CALMING DEVICE

• US 20110137110A1
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Rozendaal, Marius Cornelis, Frens, Johannes Willem, Aarts, Ronaldus Maria, Westerink, Joanne Henriette Desiree Monique, Djajadiningrat, Johan Partomo
• Granted Patent: US 8,979,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6027 using adaptive systems learning from user actions, e.g. for skill level adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6063 for sound processing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/632 by branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible story developments at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking

Abstract

A device (1), for calming down a subject, comprises a content delivering means (12,14) adapted for delivering a content in a first mode, at least one sensor (22, 24, 26, 28, 29) configured to detect an activity level of the subject and a controlling unit operatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The controlling unit receives the detected activity level and compares the detected activity level with a pre-determined threshold activity level. The controlling unit is capable of changing the delivery of the content to a second mode when the detected activity level is above the threshold activity level.

Claims

1. A device (1) for calming down a subject, the device comprising:

a. a content delivering means (12, 14) adapted for delivering a content in a first mode;

b. at least one sensor (22, 24, 26, 28, 29) configured to detect an activity level of the subject; and

c. a controlling unit operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, wherein the controlling unit is configured for receiving the detected activity level and for comparing the detected activity level with a pre-determined threshold activity level, and wherein the controlling unit is capable of changing the delivery of the content to a second mode when the detected activity level is above the threshold activity level.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the content is a story, music or a game.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the activity level is detected by the at least one sensor by detecting a bodily movement and/or a voice level of the subject, and/or by measuring heart rate and/or breathing rate, and/or by analyzing a sleeping stage of the subject.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined threshold activity level can be varied for each subject.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the content delivering means comprises at least one sound generator for generating a sound in the first and second mode and/ or at least one display means for displaying an image in the first and second mode.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the content is a story, and wherein in the second mode, the sound generated has a reduced clarity and/or lower understandability as compared to the sound generated in the first mode.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the content is a story, and wherein in the second mode the image has a reduced viewability and/or poorer aesthetic quality as compared to the image displayed in the first mode.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the content is a story, and wherein the controlling unit is capable of switching the delivery of the content back to the first mode when the detected activity level is below or equals the threshold activity level.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the content is a story, and wherein the delivery of the content is changed from the first mode to the second mode or from the second mode to the first mode progressively.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the content is a game, and wherein the game is delivered at a first level in the first mode and at a second level in the second mode.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the second level is substantially easier as compared to the first level.

12. The device of claim 2, wherein the content is a game, the controlling unit is further capable of delivering the game in different modes when the detected activity level is below or equals the threshold activity level.

13. The device of claim 2, wherein the content is a game, the controlling unit is further capable of delivering the game in different modes as a function of time.

14. The device of claims 12, wherein the game is played at a different level in the different modes, and wherein each level is substantially easier as compared to the previous level.

15. A method of calming down a subject comprising the steps of:

a. switching on a content delivering means to deliver the content in a first mode;

b. detecting activity level of the subject;

c. comparing the detected activity level with a pre-determined threshold activity level; and

d. changing the delivery of the content to a second mode when the detected activity level is above the threshold activity level.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the content is a story, music? or a game.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the content is a story, the method further comprises

a. switching the delivery of the content back to the first mode when the detected activity level is below or equals the threshold activity level.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the content is a game, the method further comprises

a. switching the delivery of the content to different modes when the detected activity level is below or equals the threshold activity level, wherein the game is played at different levels in each mode, and wherein each level is substantially easy as compared to the previous level.