Sleep Inducing Device Using Constant Environmental Sounds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep induction devices often disturb users with amplitude and frequency changes in environmental sounds or require wearing headphones, which can be impractical and disruptive.
Innovation Solution
A sleep inducing and maintenance system that uses binaural beat frequencies combined with constant environmental sounds or subliminal tones, allowing users to select programs that guide them through natural sleep cycles without modulation, and includes optional subliminal or affirmative message sequences for enhanced sleep experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If environmental sounds are modulated by EEG sleep signals to induce sleep, then sleep induction is facilitated, but sleep is disturbed by large amplitude and frequency changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the environmental sound from modulated (varying amplitude and frequency) to constant (steady amplitude and frequency). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the sleep-inducing effect through the constant presence of familiar sounds while eliminating the harmful large amplitude and frequency changes that would disturb sleep.
2Reliability
If binaural beat frequencies are used to induce sleep, then brain state variation is achieved, but complex audio signal processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex binaural beat frequency processing from the system, retaining only the essential function of playing familiar environmental sounds. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the beneficial brain state control effect through simplified constant sound playback without the need for complex real-time EEG processing and binaural beat generation.
3Reliability
If headphones are used to deliver audio signals for sleep induction, then audio delivery is effective, but user comfort and practicality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex, uncomfortable headphones with a simple, disposable-like approach using familiar environmental sounds that can be played through ordinary speakers. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining effective audio delivery through commonplace devices that users already have in their sleeping environments, eliminating the need for specialized headphones.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system promotes healthy, natural sleep patterns by maintaining constant sound amplitudes and frequencies, ensuring uninterrupted sleep and flexibility in programming, while providing options for wake-up sequences and various sleep durations.
Implementation Method 1
binaural beat frequencies used for each of the sleep programmes
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a device (100) for inducing and maintaining sleep in which one of a number of sleep programs can be selected in accordance with the requirement of a user, in addition, a background can be selected by the user which forms part of the program. The device (100) includes a display (120) and a control panel (130) mounted in a housing (110). Individual sleep programs are selected using the control panel (130) and the display (120). The device (100) includes processing unit (140) connected to a memory (150) and a driver (160) for a pair of speakers (170, 175) through which the selected sleep program is played to the user.