Change control method using three-dimensional 1/F fluctuation, recording medium storing the method, and change control device using three-dimensional 1/F fluctuation

• US 5,755,749 A
• Filed: 08/01/1996
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TOYO Sangyo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TOYO Sangyo Company Limited
• Inventors: Sakano, Kazuhito
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US08/690,894
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 607/72, 607/73, 607/46, 607/63, 607/74, 607/145, 607/148, 607/59, 607/142
• US Class Current: 607/73
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2023/0209 powered with frequencies not related to mains frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0496 characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/322 Electromedical brushes, combs, massage devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

A method for controlling changes in stimulation of every sort and kind including electrical stimulation, utilizes a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation. The method is a change control method for controlling changes in stimulation to an object using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation and includes the steps of causing changes based upon 1/f fluctuation periods in the X-Z plane of a X-Y-Z space, causing changes based upon 1/f fluctuation periods in the X-Y plane of the space, superposing the caused changes of the previous steps, and applying the superposed caused changes to the object. This makes it possible to realize a low-frequency device free of problems attributable to the tolerance in neural response. A recording medium used to store the change control method, and a change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation are also disclosed. Changes based on 1/f fluctuation periods in the X-Z plane and changes based on 1/f fluctuation periods in the X-Y plane are superposed on each other. In the case where stimulation is changed so as to avoid monotonous application of stimulation, for example, in a massaging device, it is possible to perform control for providing three-dimensional changes in the stimulation in which changes occur in both the vertical and horizontal directions, in addition to changes in the stimulation based on two-dimensional 1/f fluctuation periods at a single stimulation point. Thus, it becomes possible to effect control for stimulation changes which are natural and comfortable to an extent that they are closely correspond to the human physiology.

Claims

1. A change control method for controlling changes in stimulation to an object using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) causing stimulation changes based upon 1/f fluctuation periods in an X-Z plane of a X-Y-Z space;

(b) causing stimulation changes based upon 1/f fluctuation periods in an X-Y plane of said space;

(c) superposing said changes of steps (a) and (b) to form superposed changes; and

(d) applying said superposed changes to the object.

2. A change control method according to claim 1, wherein the each of the steps of causing changes comprises the step of causing changes by mechanical motions.

3. A change control method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of causing changes comprise the step of causing changes in stimulation.

4. A change control method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of causing changes comprise the step of causing changes in electrical stimulation.

5. A change control method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of causing changes comprise the step of causing changes in artificially created topography.

6. A change control method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of causing changes comprise the step of causing changes in ups and downs found in a solid object.

7. A change control method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of causing changes comprise the step of causing changes in the flow of a fluid.

8. A change control method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of causing changes comprise the step of causing changes in pressure.

9. A recording medium read out by a computer which stores a change control method using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation, said medium being characterized in that changes based on 1/f fluctuation periods in the X-Z plane of a X-Y-Z space and changes based on 1/f fluctuation periods in the X-Y plane within said space are superposed on each other.

10. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation, said change control device having a change control means for creating changes within a X-Y-Z space, wherein changes in an X-Z plane in the space and created based on 1/f fluctuation periods and changes in an X-Y plane in the space and created based on 1/f fluctuation periods are superposed on each other.

11. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation according to claim 10, wherein said change control means comprises:

a step-up pulse circuit;

a control section (CPU) for controlling said step-up pulse circuit;

a power source for supplying electrical power to both said step-up pulse circuit and said control section (CPU);

an output circuit connected to said step-up pulse circuit and which is controlled by said control section (CPU); and

three or more electrodes connected to said output circuit and disposed in a X-Y-Z space wherein changes in an X-Z plane in the space and which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods and changes in the X-Y plane which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods are superposed on each other.

12. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation according to claim 11, wherein said three or more electrodes comprise an arrangement oriented along a curved line whose curvature is smaller than infinity.

13. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation according to claim 11, wherein a switching means is further provided to change an electric current path between a different electrode(s) and an indifferent electrode(s).

14. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation according to claim 11, wherein a switching means is further provided to change an electric current path between a different electrode(s) and an indifferent electrode(s) and said output circuit provides a scanning control function to scan a plurality of electrodes serving as different electrodes or indifferent electrodes.

15. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation according to claim 11, wherein three or more electrodes comprise an arrangement on a single sheet.

16. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation, said change control device having a change control means for creating changes within a X-Y-Z space, said change control means comprises:

a step-up pulse circuit;

a control section (CPU) for controlling said step-up pulse circuit;

a power source for supplying electrical power to both said step-up pulse circuit and said control section (CPU);

an output circuit connected to said step-up pulse circuit and which is controlled by said control section (CPU); and

three or more electrodes connected to said output circuit and disposed in a X-Y-Z space;

wherein changes in an X-Z plane in said space which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods and changes in an X-Y plane in the space which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods are superposed on each other and said electrodes do not form a fixed pair of different and indifferent electrodes.

17. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation, said change control device having a change control means for creating changes within a X-Y-Z space, said change control means comprises:

a step-up pulse circuit;

a control section (CPU) for controlling said step-up pulse circuit;

a power source for supplying electrical power to both said step-up pulse circuit and said control section (CPU);

output circuit connected to said step-up pulse circuit and which is controlled by said control section (CPU); and

three or more electrodes connected to said output circuit and disposed in a X-Y-Z space;

wherein changes in an X-Z plane in the space and which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods and changes in an X-Y plane in the space and which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods are superposed on each other and a combination of different and indifferent electrodes is freely set.

18. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation according to claim 17, wherein said three or more electrodes comprise a non-linear arrangement.

19. A change control device using a three-dimensional 1/f fluctuation, said change control device having a change control means for creating changes within an objection X-Y-Z space, said change control means comprises:

a step-up pulse circuit;

a control section (CPU) for controlling said step-up pulse circuit;

a power source for supplying electrical power to both said step-up pulse circuit and said control section (CPU);

an output circuit connected to said step-up pulse circuit and which is controlled by said control section (CPU); and

three or more electrodes connected to said output circuit and disposed on the object in a X-Y-Z space,

wherein changes in an X-Z plane in the space and which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods and changes in an X-Y plane in the space and which are created by said electrodes based on 1/f fluctuation periods are superposed on each other and said electrodes are disposed at positions closely similar to positions of fingers and palm of the human hand.