Calming Device Activity-Based Content Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia devices fail to calm subjects, as they are designed for high-energy entertainment, ignoring the socio-cultural role of storytelling and other calming methods, and do not adapt to individual activity levels effectively.

Innovation Solution

A device that detects activity levels through sensors and adjusts content delivery, such as storytelling or gaming, by reducing sound clarity and image quality when activity levels are high, and returning to normal when levels drop, ensuring the subject remains calm and relaxed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multimedia devices use high energy entertainment strategies to engage subjects, then subject attention and engagement are improved, but subject excitement increases and calming effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubject engagementVSAvoidsubject excitement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by using decreasing game difficulty and diminishing sensory stimulation instead of increasing excitement. While conventional devices use high-energy entertainment to engage subjects, this patent deliberately reduces stimulation intensity and complexity over time, transforming the engagement strategy from excitement-based to calmness-based, thereby resolving the contradiction between engagement and excessive stimulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of content delivery parameters including game difficulty level, sensory stimulation intensity, and interaction complexity. These parameters are continuously adapted based on real-time monitoring of subject activity levels, allowing the system to maintain optimal engagement while progressively reducing excitement to facilitate calming and sleep onset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multimedia devices deliver engaging content continuously, then subject attention is maintained, but subject relaxation and sleep onset deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery effectivenessVSAvoidsleep onset facilitation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action through structured phases: an initial engaging phase to capture attention, followed by gradual reduction phases that systematically decrease stimulation intensity and game difficulty. This periodic modulation of content delivery effectiveness ensures that engagement occurs initially but progressively transitions to relaxation, thereby maintaining productivity while improving reliability of sleep onset facilitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically modifying content delivery characteristics including reducing game difficulty levels, decreasing sensory stimulation intensity, and lowering interaction complexity over time. These controlled parameter changes enable the system to maintain initial engagement effectiveness while progressively facilitating relaxation and sleep onset, resolving the contradiction between sustained attention and sleep facilitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If devices ignore individual activity levels and deliver uniform content, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to individual calming needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery systemVSAvoidindividual activity level adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that continuously monitor subject activity levels and provide real-time data to the content delivery system. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation of game difficulty, sensory stimulation intensity, and interaction complexity based on individual subject responses, significantly improving adaptability while the modular sensor-integration architecture manages device complexity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2346558B1Calming device
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2346558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2346558B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A device (1), for calming down a subject, comprises a content delivering means (12,14) adapted for delivering a content in a first mode, at least one sensor (22, 24, 26, 28, 29) configured to detect an activity level of the subject and a controlling unit operatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The controlling unit receives the detected activity level and compares the detected activity level with a pre-determined threshold activity level. The controlling unit is capable of changing the delivery of the content to a second mode when the detected activity level is above the threshold activity level.