Breathing Plush Toy Feedback Control for Stress Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals, particularly young children, senior citizens, and those with emotional or physical challenges, often lack the skills to manage stress and regulate their breathing and behavior, making it difficult for them to cope with stressful situations.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory regulation apparatus embedded in a plush toy or wearable accessory that uses actuators and a processor to simulate breathing patterns, providing audio and visual cues to help users regulate their breathing and reduce stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a respiratory regulation apparatus uses actuators and a processor to simulate breathing patterns, then the ability to help users regulate breathing and reduce stress is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the electronic components (processor, actuators, sensors) within the plush toy structure itself. The CPU housing is integrated into the toy body, and the actuators are positioned to move specific body parts (chest, abdomen, limbs) to simulate breathing. This nesting approach allows the complex functionality to be contained within an apparently simple toy form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus monitors the user's breathing patterns through integrated sensors and automatically adjusts the simulated breathing patterns accordingly. The processor receives input from breathing rate detectors and autonomously controls the actuators to match and guide the user's breathing, reducing the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems.
2Reliability
If the apparatus provides dynamic and variable controlled feedback to adjust user behavior, then the effectiveness of stress management is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring user state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors continuously monitor the user's breathing rate and stress indicators. This data is processed by the CPU, which then adjusts the actuator movements and provides appropriate feedback (visual, auditory, or tactile) to guide the user toward calmer breathing patterns. The system dynamically adapts based on real-time user response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual assessment of user state with automated electronic sensing. Instead of requiring observers to manually evaluate breathing patterns and stress levels, the system uses electronic sensors, processors, and algorithms to detect and interpret physiological signals, making the measurement process more objective and scalable.
3Ease of operation
If the apparatus is designed to be appealing to children as a toy, then the ease of operation and user engagement is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the apparatus to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides respiratory regulation therapy while maintaining the appearance and appeal of a conventional toy. The same structure that makes it attractive to children (plush exterior, toy-like movements) also serves as the housing and mounting structure for the electronic components, eliminating the need for separate therapeutic device housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the toy to dynamically change its operational parameters (movement patterns, breathing rate simulation, feedback intensity) based on user needs. The processor can adjust the speed, amplitude, and pattern of actuator movements to match different breathing states, providing therapeutic value while maintaining toy-like variability and unpredictability that keeps children engaged.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for assisting individuals in controlling respiratory rates. For example, a respiratory regulation apparatus is provided in the form of a plush animal toy that operates components to simulate the breathing rate of anxious individuals. The apparatus may include actuators that are controlled by a slotted cam that is dynamically rotated at varying speeds in a determined rotational direction. The actuators move inward and outward in relative directions to move a torso of the plush animal toy to simulate breathing. In certain aspects, actuators may expand outward while at the same time another actuator contracts inward to cause the torso to simulate realistic breathing movements. A processor controls the speed of the cam such that the simulated breathing of the animal toy apparatus can be reduced at a controlled rate to assist an individual in reducing their breathing rate to a calmer state.