GB2288687A

GB2288687A - A sleep inducing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2288687A
Application number: GB9408095A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Morgan
Original assignee: PEKTRON Ltd
Current assignee: PEKTRON Ltd
Priority date: 1994-04-23
Filing date: 1994-04-23
Publication date: 1995-10-25
Also published as: GB9408095D0

Abstract

A sleep inducing apparatus in the form of a housing 10 defined by a base 12 and a cover 14 movably mounted thereon. The base 12 has a printed circuit board and power source, the circuit being capable of generating random electronic noise and conditioning the generated noise whereby to produce a sleep inducing sound. Movement of the cover 14 controls the connection of power to the circuit, and there may be provided selective control of the volume and modulation rate. The apparatus may further be provided with an automatic switch-off, a sound sensitive switch-on arrangement, and a movement detector switch-on arrangement. <IMAGE>

Description

Apparatus for Producing Sound Patterns This invention relates to an apparatus for producing a sound pattern, and is particularly concerned with apparatus for producing a sleep inducing sound pattern.

Many people suffer during their lifetime from periods of insomnia or other sleep disorders. Drugs can be used to treat acute sleep disorders, but have the possibility of producing unwanted side effects.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for producing sleep inducing sound patterns which has advantages over other types of sound producers intended to have a soporific effect upon humans.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for producing a sound pattern, the apparatus comprising means operable to generate electronic noise, means for conditioning the noise whereby to produce a desired sleep inducing audible sound pattern, and means for selectively controlling the generation and emission of the audible sound pattern from the apparatus.

Preferably the noise generating means comprises a battery operated electronic circuit which includes a reverse biased silicon semiconductor junction. The noise conditioning means may include an active filter and an amplitude modulation arrangement.

Preferably also the apparatus comprises a two parl housing, the parts being relatively movable whereby to control the connection of the electronic circuit to the battery. The housing parts may include a base for mounting the noise generating and conditioning means, and a movable cover for operating as a switch The cover may have a pyramidal shape.

The apparatus may further include means for varying the amplitude modulation, which means may be in the form of a manually operable switch on the base. A further switch to control the volume of the emitted noise may be provided on the housing base.

The apparatus may also include a timing arrangement by which the apparatus is automatically switched off after operating for a predetermined time period. The apparatus may also have a sound sensitive arrangement whereby the apparatus may be automatically switched on when a noise is sensed. Further, the apparatus may have a passive infra-red movement detector, whereby the apparatus is automatically switched on when body movement is sensed.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, an apparatus for producing a sound pattern has the form of a two part housing 10, a first part being in the form of a substantially flat base 12, and the second part in the form of a pyramidal cover 14, lower outer edges 16 of which overlie outer edges 18 of the base 12. The latter mounts a plurality of feet 20 on its lowermost surface for standing the apparatus on any suitable surface. The cover 14 is movably attached to the base 12, being provided internally with four spaced posts (not shown) which engage with respective leaf springs (not shown) on the base 12, whereby the cover 14 is resiliently movable relative to the base 12 when pressure is applied to the cover 14, the posts thereby moving the leaf springs against their bias. The base 12 and cover 14 are preferably formed of a plastics material, whereby the leaf springs can be formed of rectangular pieces of the plastics material which are free of the base around three sides thereof.

The base 12 mounts on the upper surface thereof a printed circuit board and a power source therefor in the form of a battery. A switching arrangement for switching the battery into and out of the electronic circuit of the circuit board is controlled by the manually operable movement of the cover 14 on the base 12.

The electronic circuit includes a reversed biased silicon semiconductor junction which generates random electronic "white" noise over a wide range of frequencies below or above and within the audible band. The circuit also includes an arrangement for conditioning such generated white noise, the arrangement including an active filter which amplifies and produces from the white noise an output having a flat spectral distribution over the entire audio band from 20Hz to 20kHz. The sleep inducing sound of this generated pink noise is enhanced by an arrangement in the electronic circuit for gently modulating the amplitude in a slow rhythmic manner with a period of modulation of typically 4 seconds.

A switch arrangement is provided, which is controllable by a manually operable switch accessible on the lower face of the base 12, to vary the modulation to meet different requirements, i.e. to produce a variety of sleep inducing rhythmic noises. To induce sleep in babies and infants, it can be of advantage to simulate the sound experienced by a foetus within the mother's womb, and this sound can be created, for example, by increasing the rate of modulation to 70 beats per minute. Alternatively a slower modulation period or for example 2 seconds, mimics the experience of an adult's breathing rate as sleep approaches, which also has the effect of inducing sleep. The modulation rate may be either switched or continuously adjusted over a range which is typically 10 beats per minute to 70 beats per minute.

The apparatus may be provided with a timing arrangement which automatically switches off the apparatus after operation over a preset period of time. Also, the apparatus may include a sound sensitive arrangement which causes the apparatus to automatically switch on when an infant makes a noise, with a manually operable control being provided for rendering such an arrangement active or inactive. Further, the apparatus may incorporate a passive infra-red movement detector which switches the apparatus on when automatically sensing the movement of an infant's body Again a manually operable switch may be provided to render such a detector active or inactive.

There is thus provided an apparatus which is selfcontained and simple to operate, and can create in a human a calm, secure and peaceful state of mind which induces sleep by producing a non-invasive, broad band repetitive pattern of sound.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the shapes of the cover and base may differ from those described and shown.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:

1. Apparatus for producing a sound pattern, the apparatus comprising means operable to generate electronic noise, means for conditioning the noise whereby to produce a desired sleep inducing audible sound pattern, and means for selectively controlling the generation and emission of the audible sound pattern from the apparatus.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the noise generating means comprises a battery operated electronic circuit which includes a reverse biased silicon semiconductor junction.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the noise conditioning means includes an active filter.

4. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the noise conditioning means further includes an amplitude modulation arrangement.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherien the amplitude modulation arrangement is adapted to provide a modulation rate in the range of 10 to 70 beat per minute.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a two part housing, the parts being relatively movable whereby to selectively control the generation of the sound pattern by controlling the connection of the electronic circuit to the battery.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the housing parts include a base for mounting the noise generating and conditioning means, and a movable cover for operating as a switch.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the cover has a pyramidal shape.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the means for selectively controlling the emission of the sound pattern includes means for varying the amplitude modulation.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the means for varying the amplitude modulation is in the form of a manually operable switch.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the means for selectively controlling the emission of the sound pattern includes a switch to control the volume of the emitted noise.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, including a timing arrangement by which the apparatus is automatically switched off after operating for a predetermined time period.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, including a sound sensitive arrangement whereby the apparatus may be automatically switched on when a noise is sensed.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, including a passive infra-red movement detector, whereby the apparatus is automatically switched on when body movement is sensed.

15. Apparatus for producing a sound pattern substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.