied to a computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can provide the program to a computer via a wired communication path, such as an electric wire or optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

Note that this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

10, 20, 30 Awakening assistance system 11, 21, 31, 51 Light source 12, 22, 32, 62 Learning unit 13, 24, 34, 68 Determination unit 23, 63 Illuminance sensor 33 Image sensor 53 Camera 35 Eye 36 Face 40 Awakening assistance device 50 Movable unit 60 Fixed unit 61 Connecting unit 64 Display unit 65 Operation unit 66 Terminal unit 67 Power source C1 Central axis l Distances L1, L2, L3 Straight line A1 Face center point

Claims (5)

1. A wake-up assistance system that shifts a user from a sleep state to a wake-up state by irradiating the user with light from a light source,
learning brightness information based on the brightness of the light source at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period;
determining the brightness of the light source at the target wake-up time preset by the user based on the learning result;
Further measuring the brightness of the surrounding environment,
the brightness information is brightness obtained by subtracting brightness of the surrounding environment from brightness of the light source at the time when the user wakes up,
detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment at the target wake-up time, and determining the brightness of the light source based on the brightness of the learning result;
Awakening support system. The wake-up assistance system further determines a direction of the user's face,
the brightness information is brightness obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source based on the orientation of the face at the time when the user wakes up,
detecting a face direction of the user at the target awakening time, and determining the brightness of the light source based on the learning result;
The wake-up assistance system according to claim 1 . If the user has been asleep for a predetermined time or longer since the target wake-up time, the brightness of the light source is changed to a maximum value.
The awakening assistance system according to claim 1 or 2. 1. A wake-up assistance method for transitioning a user from a sleeping state to an awake state by irradiating the user with light from a light source, comprising:
learning brightness information based on the brightness of the light source at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period;
determining the brightness of the light source at the target wake-up time preset by the user based on the learning result;
Further measuring the brightness of the surrounding environment,
the brightness information is brightness obtained by subtracting brightness of the surrounding environment from brightness of the light source at the time when the user wakes up,
detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment at the target wake-up time, and determining the brightness of the light source based on the brightness of the learning result;
The computer performs the processing,
Awakening support methods. 1. A wake-up assistance program for transitioning a user from a sleep state to an wake-up state by irradiating the user with light from a light source,
learning brightness information based on the brightness of the light source at the user's awakening timing for a predetermined period;
determining the brightness of the light source at the target wake-up time preset by the user based on the learning result;
Further measuring the brightness of the surrounding environment,
the brightness information is brightness obtained by subtracting brightness of the surrounding environment from brightness of the light source at the time when the user wakes up,
detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment at the target wake-up time, and determining the brightness of the light source based on the brightness of the learning result;
Have the computer perform the process,
Awakening support program.