Brain wave synchronizer

• US 5,409,445 A
• Filed: 12/08/1993
• Issued: 04/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rubins, Tye
• Original Assignee: Rubins, Tye
• Inventors: Rubins, Tye
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LACYK, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US08/164,001
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 600/26-28, 128/731, 128/732, 128/905
• US Class Current: 600/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• 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: A61N 2005/0648 the light being directed to the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes

Abstract

A device for inducing the brain waves of a user to assume a predetermined frequency comprising a playback device, stereo earphones, and at least one light mounted on glasses in front of each eye of the user. Three separate control signals are pre-recorded superimposed onto a single control track. This composite signal is read by the playback device and is decomposed into the separate control signals by filters in a decoder/controller. One control signal drives a first LED and another drives a second LED. The number of sinusoids within the first and second control signal determine the light intensity. The third control signal is passed alternately to two speakers, with the switching between the speakers being controlled by the state of the first and second control signal. Conventional earphones and a conventional tape player may be used. The invention may be used to selectively activate the pins of a parallel port on a personal computer, to which are connected the LEDs. Also, the invention may include a mercury tilt switch mounted to the spectacles worn by the user to determine if he is dozing off and transitioning into the Theta brain wave state. The spectacles have optional peep holes in the lenses.

Claims

1. A brain wave synchronizer for stimulating the brain of a user to obtain a brain wave synchronization frequency, comprising:

a personal computer including

a medium containing an audio program and a brain wave synchronization program,

a reader means for reading the audio program and the brain wave synchronization program,

a controller means for receiving the audio program and brain wave synchronization program read by the reader means, a power source connected to the controller means,

an interface port connected to the controller outputting from the personal computer a brain wave synchronization control signal and an audio control signal from the controller means in accordance with the brain wave synchronization program and the audio program;

a light emitting device, connected to the interface port and actuated in accordance with the brain wave synchronization control signal, adapted to be disposed proximal to an eye of the user; and

an audio emission device, connected to the interface port and actuated in accordance with the audio control signal, adapted to be disposed proximal to an ear of the user;

whereby the light emitting device and the audio emission device stimulate the user'"'"'s brain.

2. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 1, wherein the medium includes a magnetic memory in the personal computer.

3. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 1, wherein the interface port further comprises a parallel port.

4. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 1, wherein the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode mounted to an opaque lens of a spectacle frame adapted to be worn by the user, and the audio emission device includes an electromagnetic transducer.

5. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 4, wherein the synchronizer further comprises a motion sensor mounted on the spectacle frame, and a tone generator powered by the power source and connected to the motion sensor.

6. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 5, wherein the motion sensor includes a mercury switch.

7. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 6, wherein the opaque lens of the spectacle includes a peep hole.

8. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 7, wherein the audio emission device further comprises headphones.

9. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 4, wherein the spectacle further comprises a motion sensor connected to the controller, wherein the controller outputs a detect signal through the interface port to the audio emission device.

10. An arrangement, including earphones having first and second speakers and a stereo connector, for inducing brain waves with a predetermined synchronization frequency in the brain of a user, comprising:

a recording medium with at least one, prerecorded control track, wherein the track includes a pulsed waveform signal having a frequency greater than a predetermined threshold flicker rate;

a playback device being arranged to read the control track and to generate an electrical control signal corresponding to the control track;

a visual presentation means for screening the eyes of the user from ambient light;

a motion sensor disposed on the visual presentation means;

a tone generator, electrically connected to the motion sensor, and providing a tone signal to the earphones;

a connector means for connecting the visual presentation means electrically with the playback device;

first and second lights, each mounted on the visual presentation means in front of a respective eye of the user;

light-switching means for activating the first and second lights at the predetermined threshold flicker rate when the control signal has a substantially non-zero amplitude;

sound-switching means for applying the control signal to the first and second speakers of the earphones and for producing audible tones; and

a power source connected to the arrangement.

11. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined threshold flicker rate is approximately 40 Hertz.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the recording medium includes a magnetic data medium.

13. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the first and second lights further comprise a light emitting diode.

14. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the motion sensor includes a tilt switch.

15. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the arrangement further comprises an unitary housing, and the recording medium and the playback device are contained in the unitary housing.