U.S. patent application number 17/427747 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-05 for arousal level control apparatus, arousal level control method, and recording medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., NEC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Satoshi HASHIMOTO, Takuma KOGO, Atsushi NISHINO.
Application Number | 20220137567 17/427747 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006138784 |
Filed Date | 2022-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220137567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOGO; Takuma ; et
al. |
May 5, 2022 |
AROUSAL LEVEL CONTROL APPARATUS, AROUSAL LEVEL CONTROL METHOD, AND
RECORDING MEDIUM
Abstract
A arousal level control apparatus calculates, under a limitation
related to a physical quantity that affects an arousal level of a
subject, a setting value for controlling the arousal level of the
subject by using a physical quantity prediction model for
calculating the physical quantity based on a setting value of the
physical quantity and an arousal level prediction model for
calculating a prediction value of the arousal level based on the
calculated physical quantity calculated, and sets the calculated
setting value to a control target device that affects the physical
quantity.
Inventors: |
KOGO; Takuma; (Tokyo,
JP) ; NISHINO; Atsushi; (Osaka-shi, Osaka, JP)
; HASHIMOTO; Satoshi; (Osaka-shi, Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NEC CORPORATION
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD. |
Tokyo
Osaka-shi, Osaka |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NEC CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Osaka-shi, Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000006138784 |
Appl. No.: |
17/427747 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
January 31, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2020/003688 |
371 Date: |
August 2, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 13/048
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G05B 13/04 20060101
G05B013/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2019 |
JP |
2019-018218 |
Claims
1. A arousal level control apparatus comprising: at least one
memory configured to store instructions; and at least one processor
configured to execute the instructions to: calculate, under a
limitation related to a physical quantity that affects an arousal
level of a subject, a setting value for controlling the arousal
level of the subject by using a physical quantity prediction model
for calculating the physical quantity based on a setting value of
the physical quantity and an arousal level prediction model for
calculating a prediction value of the arousal level based on the
calculated physical quantity calculated; and set the calculated
setting value to a control target device that affects the physical
quantity.
2. The arousal level control apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the
instructions to calculate the setting value so that the arousal
level becomes even higher.
3. The arousal level control apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the
instructions to calculate the setting value so that a sum or a mean
value of prediction values of a variation in the arousal level
becomes even greater for the one subject or more subjects.
4. The arousal level control apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the
instructions to calculate the setting value that satisfies a
limitation related to comfort scores calculated for the setting
value.
5. An arousal level control method comprising: calculating, under a
limitation related to a physical quantity that affects an arousal
level of a subject, a setting value for controlling the arousal
level of the subject by using a physical quantity prediction model
for calculating the physical quantity based on a setting value of
the physical quantity and an arousal level prediction model for
calculating a prediction value of the arousal level based on the
calculated physical quantity calculated; and setting the calculated
setting value to a control target device that affects the physical
quantity.
6. A non-transitory recording medium storing a program which causes
a computer to execute: calculating, under a limitation related to a
physical quantity that affects an arousal level of a subject, a
setting value for controlling the arousal level of the subject by
using a physical quantity prediction model for calculating the
physical quantity based on a setting value of the physical quantity
and an arousal level prediction model for calculating a prediction
value of the arousal level based on the calculated physical
quantity calculated; and setting the calculated setting value to a
control target device that affects the physical quantity.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an arousal level control
apparatus, an arousal level control method, and a recording
medium.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There has been proposed a technique in which a user's
physiological information is acquired and the degree of user's
wakefulness is calculated from the acquired physiological
information (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2). Here, the arousal
level is an index indicating the degree of wakefulness, and
indicates that the lower the arousal level, the drowsier the
subject is.
[0003] In the state where the arousal level is low, the work
efficiency often decreases when the user performs a task, and it is
therefore not an appropriate state for performing a task. Such a
state tends to be undesirable for performing tasks because, for
example, in office work, work efficiency decreases, and in driving
a car, distracted driving increases.
[0004] Therefore, there have been proposed systems for controlling
the environment of the user so that the arousal level is improved
or brought into an appropriate range (Patent Documents 3, 4, and
5).
[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a system for controlling the
arousal level for a vehicle driver in which settings of environment
control devices for air conditioning, lighting, and so forth are
changed to predetermined settings when a prediction value of the
arousal level of the user in the case where the current
environmental state continues, falls below a predetermined
threshold value.
[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a system for controlling the
arousal level for a vehicle driver in which intensities of devices
that stimulate the five senses such as air conditioning and
lighting and the combination are controlled on the basis of
predetermined settings, according to where a user's current state
is, in particular, how far away from the desired range a user's
current state is in two-axis coordinates consisting of an
evaluation axis representing drowsy-wakeful and an evaluation axis
representing comfort-discomfort.
[0007] Patent Document 5 discloses a system for controlling the
arousal level for a vehicle driver in which warm/cold stimuli
caused by changes in temperature are given to the user by
periodically switching the air conditioning device between
predetermined operating modes (temperature, air volume setting),
when the arousal level of the subject falls below a preset
threshold value.
[0008] Moreover, there is a technique for acquiring and processing
user information or information on their surrounding
environment.
[0009] For example, the mood estimation system disclosed in Patent
Document 6 is such that the mood of a subject is indexed based only
on the heart rate of the subject, and if the index value deviates
from a preliminarily set range, the mood of the subject is
represented as an index value on the basis of the subject's
multiple physiological information and multiple environmental
information of the subject's surrounding environment.
[0010] Also, the air conditioning management system disclosed in
Patent Document 7 calculates a predicted environmental value after
a predetermined amount of time has elapsed on the basis of the
environmental value detected by a detection device, and parameters
of an air conditioning device are calculated on the basis of the
environmental value and the predicted environmental value and are
transmitted to the air conditioning device.
[0011] Moreover, in the arousal level maintenance method disclosed
in Patent Document 8, the arousal level is detected from the deep
body temperature of the worker such as tympanic temperature, and
when the degree of the worker's wakefulness appears decreasing, the
wakening effect of light stimulation is given to the worker by
changing illuminance from an illuminance suitable for work to an
even higher illuminance.
[0012] Furthermore, the drowsiness estimation device disclosed in
Patent Document 9 includes a neural network having a structure with
two layers, namely, an image processing neural network and a
drowsiness estimation neural network. The image processing neural
network estimates the age and gender of the user and also extracts
specific behaviors and states of the user that indicate a state of
drowsiness, such as closed eyes. The drowsiness estimation neural
network obtains the drowsiness state of the user based on the
result of extracting the specific behavior and the state of the
user that indicate a state of drowsiness and on the detection
result of an indoor environment information sensor while also
taking the age and gender of the user into consideration.
[0013] Patent Document 9 discloses that the control unit of the air
conditioning device calculates air-conditioning control content so
that the estimated drowsiness level is equal to or less than a
threshold value, and executes the calculated air-conditioning
control.
[0014] Furthermore, Patent Document 9 discloses that if the desired
change is not observed in the user's behavior and state, the
estimated behavior in the drowsy state is potentially departing
from that in the actual drowsy state, and therefore the estimation
model is updated.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0015] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6043933 [Patent
Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. 2018-134274
[0016] [Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2017-148604
[0017] [Patent Document 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2018-025870
[0018] [Patent Document 5] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2013-012029
[0019] [Patent Document 6] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2018-088966
[0020] [Patent Document 7] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2006-349288
[0021] [Patent Document 8] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. H9-140799
[0022] [Patent Document 9] Japanese Patent No. 6387173
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0023] However, even with use of the devices disclosed in Patent
Document 1 to Patent Document 9, it is still not possible to
realize an indoor environment that maintains a mental and physical
state with high work performance. Therefore, it is desirable to
control the arousal level on the basis of prediction, in order to
improve work performance of the subject.
[0024] The present invention has an object of providing an arousal
level control apparatus, an arousal level control method, and a
recording medium capable of solving the problems mentioned
above.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0025] According to a first example aspect of the present
invention, a arousal level control apparatus includes:
[0026] a setting value calculation means for calculating, under a
limitation related to a physical quantity that affects an arousal
level of a subject, a setting value for controlling the arousal
level of the subject by using a physical quantity prediction model
for calculating the physical quantity based on a setting value of
the physical quantity and an arousal level prediction model for
calculating a prediction value of the arousal level based on the
calculated physical quantity calculated; and a setting means for
setting the calculated setting value to a control target device
that affects the physical quantity.
[0027] According to a second example aspect of the present
invention, an arousal level control method includes:
[0028] calculating, under a limitation related to a physical
quantity that affects an arousal level of a subject, a setting
value for controlling the arousal level of the subject by using a
physical quantity prediction model for calculating the physical
quantity based on a setting value of the physical quantity and an
arousal level prediction model for calculating a prediction value
of the arousal level based on the calculated physical quantity
calculated; and
[0029] setting the calculated setting value to a control target
device that affects the physical quantity.
[0030] According to a third example aspect of the present
invention, a recording medium stores a program which causes a
computer to execute steps of:
[0031] calculating, under a limitation related to a physical
quantity that affects an arousal level of a subject, a setting
value for controlling the arousal level of the subject by using a
physical quantity prediction model for calculating the physical
quantity based on a setting value of the physical quantity and an
arousal level prediction model for calculating a prediction value
of the arousal level based on the calculated physical quantity
calculated; and
[0032] setting the calculated setting value to a control target
device that affects the physical quantity.
Effect of the Invention
[0033] According to the present invention, it is possible to
realize an indoor environment that maintains a mental and physical
state for high work performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a
device configuration of an arousal level control system according
to an example embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a
functional configuration of an arousal level control apparatus
according to an example embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of a
processing procedure in which the setting value calculation unit
according to the example embodiment calculates a device setting
value and sets it in an environment control device.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of the
processing procedure in which the setting value calculation unit
according to the example embodiment calculates a device setting
value and sets it in the environment control device.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of
the arousal level control apparatus according to the example
embodiment.
EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT
[0039] Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present invention
are described; however, the present invention within the scope of
the claims is not limited by the following example embodiments.
Furthermore, not all the combinations of features described in the
example embodiment may not be essential for the solving means of
the invention.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a
device configuration of an arousal level control system 1 according
to an example embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the
arousal level control system 1 includes an arousal level control
apparatus 100, one or more environment control devices 200, one or
more environment measurement devices 300, and one or more arousal
level estimation devices 400.
[0041] The arousal level control apparatus 100 is connected to each
of the environment control devices 200, the environment measurement
devices 300, and the arousal level estimation devices 400 via a
communication line 900 respectively, and can communicate with these
devices. The communication line 900 may be configured with any of a
dedicated line, the Internet, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a
LAN (Local Area Network) regardless of the access method of the
communication line or the physical form of the communication line
such as a wired line or a wireless line.
[0042] The arousal level control system 1 determines the arousal
level of the subject of arousal level control, and controls the
physical quantity of the surrounding environment where the subject
of the arousal level control is present according to the
determination result, to maintain or improve the arousal level. As
mentioned above, the arousal level is an index indicating the
degree of wakefulness, and it indicates that the lower the arousal
level, the drowsier the subject of arousal level control is.
[0043] The subject of arousal level control may also be referred to
as a user or simply as a subject.
[0044] Here, the physical quantity of the surrounding environment
where the subject is present is a physical quantity (a quantity in
a physical sense) that affects a subject, and, in this case, is a
physical quantity that affects the arousal level of the subject in
particular. The physical quantity of the surrounding environment
where the subject is present is also simply referred to as a
physical quantity.
[0045] Examples of physical quantities include, but are not limited
to, ambient temperature such as room temperature and brightness
such as illuminance of lighting equipment. For example, the arousal
level control system 1 may give the subject stimuli other than
temperature and brightness, such as humidity (dampness), sound or
vibration, in addition to or instead of temperature and brightness,
and may use the degree of these stimuli as physical quantities.
[0046] Hereinafter, the ambient temperature is simply referred to
as temperature. However, the arousal level control system 1 may
control other temperatures in addition to or instead of ambient
temperature. For example, a heater may be provided on the seat
surface of the subject's seat, and the arousal level control system
1 may control the temperature of the heater. That is to say, the
arousal level control system 1 may control the temperature of
something that comes in direct contact with the subject.
[0047] The unit by which the arousal level control system 1
controls physical quantities is not limited to a specific one. For
example, a spot-type air conditioning device (a local air
conditioner) and a lighting stand may be installed at the seat of a
person, and the arousal level control system 1 may control physical
quantities on a seat-by-seat basis. Alternatively, the arousal
level control system 1 may control physical quantities on a
room-by-room basis, or may control physical quantities of an entire
building. Moreover, when controlling the physical quantities of an
entire building, subjects need not be everyone in the building, but
may be some of them in the building.
[0048] The number of subjects may be one or may be more than one.
Only specific persons may become subjects by the arousal level
control system 1 accepting registration of subjects. Alternatively,
unspecified persons located in a control target space of the
arousal level control system 1 may become subjects. In a case where
there are a plurality of subjects, the arousal level control system
1 may control physical quantities for each subject, or may commonly
control physical quantities of the plurality of subjects.
[0049] In order to improve the arousal level of a subject, it is
conceivable to control a physical quantity so as to decrease the
comfort, depending on the person, by raising the room temperature
or brightening the lighting for example. The arousal level control
system 1 determines the arousal level of the arousal level control
subject and controls physical quantities according to the
determination result, so that it is possible to achieve a balance
between ensuring the arousal level and the comfort of the subject.
For example, the arousal level control system 1 may control
physical quantities so that the arousal level is improved only when
the arousal level of the subject decreases.
[0050] In the following description, a case where the arousal level
control system 1 improves the arousal level (shakes off drowsiness)
of a subject is taken as an example; however, the arousal level
control system 1 may decrease the arousal level of (induce sleep
in) a subject. For example, the arousal level control system 1 may
switch between executing control for improving the arousal level
and executing control for decreasing the arousal level, depending
on the time period. Alternatively, in a case where the arousal
level of a subject is predicted to decrease, the arousal level
control system 1 may execute control so that the arousal level of
the subject does not decrease (that is to say, the subject does not
become drowsy). Or, in a case where the arousal level of a subject
is predicted to improve, the arousal level control system 1 may
execute control so that the arousal level of the subject does not
improve (that is to say, the subject does not awaken).
[0051] The arousal level control apparatus 100 controls the
environment control device 200 according to the arousal level of
the subject. The arousal level control apparatus 100 controls the
physical quantity of the surrounding environment of the subject by
controlling the environment control device 200, thereby controlling
the arousal level of the subject.
[0052] The arousal level control apparatus 100 is configured, using
a computer such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation, for
example.
[0053] The environment control device 200 is a device that adjusts
physical quantities. As mentioned above, examples of physical
quantities include ambient temperature and illuminance. Temperature
can be adjusted by an air conditioning device, and illuminance can
be adjusted by a lighting device. As described above, examples of
the environment control device 200 include, but are not limited to,
an air conditioning device and a lighting device.
[0054] The environment control device 200 corresponds to an example
of a control target device, and is controlled by the arousal level
control apparatus 100 as mentioned above.
[0055] A device other than the environment control device 200, such
as the arousal level control apparatus 100, can acquire information
on the operating state such as a device setting value from the
environment control device 200, and can update the device setting
value for the environment control device 200. Here, the device
setting value is a physical quantity set in the environment control
device 200 as a control target value. The device setting value may
also be referred to as a physical quantity setting value or simply
a setting value.
[0056] When the environment control device 200 is an air
conditioning device, a set temperature can be used as a device
setting value. When the environment control device 200 is a
lighting device, a lighting output (such as light intensity,
illuminance, electric current value, and electric power value) can
be used as a device setting value. In the following description, a
case where illuminance is used as a device setting value of the
lighting device is taken as an example, but it is not limited to
such an example.
[0057] The environment measurement device 300 is a device that
measures physical quantities such as temperature and illuminance
and converts them into numerical data. Examples of the environment
measurement device 300 include, but are not limited to, a
temperature sensor and an illuminance sensor.
[0058] The arousal level estimation device 400 is a device that
estimates the arousal level of a subject from physiological
information or the like and converts it into numerical data. The
arousal level estimation device 400 may use any one or a
combination of body temperature, video of a face, and pulse wave as
physiological information; however, it is not limited to this
example. The arousal level estimation device 400 measures or
calculates physiological information, and converts the obtained
physiological information into a numerical value (arousal level)
indicating the arousal level.
[0059] The arousal level estimation device 400 is not essential for
the arousal level control system 1. When the arousal level control
system 1 does not include the arousal level estimation device 400,
the arousal level of the subject is estimated on the basis of a
physical quantity.
[0060] Next, a functional configuration of the arousal level
control apparatus 100 will be described.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a
functional configuration of the arousal level control apparatus
100. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the arousal level
control apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage
unit 170, and a control unit 180. The storage unit 170 includes a
physical quantity prediction model 171 and an arousal level
prediction model 172. The control unit 180 includes a monitoring
control unit 181, a first acquisition unit 182, a second
acquisition unit 183, a setting value calculation unit 184, a
physical quantity prediction model calculation unit 185, an arousal
level prediction model calculation unit 186, and a setting value
determination unit 187.
[0062] The communication unit 110 communicates with other devices
according to the control of the control unit 180. In particular,
the communication unit 110 receives various information from each
of the environment control devices 200, the environment measurement
devices 300, and the arousal level estimation devices 400.
Moreover, the communication unit 110 transmits device setting
values to the environment control devices 200.
[0063] The storage unit 170 stores various types of information.
The storage unit 170 is configured using a storage device included
in the arousal level control apparatus 100.
[0064] The physical quantity prediction model 171 is a model for
calculating a prediction value of a physical quantity on the basis
of a setting value of the physical quantity (device setting
value).
[0065] More specifically, the physical quantity prediction model
171, on the basis of the measurement value of the physical quantity
measured by the environment measurement device 300 and the setting
value of the physical quantity set in the environment control
device 200, calculates a prediction value of the physical quantity
at a time at which a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.
[0066] The time at which the predetermined amount of time has
elapsed in this case is the time at which the predetermined amount
of time has elapsed since the moment at which the physical quantity
given to the physical quantity prediction model 171 was measured.
Instead of the measurement time of the physical quantity given to
the physical quantity prediction model 171, the time at which the
arousal level control apparatus 100 (communication unit 110) has
received the physical quantity can be used.
[0067] The predetermined amount of time in this case may be a
certain fixed amount of time or may be variable as a model
parameter. The model parameter referred to here is a setting
parameter of the physical quantity prediction model 171. The value
of a model parameter is referred to as model parameter value.
[0068] The arousal level prediction model 172 is a model for
calculating a prediction value of an arousal level on the basis of
a prediction value of the physical quantity calculated by the
physical quantity prediction model 171. Furthermore, the arousal
level prediction model 172 calculates a prediction value of an
arousal level on the basis of a variation in a physical quantity in
addition to a prediction value of the physical quantity. More
specifically, the arousal level prediction model 172 calculates, on
the basis of physical quantities, the prediction value of variation
in the arousal level of a subject at a moment at which a
predetermined amount of time has elapsed.
[0069] The control unit 180 controls each unit of the arousal level
control apparatus 100 and executes various processes. The control
unit 180 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in
the arousal level control apparatus 100 reading out a program from
the storage unit 170 and executing the program.
[0070] The monitoring control unit 181 communicates with the
environment control device 200 via the communication unit 110. In
communication with the environment control device 200, the
monitoring control unit 181 acquires a device setting value set in
the environment control device 200. Moreover, the monitoring
control unit 181 updates the device setting value of the
environment control device 200 by communicating with the
environment control device 200. For example, the monitoring control
unit 181 communicates with the environment control device 200 at
constant intervals, and saves the device setting value acquired
through the communication, together with the timestamp of the time
of acquisition thereof (of the time of reception thereof). The term
"save" here means causing the storage unit 170 to memorize a device
setting value and timestamp therein.
[0071] In this manner, the monitoring control unit 181 sets a
device setting value in the control target device. The monitoring
control unit 181 corresponds to an example of a setting unit.
[0072] The monitoring control unit 181 sets a device setting value,
a device setting value calculated by the setting value calculation
unit 184, or a device setting value determined by the setting value
determination unit 187, in the environment control device 200.
[0073] The first acquisition unit 182 communicates with the
environment measurement device 300 via the communication unit 110,
and acquires the measurement value of the physical quantity
measured by the environment measurement device 300. For example,
the first acquisition unit 182 communicates with the environment
measurement device 300 at constant intervals, and saves the
measurement value of the physical quantity acquired through the
communication, together with the timestamp of the time of
acquisition thereof (of the time of reception thereof). This
timestamp can be interpreted as indicating the time at which the
physical quantity is measured by the environment measurement device
300.
[0074] The second acquisition unit 183 communicates with the
arousal level estimation device 400 and acquires an estimated value
of the arousal level of the subject. For example, the second
acquisition unit 183 communicates with the arousal level estimation
device 400 at constant intervals, and saves the estimated value of
the arousal level acquired through the communication, together with
the timestamp of the time of acquisition thereof (of the time of
reception thereof). This timestamp can be interpreted as indicating
the time at which the estimation of the arousal level is made by
the arousal level estimation device 400.
[0075] The estimated value of the arousal level of the subject is
also referred to as the arousal level estimated value.
[0076] The setting value calculation unit 184 calculates a device
setting value of the environment control device 200 so as to
improve the arousal level of a user. For example, the setting value
calculation unit 184 calculates a device setting value at constant
intervals. The setting value calculation unit 184 acquires a device
setting value from the monitoring control unit 181, acquires a
measurement value of a physical quantity from the first acquisition
unit 182, acquires an arousal level estimated value from the second
acquisition unit 183, and calculates a device setting value on the
basis of these acquired values. The setting value calculation unit
184 outputs the calculated device setting value to the monitoring
control unit 181. The monitoring control unit 181 transmits the
device setting value acquired from the setting value calculation
unit 184 to the environment control device 200 via the
communication unit 110, to thereby set it in the environment
control device 200.
[0077] The setting value calculation unit 184 calculates a device
setting value so that the arousal level becomes even higher.
[0078] The physical quantity prediction model calculation unit 185
reads out the physical quantity prediction model 171 from the
storage unit 170 and executes it. Therefore, the physical quantity
prediction model calculation unit 185 executes physical quantity
prediction using the physical quantity prediction model 171.
[0079] The arousal level prediction model calculation unit 186
reads out the arousal level prediction model 172 from the storage
unit 170 and executes it. Therefore, the arousal level prediction
model calculation unit 186 executes the prediction of an arousal
level using the arousal level prediction model 172.
[0080] The arousal level prediction model calculation unit 186
acquires, as learning data, a measurement value of the physical
quantity from the first acquisition unit 182, and acquires, as
learning data, an arousal level estimated value from the second
acquisition unit 183.
[0081] The setting value calculation unit 184 executes calculation
through the procedure shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. It is preferable
that the calculation be executed at constant intervals of Ar.
[0082] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of a
processing procedure in which the setting value calculation unit
184 calculates a device setting value and sets it in the
environment control device 200. FIG. 3 shows an example of a case
in which the setting value calculation unit 184 calculates a device
setting value without using an arousal level estimated value.
[0083] In the process of FIG. 3, the setting value calculation unit
184 determines whether or not the execution timing of the process
for calculating a device setting value has arrived (Step S100). If
the execution timing is determined as having not arrived (Step
S100: No), the process returns to Step S100. As a result, the
setting value calculation unit 184 waits for the execution timing
of the process for calculating a device setting value to
arrive.
[0084] On the other hand, if the execution timing of the process
for calculating a device setting value is determined as having
arrived (Step S100: Yes), the setting value calculation unit 184
acquires a device setting value from the monitoring control unit
181 (Step S110).
[0085] The setting value calculation unit 184 acquires an
environment measurement value (measurement value of the physical
quantity measured by the environment measurement device 300) from
the first acquisition unit 182 (Step S120). Then, the setting value
calculation unit 184 calculates a device setting value (value for
updating device setting value) (Step S130). In Step S130, the
setting value calculation unit 184 calculates the device setting
value without using an arousal level estimated value.
[0086] The setting value calculation unit 184 outputs the obtained
device setting value to the monitoring control unit 181 (Step
S140). The monitoring control unit 181 transmits the device setting
value obtained from the setting value calculation unit 184 to the
environment control device 200 via the communication unit 110, to
thereby set the device setting value in the environment control
device 200.
[0087] After Step S140, the setting value calculation unit 184 ends
the process of FIG. 3.
[0088] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of a
processing procedure in which the setting value calculation unit
184 calculates a device setting value and sets it in the
environment control device 200. FIG. 4 shows an example of a case
in which the setting value calculation unit 184 calculates a device
setting value, using an arousal level estimated value.
[0089] Step S200 to Step S220 of FIG. 4 are similar to Step S100 to
Step S120 of FIG. 3.
[0090] After Step S220, the setting value calculation unit 184
acquires an arousal level estimated value from the setting value
calculation unit 183 (Step S230).
[0091] Then, the setting value calculation unit 184 calculates a
device setting value (value for updating device setting value)
(Step S240). In Step S240, the setting value calculation unit 184
calculates the device setting value, using the arousal level
estimated value.
[0092] Step S250 is similar to Step S140 of FIG. 3.
[0093] After Step S250, the setting value calculation unit 184 ends
the process of FIG. 4.
[0094] As described above, the physical quantity prediction model
171 calculates a physical quantity that affects the arousal level
of the subject. The arousal level prediction model 172 calculates a
prediction value of an arousal level on the basis of the physical
quantity calculated by the physical quantity prediction model 171.
The setting value calculation unit 184 uses the physical quantity
prediction model 171 and the arousal level prediction model 172 to
calculate a setting value (device setting value) for controlling
the arousal level of the subject, under limitations related to the
physical quantity. The monitoring control unit 181 sets the
calculated setting value in the environment control device 200.
[0095] In this way, the physical quantity prediction model 171
calculates the prediction value of the physical quantity, and the
arousal level prediction model 172 predicts the arousal level using
the prediction value of the physical quantity. Thereby, the
physical quantity can be incorporated into the prediction of
arousal level. According to the arousal level control apparatus
100, in this respect, when performing arousal level control, it is
possible to more accurately presume the effect of its work on the
surrounding environment on the arousal level.
[0096] Also, the setting value calculation unit 184 calculates
setting values so that the arousal level becomes even higher.
[0097] According to the arousal level control apparatus 100, it is
possible to improve the arousal level of the subject, and it is
possible, for example, to improve the work efficiency when the
subject is performing tasks.
[0098] The sum value or the mean value of prediction values of the
variation in the arousal level is calculated for one or more
subjects.
[0099] Also, the setting value calculation unit 184 calculates a
setting value that satisfies the limitations related to comfort
scores calculated for setting values.
[0100] As a result, the setting value calculation unit 184 can
calculate a setting value in consideration of not only arousal
level but also comfort. In this respect, the arousal level control
apparatus 100 can balance arousal level and comfort.
[0101] Furthermore, the arousal level prediction model 172
calculates a prediction value of an arousal level on the basis of a
physical quantity.
[0102] It is conceivable that the arousal level responds
sensitively to the magnitude of physical quantities, and with the
arousal level prediction model 172 predicting arousal level on the
basis of the magnitude of the physical quantity, highly accurate
prediction of arousal level is expected to be possible.
[0103] Next, the configuration of the example embodiment of the
present invention will be described, with reference to FIG. 5.
[0104] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of
an arousal level control apparatus 10 according to the example
embodiment. The arousal level control apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5
includes a physical quantity prediction model 11, an arousal level
prediction model 12, a setting value calculation unit 13, and a
setting unit 14.
[0105] In this configuration, the physical quantity prediction
model 11 calculates a prediction value of a physical quantity on
the basis of a setting value of the physical quantity that affects
the arousal level of the subject. The arousal level prediction
model 12 calculates a prediction value of the arousal level on the
basis of the prediction value. The setting value calculation unit
13 uses the physical quantity prediction model and the arousal
level prediction model to calculate the setting value for
controlling the arousal level of the subject, under limitations
related to physical quantity. The setting unit 14 sets the
calculated setting value to a control target device that affects
the physical quantity.
[0106] In this way, the physical quantity prediction model 11
calculates the prediction value of the physical quantity and the
arousal level prediction model 12 predicts the arousal level using
the prediction value of the physical quantity. As a result, the
variation in physical quantity can be incorporated into the
prediction of arousal level. According to the arousal level control
apparatus 10, in this respect, when performing arousal level
control, it is possible to more accurately presume the effect of
its work on the surrounding environment on the arousal level.
[0107] The configuration of the arousal level control apparatus 100
is not limited to a configuration using a computer. For example,
the arousal level control apparatus 100 may be configured, using
dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated
Circuit).
[0108] In the present invention, arbitrary processes can also be
realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a
computer program.
[0109] In such a case, the program can be stored using various
types of non-transitory computer readable media to be supplied to a
computer. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various
types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory
computer-readable media include a magnetic recording medium (such
as a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, or a hard disk drive), a
magnetic optical recording medium (such as a magnetic optical
disk), a CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-R, a CD-R/W, a DVD
(Digital Versatile Disc), a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark)
Disc), and a semiconductor memory (such as a mask ROM, a PROM
(Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), a flash ROM, or a RAM
(Random Access Memory)).
[0110] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese patent application No. 2019-018218, filed
Feb. 4, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0111] 1 Arousal level control system [0112] 10, 100 Arousal level
control apparatus [0113] 11, 171 Physical quantity prediction model
[0114] 12, 172 Arousal level prediction model [0115] 13, 184
Setting value calculation unit (setting value calculation means)
[0116] 14 Setting unit (setting means) [0117] 110 Communication
unit (communication means) [0118] 170 Storage unit (storage means)
[0119] 180 Control unit (control means) [0120] 181 Monitoring
control unit (monitoring control means) [0121] 182 First
acquisition unit (first acquisition means) [0122] 183 Second
acquisition unit (second acquisition means) [0123] 185 Physical
quantity prediction model calculation unit (physical quantity
prediction model calculation means) [0124] 186 Arousal level
prediction model calculation unit (arousal level prediction model
calculation means) [0125] 187 Setting value determination unit
(setting value determination means) [0126] 200 Environment control
device [0127] 300 Environment measurement device [0128] 400 Arousal
level estimation device
* * * * *