Eye mask for sleeping

Abstract

The present invention provides an eye mask for sleeping, in which one or more sensors detect the sound volume entering the ears from the audio players, if an unbalanced volume signal is detected between the two ears, this signal will be detected by the audio control module which adjusts the audio signal before transmitting it to the audio player, so that the volume entering the two ears is rebalanced, thereby reducing the problem of volume imbalance resulting from the change of volume in one ear which may be caused by pressure on one ear when the user changes posture, and reducing or eliminating ear discomfort as well as the impact on sleep. (Abstract Figure: Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Eye mask for sleeping Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an eye mask, in particular an eye mask for sleeping, which helps to relax and fall asleep. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Modern people are under great pressure at work and in life, often suffering from sleep disorders such as insomnia. There are many methods to improve insomnia, such as medications or physical methods. Although medications are directly effective, their long-term or excessive use can lead to addiction or even side effects. Physical methods aim to put the human body in a relaxed state before sleep and isolate external influences on sleep as much as possible, thus improving insomnia. Of course, there are several viable physical methods, and the eye mask is one of the most common products on the market to help sleep.

[0003] By wearing an eye mask, it is possible to reduce the stimulation of external light on the eyes, which promotes the secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland. It is well known that the main function of melatonin is to improve sleep quality, shorten the time spent awake before falling asleep and the time taken to fall asleep, improve sleep quality, and significantly reduce the number of awakenings during sleep, etc. The eye mask can also be equipped with an audio playback device. Playing soft and relaxing sounds or music relaxes the body and also effectively promotes sleep. However, when the user falls asleep, they may turn on their side or sleep on their stomach, which causes some audio playback devices to be pinched and changes the volume of these pinched audio playback devices, thus causing an imbalance between the sound volumes perceived by the two ears. This imbalance creates discomfort in both ears, affecting sleep onset, and even a sudden change in volume can wake the user up. Statement of the invention

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide an eye mask for sleeping which is capable of determining whether there is an imbalance between the sound volumes perceived by the two ears according to the posture or sleep state of the user, and of timely adjusting the unbalanced volume signal to restore it, thereby avoiding affecting the sleep state of the user.

[0005] The present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] An eye mask for sleeping, comprising a mask body for covering the eyes and a fixing piece for fixing the mask body on the head of the user; the mask body extends at least from the eyes to the ears, and is provided with a control circuit comprising at least one audio control module, the audio control module is equipped with the audio players, the audio players are respectively positioned at the positions corresponding to the ears;

[0007] Wherein said mask body is formed by assembling a front shell and a rear shell, the front shell and the rear shell are formed at least by a sponge pad, and the front shell and / or the rear shell are molded so as to form a fixing housing for placing the control circuit and the audio players; and

[0008] Wherein the fixing housing for installing the control circuit extends on at least one side to the edge of the mask body and forms an opening, the control circuit being inserted into the molded mask body from said opening during installation and then fixed.

[0009] Preferably, said sensor is a gyroscope, connected to the communication port of the control module.

[0010] Preferably, said sensor is a pressure sensor, positioned at the position in the mask body corresponding to the ear and connected to the communication port of the control module.

[0011] Preferably, said sensor is a feedback microphone positioned at the position in the mask body corresponding to the ear, the feedback microphone being connected to the communication port of the control module.

[0012] Preferably, the position inside the mask body corresponding to the eyes is provided with a light device to guide and / or wake up and / or change the atmosphere.

[0013] Preferably, the outer faces of the front shell and the rear shell are respectively covered with a layer of fabric, the edge of this layer of fabric envelops the edge of the sponge pad of the front and rear shells before gluing and fixing the front shell and the rear shell.

[0014] Preferably, the side of the mask body in contact with the eyepiece portion is provided with a window for installing the light device.

[0015] Preferably, the position inside the mask body corresponding to the eyes is provided with an eye pad, the eye pad as a whole forming an annular lining surrounding the eye contour, the eye pad being removably installed on the inner face of the mask body.

[0016] Preferably, the mounting position of the eye pad on the mask body is provided with a mounting slot, said eye pad being removably fixed in the mounting slot by a magnetic structure.

[0017] Preferably, said attachment piece comprises head attachment strips extending from both sides of the mask body, said head attachment strips are connected by Velcro; said Velcro is respectively constituted of a hook adhesive portion and a mesh adhesive portion, wherein the hook adhesive portion is provided with a barrier layer, said barrier layer is configured to be compressible, in the uncompressed state, the barrier layer hinders the hooking between the hook adhesive portion and the mesh adhesive portion; in the compressed state, the hook adhesive portion can hook onto the mesh adhesive portion.

[0018] Preferably, the height of said barrier layer is equal to or greater than the height of the hooks of the hook adhesive portion.

[0019] Preferably, the barrier layer is distributed within the hook adhesive portion in a predetermined pattern.

[0020] Preferably, the audio control module is connected to at least one sensor for monitoring whether the sound volume injected into each ear by the different audio players is balanced, the sensor transmits the unbalanced volume signal injected into the ears to the audio control module, and the audio control module processes the unbalanced volume signal and adjusts the corresponding audio player so that the ears receive a balanced sound signal.

[0021] Compared with the existing technique, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by detecting by the sensor the sound volume injected into the ear by the player, if an unbalanced volume signal is detected between the two ears, this signal will be detected by the audio control module which adjusts the audio signal before transmitting it to the audio player, so that the volume entering the two ears is rebalanced, thereby reducing the problem of volume imbalance resulting from the change of volume in one ear which may be caused by pressure on one ear when the user changes posture, and reducing or eliminating ear discomfort as well as the impact on sleep. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, a more detailed description is given below in combination with the figures.

[0023] [Fig.l] is a stereoscopic view of the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a decomposition view of [Fig.l];

[0025] [Fig. 3] is another decomposition view of the present invention at an angle different ;

[0026] [Fig.4] is a diagram of the structure of Velcro. METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0027] The sleeping eye mask illustrated in [Fig.1] comprises a mask body 1 for covering the eyes and a fixing piece 2 for fixing the mask body 1 on the user's head; the mask body 1 extends at least from the eyes to the ears, the mask body 1 is provided with a control circuit 3, the control circuit 3 comprises at least one audio control module, the audio control module is provided with the audio players 4, the audio players 4 are arranged at positions corresponding to the ears respectively, the audio control module is connected to at least one sensor for monitoring whether the sound volume injected into each ear by the different audio players 4 is balanced, the sensor transmits to the audio control module the unbalanced volume signal injected into the ears, the audio control module processes the unbalanced volume signal and adjusts the corresponding audio player 4 so that the ears receive a balanced sound signal.The above-mentioned audio players 4 are generally speakers. Of course, in order to reduce the volume and weight of the entire sleeping eye mask, it is necessary to use smaller and lighter speakers. The sensor detects or estimates the volume injected into the ear by the player; if an unbalanced volume signal is detected between the two ears, this signal will be detected by the audio control module, which adjusts the audio signal before transmitting it to the audio player 4, so that the volume entering the two ears is rebalanced. This reduces the problem of volume imbalance resulting from the change in volume in one ear that can be caused by pressure on one ear when the user changes posture, and reduces or eliminates ear discomfort and the impact on sleep.

[0028] In order to be able to identify whether there is an unbalanced volume signal, said sensor can be implemented in several ways for detection. Different detection methods will use different sensors and analysis methods, the different sensors are described in detail below.

[0029] One solution is to use a gyroscope as a sensor. According to the actual use needs, a suitable integrated chip gyroscope can be selected. Generally, any gyroscope with two or more axes can meet the use needs. The corresponding communication port of the gyroscope is connected to the main control chip of the control module. When the user's head rotates, the gyroscope can timely detect the rotation position and angle, and determine whether there is an imbalance problem of the audio volume played in the two ears according to the position and angle data, caused by the pressure on the ear. Generally, the volume in the compressed ear increases. If an imbalance in the volume of the two ears is detected, the control circuit 3 outputs a control signal to the audio control module to decrease the audio volume played in the compressed ear, so that the volume received by the two ears is balanced again. Since the gyro sensor does not directly detect volume changes in the ears, the designer can determine the amount of volume imbalance based on changes in the position and angle of the gyroscope, and then adjust to an appropriate volume variation value. Said gyroscope chip can be directly installed in the control circuit 3, thus simplifying the overall system design.

[0030] One solution is to use a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor being positioned at a position in the mask body 1 corresponding to the ear, and then connecting the communication port of each pressure sensor to the control module. As previously stated, the most common case is that the volume in an ear increases when it is compressed. Thus, by positioning pressure sensors on the ears, it is possible to directly detect whether an ear is compressed or not, and to detect the compression state, etc. The main control chip of the control module can determine whether there is compression and its degree according to the pressure variation signal, and then accordingly reduce the volume in the compressed ear to balance the volume in both ears.

[0031] One solution is to use feedback microphones placed in the mask body 1 at positions corresponding to the ears, to directly receive the audio entering the ears via the microphones. By comparing the intensity of the signals received by the microphones in the two ears, it can be determined whether there is a volume imbalance. Then, the main control chip of the control module can respectively adjust the volume in each ear according to the volume signals received by the microphones, to balance the volume in the two ears. The advantage of this solution is that in addition to the volume imbalance due to the compression of the ear, it can also detect the increase in volume caused by the presence of sound-reflecting objects outside the ear. Therefore, it can be applied to more usage scenarios.

[0032] Wearing an eye mask prevents outside light from entering the eyes, which is beneficial for sleep. However, since it completely blocks outside light, the eyes also cannot detect changes in outside light, such as daybreak, which can easily lead to missing the wake-up time. Although it is also possible to use devices such as an alarm clock, mobile phone, watch, etc. to wake up while sleeping, it would be more ideal if the eye mask for sleeping could provide a feature similar. Since the eye mask is equipped with audio players, simply setting a wake-up time is sufficient to realize the wake-up function by playing a soft sound. To simulate changes in light, a light device 6 is arranged inside the mask body 1 at the position corresponding to the eyes. The combination of the audio player device and the light device 6 achieves a more effective wake-up effect, and helps the eyes adapt to changes in light in the external environment when removing the eye mask. In addition, for people whose mind is tense, it is necessary to relax before they can fall asleep. Although the sleeping eye mask is equipped with audio players to play soothing sounds or music to help relieve anxiety, faster improvement can be achieved by combining this with breathing regulation.To this end, the aforementioned light device 6 can also serve as an indicator to guide the regulation of breathing, the user following the flashing light at a certain rhythm to adjust his breathing, thus enabling a complete immersive experience to relax the body and mind. In addition, the light device 6 is controlled by the control circuit 3, and can realize variations such as brightness, color, dimming, etc., which can be adjusted freely according to different usage scenarios. Therefore, this light device 6 is not limited to sleep or wake-up functions. To facilitate the installation of the light device 6, a window is provided on the side of the mask body 1 in contact with the human eye part to install the light device 6, see [Fig.3].

[0033] In order to facilitate the installation of the above-mentioned electronic devices, such as the control circuit 3, the audio players 4, the sensors and the light device 6, in the mask body 1, while taking into account the convenience of assembly and the aesthetics of the appearance, the inventor designed a more reasonable structure for the mask body 1. The mask body 1 is constituted by assembling a front shell 11 and a back shell 12, so that the above-mentioned electronic devices can be installed between the front shell 11 and the back shell 12. The assembly methods can be multiple, such as gluing, sewing or thermal fusion, etc., see Figures 2 and 3. Considering the user's comfort, the front shell 11 and the back shell 12 are molded at least of sponge.In addition, in order to enable the assembly personnel to quickly and accurately install the electronic devices in the appropriate positions, a fixing recess is molded in the front shell 11 and / or the rear shell 12 for placing the control circuit 3 and the audio players 4. The design of the fixing recess will depend on the outline and overall size of the various electronic devices, so that the inserted electronic devices can fit well in the recess. fixing, on the one hand for better fixation, on the other hand to prevent the electronic devices from protruding from the mask body 1, which would cause discomfort and affect the overall aesthetics when wearing the mask.

[0034] Since some electronic devices, such as the control circuit 3, are difficult to assemble in the mask body 1 at one time, and some parts of the control circuit 3 such as the keys and the charging interface must be exposed on the surface of the mask body 1 to allow the user to use them, an opening is provided at the edge of the fixing housing of the control circuit 3 in the mask body 1. After the assembly of the front shell 11 and the rear shell 12 of the mask body 1 is completed, the control circuit 3 is installed in the corresponding fixing housing via this opening, then the other electronic devices are connected to the control circuit 3 via interfaces, and finally the control circuit 3 is fixed in the fixing housing to complete all the installation steps.

[0035] In order to further improve the overall aesthetics of the sleeping eye mask, the outer faces of the front shell 11 and the back shell 12 are respectively covered with a layer of fabric. The user can choose different layers of fabric to achieve the desired appearance of their sleeping eye mask. The edge of this layer of fabric wraps the edge of the sponge pad of the front shell 11 and the back shell 12 before gluing and fixing the front shell 11 and the back shell 12, in order to achieve a more neat and aesthetic appearance.

[0036] Considering the wear and tear of the sleeping eye mask after a long period of use, especially the parts at the eye level, an eye pad 13 is provided inside the mask body 1 at the position corresponding to the eyes. The eye pad 13 consists as a whole of an annular gasket surrounding the eye contour. The eye pad 13 is removably installed on the inner face of the mask body 1. On the one hand, a suitable eye pad 13 can be selected according to the face shape or the needs of the user; on the other hand, if the eye pad 13 is damaged, it can be replaced without affecting the normal operation of other parts.To facilitate the installation and fixing of the eye pad 13, a mounting slot is provided at the mounting position of the eye pad 13 on the mask body 1, said eye pad 13 being removably fixed in the mounting slot by a magnetic structure.

[0037] The sleeping eye mask can be fixed to the user's head by several structures, but the present invention prefers to use a Velcro headband, in particular the fixing part 2 comprises head fixing strips 5 which extend from both sides of the mask body 1, said head fixing strips head 5 being connected together by Velcro. Although Velcro is used to repeatedly attach to clothing, existing Velcro strips have some problems in use. For example, the hook adhesive part 51 of a Velcro strip is provided with many small hooks, and in order to increase their adhesion to the mesh adhesive part 52, these small hooks have strong adhesion, so that even other fabrics touching them may be hooked by the hook adhesive part 51, and then tear and cause hairs on the fabric surface to fall off.To solve said problem, the inventor improved the structure of existing Velcro strips, as follows: the Velcro strip is respectively composed of a hook adhesive part 51 and a mesh adhesive part 52, the hook adhesive part 51 being provided with a barrier layer 53, said barrier layer 53 being configured to be compressible, in the uncompressed state, the barrier layer 53 hinders the hooking between the hook adhesive part 51 and the mesh adhesive part 52; in the compressed state, the hook adhesive part 51 can hook onto the mesh adhesive part 52, see [Fig.4]. Because the barrier layer 53 can isolate the small hooks of the hook adhesive portion 51 from the outside, when a fabric accidentally touches the hook adhesive portion 51 of the Velcro strip, the barrier layer 53 can prevent the small hooks of the hook adhesive portion 51 from clinging to the surface of the fabric.When the Velcro strip is to be pasted, the mesh adhesive portion 52 is placed on the hook adhesive portion 51, and then by pressing the portions to be pasted of the mesh adhesive portion 52 and the hook adhesive portion 51, so that the barrier layer 53 is compressed, the small hooks of the hook adhesive portion 51 can protrude from the barrier layer 53 and cling to the meshes of the mesh adhesive portion 52 to achieve adhesion, and their adhesive force can keep the barrier layer 53 compressed. With this design, while ensuring the adhesion function of the Velcro, the problem of hair loss caused by materials other than the fabric in contact with the hook adhesive portion 51 can also be avoided. Specifically, the height of the barrier layer 53 should be equal to or greater than the height of the hooks of the hook adhesive portion 51.In order for the barrier layer 53 to also have a decorative or identification effect, the barrier layer 53 is distributed in the hook adhesive portion 51 in a defined pattern. For example, the barrier layer 53 may be configured in the shape of a decorative pattern or a commercial logo, etc.

[0038] In addition, the present sleeping eye mask may also integrate a brain wave recognition circuit according to the usage needs. By arranging brain wave sensors on the surface of the eye mask, information about human brain activity is collected and then identified by the control circuit. 3 to control audio players 4 and / or light device 6, etc. to provide additional functions such as sleep aid or alarm clock.

[0039] The foregoing represents only the best embodiments of the present invention and therefore does not limit the scope of the patent for the invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement or improvement made in the spirit of the present invention is included within the scope of patent protection for the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. An eye mask for sleeping, characterized in that it comprises a mask body (1) for covering the eyes and a fixing piece (2) for fixing the mask body (1) on the user's head; the mask body (1) extends at least from the eyes to the ears, the mask body (1) is provided with a control circuit (3), the control circuit (3) comprises at least one audio control module, the audio control module is provided with the audio players (4), the audio players (4) are arranged at the positions corresponding to the ears respectively; said mask body (1) is composed of a front shell (11) and a rear shell (12), the front shell (11) and the rear shell (12) are formed at least by a sponge pad, and the front shell (11) and / or the rear shell (12) are molded so as to form a fixing housing intended to receive the control circuit (3) as well as the audio players (4);said fixing housing intended to receive the control circuit (3) has at least one side which extends to the edge of the mask body (1) and forms an opening, during assembly the control circuit (3) is inserted into the molded mask body (1) through this opening and is fixed.;

2. Sleeping eye mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer faces of the front shell (11) and the back shell (12) are respectively covered with a layer of fabric, the edge of this layer of fabric wraps the edge of the sponge pad of the front shell (11) and back shell (12) before gluing and fixing the front shell (11) and the back shell (12).

3. Eye mask for sleeping according to claim 1, characterized in that a light device (6) for guiding and / or waking up and / or changing the atmosphere is arranged inside the body of the mask (1), at the positions corresponding to the eyes.

4. Eye mask for sleeping according to claim 3, characterized in that the side in contact with the eye part of the mask body (1) is provided with a window for receiving the light device (6).

5. An eye mask for sleeping according to claim 1, characterized in that the position inside the mask body (1) corresponding to the eye part is provided with an eye pad (13), the eye pad (13) consists as a whole of a annular gasket surrounding the eye contour, the eye pad (13) is removably installed on the inner face of the mask body (1).

6. A sleeping eye mask according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixing piece (2) comprises head fixing strips (5) arranged extending from both sides of the mask body (1), said head fixing strips (5) are connected together by Velcro; said Velcro is respectively constituted by a hook adhesive part (51) and a mesh adhesive part (52), the hook adhesive part (51) is arranged by a barrier layer (53), said barrier layer (53) is configured to be compressible, in the uncompressed state, the barrier layer (53) hinders the hooking between the hook adhesive part (51) and the mesh adhesive part (52); in the compressed state, the hook adhesive part (51) can hook onto the mesh adhesive part (52).

7. A sleeping eye mask according to claim 6, characterized in that the height of the barrier layer (53) is equal to or greater than the height of the hooks of the hook adhesive portion (51).

8. A sleeping eye mask according to claim 7, characterized in that the barrier layer (53) is distributed within the hook adhesive portion (51) in a predetermined pattern.

9. Sleeping eye mask according to claim 1, characterized in that said audio control module is further connected to at least one sensor for monitoring whether the sound volume injected into each ear by the different audio players (4) is balanced, the sensor transmits to the audio control module the unbalanced volume signal injected into the ears, the audio control module processes the unbalanced volume signal and adjusts the corresponding audio player (4) so ​​that the ears receive a balanced sound signal.

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