Smart Relaxation Mask Biometric Feedback Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals face challenges in falling and staying asleep due to stress and anxiety, which often result in mind wandering episodes, and existing relaxation techniques are not consistently effective in addressing these issues without adverse effects.

Innovation Solution

A smart relaxation mask equipped with biometric sensors and a processor that adjusts auditory, haptic, or visual outputs based on monitored biometric parameters to identify and respond to a racing mind state, creating a closed-loop experience to refocus attention and promote relaxation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional relaxation techniques (meditation, mindfulness) are used, then subjects attempt to relax and reduce mind wandering, but these techniques are not consistently effective and require purposeful effort that subjects may struggle to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of relaxationVSAvoideffort required for relaxation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors biometric parameters (EEG, EOG, ECG, GSR, PPG) to detect racing mind states and automatically adjusts sensory stimulus output in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates the need for subjects to manually maintain relaxation efforts while providing reliable, adaptive relaxation assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mask autonomously detects when a subject experiences mind wandering or racing thoughts through biometric monitoring and automatically applies corrective sensory stimuli without requiring subject intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in managing the subject's mental state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If subjects engage in meditation or focus exercises to prevent mind wandering, then attention may be improved temporarily, but mind wandering episodes still occur despite purposeful efforts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattention focusVSAvoidconsistency of attention

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous real-time feedback through biometric monitoring and automatically adjusts sensory stimulus intensity and type to maintain consistent attention focus, preventing mind wandering episodes before they occur rather than relying on temporary manual focus efforts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mask maintains continuous monitoring and adjustment of sensory stimuli throughout the sleep period, ensuring uninterrupted attention management and preventing mind wandering episodes rather than relying on intermittent manual meditation sessions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If stress and anxiety are addressed through conventional methods, then some relief may be achieved, but unintended adverse effects on health may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress and anxiety impactVSAvoidunintended health effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of stress-induced mind wandering into a beneficial outcome by detecting racing mind states through biometric changes and automatically applying sensory stimuli that calm the subject, transforming the stress response into a relaxation opportunity without medication or invasive interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces conventional pharmacological or therapeutic interventions for stress management with a non-invasive biometric monitoring and sensory stimulus delivery system, eliminating unintended health effects associated with medications while providing effective stress and anxiety relief

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 smart relaxation mask effectively helps individuals relax, fall asleep, and stay asleep by continuously adjusting sensory stimuli to address racing thoughts, thereby improving sleep quality and reducing the negative impact of stress and anxiety.

Implementation Method 1

output, via an electroacoustic transducer, a sensory stimulus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

introducing, via a light pipe, visual cues which modulate to coincide with the sensory stimulus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

introducing, via a tactical motor, a haptic output in an effort to guide the subject to focus on the sensory stimulus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic actuation:

Data Source

PatentUS11590313B2Smart relaxation mask

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 BOSE CORP

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a smart relaxation mask configured to output a stimulus and collect biometric information while the stimulus is output to determine if the subject is paying attention to the stimulus. If the subject is not focused on the stimulus, the mask adjusts at least one of an audio, visual, or haptic output. The stimulus is adjusted in an effort to shift the subject's attention to the stimulus and away from racing thoughts.