JP2003117001A - Relaxation induction device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems in a conventional relaxation induction device for realizing a relaxed condition by programming synchronous optical signal and sound signal to be added to the subject's eyes and ears, and stimulating the eyes and ears by the signals to induce brain wave, that the energy efficiency is low, and the subject's eyes are not sufficiently stimulated as the consideration of the spectral of the optical signal is insufficient. SOLUTION: In this relaxation induction device comprising an optical signal input device capable of independently inputting the optical signals to the left and right eyes, a sound signal input device capable of independently inputting the sound signals to the left and right ears, a signal control device capable of transmitting the synchronous light or sound intermittent signals to the input devices, and a program signal generating device for controlling the signal control device, a light emitting element mounted on the optical signal input device for generating the optical signal has a brightness peak in a range of 440-480 nm in a brightness spectral, and is composed of a photoelectric converting element having the spectral only in a visible wavelength area of 400-600 nm in the visible wavelength area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a relaxation inducing device for releasing the body and mind by inducing brain waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Life in modern society is full of stress. Originally, humans balance the body with a kind of body clock called circadian rhythm,
The cycle is said to be 25 hours. This rhythm is also known as photoperiodicity, and the biological rhythm of the day starts when stimulated by sunlight at sunrise. However, social life is full of various stimuli such as vibration, noise, artificial light,
Circadian rhythms have also been greatly upset by the increasing complexity of the social environment and irregular daily lives. For this reason, the body and mind are full of stress, and autonomy as an animal is greatly impaired. In order to relieve such stress, it is effective to appropriately stimulate the five senses (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, taste) to bring out comfort. As a relaxation method, therapies that combine acupressure and massage with music and fragrance are also widely used.

However, as described above, sunlight is the most important factor controlling circadian rhythm, and it is considered that the action of the stimulus on the cranial nerve leads to the most effective restoration of autonomy. In addition, the brain is trying to assimilate to the external environment.
It has long been known to exhibit cy Following Response. For example, the nap of a guardian of a watermill, which is a periodic auditory nerve action, a nap in a tree leak sun, which is a periodic visual nerve action, and a nap in a vehicle, which is a periodic vibration and an auditory nerve action. can give.

The present inventor has already disclosed a system for inducing an electroencephalogram and performing relaxation while synchronizing the signals of light and sound by paying attention to the tuning characteristics of the electroencephalogram for light and sound (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-349220). issue). EEGs are usually classified by frequency as follows. Beta wave: 17Hz Distracted and frustrated by stress. α wave: 7 to 16 Hz α 1: 12 to 16 Hz A state where you are nervous and concentrated on things α 2: 9 to 11 Hz A state in which your body and mind are relaxed and your concentration is very high. α3: 7 to 8 Hz Very relaxed and peaceful state. θ wave: 4 to 6 Hz A state of deep relaxation, slumbering and light sleep. δ wave: 1-3 Hz Deep sleep without dreaming.

The relaxation inducing device proposed by the present inventor applies a synchronized light and sound signal to an audiovisual nerve and changes its pulse frequency from a β wave state to a specific electroencephalogram band, for example, α3. EEG guidance is carried out by means of relaxation.

Further, the inventor of the present invention, after performing relaxation as described above, induces the electroencephalogram again into a state of high concentration, for example, the state of α2, and the relaxation applied learning in which the learning is effectively performed in this state. The method and the apparatus have already been disclosed (Japanese Patent Application No. 7-169322).

These relaxation inducing devices of the present inventor act on the cranial nerve as a patterned intermittent signal in which light and sound are synchronized with each other, but this is performed more efficiently to ensure the electroencephalogram induction. It has been found by the present inventor that a more detailed examination of the stimulation method is required to achieve this. In particular, it was found that it is important to reexamine the optical stimulus spectrally in terms of the relationship between sunlight, which is the origin of circadian rhythm, and the visual sensitivity, and to increase the physical comfort of the subject. Based on this finding, a new relaxation induction device has been disclosed. (JP-A-9-13140). This relaxation induction device has a peak at 500 to 550 nm,
In addition, an electro-optical conversion element having a spectrum only in the visible wavelength range of 400 to 730 nm and having an asymmetrical luminance spectrum in which the integrated luminance is larger on the long wavelength side than the peak is used for the light source of the optical signal input device.

[0008]

This relaxation device is capable of relaxing the body and mind by electroencephalogram induction and creating a state free from stress, and is itself an excellent device with a high degree of perfection. , It should have been improved further in terms of efficiency. That is, it is necessary to increase the stimulus to the retina in order to improve the induction efficiency of the electroencephalogram. Therefore, it is easiest to increase the light emission amount of the light emitter, but to increase the light emission amount, the goggle type is used. There is no choice but to increase the size of the optical signal input device, and the weight of the optical signal input device also increases, and the amount of heat generated also increases, which increases the physical burden and stress on the subject when the device is attached to the face. There was a danger of falling into a vicious circle. In other words, in order for the subject to be relaxed while being physically relaxed, it is important to make the goggle-type optical signal input device smaller and lighter so that it does not cause discomfort when worn. In order to do so, it is important to be able to use the limited luminescence energy as effectively as possible.

The present inventor has conducted further research on the relationship between the spectrum of the light source and the electroencephalogram inducing effect, and based on the new findings, to create a deeper stress-free state in a shorter time with a limited amount of energy. We have succeeded in developing a more efficient relaxation inducing device, which is proposed here as the present invention.

[0010]

An optical signal input device capable of separately inputting optical signals to the left and right eyes, and a sound signal input device capable of individually inputting sound signals to the left and right ears. A signal control device capable of sending an intermittent signal of light or sound to each of the input devices in synchronization with each other,
In a relaxation induction device including a program signal generator that controls the signal controller, a light emitter that is provided in the optical signal input device and generates the optical signal,
It has a luminance peak in the range of 440 to 480 nm in its luminance spectrum, and is 400 in the visible wavelength range.
It is intended to solve the above problems by using an electro-optical conversion element having a spectrum only in the range of to 600 nm.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, an optical signal input device capable of separately inputting an optical signal to each of the left and right eyes and a sound capable of separately inputting a sound signal to each of the left and right ears. A relaxation inducing device comprising a signal input device, a signal control device capable of sending an intermittent signal of light or sound to each of the input devices in synchronization with each other, and a program signal generation device for controlling the signal control device. , The light emitting element provided in the optical signal input device for generating the optical signal is 440 to 4 in its luminance spectrum.
A first brightness peak in the range of 80 nm, a second brightness peak in the range of 500 nm to 570 nm, and 40
To construct an electro-optical conversion element having a spectrum only in the visible wavelength range of 0 nm to 750 nm and having an asymmetry in which the spectrum has a higher integrated intensity on the long wavelength side than on the short wavelength side with the first luminance peak as a boundary. The above problem is solved by.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is such that an optical signal input device capable of separately inputting an optical signal to each of the left and right eyes and a sound capable of separately inputting a sound signal to each of the left and right ears. A relaxation inducing device comprising a signal input device, a signal control device capable of sending an intermittent signal of light or sound to each of the input devices in synchronization with each other, and a program signal generation device for controlling the signal control device. , The light emitting element provided in the optical signal input device for generating the optical signal is 440 to 4 in its luminance spectrum.
A first luminance peak in the range of 80 nm, a second luminance peak in the range of 500 nm to 570 nm, a third luminance peak in the range of 620 nm to 660 nm, and 4
A spectrum should be formed only in the visible wavelength range of 00 nm to 750 nm, and the spectrum should be composed of an electro-optical conversion element having an asymmetry with the first luminance peak as a boundary and showing higher integrated intensity on the long wavelength side than on the short wavelength side. Therefore, the invention according to claim 4 is such that an optical signal input device capable of separately inputting an optical signal to the left and right eyes and a sound signal input device capable of separately inputting a sound signal to the left and right ears. A signal control device capable of sending intermittent signals of light or sound to each of the input devices in synchronism with each other, and a program signal generator for controlling the signal control device. The luminous body which is provided in the signal input device and generates the optical signal has a spectrum only in the range of 400 to 750 nm in its luminance spectrum. And, and by constructing in electro-optic conversion element whose luminance spectrum is formed by a gentle curve within the range without a specific luminance peaks, in which each solves cents above problems.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a relaxation induction device according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of an optical signal input device, which is a main part thereof, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof.

In the figure, 1 is an optical signal input device for inputting separate optical signals to the left and right eyes of a subject 12, 2 is a sound signal input device for inputting separate sound signals to the left and right ears, Reference numeral 3 is a signal control device for sending light and sound intermittent signals to the optical signal input device 1 and the sound signal input device 2, respectively, and 4 is a program signal generation device for controlling the signal control device 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical signal input device 1 has a thick main body 5 having a synthetic resin material 13 adhered to the back side of a frame 9 made of light metal, and ear hooks provided on both sides thereof. It has a goggle shape composed of parts 6 and 6, and a pocket part 7 is formed on the back side of the main body 5 at a position corresponding to both eyes of the subject 12, and the pocket part 7 has a light emitting body. 8 is positioned so that its light emitting portion faces the subject 12 side. A transparent plate 10 made of acrylic resin is attached to the open end of the pocket 7. Reference numeral 11 in the drawing denotes a substrate to which the light emitting body 8 is attached.

The light emitter 8 is an electro-optical conversion element for converting an electrical signal into an optical signal, and in this embodiment, the light emitter 8 is used.
Although a light emitting diode is used as the above and a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged on the substrate 11, other electro-optical conversion elements such as a fluorescent display tube may be used instead of the light emitting diode. However, the light emitting diode is most preferably used from the viewpoint of ease of selection of the luminance spectrum, power consumption, light amount, heat generation amount, unit price, durability and the like.

The intensity and frequency of the optical signal in the optical signal input device 1 are controlled by the signal control device 3 so as to be synchronized with the sound signal, and the power supply therefor is also built in the signal control device 3. , Both are connected by a cable. On the other hand, the sound signal input device 2 is in the form of headphones, and the strength and frequency of the sound signal emitted from the sound signal input device 2 are controlled by the signal control device 3 so as to be synchronized with the optical signal.

The signal control device 3 includes an external audio input terminal 1
2 is provided and has a function of taking in, for example, BGM or instruction voice from this terminal and mixing with the sound signal or selecting a function. These audio signals are transmitted to the audio signal input device by a cable. The program signal generation device 4 has a plurality of built-in guidance programs for specific purposes such as stress relief, concentration training, creativity development, sleep promotion, and meditation, and the subject 12 can select and operate the device. It has become like. The program signal generator 4 is connected to the signal controller 3 and controls the driving of the signal controller 3. The signal control device 3 and the program signal generation device 4 may of course be integrated.

Light emitter 8 used in the optical signal input device 1
Is an interface in which the light emitted from it stimulates the cerebrum through the photoreceptor cells and optic nerve through the closed eyelid, and its luminescence characteristics are extremely important. In this embodiment, the light emitter 8 emits visible light having a luminance spectrum as shown in FIG. That is, this visible light has a luminance spectrum only in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 600 nm and is 440n
It has a peak of the luminance spectrum in the range of m to 480 nm. In FIG. 4, the luminance peak is 4
It is 57 nm.

It is the greatest feature of the present invention that the spectrum of visible light emitted from the light-emitting body 8 is within the above range, for the following reason. That is, according to the research by the present inventor based on the use results of the conventional relaxation inducing device, in order to efficiently stimulate the brain by the optical signal, it is effective to apply light having stronger stimulation to the retina. It has been found. The stimulus intensity referred to here is the stimulus intensity felt by the subject 12 due to the difference in the spectral characteristics of visible light, and the absolute stimulus intensity depending on the light amount. No matter how much the stimulus is increased, it is practically impossible to irradiate with light that is strong enough to destroy or damage the retina, that is, light with a large amount of light, so naturally the increase in the amount of stimulus transmission due to the increase in light amount will naturally occur. There is a limit, and the amount of stimulus transmission must be increased due to the difference in the spectral characteristics of light. As a result of repeated studies, the inventor of the present invention has found that light having a shorter wavelength has a larger amount of stimulus transmission to the retina as a stimulus by the spectrum of visible light.

Conventionally, it has been considered that light having a wide visible light of 400 nm to 750 nm is suitable as the light source of the relaxation inducing device.
Light having a wavelength longer than nm is a light region that is automatically generated by the retina that acts as a red filter when light is applied to the retina with the eyelids closed. It is not necessary to positively have a light spectrum longer than 600 nm, and in order to make the most effective use of limited energy, light longer than 600 nm is ignored, and light spectrum shorter than 600 nm. We have found that it is advantageous to use only.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the visible light emitted from the light-emitting body 8 has a spectrum only in the range of 400 nm to 600 nm in the brightness spectrum and has a brightness peak in the vicinity of 440 to 480 nm. did. Note that in actual use, visible light passes through the eyelids that serve as a red filter, so that the light spectrum in the green region (500 nm to 500 nm or more) that is a complementary color to red is prevented so that the red component does not become too strong. 57
0 nm) must be included to some extent.

This embodiment has the above-described structure. As shown in FIG. 3, the subject 12 inputs a headphone type sound signal with the goggle type optical signal input device 1 as an eye. The device 2 is placed on each ear, the eyelids closed and the preprogrammed signals from the eyes and ears are received to induce relaxation. The optical signal and the sound signal are intermittent signals that are synchronized with each other, and as a result, the electroencephalogram of the subject 12 decreases the number of cycles thereof as shown in FIG.
The "central process" that progresses at a nearly constant frequency and the "ending process" that raises the brain wave frequency, which is the final state of reinstatement, change in sequence, eventually leading to stress relief.

As described above, in this embodiment, the peak of the luminance spectrum of the optical signal is set on the shorter wavelength side than the conventional one, that is, near 440 nm to 480 nm, and the spectrum on the longer wavelength side than 600 nm is not included. Therefore, when compared with the same energy amount of the optical signal, the stimulation on the retina was significantly stronger than that of the conventional device of the same type, and the smoother induction of the electroencephalogram was possible.

Further, since the energy efficiency of the optical signal is good, it is not necessary to enlarge the light emitting body, and the goggle type optical signal input device can be made smaller and lighter, and the physical condition of the subject when wearing it can be reduced. It has become possible to reduce the burden and guide the EEG in a relaxed state.

Next, an embodiment of the invention described in claim 2 will be described. In this embodiment, the peak of the luminance spectrum of visible light emitted from the light-emitting body 8 is set in a certain specific region, and the configuration of other portions is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. The description is omitted. In this embodiment, the visible light emitted from the light emitter 8 is 400 nm to 75 nm as shown in FIG.
Has a spectrum in the range of 0 nm and has a wavelength of 440 nm to 48
The peak of the first luminance spectrum near 0 nm is further increased by 5
It has a peak of the second luminance spectrum in the vicinity of 00 nm to 570 nm. The first peak in FIG. 5 is 457 nm and the second peak is 561 nm. Further, the long wavelength side of the peak of the first luminance spectrum has a higher integrated intensity than the short wavelength side.

The second luminance peak of 500 nm to 570 nm in this embodiment corresponds to a green region, and green is a complementary color of red. Therefore, when the eyelid is closed and the retina is irradiated with light, the eyelid is red. By acting as a filter, the red component becomes too strong, and the spectral component in the green region is corrected to make the light more stimulating to the retina, thereby enhancing the effect of inducing brain waves. These spectra are obtained by using the white light emitting diode alone or the blue light emitting diode and the green light emitting diode in combination as the light emitting body 8.
Can be produced.

Next, an embodiment of the invention described in claim 3 will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in the luminance spectrum of the light emitted from the luminous body 8, the first luminance peak is around 440 nm to 480 nm and the second luminance peak is around 500 nm to 570 nm. However, it has a third luminance peak near 620 nm to 660 nm and has a spectrum only in the visible wavelength range of 400 nm to 750 nm. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

In this embodiment, since it matches the color of blood, the uniqueness of red, which is the strongest psychological reaction of human vision, is utilized, and the stimulation of the retina is strengthened as much as possible with a limited amount of energy. I tried to try this 62
By enhancing the red region from 0 nm to 660 nm,
The subject's vision is stimulated psychologically so that stronger stimulation is transmitted to the brain. These spectra can be created by combining the blue light emitting diode, the green light emitting diode, and the red light emitting diode to form the light emitting element 8.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the invention described in claim 4 will be described. The light emitted from the light emitting body 8 in this embodiment is 400n as shown in the figure.
has a spectrum of visible light from m to 750 nm,
The luminance spectrum has a gentle curve and does not have a specific luminance peak. In addition, in FIG. 7, a broken line portion indicates an invisible light ray region. Visible light composed of such a gentle curve is the closest to sunlight and can be easily received by the brain through the retina and can give the most efficient stimulation of the brain waves.

[0031]

The relaxation inducing device according to the present invention has the above-mentioned structure,
As a result of re-examination of the luminance spectrum of visible light emitted from the light emitting element, it becomes possible to stimulate the brain most efficiently with a limited amount of energy, and to relax the body and mind deeper in a shorter time. It is possible to contribute to the maintenance and promotion of physical and mental health and the improvement of concentration.

Further, since the energy can be used effectively and efficiently, the goggle type optical signal input device can be made smaller and lighter, and the subject is as heavy as the conventional one and a large optical signal input device is placed on the face. It has the effect of being able to work on the electroencephalogram guidance in a physically easier state without the need to wear it, and has an extremely high practical value.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of a relaxation induction device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of an embodiment of a goggle type optical signal input device, which is a main part thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a graph of a luminance spectrum of visible light emitted from a light emitting element in the relaxation induction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph of a luminance spectrum of visible light emitted from a light emitting body in the second embodiment as well.

FIG. 6 is a graph of a luminance spectrum of visible light emitted from a light emitting body in the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a graph of a luminance spectrum of visible light emitted from a light emitting body according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing changes in the induction state of electroencephalograms when the present apparatus is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Optical signal input device Two-tone signal input device 3 signal control device 4 Program signal generator 5 body 6 ears 7 pockets 8 luminous body 9 frame 10 translucent plate 11 board 12 subjects 13 Foam synthetic resin material

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An optical signal input device capable of separately inputting optical signals to the left and right eyes, a sound signal input device capable of individually inputting sound signals to the left and right ears, and the input device. A signal control device capable of sending intermittent signals of light or sound in synchronization with each other, and a program signal generation device controlling the signal control device, wherein the optical signal input device is provided. The luminous body which generates the optical signal has a luminance peak in the range of 440 to 480 nm in the luminance spectrum, and 400 to 600 nm in the visible wavelength range.
A relaxation inducing device comprising an electro-optical converting element having a spectrum only in the range. 2. An optical signal input device capable of separately inputting optical signals to the left and right eyes, a sound signal input device capable of separately inputting sound signals to the left and right ears, and the input device. A signal control device capable of sending intermittent signals of light or sound in synchronization with each other, and a program signal generation device controlling the signal control device, wherein the optical signal input device is provided. The luminous body which generates the optical signal has a first luminance peak in the range of 440 nm to 480 nm and a second luminance peak in the range of 500 nm to 570 nm in the luminance spectrum.
And has a spectrum only in the visible wavelength range of 400 nm to 750 nm, and the spectrum has an asymmetry exhibiting a higher integrated intensity on the long wavelength side than on the short wavelength side with the first luminance peak as a boundary. A relaxation inducing device comprising an electro-optical converting element of the relaxation inducing device. 3. An optical signal input device capable of separately inputting optical signals to the left and right eyes, a sound signal input device capable of separately inputting sound signals to the left and right ears, and the input device. A signal control device capable of sending intermittent signals of light or sound in synchronization with each other, and a program signal generation device controlling the signal control device, wherein the optical signal input device is provided. The luminous body which generates the optical signal has a first luminance peak in the range of 440 nm to 480 nm and a second luminance peak in the range of 500 nm to 570 nm in the luminance spectrum.
Has a third luminance peak in the range of 620 nm to 660 nm, and 400 nm to 750 nm
In addition to having a spectrum only in the visible wavelength range, the spectrum is composed of an electro-optical conversion element having an asymmetry that exhibits a higher integrated intensity on the long wavelength side than on the short wavelength side with the first luminance peak as a boundary. Relaxation induction device. 4. An optical signal input device capable of individually inputting optical signals to the left and right eyes, a sound signal input device capable of individually inputting sound signals to the left and right ears, and the input device. A signal control device capable of sending intermittent signals of light or sound in synchronization with each other, and a program signal generation device controlling the signal control device, wherein the optical signal input device is provided. The luminous body which generates the optical signal has a spectrum in the visible wavelength range of 400 nm to 750 nm in its luminance spectrum, and does not have a specific luminance peak, and the luminance spectrum is formed by a gentle curve in the range. Relaxation induction device characterized by comprising an electro-optical conversion element.