JP4609507B2 - Sleeping device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sleep device that controls the sleep depth of a user.

Conventionally, as a sleep device, a sleep device that induces sleep to a driver when the driver's arousal level is reduced so that the driver of the vehicle does not fall asleep while driving is known (for example, a patent) Reference 1). This sleep device induces the driver to sleep using a wakefulness rhythm that is a natural sleep rhythm when the wakefulness level decreases. Such a wake-up rhythm is a 90-minute cycle wake-up rhythm, in which shallow sleep and deep sleep are alternately repeated.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-108847 JP 2005-021331 A JP 2005-270439 A JP 2005-296177 A JP 2006-516100 A JP 2007-098138 A

  By the way, the conventional sleep device described above is suitable for long-time sleep such as sleep at night, but it is difficult to obtain a refreshing feeling during awakening for short-time sleep such as nap. There was a problem.

  It is said that sleeping at a shallow level is effective in improving a refreshing feeling during awakening. However, with conventional techniques, it has been difficult to maintain the user's sleep depth at a certain sleep depth.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sleep device that can maintain a user's sleep depth at a certain level.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor has focused on the human sensory threshold for stimulation in the process of earnest research. The sensory threshold refers to the minimum stimulus intensity that the human body can respond to when awakening. Considering this sensory threshold and sleep depth further, the human body is sensitive to stimuli based on the sensory threshold until a certain level of sleep depth is reached, and based on the sensory threshold when the human body reaches a sleep depth of a level exceeding that. It was found that there was almost no sensitivity to stimulation. Therefore, the present inventor obtained the knowledge that the user's sleep depth can be maintained at a certain level by using a sensory threshold stimulus having an intensity based on the human sensory threshold, and the present invention has been completed. It came to do.

  In order to solve the above problem, the sleep device according to the present invention includes a sleep depth determination unit that determines a user's current sleep depth, a current sleep depth determined by the sleep depth determination unit, and a predetermined depth shallower than the maximum level. A sleep depth comparison unit that compares a target sleep depth determined in advance with a level, and a strength based on a human sensory threshold when the sleep depth comparison unit determines that the current sleep depth has reached the target sleep depth And a stimulus applying means for applying a sensory threshold stimulus to the user.

  In this sleep device, when it is determined that the current sleep depth of the user has reached the target sleep depth, a sensory threshold stimulus having an intensity based on the human sensory threshold is given to the user. By giving such sensory threshold stimulation, the sleep depth of the user can be maintained at a predetermined level shallower than the maximum level. Thereby, the refreshing feeling at the time of awakening in short-time sleep like a nap can be improved.

  Further, the sensor device includes a sensory threshold value detecting unit that detects a strength that is a user's sensory threshold value, and an environmental stimulus strength detecting unit that detects a strength of a stimulus that the user receives from the surrounding environment. It is preferable that a stimulus having an intensity obtained by subtracting the intensity detected by the environmental stimulus intensity detecting means from the intensity detected by the sensory threshold detecting means is given to the user as a sensory threshold stimulus. By applying a stimulus having a strength obtained by subtracting the strength of the stimulus received by the user from the surrounding environment as a sensory threshold stimulus, the user's sleep can be more reliably maintained at a predetermined level.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a stimulus imparting means intermittently imparts a sensory threshold stimulus to a user. If the intensity of the stimulus is constant, the human body may adapt to the stimulus and the response to the stimulus may be reduced. Thus, by intermittently applying a sensory threshold stimulus to the user, the user's sleep can be more reliably maintained at a predetermined level.

  Further, when the human body intensity discrimination threshold for the sensory threshold stimulus is dV and the human time discrimination threshold for the sensory threshold stimulus is dt, the stimulus applying means has a change in intensity of the sensory threshold stimulus per unit time of dV / dt. It is preferable to apply a sensory threshold stimulus to the user so that it is as follows. A sudden change in the intensity of the stimulus may lead to user arousal. Therefore, the predetermined level can be more reliably maintained by adjusting the change in the intensity of the sensory threshold stimulation based on the discrimination threshold of the human body.

  The sleep device according to the present invention further includes physiological information detection means for detecting the physiological information of the user, and the sleep depth determination means is based on the physiological information detected by the physiological information detection means. It is preferable to determine the current sleep depth. Such physiological information detection means can accurately determine the current depth of sleep of the user based on physiological information such as the user's heart rate.

  According to the sleep device according to the present invention, the sleep depth of the user can be maintained at a certain level.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a sleep device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sleep device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A sleeping device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile. The sleep device 1 is a device that supports appropriate sleep according to the driver's sleepiness after the vehicle is parked in a predetermined place when the driver (user) of the vehicle feels sleepiness while driving. The sleep device 1 includes a sleep control unit 2 that is an electronic control unit that controls the sleep device 1 as a whole.

  An operation input unit 3 for selecting and inputting a sleep pattern is connected to the sleep control unit 2. The operation input unit 3 is a part that selects and inputs a sleep pattern composed of sleep depth and sleep time desired by the driver. As the operation input unit 3, for example, there is a touch panel unit of a navigation system, which is installed on a control panel unit of a vehicle, and a predetermined sleep pattern displayed on the touch panel unit is selected by the driver. The operation input unit 3 outputs information related to the selected sleep pattern to the sleep control unit 2.

  The sleep control unit 2 is connected to a physiological information detection unit (physiological information detection means) 4 that detects the physiological information of the driver. The physiological information detection unit 4 is a part that detects physiological information such as a driver's heart rate. Examples of the physiological information detection unit 4 include a heart rate measurement sensor for measuring a heart rate. The heart rate measurement sensor is built in, for example, the backrest portion of the seat, and measures the heart rate of the driver. The physiological information detection unit 4 starts detecting physiological information when a sleep pattern is selected and input by the operation input unit 3 and a predetermined sleep pattern is started. The physiological information detection unit 4 outputs the detected physiological information to the sleep control unit 2.

  In addition, a sensation threshold value detection unit 5 is connected to the sleep control unit 2. The sensory threshold detector 5 is a part that detects a sensory threshold when the driver is awake. The sensory threshold value detection unit 5 includes, for example, a detection unit including an output unit that applies auditory stimulation by sound, an amplifier that can change the sound pressure level (sound intensity), and a switch that can be input by the driver when audible. is there. The sensation threshold detection unit 5 detects the minimum audible sound pressure level as the driver's sensation threshold by a switch input when the driver can hear it by varying the sound pressure level from the output unit. The sensory threshold detection unit 5 outputs information about the detected sensory threshold to the sleep control unit 2. As the output unit, for example, headphones attached to a headrest portion of a seat can be used. In this case, it is possible to detect the sensory threshold value by eliminating the stimulus from the surrounding environment.

  The sleep control unit 2 is connected to an environmental stimulus intensity detection unit 6. The environmental stimulus intensity detector 6 is a part that detects the intensity of the stimulus from the surrounding environment of the driver during sleep. As the environmental stimulus intensity detection unit 6, for example, there is an omnidirectional microphone or the like, which is provided in a headrest unit of a seat. This omnidirectional microphone detects the intensity of a stimulus such as noise from the surrounding environment given to the driver, that is, the sound pressure level of the noise. The environmental stimulus intensity detection unit 6 outputs information about the detected sound pressure level from the surrounding environment to the sleep control unit 2.

  Further, the stimulus applying device 7 is connected to the sleep control unit 2. The stimulus applying device 7 is a device that applies a physical stimulus to the driver. As the stimulus imparting device 7, for example, there is a speaker that imparts an auditory stimulus by sound. The speaker is built in, for example, a headrest portion of the seat.

  The sleep control unit 2 measures a sleep pattern storage unit 8 that stores a plurality of sleep patterns, a sleep pattern selection setting unit 9 that sets a target sleep pattern selected from the plurality of sleep patterns, and an elapsed time of the target sleep pattern. Sleep time measurement unit 10 to perform, sleep depth determination unit (sleep depth determination means) 11 to determine the current sleep depth of the driver who is sleeping, and sleep depth to compare the target sleep depth and the current sleep depth in the target sleep pattern A comparison unit (sleep depth comparison unit) 12 and an applied stimulus control unit (stimulation unit) 13 that sets a sensory threshold stimulus having an intensity based on the driver's sensory threshold when the current sleep depth reaches the target sleep depth. And.

  The “sleep depth” used in the present embodiment is an index indicating the depth of sleep and is divided into four stages of sleep depths 1 to 4, and as the sleep depth goes from 1 to 4. Sleep is deep. Specifically, the sleep is a shallow sleep at a depth of 1 sleep, a shallow sleep at a sleep depth 2 is deep, a deep sleep at which the sleep depth 3 is hardly perceived, and a sleep depth 4 is a deeper sleep. Each shows a maximum level of sleep.

  The sleep pattern storage unit 8 is a part that stores three types of sleep patterns composed of such sleep depth and sleep time. These three types of sleep patterns are common sleep patterns at a sleep depth 2 where the target sleep depth is shallower than the maximum level, and the target sleep times are different from 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 30 minutes, respectively. It is.

  The sleep pattern selection setting unit 9 selects one desired sleep pattern by operating the operation input unit 3 from among the three types of sleep patterns stored in the sleep pattern storage unit 8. This is the part that is set as the target sleep pattern. Information about the target sleep pattern set by the sleep pattern selection setting unit 9 is output to the sleep time measurement unit 10 and the sleep depth comparison unit 12.

  The sleep time measurement unit 10 is a part that measures a sleep time that is an elapsed time from the start of the target sleep pattern selected and set by the sleep pattern selection setting unit 9. The sleep time measurement unit 10 outputs the measured sleep time to the sleep pattern selection setting unit 9 and the sleep depth comparison unit 12.

  The sleep depth determination unit 11 is a part that determines the current sleep depth of the driver. The sleep depth determination unit 11 determines the current sleep depth of the driver based on the heart rate detected by the physiological information detection unit 4 after receiving the sleep pattern control start signal from the sleep pattern selection setting unit 9. . The sleep depth determination unit 11 outputs the determined current sleep depth to the sleep depth comparison unit 12.

  The sleep depth comparison unit 12 is a part that compares the current sleep depth determined by the sleep depth determination unit 11 with the target sleep depth in the target sleep pattern selected by the sleep pattern selection setting unit 9. The sleep depth comparison unit 12 compares the current sleep depth with the target sleep depth and outputs a comparison signal as to whether or not the current sleep depth has reached the target sleep depth to the applied stimulus control unit 13.

  The applied stimulus control unit 13 selects a sensory threshold value stimulation unit for setting a sensory threshold value, a sensory threshold value stimulus pattern storage unit 15 for storing a plurality of sensory threshold value stimulus patterns, and a sensory for selecting and setting one sensory threshold value stimulus pattern. And a threshold stimulus setting unit 16. The sensation threshold setting unit 14 is a part for setting a driver's sensation threshold. The sensory threshold setting unit 14 sets the sound pressure level detected by the sensory threshold detection unit 5 as the driver's sensory threshold, and outputs the sound pressure level based on the sensory threshold to the sensory threshold stimulation setting unit 16.

  The sensory threshold stimulation pattern storage unit 15 is a part that stores eight types of sensory threshold stimulation patterns that intermittently apply a sound pressure of a predetermined intensity at a constant period. These 8 types of sensory threshold stimulation patterns are all stimulation patterns with a period of 1 minute, and as shown in FIG. 2, are stimulation patterns that intermittently apply a sound pressure of a predetermined intensity at intervals of 15 seconds. The sound pressure levels of this sensory threshold stimulation pattern are 30 dB, 40 dB, 50 dB, 60 dB, 70 dB, 80 dB, 90 dB, and 100 dB, respectively.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, each sensory threshold value stimulation pattern is such that the intensity of the stimulus gradually increases and reaches a sound pressure level of a predetermined intensity at the rising position where the application of the stimulus is started. This is because the driver may perceive the change when the stimulus intensity changes suddenly, and the sound pressure level is changed based on the change value below the discrimination threshold of the human body. I am letting. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, at the rising point where stimulation is started, when the human body intensity discrimination threshold for the sensory threshold stimulus is dV and the human time discrimination threshold for the sensory threshold stimulus is dt, per unit time The sound pressure level is changed so that the change in the intensity of the sensory threshold stimulus is dV / dt or less. Similarly, the intensity of the stimulus is gradually reduced at the falling portion where the application of the stimulus is finished.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, in a sensory threshold stimulation pattern with a sound pressure level of 40 dB, the sound pressure level is gradually increased from 0 dB to 40 dB in 3 seconds as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the sound pressure level of 40 dB is maintained for 9 seconds, and the sound pressure level is gradually decreased from 40 dB to 0 dB in 3 seconds at the falling portion where the stimulus application is finished. Then, such stimulation is intermittently performed at a predetermined cycle.

  The sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16 selects and sets one sensory threshold stimulus pattern having a predetermined intensity from among the eight types of sensory threshold stimulus patterns stored in the sensory threshold stimulus pattern storage unit 15 as described above. It is a part to do. The sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16 outputs one sensory threshold stimulus pattern corresponding to a sensory threshold stimulus having intensity based on the driver's sensory threshold detected by the sensory threshold detection unit 5 and set by the sensory threshold setting unit 14. Select from the types of sensory threshold stimulation patterns and set.

  Here, when a stimulus intensity such as noise is given from the surrounding environment while the driver sleeps, the sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16 starts from the surrounding environment detected by the environmental stimulus intensity detection unit 6 in addition to the sensory threshold value. In consideration of a stimulus such as noise, a sensory threshold stimulus pattern having a predetermined intensity is selected and set. That is, in such a case, the sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16 obtains the sound pressure level of the noise detected by the environmental stimulus intensity detector 6 from the sound pressure level detected by the sensory threshold detector 5. One sensory threshold stimulus pattern corresponding to the sensory threshold stimulus having an intensity based on the sound pressure level to be selected is selected from eight types of sensory threshold stimulus patterns and set.

  In addition, when a comparison signal indicating that the current sleep depth has reached the target sleep depth is input from the sleep depth comparison unit 12, the sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16 has a predetermined sensory threshold stimulus having an intensity based on the sensory threshold described above. A stimulus imparting signal is output to the stimulus imparting device 7 so as to impart a pattern to the driver. When receiving the stimulus applying signal from the sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16, the stimulus applying device 7 intermittently applies a stimulus having a predetermined sound pressure level to the driver for one minute according to the sensory threshold stimulus pattern. The sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16 repeatedly sets the sensory threshold stimulus pattern while changing the sensory threshold stimulus pattern as necessary until the sleep time in the target sleep pattern elapses, and sends a predetermined stimulus applying signal to the stimulus applying device. Continue to output to 7.

  Next, operation | movement of the sleep apparatus 1 mentioned above is demonstrated, referring the flowchart shown in FIG. A series of control processes shown below are repeatedly executed by the sleep control unit 2 for a predetermined time.

  First, in step S1, one of the three types of sleep patterns stored in the sleep pattern storage unit 8 (target sleep depth is sleep depth 2, target sleep time is 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 30 minutes). The sleep pattern is selected by the operation input unit 3 and the selection signal is output to the sleep pattern selection setting unit 9 to set the sleep pattern. Step S1 is repeated until the sleep pattern setting is completed, and when the sleep pattern setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S3 (S2).

  Next, the sensory threshold value of the driver who is awake is measured (S3). In this measurement, the driver changes the sound pressure level by wearing the headphones of the sensation threshold detection unit 5, thereby detecting the sound pressure level as the sensation threshold and measuring the driver's sensation threshold. The sensory threshold setting unit 14 sets the measured sensory threshold.

  When the sensory threshold is set in step S3, the sleep pattern is started, and it is first determined whether the elapsed time measured by the sleep time measurement unit 10 is within the time set by the sleep pattern (S4). If it is within the set time, the process proceeds to step S5 and physiological measurement processing is performed. In the physiological measurement process, the heart rate of the driver is detected by the heart rate measurement sensor of the physiological information detection unit 4, and the physiological state of the driver is measured.

  When the heart rate of the driver is detected in step S5, the sleep depth determination unit 11 determines the current sleep depth of the driver based on physiological information such as the heart rate (S6). After that, the sleep depth comparison unit 12 compares the target sleep depth in the target sleep pattern selected and set in step S1 with the current sleep depth determined in step S6 (S7).

  As a result of the comparison in step S7, if the current sleep depth is shallower than the target sleep depth, the process returns to step S4, and processing such as determination of elapsed time in step S4, physiological measurement in step S5, and determination of the current sleep stage in step S6 repeat. On the other hand, when the current sleep depth becomes deeper than the target sleep depth, that is, when it is determined that the current sleep depth has reached the target sleep depth, the process proceeds to step S8, and the intensity of the stimulus from the driver's surrounding environment Measure.

  In step S8, the stimulus intensity from the surrounding environment is measured by detecting the sound pressure level of noise, which is the intensity of the stimulus in the surrounding environment of the driver during sleep, by the environment stimulus intensity detecting unit 6. When the sound pressure level of noise in the surrounding environment is detected, the difference value is calculated by subtracting the sound pressure level of noise in the surrounding environment from the sound pressure level that is the sensory threshold set in step S3 (S9). When the sound pressure level in the surrounding environment measured in step S8 is extremely low, the following processing is performed assuming that 0 dB is detected.

  Subsequently, based on the difference value calculated in step S9, eight types of sensory threshold stimulus patterns stored in the sensory threshold stimulus pattern storage unit 15 (period is 1 minute, sound pressure levels are 30 dB, 40 dB, and 50 dB). , 60 dB, 70 dB, 80 dB, 90 dB, and 100 dB), the sound pressure level is a sensory threshold stimulation that is given to the driver by selecting one sensory threshold stimulation pattern that most closely approximates the difference value. A pressure level and a period of time are determined (S10). When the sound pressure level and time, which are sensory threshold stimuli, are determined, a stimulus applying signal is output from the sensory threshold stimulus setting unit 16 to the stimulus applying device 7 based on them. The stimulus imparting device 7 imparts a predetermined sensory threshold stimulus to the driver based on the stimulus imparting signal (S11). When the application of the sensory threshold stimulus in step S11 is performed for one minute, which is a predetermined cycle, the process returns to step S4 and a predetermined process is repeated.

  Thereafter, when it is determined in step S4 that the set time of the target sleep pattern has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S12, and the stimulus applying device 7 provides the driver with an arousal stimulus that is a stimulus stronger than the sensory threshold. Awaken the driver. Thereby, sleep control is complete | finished.

  As described above, in the sleep device 1 according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the driver's current sleep depth has reached the target sleep depth, the sound having the sound pressure level based on the sensory threshold is 5 minutes, 10 minutes. Or it is given to the driver for 30 minutes. By applying such sensory threshold stimulation, the sleep depth of the driver can be maintained at a shallow level such as sleep depth 2. Thereby, the refreshing feeling at the time of awakening given to a driver can be improved even if it is sleep for a short time of 5 to 30 minutes.

  In the sleep device 1 according to the present embodiment, the sound obtained by subtracting the sound pressure level of the noise detected by the environmental stimulus intensity detection unit 6 from the sound pressure level of the sense threshold detected by the sense threshold detection unit 5. The pressure level is given to the driver as a sensory threshold stimulus. By applying the sound pressure level of the sensory threshold obtained by subtracting the sound pressure level of the noise received by the driver from the surrounding environment as the sensory threshold stimulus, the driver's sleep can be more reliably maintained at a shallow level such as a sleep depth of 2.

  Moreover, in the sleep apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment, it is made to provide the sensory threshold stimulation pattern with an intermittent change. If the sound pressure level to be applied is constant, the sleeping driver may adjust to the sound pressure level, and the response to the predetermined sound pressure level may be reduced. By intermittently giving the driver a sound pressure level sound that is a sensory threshold stimulus, the driver's sleep can be more reliably maintained at a shallow level such as a sleep depth of 2.

  In addition, in the sleep device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the sensory threshold stimulation is applied, the sound pressure level that is the intensity of the sensory threshold stimulus applied intermittently is set so that the change is smaller than the discrimination threshold of the human body. Increase and decrease gradually. Since sudden changes in the intensity of the stimulus may lead to an awakening of the driver, the intensity of the sensory threshold stimulation is changed based on a change smaller than the discrimination threshold of the human body in this way, thereby preventing the awakening of the middle. Therefore, the predetermined level can be maintained more reliably. The driver's refreshing feeling can be further enhanced by reducing the awakening during the course.

  In the sleep device 1 according to the present embodiment, the sleep depth determination unit 11 determines the current sleep depth of the driver based on the heart rate detected by the heart rate measurement sensor that is the physiological information detection unit 4. Yes. Thereby, based on physiological information, such as a user's heart rate, a user's present present sleep depth can be determined accurately.

  Then, the maintenance test of the test subject's sleep depth by the sleep apparatus mentioned above is demonstrated.

[Sleep depth maintenance test]
This test compares how the subject's sleep depth changes depending on whether or not a sensory threshold stimulus is applied to the subject who has started sleeping. In this maintenance test, an intermittent sensory threshold stimulation with a sound pressure level of 40 dB and an interval of 15 seconds as shown in FIG. 6 is used as the sensory threshold stimulation applied to the subject.

  FIG. 7 is a test result (A) when a sensory threshold stimulus is applied to a sleeping subject. As shown in the figure, when a sensory threshold stimulus as shown in FIG. 6 is given to one subject, the subject's sleep depth is maintained at the sleep depth 2 for about 15 to 20 minutes, as shown in S1. It was done. On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a test result (B) when the sensory threshold stimulation is not applied to the sleeping subject. As shown in the figure, when a sensory threshold stimulus is not given to one subject, the subject gradually changes the depth of sleep slightly to a shallow depth based on the awakening rhythm that is a natural sleep rhythm. As shown in S2, the depth of sleep was finally reached and deep sleep was reached.

  From the above results, the subject's sleep depth can be maintained at the predetermined depth shallower than the maximum level for a certain period of time by giving the subject a sensory threshold stimulus having an intensity based on the human sensory threshold. It was confirmed.

  Next, a test for the number of awakenings of the subject using the above-described sleep device will be described.

[Awakening test]
This test is a case where a sensory threshold stimulus is applied to a subject who has started sleep, and a case where a sensory threshold stimulus is applied so that the rate of change is equal to or less than the human body discrimination threshold. This is a comparison of how the number of midway awakenings of the subject changes when the sensory threshold stimulus is applied so that the rate of change is greater. In this awakening frequency test, as a sensory threshold stimulus when the rate of change is equal to or less than the discrimination threshold, as shown in FIG. Sensory threshold stimuli that change from 0 dB to 40 dB or from 40 dB to 0 dB over 3 seconds are used at the rising and falling points, respectively. On the other hand, as the sensory threshold when the rate of change is larger than the discrimination threshold, the above-described intermittent sensory threshold stimulation with a sound pressure level of 40 dB and intervals of 15 seconds as shown in FIG. 6 is used.

  FIG. 10 shows the test result (C1) when the sensory threshold stimulation is applied so that the change rate is equal to or less than the discrimination threshold of the human body. As shown in the figure, in the sleep for 20 minutes, the sleep depth of one subject was maintained at the sleep depth 2, and the number of awakenings during the sleep was suppressed to about several times. On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a test result (C2) when the sensory threshold stimulation is applied so that the rate of change is larger than the discrimination threshold of the human body. As shown in the figure, in the sleep for 20 minutes, the sleep depth of one subject was maintained at the sleep depth 2, and the number of awakenings during sleep was 5 times.

  From the above results, by applying a sensory threshold stimulus to the subject so that the rate of change is less than or equal to the discrimination threshold of the human body, the subject's sleep depth is maintained at the sleep depth 2, and further, the driver's midway arousal It was confirmed that the number of times could be reduced.

  Embodiment mentioned above shows an example of the sleep apparatus which concerns on this invention. The sleep device according to the present invention is not limited to such a device, and if the gist described in each claim is not changed, the sleep device according to the embodiment is modified or other than the vehicle. It may be applied. For example, in the above embodiment, the sound pressure level is used as the stimulus intensity. However, instead of this, the sound frequency may be used, or both the sound pressure level and the sound frequency may be used. It is good also as intensity. In the above embodiment, the current sleep depth is measured based on a physiological measurement such as a heart rate. However, the current sleep depth may be measured based on another physiological measurement such as an electroencephalogram.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the term sleep depth was used as a level which shows the depth of sleep, you may make it represent the depth of sleep using the term sleep stage which is an international parameter | index. Moreover, in the said embodiment, when changing the intensity | strength of sensory threshold stimulation based on the discrimination threshold of a human body, as shown in FIG. 3, it was changed based on the linear function line, However, It is changed to the discrimination threshold of a human body. If it is based, it may be changed based on an exponential curve as shown in FIG. 11 (a), or may be changed based on a logarithmic function curve as shown in FIG. 11 (b). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), it may be changed based on an exponential curve until a predetermined time, and may be changed based on a logarithmic curve when the predetermined time is exceeded.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated embodiment which applied the sleeping device which concerns on this invention to the vehicle, the sleeping device which concerns on this invention is applied to a bed other than a vehicle, an easy chair, etc., and in normal work You may use for a refreshing use, or for a nap use in the work which cannot take a nap for a long time, such as the police and a fire fighting.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the sleep apparatus which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the pattern of the sensory threshold stimulation used with the sleep apparatus which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the change at the time of changing the intensity | strength of a sensory threshold stimulus based on a discrimination threshold value. It is a figure which shows an example of the pattern of a sensory threshold value stimulus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the sleep apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the pattern of the sensory threshold stimulation used for the sleep depth maintenance test. It is a figure which shows the test result of the maintenance test of the sleep depth at the time of giving a sensory threshold stimulus. It is a figure which shows the test result of the maintenance test of the sleep depth at the time of not giving sensory threshold stimulus. It is a figure which shows the pattern of the sensory threshold value stimulation of the change rate below the discrimination threshold value used for an awakening frequency test. It is a figure which shows the test result of the arousal number test at the time of providing the sensory threshold stimulus of the change rate below a discrimination threshold. It is a figure which shows the test result of the arousal number test at the time of giving the sensory threshold stimulus of the change rate larger than a discrimination threshold It is a figure which shows another example of a change at the time of changing the intensity | strength of a sensory threshold value stimulus based on a discrimination threshold value.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sleeping device, 2 ... Sleep control part, 4 ... Physiological information detection part (physiological information detection means), 5 ... Sensory threshold detection part (sensory threshold detection means), 6 ... Environmental stimulus intensity detection part (Environmental stimulus intensity detection means) ), 7 ... Stimulus imparting device (stimulus imparting means), 11 ... Sleep depth determining section (sleep depth determining means), 12 ... Sleep depth comparing section (sleep depth comparing means), 13 ... Giving stimulus control section (stimulus imparting means) 14 Sense threshold setting unit 16 Sense threshold stimulus setting unit

Claims (5)

A sleep depth determination means for determining a user's current sleep depth;
A sleep depth comparison means for comparing the current sleep depth determined by the sleep depth determination means with a target sleep depth predetermined at a predetermined level shallower than the maximum level;
When the sleep depth comparing means determines that the current sleep depth has reached the target sleep depth, the stimulus applying means for giving the user a sensory threshold stimulus having an intensity based on a human sensory threshold;
A sleep device comprising: Sensory threshold value detecting means for detecting an intensity that is a sensory threshold value of the user;
Environmental stimulus intensity detecting means for detecting the intensity of the stimulus received by the user from the surrounding environment;
The stimulus applying means provides the user with a stimulus having an intensity obtained by subtracting the intensity detected by the environmental stimulus intensity detecting means from the intensity detected by the sensory threshold detecting means as the sensory threshold stimulus. The sleep device according to claim 1.   The sleep device according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus applying unit intermittently applies the sensory threshold stimulus to the user. When the human body intensity discrimination threshold for the sensory threshold stimulus is dV, and the human time discrimination threshold for the sensory threshold stimulus is dt,
The said stimulation provision means provides the said sensory threshold stimulation to the said user so that the change of the intensity | strength of the said sensory threshold stimulation per unit time may be dV / dt or less. The sleep device according to any one of the above. Further comprising physiological information detecting means for detecting physiological information of the user;
The said sleep depth determination means determines the said present sleep depth of the said user based on the said physiological information detected by the said physiological information detection means, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The sleeping device described.

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