Abstract:
A sleep aid system, including a band adapted for surrounding a person&#39;s head, the band including an inside fabric layer and an outside fabric layer, two speakers between the fabric layers, the speakers positioned substantially opposite to one another, and an audio input for receiving audio from an audio player.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefits under 35 § U.S.C. 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/942,578, filed on Jun. 7, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a system and method for sleep aid, and more specifically to a sleep aid system including headphones designed specifically for sleeping. Thin adjustable speakers are sewn into comfortable fabric that can be worn like a sweatband or a watch cap. The speakers can play various sounds from music to binaural beats for the purpose of sleeping, awakening, meditation, or any general purpose audio. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the personal audio delivery systems, there have been many different methods to juxtapose a speaker next to the ear canal. The traditional headphone (“over head”) has a plastic or metal headband across the top of the head with speakers encased in plastic on either side. The cord for the traditional headphone protrudes from either both speakers or just one speaker and is worn on the front of the individual. Newer designs for headphones include a plastic band that is worn across the occipital portion of the head (“behind head”), connecting the two speakers with a wire that could be worn on the front or the back. There are also the in-ear headphones (“earbuds”) with wires from both speakers that may be worn inside the ear canal. 
         [0004]    None of these common personal audio delivery systems are very comfortable when worn during sleep. The problem with the “over head” and “behind head” headphones is that they use a hard material like plastic or metal to hold the shape. The individual wearing headphones to sleep would not be able to lie on the back with the “behind head” design, and lying on the side would be extremely uncomfortable with either design due to the bulk of the plastic or metal-enclosed speakers. They are unlikely to stay in place for an extended period of time with normal sleep head movements. The “earbuds” design may stay on better, but is often irritating to the soft ear cartilage. When they are worn for an extended period of time, the hard components may actually cause ulcers in the thin skin of the ears, and an inability for the ear canal to be ventilated may predispose the wearer to fungal or bacterial ear canal infections. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,774 to Hoyle discloses an eye shield sleeping device including a pair of speakers. The speakers are attached externally to an elastic strap to cover a user&#39;s ears. The device disclosed in Hoyle is however intended for naps, such as while traveling or at work, and it is not suitable for extended sleep. For example, the size and means of attachment of the speakers are not amenable to different sleep positions (e.g., lying on one&#39;s side) and sleep movements. 
         [0006]    Personal audio delivery systems are necessary for the effects of a phenomenon of brainwave entrainment through binaural beats. There are various brainwaves from gamma (γ, 26-100 Hz) to delta (δ, 4 Hz), which represent a spectrum from awake and concentrating to deep sleep, respectively. The brain can be entrained to certain brainwave patterns by the delivery of sounds to the ears. More precisely, when two tones of a similar pitch are delivered to the individual ears, the brainwaves may then take on the pitch frequency difference. Meanwhile, because the 2 tones are so similar, the conscious mind will not sense this pitch difference. For example, when a 210 Hz frequency tone is presented to the right ear, and a 200 Hz tone is presented to the left ear, the superior olivary nucleus of the brain will integrate these two tones and induce a 10 Hz brainwave. A 10 Hz brainwave is generally an alpha (α, 8-12 Hz) wave, which corresponds to a state of relaxed consciousness. This third brainwave frequency is considered the binaural beat, which has occurred through the sound delivery to the two ears. 
         [0007]    Therefore, brainwaves can be entrained to take on a certain pattern via the delivery of specific tones to the ears. With the right audio sounds, the brain can be “programmed” to fall asleep or to wake up. Note that the sounds must be in stereo and be presented to the ears distinctly, not mixing in the air before entering the ear canals. This principle is called “stereo separation.” Thus, the binaural beat effect can only be produced by wearing personal audio equipment, such as headphones. For one to sleep using binaural beats, one must wear a personal audio delivery system, and comfortable equipment would of course be preferred. 
         [0008]    Some systems for varying the brain state and/or inducing states of consciousness using binaural beats are known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,468 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,368. However, these prior systems simply employ conventional speakers or headphones. As such, the prior art systems are not suitable for extended and comfortable sleep. 
         [0009]    It is therefore desired to provide a sleep aid system with headphones that are comfortable enough to sleep in all night long. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sleep aid system including thin adjustable speakers enclosed in fabric for soft comfortable headphones that can be worn like a sweatband or a watch cap. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system with an audio player in communication with the speakers via a wired or wireless connection. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved system and method for inducing binaural beats for the purpose of brainwave entrainment. 
         [0012]    These and other objectives are achieved by providing a sleep aid system including a sleep aid system, including a band adapted for surrounding a person&#39;s head, the band including an inside fabric layer and an outside fabric layer, two speakers between the fabric layers, the speakers positioned substantially opposite to one another, and an audio input for receiving audio from an audio player. In some embodiments, the sleep aid system includes a cap portion connected to the band for covering the user&#39;s head. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the audio input includes at least one wire connected to each of the speakers and a plug, wherein the band includes an eyelet, and wherein the at least one wire extends from each of the speakers and through the eyelet. In other embodiments, the audio input includes a wireless audio input. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the system also includes two enclosures between the fabric layers, each of the enclosures including one of the speakers, wherein at least one of the enclosures is slideable within the band. For example, the slideable enclosure may include a first cord extending from a first end of enclosure and a second cord extending from a second end of the enclosure, wherein each of the first and second cords extend through at least one of the fabric layers, and wherein the slideable enclosure is slideable by pulling one of the first and second cords. 
         [0015]    Other objectives are achieved by providing a method for inducing sleep, including the steps of providing a band about a head of a person, wherein the band includes a first speaker within the band and a second speaker substantially opposite to the first speaker within the band, delivering audio at a first frequency via the first speaker, delivering audio at a second frequency via the second speaker, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency. 
         [0016]    Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an external view of one exemplary embodiment of the system according to the present invention including a sweatband style apparatus with a wire located in front. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  shows an internal view of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  shows a cutaway view of a portion of the system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows an external view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  worn by a person. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows an external view of another exemplary embodiment of the system according to the present invention including a watch cap style apparatus. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows an internal view of the system shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows an external view of the system shown in  FIG. 4  worn by a person. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows an external view of another exemplary embodiment of the system according to the present invention including a sweatband style apparatus with a wire located in back. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows an internal view of the system shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  shows an external view of the system shown in  FIG. 7  worn by a person. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The present invention is directed to a completely new design for headphones suitable for sleep and delivery of binaural beats. These are stereo headphones with thin speakers enclosed in fabric that can be worn around the head. The embedded speakers are thin, e.g., preferably one eighth (⅛) inch or less in thickness, thereby allowing for turning of the head from side to side without discomfort to the ears. The fabric allows for absorption of perspiration and oils and allows ventilation for the covered ear canals. The fabric is soft and comfortable enough to sleep in all night, and will hold the speakers in place for delivery of sound. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a sleep aid system including an apparatus in the shape of a sweatband, similar to those worn for exercise.  FIG. 1  shows an oblique frontal view of the sweatband style band  60 . The band includes an inside fabric layer and outside fabric layer. In a preferred embodiment, the layers include a fleece fabric (e.g., polyester fleece). The fabric layers may be at least partially elastic, or the band may further include an elastic layer. The band  60  includes a seam  40  that seals the top of the band  60  and a seam  30  in the back to form the band shape. In the exemplary embodiment, the band  60  has a height of approximately two (2) inches. The band  60  may be manufactured with different circumferences to accommodate different head sizes. 
         [0029]    An audio input (e.g., wire or cord) for connection to an audio player is located in the front of the band  60 . The audio input in the exemplary embodiment includes a plug  10 , such as a 3.5 mm (⅛ inch) stereo right-angle plug, and a cord  20  that enters at an eyelet  50  on the fabric band  60 . In the exemplary embodiment, the cord  20  is approximately fifty (50) inches in length. In some other embodiments, the audio input is a wireless audio input. The audio player (not shown) may be, e.g., a portable media player, an iPod, a CD player, a tape player, a computer, or any device capable of providing audio in stereo to two or more speakers  80 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  shows an internal side view of the sweatband style embodiment of the sleep aid system. The plug  10  and cord  20  enters the fabric band  60  at the eyelet  50 . The cord  20  then splits into left and right wires  22 / 24  and is connected (e.g., soldered) unto respective speakers  80 . The speakers  80  and cord  20  are wrapped in thin flexible enclosures  90 , such as fabric enclosures, for protection of the speakers  80  (e.g., and soldered joint  70 ). There is a seam  40  that seals the top of the band  60  and a seam  30  in the back to form the band shape. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the exact measurements and placement of the speakers  80  and wires  22 / 24  are important and adjustable for different head sizes. The speakers  80  are thin to ensure the comfort of the user in any sleeping position. The speakers  80  have a thickness of less than one quarter (¼) inch and preferably one eighth (⅛) inch or less. The wires  22 / 24  are soldered onto the speakers  80  or connected by any other suitable means. Then the speakers  80  are covered by the enclosures  90  to shield them from normal wear and tear. The speakers  80  are carefully placed to fit directly over the user&#39;s ears. The wire  20  is this particular embodiment is designed to protrude from the front of the head. Then the outer fabric is sewn into a sweatband shape. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a cutaway side view of one of the speakers  80 . The speaker  80  is wrapped and/or enclosed in the enclosure  90 . The enclosure  90  may be slideably adjustable within the band  60 . In the exemplary embodiment, the system includes two strings  92  attached to the enclosure  90  and extending through holes  94  or eyelets in the band  60 . The location of the enclosure  90  and speaker  80  is adjustable by pulling on either one of the strings  92 . In some embodiments, one of the speakers  80  is slideably adjustable. In other embodiments, both of the speakers  80  are slideably adjustable. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates a person wearing an exemplary embodiment of the sleep aid system.  FIG. 3  shows the plug  10  and cord  20  entering the fabric band  60  at the eyelet  50 . The top seam  40  is also pictured. As shown, the cord  20  preferably exits at the front of the band  60 . This location of the cord  20  is intended for comfort of the person so that the person generally is not laying on the cord  20  and/or the eyelet  50  during sleep. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the system according to the present invention including an apparatus in the shape of a watch cap  100 , like a beanie or sleeping cap.  FIG. 4  illustrates an offset frontal view of the watch cap style apparatus. The cap includes an audio input including a 3.5 mm (⅛ inch) (⅛ inch) stereo right-angle plug  10  and a cord  20  that enters the fabric cap  100  at an eyelet  50 . In other embodiments, the audio input may be wireless. There are seams  110  on the sides and seams  120  in the front to form the cap shape. The bottom of the cap  100  includes a folded layer or band  130  for style and comfort, and for enclosing the speakers  80 . In the exemplary embodiment, the band  60  has a height of approximately two (2) inches. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates an offset side view of the watch cap style apparatus.  FIG. 5  shows a partial internal view of the cap  100  to reveal the inside design. There is a 3.5 mm (⅛ inch) stereo right-angle plug  10  and a cord  20  that enters the fabric cap  100  at the eyelet  50 . There are seams  110  on the sides and seams  120  in the front to form the cap shape. The bottom of the cap  100  includes a folded layer or band  130  for style and comfort, and for enclosing the speakers  80 . The cord  20  travels down the front seam  120  and splits into right and left wires  22 / 24  which are soldered unto to the respective speakers  80 . The speakers  80  and cord  20  are then covered with an enclosure  90 , such as a fabric enclosure of piece of fabric, for protection of the soldered joint and the speaker assembly. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the exact measurements and placement of the speakers  80  and wires  22 / 24  are important and adjustable for different head sizes. The speakers  80  are thin to ensure the comfort of the user in any sleeping position. The speakers  80  have a thickness of less than one quarter (¼) inch and preferably one eighth (⅛) inch or less. The wires  22 / 24  are soldered onto the speakers  80  or connected by any other suitable means. Then the speakers  80  are covered by the enclosure or fabric  90  for protection. The fabric  90  surrounding the speakers is sewn into place on the outer fabric, with adjustability. For example, at least one of the speakers  80  may be adjustable in the manner shown in  FIG. 2B . Then the outer fabric is sewn into a watch cap shape. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates a person wearing the cap  100 .  FIG. 6  shows the plug  10  and cord  20  that enters the fabric cap  100  at the eyelet  50 . Also shown are the seams  110  on the sides and seams  120  in the front to form the cap shape. The bottom of the cap  100  includes a folded layer or band  130  for style and comfort, and for enclosing the speakers  80 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate another embodiment including an apparatus in the shape of a sweatband. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the wire or cord  20  enters in the back of the apparatus. There is a 3.5 mm (⅛ inch) stereo right-angle plug  10  and cord  20  that enters the fabric band  200  via a re-sealable (e.g., Velcro) seam  210 . There is a top seam  220  and a side seam  230  that forms the sweatband shape. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows an internal side view of the sweatband style, wire in back. As shown, the plug  10  and cord  20  enters the fabric band  200  via the Velcro seam  210 . There is a top seam  220  and a side seam  230  that forms the sweatband shape. When the cord  20  enters the fabric, it splits into left and right wires  22 / 24  which are attached to the respective speakers  80  via a soldered joint  70 . The speaker  80  and cord are covered by an enclosure or piece of fabric  90  to protect the soldered joint  70  and speaker assembly. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the exact measurements and placement of the speakers  80  and wires  22 / 24  are important and adjusted for different head sizes. The speakers  80  are thin to ensure the comfort of the user in any sleeping position. The speakers  80  have a thickness of less than one quarter (¼) inch and preferably one eighth (⅛) inch or less. The wires  22 / 24  are soldered onto the speakers  80  or connected by any other suitable means. Then the speakers  80  are covered by the enclosure or fabric  90  to shield them from normal wear and tear. The speakers  80  are carefully placed to fit directly over the ears. The wire  20  is designed to protrude from the back of the head. The outer fabric is sewn into a sweatband shape. The outer fabric is removable from the internal electronics for washing. This design may be used for sleeping and for exercising. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  illustrates a person wearing the exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 9  shows the plug  10  and cord  20  that enters the fabric band  200  via the Velcro seam  210 . There is a top seam  220  and a side seam  230  that forms the sweatband shape. 
         [0042]    The fabric in any embodiment may be updated for various reasons, such as style. The fabric may or may not be anti-odor, antimicrobial, breathable, waterproof, or flame-retardant. The stereo headphone design may have a cord with a plug, e.g., for communicating with an audio player. Alternatively, the device be wireless (e.g., using technology such as Bluetooth®). The device may be used with most audio devices for music, delivery of binaural beats, sounds inducing lucid dreaming, sleep learning, or any other sounds. Since the device may be worn comfortably all night, it may also be used for alarm clock functions. It may or may not be associated with a light to help with sleep or wake cycles. A website may or may not be created alongside this technology for MP3 downloads of binaural beat tracks. 
         [0043]    The present invention is preferably used for delivering binaural beats to a user. Binaural beat technology is a way to induce brainwave patterns from beta (awake) to delta (deep sleep). Sound at a specific frequency is delivered to one ear and a slightly different frequency is delivered to the other ear. The user&#39;s brain senses this difference and generates a specific brain wave from deep in the brainstem. This entrains the rest of the brain to function at that brainwave frequency for a desired level of consciousness. The invention may include any number of audio tracks that can be played via the speakers. The audio tracks may, for example, include binaural beat technology which gradually reduces the user&#39;s brainwave frequency from beta to delta. The audio tracks may also include a morning track to gently awaken the listener back to beta waves. 
         [0044]    Binaural beats must be delivered by stereo speakers directly to the ears. For a headphone to be useful for sleep, it must be comfortable and safe enough to wear while sleeping on the side. This invention therefore allows the user to wear stereo headphones while sleeping in any position. 
         [0045]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.