Abstract:
A dream detection system includes a mask and a control unit. The mask includes opaque eye portions and at least one sensor for detecting REM sleep. The mask may include an alarm for indicating REM sleep, a speaker, and a transmitter. The control unit includes a receiver and transmitter for receiving data from and transmitting data to the mask, respectively. The control unit includes programming for actuating an audio player to provide a predetermined cue, script, or other audible message to the mask when REM sleep is detected for alerting a sleeping person that he is dreaming and enabling the person to gain some level of control over the dream sequence. The audible message may be a morning or evening affirmation, preparation for a task, or other cues to guide a dream. The control unit may include a device with which a user may audibly record dream details.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to dream detection systems and, more particularly, to a dream detection system having a mask to be worn by a sleeping person and a control unit that may be positioned beside a bed that enables a sleeping person to become aware that they are dreaming and to gain a certain level of control over the dream for maximum enjoyment or fulfillment. 
         [0002]    Dreaming is considered to be desirable to most people, yet most people have difficulty recalling their dreams or may be dissatisfied when their dreams become disjointed or take uncontrollable directions. Humans have five stages of sleep: stages 1-4 and REM sleep. It is well known that the most vivid dreams occur during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep. A person&#39;s brainwaves most closely resemble those of an awake person during this stage. Therefore, it is possible for a person to exert some control over the events of a dream if is made aware that he is dreaming without actually fully waking up. 
         [0003]    Various devices have been proposed for detecting REM sleep. In fact, it has been proposed in the prior art that a person may be slightly, but not fully, awakened upon REM detection using lights or sounds so that a sleeping person may gain some control over his dream. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the previous proposals are prone to false detections of REM sleep and premature signaling, a lack of providing a sleeper with predetermined cues, scripts, or audible suggestions to guide the dream sequence. For example, the sleeper may be able to introduce desired people, situations, or themes into the dream sequence. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system that could assist a person in becoming aware of his dream and to enable him to gain an amount of control over the dream sequence. Further, it would be desirable to have a system that provides a sleeper with predetermined cues, scripts, or audible suggestions when REM sleep is detected. In addition, it would be desirable to have a system that detects REM sleep in multiple ways so as to minimize false REM detection and premature awakening procedures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A dream detection system according to the present invention includes a mask and a control unit separate from the mask. The mask includes opaque left and right eye portions that prevent a wearer from seeing a surrounding environment. The mask may include a strap such that the mask may be removably attached to a person&#39;s head and may include a layer of pliable material for comfort when positioned on a person&#39;s face. 
         [0006]    The mask may include one or more sensor for detecting REM sleep, one or more alarm for indicating REM sleep, and/or a speaker. The mask may also include one or more input device for adjusting the alarm or speaker, for sending test or delay signals, or for actuating other electrical components. The mask may also include a transmitter and receiver. The control unit may include a transmitter for transmitting data to the mask, a receiver for receiving data from the mask, an audio player, one or more input devices, a processor, a display, and other electronic components. 
         [0007]    The processor in the mask includes programming for actuating the mask transmitter to transmit a signal when the mask sensor detects REM sleep. The control unit processor includes programming for actuating the audio player or other alarm components upon receiving a signal from the mask transmitter. A user may preset what audible messages will be played when the audible player is actuated. In addition, the control unit may include a microphone and data storage unit for recording a user&#39;s verbal communications, e.g. the details of a dream. 
         [0008]    Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a dream detection system for making a sleeping person aware that he is dreaming so that the person may gain some control over the dream sequence. 
         [0009]    Another object of this invention is to provide a dream detection system, as aforesaid, that provides a sleeper with predetermined cues, scripts, or audible suggestions when REM sleep is detected so as to guide the dream sequence. 
         [0010]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a dream detection system, as aforesaid, which enables a user to audibly record details from a dream sequence for later recollection. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a dream detection system, as aforesaid, in which a user may delay detection of REM sleep. 
         [0012]    A further object of this invention is to provide a dream detection system, as aforesaid, which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy for a user to operate. 
         [0013]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a control unit of a dream detection system according a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mask according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the electrical components of the control unit and mask shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4-8  are flowcharts illustrating the logic performed by the dream detection system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    A dream detection system  100  according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 7   b  of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, a dream detection system  100  according to the current invention includes a mask  110  and a control unit  210 . 
         [0019]    The mask  110  has an opaque left-eye portion  112   a  and an opaque right-eye portion  112   b  configured to collectively prevent a wearer from seeing a surrounding environment ( FIG. 2 ). The left-eye portion  112   a  has an inner edge  113   a , the right-eye portion  112   b  has an inner edge  113   b , and the portions  112   a ,  112   b  may be separate (e.g., attached by strap  114  as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or combined (e.g., similar to goggles worn for snow skiing). A layer  115  of pliable material (e.g., a silicone bead) is coupled to the inner edges  113   a ,  113   b  to provide a comfortable interface between the user and the mask  110 . The layer  115  of pliable material may extend completely along the inner edge  113   a  of the left-eye portion  112   a  and the inner edge  113   b  of the right-eye portion  112   b . Means may be included for attaching the left-eye portion  112   a  and the right-eye portion  112   b  to a human head (e.g., a user&#39;s head). More particularly, earpieces  116 , a strap, or another attachment device may be operatively coupled to the left-eye portion  112   a  and the right-eye portion  112   b . The left-eye portion  112   a  and the right-eye portion  112   b  may define vents  117  to allow fresh air to reach a user&#39;s eyes as shown in  FIG. 2 ; care should be taken to shape and place the vents  117  so that little (if any) ambient light reaches the user. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mask  110  may include one or more sensor  120  to detect REM sleep, one or more alarm  125  to indicate REM sleep, and/or a speaker  128 . For example, the mask  110  may include an electrooculography sensor  120   a , an electromyography sensor  120   b , and/or an infrared sensor  120   c . The infrared sensor  120   c  may be housed inside the left-eye portion  112   a  or the right-eye portion  112   b ; the electrooculography sensor  120   a  and/or the electromyography sensor  120   b  may be housed in the layer  115  of pliable material (e.g., inside a silicone bead). The alarm  125  may be a visual alarm and/or an audible alarm. For example, the alarm  125  may be a LED (and even more particularly, a blue LED) inside the left-eye portion  112   a  or the right-eye portion  112   b . It is understood that multiple sensors may be used simultaneously to minimize the chances of a false indication of REM sleep so that incorrect activation of other components is likewise minimized, as will be described in more detail later. 
         [0021]    The mask  110  may include one or more input device  130 , a transmitter  135 , a receiver  138 , and/or a processor  140 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, an input device  130   a  may be included for adjusting an intensity level of the alarm  125 ; an input device  130   b  may be included for adjusting a volume output of the speaker  128 ; an input device  130   c  may be included to input a test signal; an input device  130   d  may be included to input a delay signal; and an input device  130   e  may be included to turn on the electrical components of the mask  110  ( FIG. 7   b ). The input devices may be integrated into a single input device  130 , or multiple input devices  130  may be used (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The processor  140  may be in data communication with the sensor(s)  120 , the alarm  125 , the speaker  128 , the input device(s)  130 , the transmitter  135 , and/or the receiver  138 . The processor  140  may include various programming, as described in more detail below. 
         [0022]    The dream detection system  100  may further include a control unit  210  ( FIG. 1 ) separate and distinct from the mask  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the control unit  210  may include a transmitter  215  for transmitting data to the mask receiver  138 , a receiver  218  for receiving data from the mask transmitter  135 , an audio player  220  (e.g., a compact disc player or a mp3 player), a speaker  225 , one or more input device  230 , a display  232 , a microphone  234 , an electronic-data storage device  236 , and/or a processor  240 . The processor  240  may be in data communication with the transmitter  215 , the receiver  218 , the audio player  220 , the speaker  225 , the input device(s)  230 , the display  232 , the microphone  234 , and/or the storage device  236 . The processor  240  may include various programming, as described in more detail below. 
         [0023]      FIG. 7   a  shows exemplary input devices  230  that may be included. For example, an input device  230   a  may be included for selecting an evening affirmation/mental preparation mode; an input device  230   b  may be included for selecting an audible REM experience mode; an input device  230   d  may be included for selecting a morning affirmation mode; an input device  230   d  may be included for selecting a mask-only mode; an input device  230   e  may be included for selecting a record mode; an input device  230   f  may be included for selecting an alarm mode; and an input device  230   g  may be included to input alarm data. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 4 through 6  depict exemplary logic used in the dream detection system  100 . At step S 1 , the mask  110  is turned “on” (e.g., through input device  130   e ), and the logic continues to step S 2 . At step S 2 , the control processor  240  determines whether the evening affirmation/mental preparation mode was selected using the input device  230   a . If so, the logic proceeds to step S 3 ; if not, the logic proceeds to step S 4 . 
         [0025]    At step S 3 , the processor  240  uses programming for actuating the audio player  220  to output first audio data (e.g., audio data intended to relax the user and prepare the user for lucid dreaming) to actuate the audio player  220  in such a manner. This first audio data may then be broadcast through the speaker  225  or through the speaker  128  via the control transmitter  215  and the mask receiver  138 . The logic proceeds to step S 4 . 
         [0026]    At step S 4 , the processor  240  determines whether the alarm mode was selected using the input device  230   f . If so, the logic proceeds to step S 5  at  FIG. 4 . If not, the logic continues to step S 14 . 
         [0027]    At step S 5 , the processor  240  determines whether an alarm range (having a beginning time and an ending time) was selected using the input device  230   g  or whether a typical alarm time was selected using the input device  230   g . If an alarm range was not selected, the logic continues to step S 6 ; if an alarm range was selected, the logic continues to step S 11 . 
         [0028]    At step S 6 , the processor  240  determines if the alarm time has been reached. If so, the logic continues to step S 7 . If not, the logic proceeds to step S 14  ( FIG. 4 ) described below. 
         [0029]    At step S 7 , the processor  240  actuates the speaker  225  (and/or the speaker  128  via the control transmitter  215  and the mask receiver  138 ) to output a wake-up-alarm and wake up the user. The logic then proceeds to step S 8 . 
         [0030]    At step S 8 , the processor  240  determines whether the morning affirmation mode was selected using the  230   d . If so, the logic proceeds to step S 9 . If not, the logic proceeds to step S 10 , where the logic ends. At step S 9 , the processor  240  uses programming for actuating the audio player  220  to output third audio data (e.g., audio data intended to prepare the user to have a fulfilling/successful day) to actuate the audio player  220  in such a manner. This third audio data may then be broadcast through the speaker  225  or through the speaker  128  via the control transmitter  215  and the mask receiver  138 . 
         [0031]    Returning now to step S 11 , the processor  240  determines if the beginning time of the alarm range has been reached. If not, the logic proceeds to step S 14  ( FIG. 4 ) described below. If so, the logic proceeds to step S 12 . 
         [0032]    At step S 12 , the processor  240  determines if the ending time of the alarm range has been reached. If the ending time has been reached, the logic proceeds to step S 7  described above. If the ending time has not been reached, the logic continues to step S 13 . 
         [0033]    At step S 13 , the processor  240  determines whether the control receiver  218  has received a signal from the mask transmitter  135  indicating that the sensor(s)  120  detect(s) REM sleep. (The processor  140  uses programming to actuate the mask transmitter  135  to transmit a signal to the control receiver  218  upon the sensor(s)  120  detecting REM sleep.) If not, the logic proceeds to step S 7  described above. If so, the logic returns to step S 12 . This alarm range and the logic relating to this alarm range allows a user to be awoken while he is not in REM sleep unless an ending time is reached. Because people are often groggy and less than fully rested if awoken during REM sleep, this may be extremely beneficial to a user. 
         [0034]    Returning now to  FIG. 4  and step S 14 , the processor  240  determines whether the input device  130   d  has been used to input a delay signal (the delay signal being subsequently transmitted to the control receiver  218  from the mask transmitter  135 ). If so, the logic proceeds to step S 15 ; if not, the logic proceeds to step S 16 . 
         [0035]    At step S 15 , the processor  240  determines whether the delay has expired. If so, the logic proceeds to step S 16 ; if not, the logic returns to step S 15 . The delay signal and the logic relating to the delay may be useful to keep the sensor(s)  120  from falsely detecting REM sleep while the user is still awake, for example. 
         [0036]    At step S 16 , the processor  240  determines whether the control receiver  218  has received a signal from the mask transmitter  135  indicating that the sensor(s)  120  detect(s) REM sleep. As noted above, the processor  140  uses programming to actuate the mask transmitter  135  to transmit a signal to the control receiver  218  upon the sensor(s)  120  detecting REM sleep. If such a signal is received by the control receiver  218 , the logic proceeds to step S 17  ( FIG. 6 ); if not, the logic returns to step S 4 . 
         [0037]    At step S 17 , the processor  240  determines whether the mask-only mode was selected using the input device  230   d . If so, the logic proceeds to step S 18 ; if not, the logic proceeds to step S 19 . 
         [0038]    At step S 18 , the processor  240  uses programming to actuate the alarm  125  (e.g., via the control transmitter  215 , the mask receiver  138 , and the mask processor  140 ). The logic proceeds from step S 18  to step S 4  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0039]    At step S 19 , the processor  240  determines whether the input device  230   e  has been used to select a record mode. If so, the logic proceeds to step S 20 ; If not, the logic proceeds to step S 21 . 
         [0040]    At step S 20 , the processor  240  uses programming to actuate the microphone  234  and the storage device  236  to record the user&#39;s verbal communications. The logic continues from step S 20  to step S 18 . 
         [0041]    At step S 21 , the processor  240  determines whether the input device  230  has been used to select an audible REM experience mode. If so, the logic proceeds to step S 22 ; if not, the logic continues to step S 18 . At step S 22 , the processor  240  uses programming to actuate the audio player  220  to output audio data which may include cues to help the user direct his dream in a desired direction, for example. The audio data may be output through the control speaker  225  and/or through the mask speaker  128 . In other words, the control processor  240  may use programming to actuate the control transmitter  215  to transmit the audio data to the mask receiver  138 , and the mask processor  140  may use programming to actuate the mask speaker  128  to output the audio data received by the mask receiver  138 . 
         [0042]    While much of the logic depicted in  FIGS. 4 through 6  utilize the control processor  240  to minimize the size, weight, and power requirements associated with the mask  110 , it should be understood that the mask processor  140  may alternately or additionally include programming described in relation to the control processor  240 . Further, though not shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be clear that the mask processor  140  may include programming for changing an intensity level of the alarm  125  (e.g., and LED) upon user input to the input device  130   a , programming for changing a volume output of the mask speaker  128  upon user input to the input device  130   b , and/or programming for actuating the alarm  125  upon user input to the input device  130   c . Actuating the alarm  125  using the input device  130   c  while the user is awake may be important in conditioning the user to understand the meaning of the alarm  125  while the user is in REM sleep. Though not described in detail herein, it should be understood that a computer  300  ( FIG. 3 ) may be in communication with the control processor  240  (or the mask processor  140 ) to add additional functionality. 
         [0043]    It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.