METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SCENTED ALARM CLOCK BASED ON SLEEP STATE

• US 20110160619A1
• Filed: 12/31/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LC Tank LLC
• Original Assignee: LC Tank LLC
• Inventors: Gabara, Asher
• Application Number:
  US12/651,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20110160619A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0016 by the smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0083 especially for waking up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 Rate
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/025 acting only at one preselected time

Abstract

A method and apparatus for affecting the dreams of the subject or individual is presented. The apparatus first predicts or detects the desired sleep state and presents a scent to the subject. The apparatus then awakens the subject after a given period of time using external stimulus. The desired sleep state may be the REM sleep state, and the period of time may be one minute. Upon awakening, the subject will recall dreams that have been affected by the emitted scent. If the scent is pleasant, then the subject will recall having pleasant dreams.

Claims

1. An alarm clock comprising:

a sleep state detector coupled to a subject to determine when said subject is in a given sleep state;

a scent applied to said subject in said given sleep state;

a processor coupled to said sleep state detector to determine when to apply at least one stimulus to awaken said subject.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby

said given sleep state is a dream-heavy REM (Rapid Eye Movement) state.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby

said stimulus is a way to awaken said subject selected from the group consisting of light, sound, touch and movement.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby

said processor calculates a time period.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, whereby

said time period is one minute.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, whereby

a second stimulus is selected from said group.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby

said scent creates undesirable dreams.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby

said scent creates pleasant dreams.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby

said subject is awoken in a preferred state.

10. A method of waking a subject comprising the steps of:

applying a scent to said subject sleeping in a given sleep state;

waiting a first time period; and

waking said subject.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

a sleep state detector coupled to said subject to determine when said subject is in said given sleep state.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein

said given sleep state is a dream-heavy state.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

a processor coupled to said sleep state detector to calculate when to apply at least one stimulus.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein

said waking occurs by the application of said at least one stimulus to awaken said subject.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein

said stimulus is a way to awaken said subject selected from the group consisting of light, sound, touch and movement.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein

said subject is placed into a preferred state.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein

said scent creates pleasant dreams.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein

said scent creates undesirable dreams.

19. An alarm clock comprising:

a sleep state detector coupled to a subject;

a scent being applied to said subject in a sleep state; and

a processor coupled to said sleep state detector to determine when to apply at least one stimulus to awaken said subject.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, whereby

said sleep state is the dream-heavy REM (Rapid Eye Movement) state.