Device for the suppression of snoring

• US 5,477,867 A
• Filed: 01/19/1995
• Issued: 12/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexander Balkanyi
• Original Assignee: Alexander Balkanyi
• Inventors: Balkanyi, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/375,525
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 128/848, 128/846, 128/857, 128/858, 128/859, 340/575
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

The device has a microphone with a combined amplifier, filter and demodulator for detection of snoring noises. If the sleeper is found to be snoring, a control operates a tone generator, which drives a sound emitter via an amplifier for emitting acoustic signals. The individual signals have different frequency distributions and become increasingly unpleasant while the snoring phase lasts. By varying the frequency distribution of the signals, i.e. their pitch, contribution of harmonics, and time modulation, a habituation is prevented. In operation, the control preferably determines which signals have a strong and which signals a weak effect.

Claims

1. A device for the suppression of snoring comprising

a snoring detector for detecting snoring noises;

a sound generator being capable of generating a plurality of acoustic signals having differing spectral composition, and

a control means for automatically selecting a succession of acoustic signals having differing spectral composition upon detection of snoring noises.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a snoring counter for counting a number of consecutive snoring noises, and wherein selection of said acoustic signals depends on a value of said snoring counter.

3. The device of claim 2, characterized in that spectral components of higher frequency in said spectral composition of the signals in said succession become stronger with an increasing number of consecutively detected snoring noises.

4. The device of claim 1 comprising a random generator for randomly selecting at least part of said acoustic signals.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said spectral composition of at least part of said signals is modulated in time.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said spectral composition of each acoustic signal comprises substantially only a fundamental frequency and harmonic frequencies.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a memory for storing signals the sleeping person reacts strongly to.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said control means is designed to store in said memory the signal that terminated a snoring phase.

9. The device of claim 1 comprising a headband, wherein said detection means comprises a microphone arranged in said headband.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said snoring detector comprises a throat microphone.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said sound generating means comprises a forehead sound emitter.

12. The device of claim 11 comprising a headband, wherein said forehead sound emitter is arranged in said headband.

13. A device for the suppression of snoring comprising a snoring detector for detecting snoring noises, a second generator being capable of generating a plurality of acoustic signals having differing spectral composition and volume, and a control means for automatically selecting a succession of acoustic signals having differing spectral composition and volume upon detection of snoring noises.