An anti-snoring device. The anti-snoring device includes a housing having at least one sidewall. A speaker and a microphone are disposed on the sidewall. A memory is disposed within the housing, wherein the memory can store a plurality of audio files thereon. A microprocessor is disposed within the housing, the microprocessor having a logic that can receive an audio signal detected by the microphone, determine if the audio signal matches the sound of a human snoring within a pre-defined certainty, select one of the plurality of audio files stored on the memory, and play the selected audio file through the speaker between 40-50 dB. A power source is disposed within the housing, the power source in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the memory, the speaker, and the microphone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to anti-snoring devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to anti-snoring devices that play a selected audio file upon the detection of human snoring in order to disrupt a user's snoring without waking the user.

Many individuals suffer from snoring, which can frequently lead to feelings of inadequate sleep. Additionally, loved ones may also suffer from inconsistent sleep as the snorer can wake the loved ones with the volume of their snoring. Soft, soothing sounds similar to those a mother would make to her child, have been found to be effective in preventing snoring, while being insufficient to wake a sleeper. Many solutions in the known art can lead to the snorer being awoken when snoring occurs, further leading to feelings of exhaustion. Other solutions utilize harsh sounds that may not wake a user, but negatively affect the quality of the user's sleep. Therefore, a device that can disrupt a snoring person's sleep via soothing sounds without waking the snoring person is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of anti-snoring devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an anti-snoring device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when preventing a user from snoring without disrupting sleep.

The present system comprises a housing having at least one sidewall, wherein a speaker is disposed on the sidewall. A microphone is further disposed on the sidewall. A memory is disposed within the housing, wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of audio files thereon. A microprocessor is disposed within the housing, the microprocessor having a logic configured to receive an audio signal detected by the microphone, determine if the audio signal matches an audio file representing the sound of human snoring within a pre-defined certainty, select one of the plurality of audio files stored on the memory, and play the selected audio file through the speaker at a volume ranging between 40 and 50 dB. The system further comprises a power source disposed within the housing, wherein the power source is configured to provide power to the microprocessor, the memory, the speaker, and the microphone. In some embodiments, the plurality of audio files includes rhythmic pulsing sounds, wherein the rhythmic sounds are played at intervals. In another embodiment, the rhythmic sounds comprise the clicking of the human tongue. In other embodiments, the rhythmic sounds comprise the smacking of human lips. In yet another embodiment, the system further comprises a cord configured to electrically connect the power source to an external power source. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a switch configured to adjust the volume of sound played through the speaker. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a wireless transceiver in communication with the microprocessor, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote device, such as a smartphone. In other embodiments, the memory is further configured to store data tracking the activity of the microprocessor thereon. In yet another embodiment, the system further comprises an activation button configured to selectively toggle the anti-snoring device between an activated state and a deactivated state. In some embodiments, the power source comprises a battery. In another embodiment, the battery is rechargeable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the anti-snoring device. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-snoring device comprises a housing12having at least one sidewall13. A speaker14is disposed on the sidewall13, wherein the speaker14is configured to emit sound therethrough. The speaker14is further configured to emit sound at a volume ranging between 40 and 50 dB, such that the anti-snoring device may be placed at a distance from the user while still functionally affecting the user. This particular decibel range allows the anti-snoring device to disrupt the snoring of a user, while still allowing the user to continue sleeping. A microphone15is disposed on the sidewall13, wherein the microphone15is configured to receive an audio input from the vicinity of the housing12. In this way, the microphone15functions as an audio sensor configured to detect the occurrence of snoring within the vicinity of the anti-snoring device. In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone15and the speaker14are disposed on the same sidewall13, thereby allowing a user to position the housing12against a wall, while not interfering with the operation of the microphone15and the speaker14. In the illustrated embodiment, a switch21is disposed on the sidewall13, wherein the switch21is configured to adjust the volume of sound emitted from the speaker14within a pre-defined range. This pre-defined range is configured to prevent the sound emitted from the speaker14to reach a volume great enough to wake a sleeping user. In an alternate embodiment, the switch21comprises a sliding switch, rather than the pair of incremental switches depicted in the illustrated embodiment.

A power source19is configured to provide power to the electrical components and circuitry within the housing12, including the speaker14and the microphone15. In some embodiments, the power source19comprises a battery removably securable within the housing12, wherein the battery is configured to allow the anti-snoring device to operate independently of an external power source for a period of time. In another embodiment, the battery is rechargeable, allowing a user to reuse the battery rather than replacing it, thereby reducing expenses to the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-snoring device further comprises a cord20configured to operably connect to an external power source, such as a wall outlet or USB port, such that the cord20provides power to the anti-snoring device. In some embodiments, the cord20acts as the sole provider of power to the anti-snoring device, whereas in the illustrated embodiment, the cord20supplements the power source19, allowing the anti-snoring device to draw off of external power to lengthen the life of the power source19. In some embodiments, an activation button23is disposed on the housing12, wherein the activation button is configured to selectively toggle the anti-snoring device between an activated and deactivated state. In this way, power is only provided to the device when in the activated state, allowing the user to preserve the lifetime of the power source19or minimize usage of an external power source via the cord20, thereby minimizing expenses.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown a schematic view of an embodiment of the anti-snoring device. The anti-snoring device further comprises a memory16disposed within the housing, wherein the memory16is configured to store a plurality of audio files thereon. The plurality of audio files stored on the memory16comprise a first set of audio files and a second set of audio files, wherein the first set of audio files each represent various sounds of human snoring, such that the first set of audio files can be used for comparison against an audio signal18detected by the microphone15. The second set of audio files represent rhythmic sounds configured to disrupt the snoring of a user when heard. In some embodiments, these sounds represent various soothing and calming sounds, including, but not limited to, a human tongue clicking, smacking and smooching sounds of human lips, and shushing noises. These sounds are selected for the soothing and calming effect of one human comforting another, much like a mother does for her child. The second set of audio files are configured to rhythmically sound at intervals for a set amount of time, such as, but not limited to, every 2 to 3 seconds, as the repetition of a pattern can further serve to prevent the waking of a user from sleep.

The anti-snoring device further comprises a microprocessor17disposed within the housing. The microprocessor17is configured to receive an audio signal18, wherein the audio signal18is detected by the microphone15. The microprocessor17then compares the audio signal18against the first set of audio files stored on the memory16disposed within the housing, wherein the audio file represents the sound of a snoring human. This comparison can include waveform analysis of the detected sound matched against the waveform of the sample sounds stored on the memory16. Should the microprocessor17determine that the audio signal18matches the sound of human snoring within a pre-defined certainty, such as a confidence interval of 95 percent, the microprocessor17then selects one of the audio files of the second set of audio files stored on the memory16and plays the selected audio file through the speaker14. In an alternate embodiment, the microprocessor17is configured to play the selected audio file when the microphone15detects a sound above a threshold noise level. In another embodiment, the threshold noise level can be adjusted, such that a user can select the volume of snoring required to trigger the audio file playing. In this way, the anti-snoring device can be calibrated for use with both heavy and light snorers. The selected audio file is configured to play for a set period of time, such that the snoring of the user can be disrupted. As the selected audio file is played at a volume between 40-50 dB, and comprises a rhythmic sound played at intervals, the snoring of the user can be disrupted without waking the user due to loud or randomly occurring sounds.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-snoring device further comprises a wireless transceiver22. The wireless transceiver22is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device. In this way, the user can receive data from the anti-snoring device regarding the usage of the anti-snoring device. This enables a user to determine the frequency of their snoring habits as determined by the number of times the microphone15detected snoring, allowing the user to gauge the effectiveness of the anti-snoring device. Additionally, the wireless transceiver22can transmit audio files to and from the remote device, allowing a user to use the remote device to detect snoring through the microphone of the remote device and play the audio files through the speakers of the remote device. In this way, the user can use the anti-snoring device remotely, such that the memory16and the computation of the microprocessor17are utilized while the detection and emission of sound are completed by the remote device.