Bedding and communication system

The present disclosure relates to bedding and communication systems.

Conventionally, pillows for acquiring user's biological information have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pillow that acquires a user's biological information when the user sleeps.

<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-12910</text></patcit></p>

<p> However, there is room for improvement in conventional pillows. For example, pillows may be used by multiple users in public facilities such as hospitals.</p><p> An object of the present disclosure is to provide improved bedding and communication systems.</p>

<p> One aspect of bedding includes at least a detection unit that detects the weight applied to the main body, a storage unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores the head weights of the plurality of users and the user identification information associated with each of the head weights of the plurality of users. The control unit measures the weight of the user's head based on the detection result of the detection unit, and acquires the identification information of the user associated with the measured head weight from the storage unit.</p><p> One aspect of bedding includes at least a detection unit that detects pressure applied to the main body, a storage unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores the head shapes of the plurality of users and the user identification information associated with each of the head shapes of the plurality of users. The control unit measures the user's head shape based on the detection result of the detection unit, and acquires the user's identification information associated with the measured head shape from the storage unit.</p><p> One aspect of the communication system includes any of the above beddings and a server. The server is connected to the bedding via a network. The server receives at least one of the user's biological information, stress value, and sleep information acquired by the bedding together with the user's identification information. The server stores the received information in association with the received identification information.</p>

<p> According to the present disclosure, improved bedding and communication systems can be provided.</p>

<figref num="1">It is a schematic external view of the pillow which concerns on 1st Embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">It is sectional drawing of the pillow along the line II shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="3">It is a functional block diagram of the pillow which concerns on 1st Embodiment.</figref><figref num="4">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing of the pillow which concerns on 1st Embodiment.</figref><figref num="5">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing of the pillow which concerns on 1st Embodiment.</figref><figref num="6">It is the schematic of the communication system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.</figref><figref num="7">It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the control procedure of the communication system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.</figref>

Hereinafter, embodiments of the bedding according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. As used herein, bedding is described as a pillow. However, the bedding of the present disclosure is not limited to pillows. The bedding of the present disclosure may be any bedding that supports the user's head during the user's sleep, and may be, for example, a cushion, a neck pillow, a cushion, or the like.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of the pillow 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pillow 1 along line II shown in FIG. Regarding the pillow 1 described in the present specification, the upper side means the upper side of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, and the lower side means the opposite side. Further, with respect to the pillow 1 described in the present specification, the crown side means the left side of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, and the neck side means the right side of the cross-sectional view of FIG.

The user can sleep with his head resting on the pillow 1. Pillow 1 supports the user's head, for example, during the user's sleep. The mounting surface A shown in FIG. 1 is the upper surface of the pillow 1 and is the surface on which the user's head is placed. Pillow 1 may be used by a plurality of users in a public facility, for example. Public facilities are, for example, elderly housing with care, hospitals or training camps. The pillow 1 can acquire biological information and the like of a user whose head is placed on the pillow 1. Further, the pillow 1 can acquire the identification information of the user who puts the head on the pillow 1, although the details will be described later. The user identification information may include the user's name, the user's ID, and the like. When the pillow 1 acquires the identification information of the user, the user who puts the head on the pillow 1 can be estimated.

Pillow 1 may have, for example, a cylindrical shape having two elliptical bottom surfaces, as shown in FIG. However, the shape of the pillow 1 is not limited to the cylindrical shape. For example, the shape of the pillow 1 may be a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a U-shape, a donut shape, or the like.

Pillow 1 is entirely covered with exterior portion 15. The pillow 1 includes a detection unit 10, a control unit 20, and an airbag 30 inside. The number of airbags included in the pillow 1 is not limited to one of the airbags 30. Pillow 1 may have two or more airbags.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detection unit 10 is arranged in the exterior unit 15 along the mounting surface A. The detection unit 10 may be arranged along the entire surface of the mounting surface A.

The detection unit 10 detects the weight applied to the mounting surface A (main body). The detection unit 10 includes, for example, a weight sensor. The detection unit 10 detects the weight applied to the mounting surface A by the weight sensor. The detection unit 10 outputs the detected weight to the control unit 14, which will be described later.

The detection unit 10 may detect the pressure applied to the mounting surface A (main body). In this case, the detection unit 10 includes a plurality of pressure sensors. Each pressure sensor is evenly arranged, for example, on the mounting surface A. The detection unit 10 detects the pressure distribution on the mounting surface A by a plurality of pressure sensors. The detection unit 10 outputs the detected pressure distribution to the control unit 14, which will be described later.

The detection unit 10 may be configured to include a motion sensor. The motion sensor is configured by combining, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like. In this case, the detection unit 10 detects the movement of the pillow 1 by the motion sensor. The detection unit 10 outputs the detected movement of the pillow 1 to the control unit 14, which will be described later.

The detection unit 10 may be configured to include a proximity sensor. In this case, the detection unit 10 detects the presence of an object close to the pillow 1 in a non-contact manner. The detection unit 10 outputs the existence of an object close to the detected pillow 1 to the control unit 14, which will be described later.

The detection unit 10 may be configured to include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is arranged, for example, in the pillow 1 in the vicinity of the position where the head is located when the user puts the head on the mounting surface A. The temperature sensor detects the ambient temperature. The detection unit 10 outputs the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to the control unit 14, which will be described later.

The detection unit 10 may be configured to include a sweating sensor. The sweat sensor is arranged, for example, on the pillow 1 near the location where the skin (eg, the skin on the face or neck) is located when the user places the head on the mounting surface A. As the user's sweat evaporates from the skin, the humidity of the air near the user's skin changes. The sweating sensor detects the humidity of the surrounding air and detects the amount of sweating of the user based on the change in the detected humidity. The detection unit 10 outputs the amount of perspiration detected by the perspiration sensor to the control unit 14, which will be described later.

The detection unit 10 may be configured to include a pulse sensor. The pulse sensor is arranged, for example, on the pillow 1 near a location where the user's skin (eg, face or neck skin) is located when the user places the head on the mounting surface A. The pulse sensor, for example, irradiates the user's skin with a laser beam and detects the user's pulse based on the reflected light of the laser beam on the skin. The detection unit 10 outputs the pulse detected by the pulse sensor to the control unit 14, which will be described later.

The exterior portion 15 covers the entire pillow 1. The inside of the exterior portion 15 may be filled with a material having a cushioning property. For example, the inside of the exterior portion 15 may be filled with pipes, feathers, cotton, foam beads, or the like.

The control unit 20 is arranged, for example, on the lower surface of the pillow 1. However, the control unit 20 may be arranged at any position on the pillow 1. For example, the control unit 20 may be arranged outside the pillow 1. The control unit 20 includes a control unit 14 and the like, which will be described later.

The control unit 20 acquires biometric information of the user whose head is placed on the pillow 1 based on the output result of the detection unit 10. Further, the control unit 20 measures the head weight (or head shape) of the user whose head is placed on the pillow 1 by using the detection unit 10, and obtains the measured head weight (or head shape). Based on this, the identification information of the user who puts the head on the pillow 1 is acquired. Details of these processes and the details of the configuration of the control unit 20 will be described later.

The inside of the pillow 1 is filled with the airbag 30. The airbag 30 is made of, for example, a flexible and airtight material. The airbag 30 may be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The airbag 30 expands into a predetermined shape by injecting air into the airbag 30.

The inside of the pillow 1 may be filled with another member instead of the airbag 30. For example, the inside of the pillow 1 may be filled with a coil member, a pipe, cotton, foam beads, or the like.

Next, the details of the function of the pillow 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the pillow 1 according to the first embodiment.

Pillow 1 includes a detection unit 10. The pillow 1 further includes a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14 as a control unit 20.

The communication unit 12 is connected to an external device via a network. The communication unit 12 includes, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared rays, NFC (Near Field Communication), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired LAN, WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet or any other communication medium, or any of these. Communication is possible by the combination of.

The storage unit 13 may be composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or the like. The storage unit 13 stores various information and a program for operating the control unit 14. The storage unit 13 may also function as a work memory.

The storage unit 13 stores the head weights of the plurality of users and the user identification information associated with each of the head weights of the plurality of users. The plurality of users are, for example, users who can use the pillow 1. For example, when pillow 1 is used in a hospital, the plurality of users may be a plurality of patients admitted to the hospital. In this case, the weight of the user's head and the user's identification information may be stored in the storage unit 13 by the first day of hospitalization of the user or before that day, for example, based on the operation of the hospital administrator. As the head weight of the user stored in the storage unit 13, the head weight actually measured by the detection unit 10 or the like when the user puts the head on the pillow 1 may be used.

The storage unit 13 may store the head shapes of the plurality of users and the user identification information associated with each of the head shapes of the plurality of users. In this case, even if the user's head shape stored in the storage unit 13 is the user's head shape actually measured by the detection unit 10 or the like when the user puts the head on the pillow 1. Good.

The control unit 14 includes at least one processor 14A to provide control and processing power for performing various functions. At least one processor 14A may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC) or as multiple communicable integrated integrated circuit ICs and discrete circuits. At least one processor 14A can be implemented according to various known techniques.

In certain embodiments, processor 14A comprises one or more circuits or units configured to perform one or more data computation procedures and processes. For example, processor 14A can be one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processing devices, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or any combination or configuration thereof. The functions described below may be performed by including combinations or combinations of other known devices or configurations.

The control unit 14 is connected to the detection unit 10, the communication unit 12, and the storage unit 13, and controls and manages the entire pillow 1 including each of these functional units. The control unit 14 acquires the program stored in the storage unit 13. The control unit 14 realizes various functions related to each part of the pillow 1 by executing the acquired program.

The control unit 14 determines whether or not the user puts his / her head on the pillow 1 based on the output result (detection result) of the detection unit 10. Specifically, when the weight sensor of the detection unit 10 detects a weight exceeding a predetermined amount, it is determined that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1. For example, when the detection unit 11 includes a pressure sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 when the pressure sensor detects the pressure applied to the mounting surface A. Good. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a motion sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 when the motion sensor detects the movement of the pillow 1. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a proximity sensor, the control unit 14 determines that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 when the proximity sensor detects the presence of an object close to the pillow 1. May be good. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a temperature sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds the first threshold value. Good. The first threshold value may be, for example, a temperature at which it is possible to detect that the human body (head) is in contact with the pillow 1. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a sweating sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 when the sweating sensor detects the user's sweating. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes the pulse sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 when the pulse sensor detects the user's pulse.

When the control unit 14 determines that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1, the control unit 14 measures the weight of the user's head using the detection result of the detection unit 10. Further, the control unit 14 refers to the storage unit 13 to acquire the user identification information associated with the measured head weight of the user.

For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a plurality of pressure sensors, the detection result of the detection unit 10 may be used to measure the shape of the user's head. In this case, the control unit 14 measures the shape of the user's head based on the pressure distribution on the mounting surface A detected by the plurality of pressure sensors. Further, when the storage unit 13 stores the user's identification information in association with the user's head shape, the control unit 14 is associated with the measured user's head shape with reference to the storage unit 13. The identification information of the user may be acquired.

&lt;Biological information acquisition process&gt; When the control unit 14 determines that the user has placed his / her head on the pillow 1, the control unit 14 starts acquiring the user's biometric information. The biometric information may include, for example, the user's body temperature, the user's sweating rate, the user's heart rate and the user's respiratory rate. The control unit 14 acquires biometric information based on the output result of the detection unit 10. Specifically, when the detection unit 10 includes the temperature sensor, the control unit 14 acquires (calculates) the user's body temperature based on the user's head temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Further, when the detection unit 10 includes the sweating sensor, the control unit 14 acquires the sweating amount of the user from the sweating sensor. Further, when the detection unit 10 includes the pulse sensor, the control unit 14 acquires (measures) the user's heart rate based on the pulse detected by the pulse sensor. Further, when the detection unit 10 includes the motion sensor, the control unit 14 acquires (measures) the user's respiratory rate based on the movement of the pillow 1 detected by the motion sensor. For example, when the user breathes, the body moves in accordance with the breathing. The motion sensor detects this body movement as the movement of the pillow 1. The control unit 14 measures the user's respiratory rate based on the body movement detected by the motion sensor as the movement of the pillow 1.

The control unit 14 may acquire the stress value based on the acquired biometric information of the user. The stress value indicates the balance between the active states of the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve. For example, when the user's biological information includes the heart rate, the control unit 14 may acquire the stress value based on the heart rate. In this case, the control unit 14 extracts a low frequency component (for example, a cycle of about 10 seconds) from the fluctuating wave of the heartbeat as a sympathetic nerve component (LF). Further, the control unit 14 extracts a high frequency component (for example, a cycle of 3 to 4 seconds) from the fluctuating wave of the heartbeat as a parasympathetic nerve component (HF). In addition, the control unit 14 acquires (calculates) the stress value (LF / HF) by dividing the sympathetic nerve component (LF) by the parasympathetic nerve component (HF). This stress value (LF / HF) indicates that the higher the value, the higher the stress applied to the user.

&lt;Sleep-related information acquisition process&gt; When the control unit 14 determines that the user puts his / her head on the pillow 1, he / she may start acquiring the user's sleep-related information. Information about the user's sleep includes, for example, the user's sleep onset time, the user's wake-up time, the time from when the user puts his head on the pillow 1 to when he falls asleep (hereinafter referred to as "sleep onset latency"), and the number of times the user turns over. And the user's sleep time may be included. Hereinafter, an example of the process of acquiring such information will be described.

(1) Sleep onset time The control unit 14 acquires (determines) the time when the user determines that the user has fallen asleep as the sleep onset time. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a motion sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user has fallen asleep when the motion sensor does not detect the movement of the pillow 1 for a predetermined time or longer. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a temperature sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user has fallen asleep when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor falls below the second threshold value. The second threshold value may be, for example, a temperature lower than the above-mentioned first threshold value. In general, humans have a lower body temperature when they fall asleep, so it is possible to determine sleep onset by temperature in this way.

(2) Wake-up time The control unit 14 acquires (determines) the time when the user determines that he / she has woken up as the user's wake-up time. The control unit 14 may determine that the user has woken up, for example, when the weight sensor of the detection unit 10 no longer detects the weight applied to the pillow 1. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a plurality of pressure sensors, the control unit 14 may determine that the user has woken up when each pressure sensor no longer detects the pressure applied to the mounting surface A. .. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a motion sensor, the control unit 14 causes the user to wake up when, for example, the human body (head) separates from the pillow 1 and the motion sensor no longer detects the movement of the pillow 1. May be determined. For example, when the detection unit 10 is configured to include the temperature sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user has woken up when it determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is below the third threshold value. The third threshold value may be, for example, a value even lower than the second threshold value. The third threshold value may be, for example, a temperature at which it is possible to detect that the human body (head) is separated from the pillow 1 and the pillow is in contact with the outside air. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes the pulse sensor, the control unit 14 may determine that the user has woken up when the pulse sensor no longer detects the user's pulse.

(3) The sleep onset latency control unit 14 acquires (determines) the time when the user determines that the head is placed on the pillow 1 by the above process as the time when the user puts the head on the pillow 1. Further, the control unit 14 acquires the user's sleep onset time by the above-mentioned process. In addition, the control unit 14 acquires (calculates) the sleep onset latency by subtracting the time when the acquired user puts his or her head on the pillow 1 from the acquired user's sleep onset time.

(4) Number of rollovers The control unit 14 starts acquiring the number of rollovers of the user after determining that the user has fallen asleep by the above-mentioned process. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a plurality of pressure sensors, the control unit 14 acquires (measures) the number of times the user turns over based on the fluctuation of the pressure applied to the mounting surface A detected by each pressure sensor. ) May. For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a motion sensor, the control unit 14 may acquire (measure) the number of times the user turns over based on the movement of the pillow 1 detected by the motion sensor.

(5) Sleep time The control unit 14 acquires the user's wake-up time and the user's sleep-onset time by the above-mentioned process. The control unit 14 acquires (calculates) the user's sleep time by subtracting the acquired user's sleep onset time from the acquired user's wake-up time.

Here, the control unit 14 can transmit at least one of the acquired biometric information, stress value, and sleep information of the user together with the acquired user identification information to an external server by the communication unit 12. .. This configuration will be described later. In addition, the control unit 14 transmits the acquired biometric information of the user together with the measured head weight (or head shape) of the user to an external server by the communication unit 12 instead of the user's identification information. You may. In this case, the external server may store the head weights of the plurality of users and the user identification information associated with each of the head weights (or head shapes) of the plurality of users. ..

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the process executed by the pillow 1 according to the first embodiment. The flow shown in FIG. 4 may be started at a predetermined time, for example. The predetermined time may be set based on the turn-off time of the facility (for example, a hospital) where the pillow 1 is used.

The control unit 14 determines whether or not the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 (step S10). When the control unit 14 determines that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 (step S10: Yes), the control unit 14 proceeds to the process of step S11. On the other hand, when the control unit 14 does not determine that the user's head is placed on the pillow 1 (step S10: No), the control unit 14 performs the process of step S10 again.

In the process of step S11, the control unit 14 measures the weight of the user's head based on the output result (detection result) of the detection unit 10.

In the process of step S12, the control unit 14 refers to the storage unit 13 and acquires the user identification information associated with the user's head weight measured in the process of step S11.

In the process of step S13, the control unit 14 starts acquiring the user's biometric information. The control unit 14 acquires the biometric information of the user based on the output result (detection result) of the detection unit 10.

In the process of step S14, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the user has fallen asleep. When the control unit 14 determines that the user has fallen asleep (step S14: Yes), the control unit 14 proceeds to the process of step S15. On the other hand, when the control unit 14 does not determine that the user has fallen asleep (step S14: No), the control unit 14 performs the process of step S14 again.

In the process of step S15, the control unit 14 acquires the sleep onset time and the sleep onset latency of the user. The control unit 14 acquires (determines) the time when the user is determined to have fallen asleep in the process of step S14 as the user's sleep onset time. The control unit 14 acquires (calculates) the sleep onset latency of the user by subtracting the time when the user determines that the head is placed on the pillow 1 in the process of step S10 from the acquired sleep onset time.

In the process of step S16, the control unit 14 starts acquiring the number of times the user has turned over. The control unit 14 acquires (measures) the number of times the user turns over based on the output result (detection result) of the detection unit 10.

Next, the control unit 14 proceeds to the flow shown in FIG.

In the process of step S17, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the user has woken up. When the control unit 14 determines that the user has woken up (step S17: Yes), the control unit 14 stops the acquisition of the biological information and the number of times of turning over, and proceeds to the process of step S18. On the other hand, when the control unit 14 does not determine that the user has woken up (step S17: No), the control unit 14 performs the process of step S17 again.

In the process of step S18, the control unit 14 acquires the user's wake-up time and sleep time. The control unit 14 acquires (determines) the time when the user is determined to have woken up in the process of step S17 as the user's wake-up time. The control unit 14 acquires (calculates) the user's sleep time by subtracting the user's sleep onset time acquired in the process of step S15 shown in FIG. 4 from the acquired user's wake-up time.

In the process of step S19, the control unit 14 acquires the stress value based on the acquired biometric information of the user.

In the process of step S20, the control unit 14 transmits the user's biometric information and the like together with the user's identification information to a predetermined server by the communication unit 12.

For example, when the detection unit 10 includes a plurality of pressure sensors, the control unit 14 may measure the user's head shape in the process of step S11 shown in FIG. Further, when the storage unit 13 stores the user's identification information in association with the shape of the user's head, the control unit 14 refers to the storage unit 13 and measures the user's head in the process of step S12. The user's identification information associated with the part shape may be acquired.

As described above, the pillow 1 according to the first embodiment measures the weight (or head shape) of the user's head based on the output result of the detection unit 10. Further, the pillow 1 acquires the user's identification information based on the measured head weight of the user and the like. By such a process, for example, in a public facility, even if the pillow 1 can be used by a plurality of users, the user who used the pillow 1 is estimated based on the user identification information acquired by the pillow 1. be able to. Thereby, for example, it is possible to estimate which user's biometric information acquired by the pillow 1 belongs to, without any special operation by the user, the facility manager, or the like. Therefore, according to this embodiment, an improved pillow 1 can be provided.

Further, the pillow 1 according to the first embodiment can acquire biometric information of the user whose head is placed on the pillow 1 over the sleep time of the user based on the output result of the detection unit 10.

In addition, the pillow 1 according to the first embodiment can acquire a stress value based on the biometric information of the user. Since the stress value indicates the balance between the active states of the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve as described above, it can be a useful material for grasping the stress state of the user. Therefore, the pillow 1 according to the present embodiment can provide a useful material for grasping the stress state of the user.

In addition, the above-mentioned sleep information can be a useful judgment material when judging the sleep quality of the user. However, it is difficult for the user to measure sleep-related information such as the time of falling asleep and the number of times of turning over. The pillow 1 according to the first embodiment can acquire information on the sleep of the user. Therefore, the pillow 1 according to the present embodiment can provide useful judgment material when judging the sleep quality of the user.

(Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the communication system including the pillow 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment.

The communication system 100 includes a pillow 1 and a server 2. Pillow 1 and server 2 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via network 200. The network 200 is, for example, the Internet. However, the network 200 is not limited to the Internet and may be an appropriate network. Further, the network 200 may be wireless, wired or a combination thereof. That is, the pillow 1 and the server 2 may be connected by a network 200 configured by wired or wireless or any combination thereof to transmit and receive information. Further, in the present embodiment, the server 2 and the network 200 are not limited to one, and may be two or more each. Further, the number of pillows included in the communication system 100 is not limited to one of the pillows 1, and may be two or more.

Pillow 1 has the function described in the first embodiment. That is, the pillow 1 can acquire the identification information of the user who puts the head on the pillow 1. Further, the pillow 1 can acquire the biological information of the user who puts the head on the pillow 1, the information about sleep, and the stress value.

Pillow 1 transmits the acquired user's biometric information and the like together with the acquired user's identification information to the server 2 via the network 200.

The server 2 is, for example, an information processing device. The server 2 is managed by, for example, a medical institution, a health insurance association to which the user subscribes, a health management office of the company in which the user works, or the like. The server 2 includes a communication unit 40, a storage unit 41, and a control unit 43.

The communication unit 40 communicates with an external device via the network 200. The communication unit 12 can communicate by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared rays, NFC, wireless LAN, wired LAN, WAN, the Internet or any other communication medium or any combination thereof.

The storage unit 41 may be composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or the like. The storage unit 41 stores various information and a program for operating the control unit 42. The storage unit 41 may also function as a work memory. The storage unit 41 stores the biometric information of the received user in association with the identification information of the received user.

The control unit 42 includes at least one processor 42A to provide control and processing power for performing various functions. At least one processor 42A may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC) or as multiple communicable integrated circuit ICs and discrete circuits. At least one processor 42A can be implemented according to various known techniques.

In certain embodiments, processor 42A comprises one or more circuits or units configured to perform one or more data computation procedures and processes. For example, the processor 42A can be one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processing devices, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or any combination or configuration thereof. The functions described below may be performed by including combinations or combinations of other known devices or configurations.

The control unit 42 is connected to the communication unit 40 and the storage unit 41, and controls and manages the entire server 2 including each of these functional units. The control unit 42 acquires the program stored in the storage unit 41. The control unit 42 realizes various functions related to each unit of the server 2 by executing the acquired program.

The control unit 42 receives the user's biological information and the like from the pillow 1 via the network 200 by the communication unit 40 together with the user's identification information. The control unit 42 stores the received biometric information of the user and the like in the storage unit 41 in association with the identification information of the user.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the control procedure of the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment.

The pillow 1 acquires the identification information of the user whose head is placed on the pillow 1 and also acquires the biometric information of the user (step S30). Pillow 1 transmits the acquired user's identification information and the acquired biometric information of the user to the server 2 via the network 200 (step S31).

The server 2 receives the user's biometric information and the like from the pillow 1 via the network 200 together with the user's identification information (step S32). The server 2 stores the received biometric information of the user and the like in the storage unit 41 in association with the identification information of the user (step S33).

As described above, in the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment, the pillow 1 acquires the identification information of the user who used the pillow 1 and also acquires the biometric information of the user. Further, the server 2 stores the biometric information of the user acquired by the pillow 1 in association with the identification information of the user. Through such processing, the communication system 100 can exert the following effects.

For example, a user may visit a medical institution if he / she has a sleep disorder. However, even if the user visits a medical institution, the doctor may not be able to grasp information about the user's sleep. If the doctor cannot grasp the information about the user's sleep, he / she may not be able to give appropriate guidance to the user.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the doctor can browse the information about sleep stored in the server 2. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the doctor can appropriately instruct the user in order to improve the sleep disorder of the user. Further, in the present embodiment, the doctor can grasp the subsequent state of the user by continuously browsing the information stored in the server 2.

For example, even if the user has no subjective symptoms, the health condition of the user may be deteriorated. In this case, the user may not visit a medical institution because he / she has no subjective symptoms.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the doctor of the health association or the health care doctor of the company where the user works can browse the biometric information and the stress value stored in the server 2. Thereby, according to the present embodiment, the doctor or the like of the health association can grasp the health state and the stress state of the user. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the doctor or the like of the health association can appropriately instruct the user when the health condition of the user deteriorates.

Thus, according to the second embodiment, an improved communication system 100 can be provided.

Several embodiments have been described for the complete and clear disclosure of this disclosure. However, the accompanying claims are not limited to the above embodiments, and all modifications and alternatives that can be created by those skilled in the art within the scope of the basic matters set forth herein. It should be configured to embody a unique configuration. In addition, the requirements shown in some embodiments can be freely combined.

For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the pillow 1 acquires information on the user's biological information, stress value, and sleep has been described. However, the information acquired by Pillow 1 is not limited to this. For example, the pillow 1 may detect the ambient temperature of the pillow 1. The ambient temperature may be the indoor temperature acquired by the temperature sensor of the detection unit 10 when the user is not resting his head on the pillow 1. Alternatively, the ambient temperature may be, for example, the indoor temperature acquired by the temperature sensor when the pillow 1 is provided with a temperature sensor different from the temperature sensor of the detection unit 10.

For example, in the first embodiment described above, the control unit 20 has been described as being contained inside the pillow 1. However, the control unit 20 may be outside the pillow 1.

For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the bedding of the present disclosure has been described as being a pillow. However, the bedding of the present disclosure is not limited to pillows. The bedding of the present disclosure may be any one that supports the user's head, and may be, for example, a cushion, a neck pillow, a cushion, or the like.

1 Pillow (bedding) 2 Server 10 Detection unit 12 Communication unit 13 Storage unit 14 Control unit 14A Processor 20 Control unit 30 Airbag 40 Communication unit 41 Storage unit 42 Control unit 42A Processor 100 Communication system 200 Network