Motion sensor

• US 4,832,050 A
• Filed: 01/27/1988
• Issued: 05/23/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John D. Dilullo
• Original Assignee: John D. Dilullo
• Inventors: DiLullo, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAY, RANDY CITRIN
• Application Number:
  US07/148,994
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 128/774, 128/782, D/1722, D/23, D/24, D/99, 84/1.01, 84/1.04, 84/1.06, 84/1.14, 84/402, 84/418, 446/175, 446/418, 446/419, 340/384 R, 340/573, 340/575
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dream retrieval method and system including the physiological monitoring of a sleeping subject, the analysis of recurring behavioral parameters, the application of suitable algorithms to the observed parameters and, subject stimulation in response to algorithm deductions. In the preferred embodiment, gross body motions and postural changes are both analyzed in magnitude and regularity. Upon recognizing recurring body motions indicative of a dream cycle, the device establishes a time window during which the completion of the next dream should occur. If physiological behavior indicative of dreaming is discovered within the time window, the subject is awakened. As a result of this timely awakening, the subject obtains greater dream recall than is normally possible and may optionally record dream content.

Claims

1. A motion sensor comprising:

(a) a shell containing loose nuggets adapted to be rustled; and

(b) transducer means structurally coupled to the shell for converting into electrical energy acoustical energy produced by impacts between the nuggets when they are rustled.

2. The motion sensor of claim 1 in which the shell and the transducer means are separated by an acoustically transparent medium.

3. The motion sensor of claim 1 in which the nuggets are irregularly shaped.