ELECTROMECHANICAL TACTILE STIMULATION DEVICES AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An external electromechanical tactile stimulation device adapted to be positioned against a person'"'"'s lower spine, the device comprising:
- a belt; and
an electromechanical stimulus unit coupled to the belt, the electromechanical stimulus unit comprising;
at least two vibrators configured to be centered about a person'"'"'s lower spine;
a controller in communication with the at least two vibrators to control actuation of the at least two vibrators;
a battery that provides power for operation of the controller and the at least two vibrators; and
a switch that selects between a responsive mode and a standalone mode;
wherein, in the responsive mode, the controller is configured to actuate the at least two vibrators in response to control signals received from one or more remote sensors; and
wherein, in the standalone mode, the controller is configured to occasionally actuate the at least two vibrators in a randomized manner.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for stimulating a sleeper is disclosed. The device comprises a tactile electromechanical stimulator positioned against the sleeper'"'"'s back proximate the sleeper'"'"'s lower spine. The stimulator is actuated by a control circuit and powered by a power source. In one embodiment, the control circuit can be programmed to occasionally actuate the stimulator to promote more restful sleep. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a receiver, and a transmitter is included that is adapted to transmit an actuation signal upon detection of excess noise or motion from the sleeper. The receiver, upon receiving the actuation signal, can actuate the stimulator for a randomized period of time via one or more randomized output pulses generated by a controller in communication with the receiver.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An external electromechanical tactile stimulation device adapted to be positioned against a person'"'"'s lower spine, the device comprising:
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a belt; and an electromechanical stimulus unit coupled to the belt, the electromechanical stimulus unit comprising; at least two vibrators configured to be centered about a person'"'"'s lower spine; a controller in communication with the at least two vibrators to control actuation of the at least two vibrators; a battery that provides power for operation of the controller and the at least two vibrators; and a switch that selects between a responsive mode and a standalone mode; wherein, in the responsive mode, the controller is configured to actuate the at least two vibrators in response to control signals received from one or more remote sensors; and wherein, in the standalone mode, the controller is configured to occasionally actuate the at least two vibrators in a randomized manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sleep enhancement system, the system comprising:
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a remote control unit, the remote control unit comprising; a sensory input device configured to detect a sensory input associated with a sleeping person; a signal processing module configured to generate a digital actuation signal when the sensory input exceeds a specified threshold level; a transmitter configured to transmit the actuation signal; and a tactile stimulus unit in communication with the remote control unit the tactile stimulus unit comprising; a receiver in communication with the transmitter and configured to receive the actuation signal; at least one tactile stimulator configured to be positioned proximate the sleeping person'"'"'s lower spine, the at least one tactile stimulator configured to exert pressure on a skin surface adjacent its position; and a controller in communication with the at least one tactile stimulator to control actuation of the at least one tactile stimulator for a predetermined period of time in response to the received actuation signal from the remote control unit; wherein the specified threshold level is adjustable by a user; wherein the controller is configured to output a sequence of output pulses having randomized pulse widths and randomized pause times between successive output pulses for the predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of enhancing sleep, the method comprising:
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positioning one or more tactile stimulators against a person'"'"'s skin at a location proximate the intersection between lumbar and sacral regions of the person'"'"'s spinal column; actuating the one or more tactile stimulators to produce randomized vibrations in response to an actuation signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An external electromechanical apparatus for enhancing sleep, the apparatus comprising:
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one or more tactile stimulators configured to be placed against a person'"'"'s back proximate the lower spine; a controller configured to occasionally actuate the one or more tactile stimulators in a random manner; a power supply; and a power control circuit configured to provide power from the power supply to the one or more tactile stimulators and the controller.
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Specification