Snoring prevention device, snoring prevention method, and program

Abstract

To provide an anti-snoring device, a snoring prevention method, and a non-temporary computer readable medium that prevent a patient from snoring.SOLUTION: An anti-snoring device for emitting infrasound 008 toward a patient includes: a low-frequency sound generation device 006 that applies low-frequency sound to the patient who is emitting snoring sound 002; a microphone 004 that converts the snoring sound into a received sound signal; and a system controller 010 that includes a snoring sound extraction block 014 for extracting snoring sound information from the received sound signal, a snoring sound influence evaluation block 016 for processing the snoring sound information so that influence of the snoring sound can be determined based on the snoring sound information, and a sound transmission circuit 020 for causing a low-frequency sound generation block 018 to emit the low-frequency sound to the patient when the influence is higher than a threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 511,263, filed May 25, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 599,032, filed December 15, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 666,027, filed May 2, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a snoring prevention device, a snoring prevention method, and a program that receives the snoring sound of a patient and transmits low-frequency sound to the patient to stop the snoring. [Background technology]

[0003] Snoring is a common disorder in the general population. The prevalence of chronic snoring is estimated to be 40% in adult men and 20% in adult women (Non-Patent Document 1). Snoring sounds are determined by many factors (Non-Patent Document 2), including the respiratory pathway (Non-Patent Document 3), upper airway narrowing (Non-Patent Document 4), and sleep stage and body position (Non-Patent Document 5).

[0004] Snoring is one of the key symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which causes medical morbidity and mortality (Non-Patent Document 6). Therefore, most investors focus on OSA treatments (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Non-Patent Document 7). However, these treatments require behavioral changes or invasive procedures.

[0005] Snoring is also a major problem for snorers' bedmates. Many attempts have been made to suppress the effects of snoring noise. Earplugs are the most common solution for suppressing the effects of snoring noise. However, earplugs also suppress important sounds, such as the sound of an alarm system. In addition, wearing earplugs requires behavioral change. Noise-canceling systems attempt to cancel snoring noise (Patent Document 4), but they require behavioral change and are unable to effectively suppress snoring noise. Another strategy utilizes a system using an eye mask that emits a flashing light when the snoring sound intensity exceeds a predetermined threshold (Patent Document 5). This application attempts to avoid affecting the user's normal sleep; however, wearing the eye mask requires behavioral change. An anti-snoring bed system (Patent Document 6) attempts to stop snoring by changing the shape of the bed. This system requires the use of a special bed; that is, it is not applicable to patients using regular beds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] Citation List Patent Literature PL 1 TR Shantha, "Device for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea treatment," US9072613B2. PL 2 F. Li, Z. Li, "Method and device for intelligently stopping snoring," WO2015027744A1. PL 3 W. Li, "Anti-snoring device," US9554938 B2. PL 4 G. Raviv, "Snoring suppression system," US5444786A. PL 5 H. Bruckhoff, "Device for snoring prevention," EP0493719A1. PL 6 H.-D. Lin, "Automated anti-snoring bed system," US8418289B2.

Non-Patent Literature

[0007] Citation List Non Patent Literature NPL 1 V. Hoffstein, "Apnea and snoring: state of the art and future directions," Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg 2002;56(2):205-36. NPL 2 D. Pevernagie, R.M. Aarts, M. De Meyer, "The acoustics of snoring," Sleep Med Rev. 2010 Apr;14(2):131-44. NPL 3 Liistro G, Stanescu D, Veriter C. Pattern of simulated snoring is different through mouth and nose. J Appl Physiol 1991;70(6):2736-41. NPL 4 S.J. Quinn, N. Daly, P.D. Ellis, "Observation of the mechanism of snoring using sleep nasendoscopy," Clin Otolaryngol 1995;20(4):'360-4. NPL 5 H. Nakano, T. Ikeda, M. Hayashi, E. Ohshima, A. Onizuka, "Effects of body position on snoring in apneic and nonapneic snorers," Sleep 2003;26(2):16 9-72. NPL 6 NM Punjabi, "The Epidemiology of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea," Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2008 Feb 15;5(2):136-43. NPL 7 http: / / www.sleepreviewmag.com / 2014 / 09 / alternative-therapies-obstructive-sleep-apnea / Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an anti-snoring apparatus includes a low-frequency sound generating device that applies low-frequency sound to a patient who is snoring, and a controller including circuitry that converts the snoring sound into a received signal, obtains snoring sound information from the received signal, processes the snoring sound information so that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and causes the low-frequency sound generating device to apply the low-frequency sound to the patient when the impact is higher than a threshold.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, an anti-snoring device includes a first sound generator-canceller that applies a first low-frequency sound to a first patient, a second sound generator-canceller that applies a second low-frequency sound to a second patient adjacent to the first patient, and a controller including circuitry that detects whether the first or second patient is emitting a snoring sound, converts the snoring sound into a received sound signal, obtains snoring sound information from the received sound signal, processes the snoring sound information so that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and, when the impact is higher than a threshold, causes one of the first and second sound generator-cancellers to apply the first or second low-frequency sound to the first or second patient and causes the other of the first and second sound generator-cancellers to apply the first or second low-frequency sound that suppresses the impact of the snoring sound.

[0010] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an anti-snoring apparatus includes a stimulation device that applies stimulation to a first patient producing a snoring sound; a noise canceling device that applies a sound that cancels the snoring sound to a second patient adjacent to the first patient; and a controller including circuitry that converts the snoring sound into a received signal, obtains snoring sound information from the received signal, processes the snoring sound information such that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and causes the stimulation device to apply stimulation to the first patient and the noise canceling device to apply the snoring sound to the second patient when the impact is higher than a threshold.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing snoring includes converting snoring sounds made by a patient into a received sound signal, obtaining snoring sound information from the received sound signal, processing the snoring sound information such that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and applying low frequency sound to the patient when the impact is higher than a threshold.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing snoring includes detecting whether a first patient or a second patient adjacent to the first patient is snoring, converting the snoring sound into a received signal, obtaining snoring sound information from the received signal, processing the snoring sound information such that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, applying a first low-frequency sound or a second low-frequency sound to the first or second patient when the impact is higher than a threshold, and applying the first or second low-frequency sound to suppress the impact of the snoring sound.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing snoring includes converting a snoring sound into a received sound signal, obtaining snoring sound information from the received sound signal, processing the snoring sound information such that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and when the impact is higher than a threshold, applying a stimulus to a first patient and applying a snore-canceling sound to a second patient adjacent to the first patient.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a snoring prevention method, including converting snoring sounds made by a patient into a received sound signal, obtaining snoring sound information from the received sound signal, processing the snoring sound information such that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and applying low frequency sound to the patient when the impact is higher than a threshold.

[0015] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] Schematic of an anti-snoring device that uses infrasound emitted towards the patient. [Figure 2] Schematic of an anti-snoring device placed in the under-bed space directly below the snorer. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an infrasound generator focused on a location on a patient's body. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an anti-snoring device that uses an infrasound generator to emit infrasound toward the patient and an infrasound canceller to emit infrasound to reduce the effect of the infrasound on bed companions. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an anti-snoring device that utilizes multiple infrasound cancellers to effectively suppress the impact of infrasound on neighbors. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of an anti-snoring device that utilizes multiple infrasound generator-cancellers to selectively target infrasound stimulation to one of the snorers when that person is snoring. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of the locations of the snorer, bedmate, infrasound generator, and infrasound canceller. [Figure 8] Schematic of an anti-snoring device that uses a noise-canceling speaker to emit noise-canceling sounds to a bedmate and apply stimuli to the snorer. [Figure 9] Schematic diagram of an anti-snoring device that uses a noise-canceling speaker and an infrasound generator to emit noise-canceling sounds to a bedmate and snoring-suppressing infrasounds to the snorer. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of an anti-snoring device utilizing multiple low frequency sound generator-noise cancellers to emit low frequency sounds towards snorers and noise cancelling sounds towards potential snorers. [Figure 11] Schematic diagram of an infrasound generator with two microphones that emits infrasound towards the snorer's head even when the head's location changes. [Figure 12] 3 is a diagram of an algorithm for an anti-snoring device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an algorithm for an anti-snoring device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, that utilizes multiple low frequency sound generator-cancellers to selectively target infrasound stimulation to one of the snorers when that person is snoring. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates an algorithm for an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which utilizes a low-frequency sound generator with two microphones that emits low-frequency sounds towards the snorer's head, even when the head location changes. [Figure 15] Schematic diagram of an infrasound generator with a microphone and infrared camera that emits infrasound towards the snorer's head even when the head location changes. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram of an algorithm of an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention for transferring snoring sound information and infrasound emission information to a data center through a wireless or wired connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate corresponding or identical elements throughout the various drawings.

[0018] An anti-snoring device using infrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a device that detects snoring sounds 002 from a snorer 000 and emits infrasound sounds 008 toward the snorer 000. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an anti-snoring device utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. The device is provided with one or more microphones 004, one or more sound receiving circuits 012, a snore sound extraction block 014, a snore sound impact evaluation block 016, a signal generation block 018, one or more sound transmitting circuits 020, one or more infrasound generators 006, and a system controller 010.

[0019] A microphone 004 having a sound receiving circuit 012 converts multiple sounds emitted by the patient into multiple received sound signals. A microphone having a sound receiving circuit in a cell phone can also be used to acquire multiple received sound signals. A snoring sound extraction block 014 extracts snoring sound information from the multiple received sound signals. A snoring sound impact evaluation block 016 evaluates the impact of snoring sounds by comparing them with a threshold. Specifically, it is determined whether the sound pressure at the microphone position exceeds a certain threshold. The threshold may be constant or variable. A signal generation block 018 generates a signal for emitting an infrasound sound 008 using an infrasound generator 006, and the infrasound generator 006 having a sound transmission circuit 020 radiates the infrasound sound 008 toward the snorer 000.

[0020] The process described above is controlled by a system controller 010 in the anti-snoring device, and FIG. 12 shows the algorithm of the anti-snoring device. The system controller 010 controls the microphone 004 to begin receiving sounds made by the patient and detect snoring sounds. The system controller 010 controls the snore sound information to be processed so that the detected snoring sounds are converted into signals, snore sound information is obtained from the signals, and the impact (sound pressure) of the snoring sounds is determined based on the snore sound information. When the system controller 010 determines that the impact of the snoring sounds is higher than a threshold, the system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal to control the infrasound generator 006 to generate and radiate an infrasound sound 008 toward the snorer 000. When the system controller 010 determines that the impact of the snoring sounds does not exceed the threshold, the system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal to control the microphone 004 to continue detecting snoring sounds. The sound pressure of the infrasound 008 is set to a desired value so that application of the infrasound 008 can effectively suppress snoring, subject to the constraint that the infrasound radiation is not noticeable. The sound pressure may also be variable and adjustable according to individual differences in sensitivity to infrasound. As an alternative to the infrasound 008 using the infrasound generator 006, low-frequency sound using an infrasound generator may be used. The system controller 010 may be programmed to change the order of functions and / or add more functions.

[0021] The infrasound generator 006 is positioned near the snorer 000 to effectively stimulate the snorer 000 with infrasound radiation. Figure 2 shows the placement of an anti-snoring device utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. The infrasound generator 006 positioned under the bed directly below the snorer 000 can effectively and selectively stimulate the snorer 000 with infrasound 008 because the infrasound 008 has high penetration and the distance from the infrasound generator 006 to the snorer 000 is much shorter than the distance to the bedmate 202.

[0022] The microphone 004 is placed near the mouth of the snorer 000 to effectively pick up sounds made by the snorer 000. When the anti-snoring device is a standalone type and is placed under the bed directly below the snorer 000, the microphone 004 is also placed directly below the snorer 000. When the anti-snoring device utilizes a microphone with a receiving circuit in a cell phone, it is suitable to place the cell phone at the bedside of the snorer 000.

[0023] The snore sound extraction block 014 extracts snore sound information from the multiple received sound signals, and the snore sound impact evaluation block 016 evaluates the impact of the snore sound. There are several techniques for extracting and detecting snore sounds (Non-Patent Document 8). An anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention can utilize one or a combination of snore sound detection techniques.

[0024] The signal generation block 018 generates a signal to emit an infrasound 008 using an infrasound generator 006. The frequency of infrasound is below 20 Hz. To reduce the impact of infrasound radiation on the bedmate 202, it is suitable to emit infrasound or low frequency sound below 100 Hz.

[0025] When snoring sounds are detected, the infrasound generator 006 having the sound transmission circuit 020 emits infrasound sounds 008 toward the snorer 000. The infrasound sounds 008 stimulate the snorer 000 to stop snoring. Several types of infrasound generators exist, such as subwoofers, fans, and diaphragms, or combinations thereof. The infrasound generator can emit several types of infrasound sounds, such as continuous sine waves, pulse waves, and impulse waves. The fan also generates airflow to remove moisture from the space below the bed 200.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an anti-snoring device that utilizes an infrasound canceller 400 to suppress the impact of infrasound radiation on a bedmate 202. A microphone 004 with a receiving circuit 012 converts sounds emitted by the patient into received signals. A microphone with a receiving circuit in a cell phone is also applicable for acquiring the received signals. A snore sound extraction block 014 extracts snore sound information from the received signals. A snore sound impact evaluation block 016 evaluates the impact of the snore sound. A signal generation block 018 generates a signal for emitting an infrasound sound 008 using an infrasound generator 006. The infrasound generator 006 with a sound transmission circuit 020 emits the infrasound sound 008 toward the snorer 000. As an alternative to the infrasound generator 006, a low-frequency sound generator may be used. The signal generation block 018 also generates a signal for emitting a canceling infrasound 402 using an infrasound canceller 400. The infrasound canceller 400, which includes a sound transmission circuit 020, emits the canceling infrasound 402 to suppress the effect of the infrasound on the bedmate 202. As an alternative to the infrasound canceller 400, a low frequency sound canceller may be used.

[0027] 5 shows the placement of an anti-snoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, where neighbors 500 are sleeping on either side of a snoring person 000. The use of two or more infrasound cancellers 400 can effectively suppress the impact of infrasound on the neighbors 500, because the two or more infrasound cancellers 400 effectively and selectively radiate canceling infrasound 402 toward both neighbors 500.

[0028] 6 shows an arrangement of an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention applicable to two snorers. Two or more infrasound generator-cancellers 602 can selectively target infrasound stimulation to one of the people when that person is snoring, because the arrangement can freely switch between the infrasound generator and the infrasound canceller by means of switching the signal generated by the signal generation block 018.

[0029] An exemplary algorithm of the anti-snoring device is shown in FIG. 13. Specifically, the system controller 010 controls the microphone 004 to begin receiving sounds emitted by patients A and B and detect snoring sounds from each patient. The system controller 010 controls the snoring sound information to be processed so that the detected snoring sounds are converted into signals, snoring sound information is obtained from the signals, and the impact (sound pressure) of the snoring sounds is determined based on the snoring sound information. When the system controller 010 determines that the impact of patient A's snoring sound is higher than the threshold for patient A, the system controller 010 then determines whether the impact of patient B's snoring sound is higher than the threshold for patient B. When the impact exceeds the threshold for patient B, the system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal to control the infrasound generator-canceller 602 so that an infrasound sound 008 is generated and radiated toward each of patients A and B. If the impact exceeds the threshold for patient A but not for patient B, the system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal to control the infrasound generator-canceller 602 so that an infrasound 008 is generated and radiated toward patient A and a canceling infrasound 402 is generated and radiated toward patient B. When the system controller 010 determines that the impact of the snoring sound does not exceed the threshold for patient A, the system controller 010 next determines whether the impact of patient B's snoring sound is higher than the threshold for patient B. If the impact exceeds the threshold for patient B but not for patient A, the system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal to control the infrasound generator-canceller 602 so that an infrasound 008 is generated and radiated toward patient B and a canceling infrasound 402 is generated and radiated toward patient A. If the effect does not exceed the threshold for patients A and B, the system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal that controls the microphone 004 to continue detecting the snoring sounds of patients A and B.The sound pressure of the infrasound 008 is set to a desired value so that application of the infrasound 008 can effectively suppress snoring, subject to the constraint that the infrasound radiation is not noticeable. The sound pressure may also be variable and adjustable according to individual differences in sensitivity to infrasound. As an alternative to the infrasound 008, low-frequency sound using an infrasound generator-canceller may be used. The system controller 010 may be programmed to change the order of functions and / or add more functions.

[0030] The infrasound canceller 400 emits a canceling infrasound 402 to cancel the effect of the infrasound 008 on the bedmate 202. The sound pressure as an effect on the bedmate 202 caused by the infrasound 008 and the canceling infrasound 402 is given by the following equation:

[0031]

number

[0032] where AG(f) and AC(f) are the signal strengths of the infrasound generator 006 and the infrasound canceller 400, respectively, at frequency f; BG(r,θ,f) and BC(r,θ,f) are the beam patterns of the infrasound generator 006 and the infrasound canceller 400, respectively, at frequency f, at a distance of r and a direction of θ from the center; RG704 and RC706 are the beam patterns of the infrasound generator 006 and the infrasound canceller 400, respectively, at frequency f. 0 center axis (see FIG. 7), OG 708 and OC 710 are on the origin of the infrasound generator 006 and the infrasound canceller 400, respectively, B 702 is the stimulation point of the bedmate 202, ω=2πf is the frequency, k=2π / λ is the angular wave number, λ is the sound wavelength at frequency f, rG and rC are the distances between B 702 and OG 708 and between B 702 and OC 710, respectively, and φ(f) is the phase rotation at frequency f. For effective cancellation, φ(f) should satisfy the following equation:

[0033]

number

[0034] where n is an integer. The difference between rG and rC is, for example, 0.3 m or less, and the wavelength of sound at frequencies below 100 Hz is approximately 3.4 m or more. Therefore, in many cases, cancellation occurs when φ(f) satisfies the following equation:

[0035]

number

[0036] In order to sufficiently suppress the influence of the infrasound on the bedmate, the infrasound canceller emits a canceling infrasound that satisfies equation (3) and the following equation:

[0037]

number

[0038] An anti-snoring device may utilize two or more infrasound cancellers 400, as shown in Figure 5. In this case, the impact on a neighbor 500 caused by the infrasound 008 and the cancelling infrasound 402 is given by the following equation:

[0039]

number

[0040] where AC(f) is the signal strength of the ith infrasound canceller 400 at frequency f, BC(r,θ,f) is the beam pattern of the ith infrasound canceller 400 at frequency f, at a distance r and a direction θ from the center, and RC is on the central axis of the ith infrasound canceller 400. OC is on the origin of the ith infrasound canceller 400, N is the stimulation point of the neighbor 500, rG' and rC are the distances between N and OG 708 and N and OC, respectively, and φ(f) is the phase rotation for the ith infrasound canceller 400 at frequency f.

[0041] In suppressing the influence caused by the infrasound 008 on the neighboring person 500, the infrasound canceller facing the neighboring person 500 plays a major role. That is, when the i-th infrasound canceller faces the neighboring person 500, the intensity of the beam pattern of the i-th infrasound canceller at the location of the neighboring person 500 is much greater than the intensity of the other infrasound cancellers. Therefore, for effective cancellation, the i-th infrasound canceller emits a canceling infrasound that satisfies the following equation:

[0042]

number

[0043]

number

[0044] FIG. 8 shows the placement of an anti-snoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, utilizing noise-canceling techniques. A microphone 004 with a receiving circuit 012 converts multiple sounds emitted by a patient into multiple received signals. A microphone with a receiving circuit in a cell phone can also be used to acquire the multiple received signals. A snore sound extraction block 014 extracts snore sound information from the multiple received signals. A snore sound impact evaluation block 016 evaluates the impact of the snore sound. A signal generation block 018 generates two types of signals: a noise-canceling speaker 804 to generate a noise-canceling sound 806, and a stimulation device 808 to generate a stimulus 800 to be applied to the snorer. The noise-canceling sound 806 used in this application includes internal indoor noises, such as snoring and air conditioner operation, and external environmental noises, such as noises caused by transportation, industry, and recreational activities. As used herein, stimulus 800 refers to the action of a mediator or a form of energy applied to a human receptor that generates an action potential. When the snore sound impact assessment block 016 detects snoring sounds, a stimulus device 808 having a stimulus generation circuit 802 applies a stimulus to the snorer. Low-frequency sounds including infrasound, ultrasound, audible sounds, wind currents, light stimuli, thermal stimuli, and electrical stimuli can be used as the stimulus 800 applied to the snorer. As used herein, ultrasound refers to sound waves having a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. As used herein, audible sounds refer to sound waves having a frequency of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. As used herein, wind current refers to air currents. As used herein, light stimuli refer to changes in brightness. As used herein, thermal stimuli refer to stimuli applied using heat changes. As used herein, electrical stimuli refer to stimuli applied using electric currents. A noise-canceling speaker 804 having a sound transmission circuit 020 emits noise-canceling sound 806 toward the bed partner. As an alternative to the noise cancelling speaker 804, earphones or headphones may be used.

[0045] 9 shows the placement of an anti-snoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which uses low-frequency sounds to stimulate the snorer. A signal generation block 018 generates two signals to emit a noise-canceling sound 806 using a noise-canceling speaker 804 and a low-frequency sound 900 using a low-frequency sound generator 902. The low-frequency sound generator 902 with a sound transmission circuit 020 emits the low-frequency sound 900 toward the snorer 000. The noise-canceling speaker 804 with a sound transmission circuit 020 emits the noise-canceling sound 806 toward the bedmate 202.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows an arrangement of an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention applicable to two snorers. A snorer detection block 1002 uses received sound signals acquired by two or more microphones 004 to determine which of the sleepers is the snorer. The use of two or more low-frequency sound generators-noise cancellers 1000 allows for selective application of low-frequency sound stimulation to the snorer of the sleepers, since this arrangement allows for free switching between the low-frequency sound generator and the noise-canceling speaker. The low-frequency sound generator-noise canceller 1000 directed toward the snorer emits a low-frequency sound 900 toward the snorer. The low-frequency sound generator-noise canceller 1000 directed toward the non-snorer emits a noise-canceling sound 806 toward the sleeper.

[0047] 11 shows the placement of an infrasound generator 902 according to one embodiment of the present invention, applicable to snorers who move during sleep. Two or more microphones 004 are used for each sleeper to determine the direction of arrival of the snoring sound 002. Ultra-wideband radar sensors, time-of-flight depth sensors including RF-modulated light beam distance sensors using phase detectors, range-gated imagers, and direct time-of-flight imagers may be used to determine the direction of arrival of the snoring sound 002. A drive unit 1100 points the infrasound generator 902 in the direction of arrival of the snoring sound 002.

[0048] A snoring prevention method using noise-canceling sounds is applicable to an anti-snoring device. The method utilizes one or more microphones with one or more sound receiving circuits that convert multiple sounds emitted by a patient into multiple received sound signals. The method performs signal processing using the one or more microphones to extract snoring sound information from the multiple received sound signals. One or more graphical processing units (GPUs) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can also be used to perform the signal processing. The method performs signal processing using the one or more microphones to evaluate the impact of snoring sounds. A signal generating circuit generates two types of signals to emit noise-canceling sounds using a noise-canceling speaker and to emit stimuli to be applied to the snorer using a stimulation device. The stimulation device with the stimulation generating circuit applies the stimuli to the snorer. The noise-canceling speaker with the sound transmitting circuit radiates the noise-canceling sounds toward a bedmate.

[0049] FIG. 12 shows an algorithm of an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows an algorithm of an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention that utilizes multiple infrasound generator-cancellers to selectively target infrasound stimulation to one of the snorers when that person snores. FIG. 14 shows an algorithm of an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention that utilizes an infrasound generator with two microphones that emits infrasound toward the snorer's head even when the head's location changes. FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of an infrasound generator with a microphone and an infrared camera that emits infrasound toward the snorer's head even when the head's location changes. FIG. 16 shows an algorithm of an anti-snoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention that transfers snoring sound information and infrasound emission information to a data center via a wireless or wired connection. First Exemplary Embodiment 2 shows the placement of an anti-snoring device utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. The anti-snoring device is placed under the bed directly below the snorer 000 to effectively and selectively stimulate the snorer 000 with infrasound 008. The anti-snoring device is a stand-alone type, and the microphone 004 is also placed directly below the snorer 000 or at the snorer's bedside. Second Exemplary Embodiment FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an anti-snoring device that utilizes multiple infrasound generators 006 positioned near a location on the snorer's body, such as the head, chest, or abdomen, to enhance the stimulating effect on that location. Third Exemplary Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention is a cellphone-based anti-snoring device. A snorer emits multiple sounds that are converted into multiple received sound signals by the cellphone. The cellphone also extracts snoring sound information from the received sound signals and evaluates the impact of the snoring sounds. The cellphone generates signals and transmits them to an infrasound generator having a sound transmission circuit via a wireless or wired connection. Fourth Exemplary Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention is an anti-snoring device that transmits snoring sound information and infrasound emission information to a data center via a wireless or wired connection (see FIG. 16). The data center analyzes the snoring sound and infrasound emission information to provide a better snoring sound detection system and infrasound emission process. The latest settings of the anti-snoring device are updated via the wireless or wired connection. The anti-snoring device also transmits the sound information, infrasound emission information, and clinical advice determined by the information obtained by the anti-snoring device to the user and / or a third party, such as a sleep clinic. The anti-snoring device may utilize a cell phone. Fifth Exemplary Embodiment FIG. 4 shows an anti-snoring device that utilizes one or more microphones with one or more receiving circuits that convert multiple sounds emitted by a patient into multiple received signals. A snore sound extraction block extracts snore sound information from the multiple received signals. A snore sound impact evaluation block evaluates the impact of snoring sounds. A signal generation block uses an infrasound generator to generate an infrasound sound and an infrasound canceller to generate a signal for generating a canceling infrasound sound. The infrasound generator with a transmitting circuit emits the infrasound sound toward the snorer. The infrasound canceller with a transmitting circuit emits the canceling infrasound sound toward the bedmate. Sixth Exemplary Embodiment 5 shows an arrangement of an anti-snoring device utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. The use of two or more infrasound cancellers 400 can effectively suppress the impact of infrasound on a neighboring person 500, because the two or more infrasound cancellers 400 effectively and selectively radiate canceling infrasound 402 toward both neighboring people 500. Seventh Exemplary Embodiment 6 shows an arrangement of an anti-snoring device utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. Two or more infrasound generator-cancellers 602 can selectively target infrasound stimulation to one of multiple people when that person is snoring, as the arrangement can freely switch between infrasound generators and infrasound cancellers. Eighth Exemplary Embodiment FIG. 8 illustrates an anti-snoring device that utilizes one or more microphones 004 with one or more sound receiving circuits 012 that convert sounds emitted by a patient into multiple received sound signals. A snore sound extraction block 014 extracts snore sound information from the multiple received sound signals. A snore sound impact evaluation block 016 evaluates the impact of the snore sound. A signal generation block 018 generates two types of signals: a noise-canceling speaker 804 to emit a noise-canceling sound 806, and a stimulation device 808 to emit a stimulus 800 to be applied to the snorer. The stimulation device 808, which has a stimulus generation circuit 802, applies a stimulus to the snorer when the snore sound impact evaluation block 016 detects a snore sound. Low-frequency sounds, including infrasound, ultrasound, audible sounds, wind, light, heat, and electrical stimulation may be used to stimulate the snorer. A noise cancelling speaker 804 with a sound transmission circuit 020 emits noise cancelling sound 806 towards the bed companion. Ninth Exemplary Embodiment 9 shows an arrangement of an anti-snoring device utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. A signal generation block 018 generates two signals to emit a noise-canceling sound 806 using a noise-canceling speaker 804 and a low-frequency sound 900 using a low-frequency sound generator 902. The low-frequency sound generator 902 with a sound transmission circuit 020 emits the low-frequency sound 900 toward the snorer 000. The noise-canceling speaker 804 with a sound transmission circuit 020 emits the noise-canceling sound 806 toward the bedmate 202. Tenth Exemplary Embodiment FIG. 10 shows the layout of an anti-snoring device utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. A snorer detection block 1002 uses the received sound signals acquired by two microphones 004 to determine which of the sleepers is snoring. The use of two or more low-frequency sound generator-noise cancellers 1000 allows selective application of low-frequency sound stimuli to snorers among the sleepers and allows for flexible switching between the low-frequency sound generator and the noise-canceling speaker. The low-frequency sound generator-noise canceller 1000 directed toward the snorer emits a low-frequency sound 900 toward the snorer. The low-frequency sound generator-noise canceller 1000 directed toward the non-snorer emits a noise-canceling sound 806 toward the sleeper. Eleventh Exemplary Embodiment 11 shows an arrangement of low frequency sound generators 902 utilizing an embodiment of the present invention. Two or more microphones 004 are used for each sleeper to determine the direction of arrival of snoring sounds 002. A drive unit points the low frequency sound generator 902 in the direction from which the snoring sounds 002 are coming.

[0050] 14 shows an exemplary algorithm of the anti-snoring device. Specifically, the system controller 010 controls the microphones 004 (A1 and A2) to start receiving sounds made by a snorer 000 (patient A) and detect snoring sounds. The system controller 010 controls the snoring sound information to be processed so that the detected snoring sounds are converted into signals, snoring sound information is obtained from the signals, and the impact (sound pressure) of the snoring sounds is determined based on the snoring sound information. When the system controller 010 determines that the impact of the snoring sounds is higher than a threshold value for patient A, the system controller 010 then controls the direction of the snoring sounds to be determined, and the drive unit 1100 directs the low-frequency sound generator 902 (e.g., a speaker) toward the direction of the snoring sounds. The system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal that controls the low-frequency sound generator 902 so that the low-frequency sound 900 is generated and radiated in the determined direction. If the effect does not exceed the threshold for patient A, the system controller 010 generates and transmits a signal that controls the microphone 004 to continue detecting snoring sounds. The sound pressure of the low-frequency sound 900 is set to a desired value so that application of the low-frequency sound 900 can effectively suppress snoring, subject to the constraint that the low-frequency sound radiation is not noticeable. The sound pressure may also be variable and adjustable according to individual differences in sensitivity to low-frequency sound. The system controller 010 may be programmed to change the order of functions and / or add more functions.

[0051] As mentioned above, snoring is a major problem for snorers' bedmates. Many attempts exist to reduce the effects of snoring, however, most of them require behavioral changes or invasive procedures.

[0052] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a device for suppressing snoring sounds using low-frequency sounds. The anti-snoring device according to an aspect of the present invention is a device that uses low-frequency sounds to be radiated toward a patient, and includes a microphone having a sound receiving circuit that converts sounds emitted by a patient into a received sound signal, a snore sound extraction block that extracts snoring sound information from the received sound signal, a snore sound impact evaluation block that evaluates the impact of the snoring sound, a signal generation block that generates a signal for emitting low-frequency sounds using a low-frequency sound generator, and a low-frequency sound generator having a sound transmission circuit that radiates low-frequency sounds toward the patient.

[0053] Another aspect of the present solution is a method for preventing snoring using low frequency sound radiated towards a patient, including: a microphone having a receiving circuit that converts sound emitted by the patient into a received signal; signal processing using the one or more microphones that extracts snoring sound information from the received signal; signal processing using the one or more microphones that evaluates the impact of the snoring sound; signal processing using the one or more microphones that generates a signal for emitting low frequency sound using the low frequency sound generator; and a low frequency sound generator having a transmitting circuit that radiates the low frequency sound towards the patient.

[0054] Furthermore, the present invention includes the following aspects. 1. An anti-snoring device that uses low-frequency sounds radiated toward a patient includes a microphone having a sound receiving circuit that converts multiple sounds emitted by the patient into multiple received sound signals, a snore sound extraction block that extracts snoring sound information from the multiple received sound signals, a snore sound impact evaluation block that evaluates the impact of snoring sounds, a signal generation block that generates a signal for emitting infrasound using an infrasound generator, and an infrasound generator that has a sound transmission circuit that radiates infrasound toward the patient. 2. An anti-snoring device as described in 1, which uses low frequency sound emitted towards the patient. 3. The anti-snoring device described in 1, wherein multiple infrasound generators and / or multiple low-frequency sound generators are used, and the infrasound generators and / or low-frequency sound generators are focused on one or more locations on the patient's body. 4. The snoring prevention device described in 1, wherein one or more cellphones are used, the cellphones convert multiple sounds emitted by the patient into multiple received sound signals, the cellphones extract snoring sound information from the multiple received sound signals, the cellphones evaluate the impact of the snoring sounds, and the cellphones generate a signal for emitting infrasound using an infrasound generator. 5. The anti-snoring device according to 1, wherein the plurality of snoring sounds are stored in a database and used in the snore sound extraction block and / or the snore sound impact assessment block. 6. The anti-snoring device according to 1, wherein the anti-snoring device acquires a plurality of snoring sounds of the patient, and the plurality of snoring sounds of the patient are used in the snore sound extraction block and / or the snore sound impact evaluation block. 7. The anti-snoring device according to 6, wherein the patient's bedside person can record multiple snoring sounds of the patient. 8. The anti-snoring device according to 6, wherein the anti-snoring device obtains the patient's snoring sounds using the snoring sounds stored in the database. 9. The anti-snoring device described in 1, wherein the anti-snoring device has the function of transmitting signals received by the microphone, sound information obtained by the snoring sound extraction block, judgments made in the snoring sound impact assessment block, and / or information about infrasound radiation, and the received signals and / or information are transferred to a data center via a wireless or wired connection. 10. The anti-snoring device according to claim 9, wherein the settings of the anti-snoring device are updated via a wireless or wired connection. 11. An anti-snoring device as described in 9, wherein the anti-snoring device has the function of notifying the user and / or a third party of some of the information acquired by the device, the information including the received signal, sound information acquired by the snoring sound extraction block, the judgment in the snoring sound impact assessment block, and / or information about inaudible sound emissions, and clinical advice determined by the information acquired by the anti-snoring device. 12. A method for preventing snoring using infrasound radiated toward a patient includes: a microphone having a receiving circuit that converts a plurality of sounds emitted by the patient into a plurality of received sound signals; signal processing using the one or more microphones that extracts snoring sound information from the plurality of received sound signals; signal processing using the one or more microphones that evaluates the impact of the snoring sounds; signal processing using the one or more microphones that generates a signal for emitting infrasound using an infrasound generator; and an infrasound generator having a sound transmitting circuit that radiates the infrasound toward the patient. 13. A snoring prevention device that uses infrasound sounds emitted toward the snorer and canceling infrasound sounds emitted toward a bedmate includes one or more microphones having one or more receiving circuits that convert multiple sounds emitted by the patient into multiple received signals, a snore sound extraction block that extracts snoring sound information from the multiple received signals, a snore sound impact evaluation block that evaluates the impact of the snoring sound, a signal generation block that generates signals for emitting infrasound sounds using an infrasound generator and for emitting canceling infrasound sounds using an infrasound canceller, an infrasound generator having a sound transmission circuit that radiates the infrasound sounds toward the snorer, and an infrasound canceller having a sound transmission circuit that radiates canceling infrasound sounds toward a bedmate. 14. The anti-snoring device according to 13, which uses low frequency sound instead of infrasound. 15. An anti-snoring device according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of infrasound cancellers are used, and the infrasound cancellers suppress the effect of infrasound on people sleeping on either side of the snorer. 16. A snoring prevention device as described in 13, in which two or more infrasound generator-cancellers are used, and when one person snores, one of the infrasound generator-cancellers selectively emits infrasound at the person snoring, and the other infrasound generator-canceller or other infrasound generator-cancellers emits a canceling infrasound to suppress the effect of the infrasound on the person in bed. 17. An anti-snoring device as described in 13, wherein the infrasound canceller emits a canceling infrasound, and the system controller uses the estimated location of the snorer and the estimated location of the bedmate to calculate a signal for emission from the infrasound canceller, and the canceling infrasound for the bedmate is approximately the inverse of the infrasound for the bedmate. 18. The snoring prevention device described in 17, wherein the system controller uses the direction of the infrasound generator and the direction of the infrasound canceller to estimate the location of the snorer and the location of the bedmate, and the system controller assumes that the infrasound generator is facing the snorer and the infrasound canceller is facing the bedmate. 19. The anti-snoring device of claim 18, wherein the system controller uses one or more delay circuits to prepare the signal for emission from the infrasound canceller. 20. The anti-snoring device according to claim 17, wherein the system controller takes into account attenuation caused by penetration through the mattress when calculating the signal for radiation from the infrasound canceller. 21. The anti-snoring device described in 17, wherein the system controller uses multiple signals received by two or more microphones to estimate the location of the snorer and / or the location of their bedmate. 22. The anti-snoring device of claim 17, wherein the system controller uses information obtained by one or more infrared cameras to estimate the location of the snorer and / or the location of bed companions. 23. The anti-snoring device of claim 17, wherein the system controller uses information obtained by one or more cameras to estimate the location of the snorer and / or the location of bed companions. 24. The anti-snoring device of claim 23, wherein the system controller uses information obtained by one or more cell phone cameras to estimate the location of the snorer and / or the location of bed companions. 25. A method for preventing snoring using infrasound sounds radiated toward a snorer and infrasound cancelling sounds radiated toward a bedmate includes one or more microphones having one or more receiving circuits for converting a plurality of sounds emitted by the patient into a plurality of received sound signals; signal processing using one or more microprocessors, graphical processing units, and / or field programmable gate arrays for extracting snoring sound information from the plurality of received sound signals; signal processing using one or more microprocessors, graphical processing units, and / or field programmable gate arrays for evaluating the impact of the snoring sounds; signal processing using one or more microprocessors, graphical processing units, and / or field programmable gate arrays for generating signals for emitting the infrasound sounds using an infrasound generator and the cancelling infrasound sounds using an infrasound canceller; an infrasound generator having a transmitting circuit for radiating the infrasound sounds toward the snorer; and an infrasound canceller having a transmitting circuit for radiating the cancelling infrasound sounds toward a bedmate. 26. A snoring prevention device that uses a noise-canceling speaker to emit noise-canceling sounds includes one or more microphones with one or more receiving circuits that convert multiple sounds emitted by the patient into multiple received signals, a snoring sound extraction block that extracts snoring sound information from the multiple received signals, a snoring sound impact evaluation block that evaluates the impact of the snoring sound, a signal generation block that generates two types of signals to emit noise-canceling sounds using the noise-canceling speaker and to emit stimuli using a stimulation device to be applied to the snorer, a stimulation device having a stimulation generation circuit that applies stimuli to the snorer, and a noise-canceling speaker having a sound transmission circuit that radiates noise-canceling sounds toward a bedmate. 27. The anti-snoring device according to claim 26, which uses low frequency sound as a stimulus to the snorer. 28. The anti-snoring device according to claim 26, which uses ultrasound as a stimulus for the snorer. 29. The anti-snoring device according to claim 26, which uses an audible sound as a stimulus to the snorer. 30. The anti-snoring device according to claim 26, which uses airflow as a stimulus to the snorer. 31. The anti-snoring device according to claim 26, which uses light stimulation as a stimulus for the snorer. 32. The anti-snoring device according to claim 26, wherein heat stimulation is used as the stimulation for the snorer. 33. The anti-snoring device according to claim 26, which uses electrical stimulation as the stimulus for the snorer. 34. An anti-snoring device as described in 27, wherein two or more low-frequency sound generator-noise cancellers are used, two or more microphones are used, and a snorer detection block is used, wherein the snorer detection block determines which of the sleepers is a snorer, and the low-frequency sound generator-noise canceller directed toward the snorer emits low-frequency sound toward the snorer, and the low-frequency sound generator-noise canceller directed toward the non-snorer emits noise-canceling sound toward the sleeper. 35. The anti-snoring device according to claim 34, wherein the low frequency sound generator-noise canceller directed towards the snorer emits infrasound towards the snorer. 36. An anti-snoring device as described in 34, wherein two or more microphones are used for each sleeper, the low frequency sound generator has a drive unit, the snorer detection block determines the direction from which the snoring sound is coming, and the drive unit directs the low frequency sound generator in the direction from which the snoring sound is coming. 37. An anti-snoring device as described in 36, wherein a time-of-flight depth sensor is used for each sleeper, and the snorer detection block having the time-of-flight depth sensor determines the direction of the snorer's head using the time-of-flight method. 38. An anti-snoring device as described in 36, wherein an ultra-wideband radar sensor is used for each sleeper, and the snorer detection block uses information obtained by the ultra-wideband radar sensor to determine the direction of the snorer's head. 39. A snoring prevention method using noise-canceling sounds includes one or more microphones with one or more receiving circuits that convert multiple sounds emitted by a patient into multiple received sound signals, signal processing using the one or more microphones that extracts snoring sound information from the multiple received sound signals, signal processing using the one or more microphones that evaluates the impact of the snoring sounds, a signal generating circuit that generates two types of signals to emit the noise-canceling sounds using a noise-canceling speaker and to emit stimuli using a stimulation device that are applied to the snorer, a stimulation device having a stimulus generating circuit that applies the stimuli to the snorer, and a noise-canceling speaker having a sound transmitting circuit that radiates the noise-canceling sounds toward a bedmate.

[0055] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

[0056] All patents and publications cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Citation List Non Patent Literature NPL 8 E. Dafna, A. Tarasiuk, Y. Zigel, “Automatic detection of whole night snoring events using non-contact microphone,” PLoS One. 2013; 8(12): e84139. NPL 9 http: / / www.audioholics.com / room-acoustics / bass-the-physical-sensation-of-sound [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 000 Snorers 002 Snoring 004 Microphone 006 Infrasound Generator 008 Infrasound 010 System Controller 012 Receiving circuit 014 Snoring sound extraction block 016 Snoring sound impact assessment block 018 Signal Generator Block 020 Sound transmission circuit 200 beds 202 Bedmate 400 Infrasound Canceller 402 Cancellation infrasound 500 The person next door 600 potential snorers 602 Infrasound Generator-Canceller 700 S 702 B 704 RG 706RC 708 OG 710 OC 800 stimulation 802 Stimulus generating circuit 804 noise cancelling speaker 806 noise cancellation sound 808 Stimulation Device 900 Low Frequency Sound 902 Infrared Sound Generator 1000 Low Frequency Sound Generator-Noise Canceller 1002 Snoring person detection block 1100 drive unit 1500 Infrared Camera The following is a summary of the claims as originally filed: [1] A low-frequency sound generating device configured to apply low-frequency sound to a patient emitting snoring sounds; a controller including circuitry configured to convert the snoring sound into a received sound signal, obtain snoring sound information from the received sound signal, process the snoring sound information such that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and cause the low frequency sound generating device to apply the low frequency sound to the patient when the impact is higher than a threshold; An anti-snoring device comprising: [2] The snoring prevention device described in [1], wherein the low-frequency sound includes infrasound. [3] The anti-snoring device according to [1], wherein the low-frequency sound generating device comprises a plurality of low-frequency sound generators. [4] The snoring prevention device described in [1], further comprising a sound receiving device configured to receive the snoring sound emitted by the patient. [5] The snoring prevention device according to [4], wherein the sound receiving device comprises a plurality of microphones. [6] Further comprising a drive unit connected to the low-frequency sound generating device; the controller is configured to determine from which direction the snoring sound is coming based on feedback from the microphone and direct the low frequency sound generating device in the determined direction. [5] An anti-snoring device as described in [5]. [7] The anti-snoring device of [1], further comprising a sound cancelling device configured to apply low frequency sound to at least one person next to the patient to suppress the effect of the snoring sound. [8] The snoring prevention device described in [7], wherein the low-frequency sound applied to the at least one person includes infrasound. [9] The anti-snoring device according to [7], wherein the sound cancelling device comprises a plurality of low-frequency sound cancellers.

[10] A noise canceling device configured to apply a sound to a second patient adjacent to a first patient to cancel the snoring sound. The anti-snoring device according to [1] further comprises:

[11] A first sound generator-canceller configured to apply a first low frequency sound to a first patient; a second sound generator-canceller configured to apply a second low frequency sound to a second patient adjacent to the first patient; a controller including circuitry configured to detect whether the first or second patient is emitting a snoring sound, convert the snoring sound into a received sound signal, obtain snoring sound information from the received sound signal, process the snoring sound information so as to determine an impact of the snoring sound based on the snoring sound information, and, when the impact is higher than a threshold, cause one of the first and second sound generator-cancellers to apply the first or second low frequency sound to the first or second patient, and cause the other of the first and second sound generator-cancellers to apply the first or second low frequency sound that suppresses the impact of the snoring sound.

[12] The snoring prevention device according to

[11] , wherein the first and second low-frequency sounds each include an inaudible sound.

[13] The snoring prevention device according to

[11] , further comprising a sound receiving device configured to receive the snoring sounds emitted by the first or second patient.

[14] The snoring prevention device according to

[13] , wherein the sound receiving device comprises a plurality of microphones.

[15] The snoring prevention device described in

[14] , wherein the controller is configured to receive a plurality of signals received from the microphone and detect the locations of the first and second patients.

[16] The snoring prevention device described in

[15] , wherein when the first patient emits the snoring sound, the phase of the inaudible sound applied to the second patient is approximately the opposite phase of the inaudible sound applied to the first patient.

[17] A method of treating a snoring sound comprising: a stimulation device configured to apply stimulation to a first patient producing a snoring sound; a noise cancelling device configured to apply a sound to a second patient adjacent to the first patient to cancel the snoring sound; a controller comprising circuitry configured to convert the snoring sound into a received signal, obtain snoring sound information from the received signal, process the snoring sound information so that an impact of the snoring sound is determined based on the snoring sound information, and, when the impact is higher than a threshold, cause the stimulation device to apply the stimulation to the first patient and cause the noise canceling device to apply the sound that cancels the snoring sound to the second patient.

[18] The anti-snoring device according to

[17] , wherein the stimulation includes low-frequency sound.

[19] The anti-snoring device according to

[17] , wherein the stimulation includes ultrasound.

[20] The anti-snoring device according to

[17] , wherein the stimulus includes an audible sound.

[21] The anti-snoring device according to

[17] , wherein the stimulus includes wind flow.

[22] The anti-snoring device described in

[17] , wherein the stimulus includes a light stimulus.

[23] The anti-snoring device according to

[17] , wherein the stimulus includes a thermal stimulus.

[24] The anti-snoring device according to

[17] , wherein the stimulation includes electrical stimulation.

[25] converting the snoring sound emitted by the patient into a received sound signal; acquiring snoring sound information from the received sound signal; processing the snore sound information such that an impact of the snore sound is determined based on the snore sound information; and applying low frequency sound to the patient when the effect is above a threshold.

[26] The method for preventing snoring described in

[25] , wherein applying the low-frequency sound includes applying an infrasound to the patient.

[27] The snoring prevention method according to

[25] , further comprising wirelessly receiving the snoring sound before the converting.

[28] Detecting whether a first patient is snoring or a second patient adjacent to the first patient is snoring; converting the snoring sound into a received sound signal; acquiring snoring sound information from the received sound signal; processing the snore sound information such that an impact of the snore sound is determined based on the snore sound information; applying a first infrasound or a second infrasound to the first or second patient when the effect is greater than a threshold; applying the first or second low frequency sound that suppresses the effect of the snoring sound; A method for preventing snoring comprising:

[29] Converting snoring sounds into received audio signals; acquiring snoring sound information from the received sound signal; processing the snore sound information such that an impact of the snore sound is determined based on the snore sound information; applying a stimulus to the first patient when the effect is greater than a threshold; applying the snoring sound cancelling sound to a second patient adjacent to the first patient.

[30] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program, the program, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to: converting snoring sounds emitted by the patient into received audio signals; acquiring snoring sound information from the received sound signal; processing the snore sound information such that an impact of the snore sound is determined based on the snore sound information; and applying low frequency sound to the patient when the effect is above a threshold.

Claims

1. A stimulation device capable of providing sound stimulation to a patient who is snoring; a controller that acquires a received sound signal that is a sound signal including the snoring of the patient, evaluates the received sound signal based on a threshold value or an evaluation method set for each patient, and controls the stimulation device based on the evaluation result; The sound provided by the stimulation device includes a sound having a frequency of 20 kHz or more. Anti-snoring device.

2. 2. The anti-snoring device of claim 1, wherein the sound provided by the stimulation device includes a sound having a frequency of 20 Hz or more and 100 Hz or less.

3. 10. The anti-snoring device of claim 1, wherein the sound provided by the stimulation device comprises infrasound at frequencies below 20 Hz.

4. The snoring prevention device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller acquires a received sound signal that is a sound signal including the snoring sound of the patient, and evaluates the snoring sound of the patient based on the received sound signal.

5. 2. The snoring prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the controller acquires a received signal that is a sound signal including the patient's snoring sound, acquires snoring sound information that is information about the snoring sound from the received signal, and evaluates the sound pressure of the patient's snoring sound based on the snoring sound information.

6. 2. The snoring prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the controller acquires a received signal that is a sound signal including the snoring sound of the patient, and evaluates, based on the received signal, whether the sound pressure of the snoring sound of the patient exceeds a threshold value set for each patient.

7. the stimulation device includes a speaker; 10. The anti-snoring device of claim 1.

8. acquiring a received sound signal that is a sound signal including snoring from a patient who is snoring, evaluating the received sound signal based on a threshold value or an evaluation method set for each patient, and providing a stimulus to the patient using a stimulus device that provides a sound stimulus to the patient based on the evaluation result; A method for preventing snoring, comprising: The sound provided by the stimulation device includes a sound having a frequency of 20 kHz or more. method.

9. A program for causing one or more processors to execute a method for preventing snoring in a patient who snores, the program, when executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to: A snoring prevention method comprising: acquiring a received sound signal that is a sound signal including snoring of the patient; evaluating the received sound signal based on a threshold value or an evaluation method set for each patient; and providing a stimulus to the patient using a stimulus device that provides a sound stimulus to the patient based on the evaluation result; The sound provided by the stimulation device includes a sound having a frequency of 20 kHz or more. A program that executes a method.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program of claim 9.

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