Behavioral shaping device for eliminating nocturnal sounds

• US 4,220,142 A
• Filed: 09/01/1977
• Issued: 09/02/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Linda J. Rosen, Raymond C. Rosen
• Original Assignee: Linda J. Rosen, Raymond C. Rosen
• Inventors: Sisko, Zoltan L., Rosen, Raymond C., Rosen, Linda J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US05/829,969
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1 R, 128/1 C, 128/136, 128/DIG. 29, 128/716, 128/721, 128/905, 128/680-682, 35/22 R, 35/35 C, 340/407, 340/279, 340/511, 340/566, 340/575, 179/1 N, 179/1 VC, 364/419
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/563 Anti-bruxisme
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00

Abstract

A behavior shaping device is disclosed for eliminating nocturnal sounds, such as snoring. The device comprises the generally well-known microphone amplifier and alarm means, with the alarm means being actuated when the input level is above a predetermined level. As part of the behavior shaping technique, a counter is provided to indicate the number of times the alarm is sounded in a predetermined time period to permit the lowering of the threshold level as the number of times the alarm is sounded decreases. Memory means are provided to store the counts generated in accordance with the time periods and to provide a display of the respective counts registered.

Claims

1. A behavior modification device for eliminating nocturnal sounds emanating from a sleeper, said device comprising:

transducer means responsive to sounds emanating from a sleeper of at least a predetermined level of loudness to produce an output alarm signal,

means responsive to said output alarm signal for producing aversive stimulus each time said predetermined level is exceeded causing said sleeper to awake each such time,

means for terminating said aversive stimulus,

register means connected to receive said output alarm signal and to register the total number of said output alarm signals generated in a predetermined period of time, and

display means connected to said register means for visibly displaying the total number of said output alarm signals generated in said predetermined period of time, whereby a credible record of the number of sounds emanating from said sleeper is established.

2. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising amplitude sensitive output signal producing means for producing said output alarm signal when said sounds exceed said predetermined level, and adjustable input level means for changing said predetermined level.

3. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 2, comprising comparator means connected to said register means for comparing the total number of said output alarm signals generated in one predetermined time period with the number generated in a prior time period, and control means connected between said comparator and said adjustable input level means to decrease said predetermined level when the total number of said output alarm signals generated in a present predetermined time period is less than a prior time period.

4. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising proportioning means connected to the output of said comparator for generating a signal having an amplitude directly proportional to the difference in compared total counts, said proportioning means adjusting said predetermined level directly proportional to the difference in compared total counts.

5. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said adjustable input level is manually adjustable enabling the subject to reduce the predetermined level as the total number of said output alarm signals decreases in said predetermined periods of time.

6. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising manually actuable means connected to said means for producing said aversive stimula for terminating said aversive stimula.

7. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising electronic memory means connected to said register means, said memory means adapted to store the count in said register means representing said total number of said output signals generated, and means coupled to said memory means for addressing said memory means and retrieving any count stored therein.

8. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said memory means further comprises means to store signals representative of each predetermined period of time.

9. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 7, further comprising display means connected to said memory means for visibly displaying the contents of said memory means.

10. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said register means comprises zero reset means for resetting said register means when the contents thereof are read.

11. A behavior modification device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said zero reset means comprises manually actuable means.

12. A method for achieving behavior modification to eliminate nocturnal sounds emanating from a sleeper, the method comprising:

triggering an alarm each time the sounds emanating from the subject exceed a predetermined level,

terminating said alarm,

counting the number of said sounds sensed during a predetermined period of time,

and visually displaying the count representing the number of times the sound is sensed, whereby the sleeper sees credible evidence of the production of nocturnal sounds.

13. The method set forth in claim 12, further comprising the step of adjusting said predetermined level responsive to the number of sounds sensed as compared to the number of sounds sensed in a prior predetermined period of time.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising the step of storing said number of time the sound was sensed in a prior predetermined period of time.