Stress reducer

• US 7,507,206 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Margaret R. Favata, Sandra L. Graves
• Original Assignee: Margaret R. Favata, Sandra L. Graves
• Inventors: Favata, Margaret R., Graves, Sandra L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser; Robert L
• Application Number:
  US10/930,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,665 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/481
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0061 Simulated heartbeat pulsed or modulated
• 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

Abstract

The present invention combines into a single housing a multiplicity of features that may be used separately or together to facilitate stress reduction in the user. A central computer receives inputs and sends signals to facilitate activation of a visual display as well as an audio output. Several power supply options are provided. A pulse sensor may be attached to the user to sense their pulse rate. The audio input provides a soothing noise such as a beating sound, the frequency of which may be adjusted, for example, 30 to 120 beats per minute. A voice synthesizer may speak directions to the user such as, for example, instructing the user to breathe in and out at a certain rate. A timer and speed control permit ready adjustment of the frequency of beats as well as the frequency during which voice synthesizer messages are provided. A microphone and tape recorder allow the user to tape record their own stress reducing instructions. A visual display includes an arc made up of a multiplicity of LEDs and a display of the heart rate. The audio output may include a speaker and a volume control.

Claims

1. A stress reducer, comprising:

a. a portable housing containing a computer connected to a power source;

b. a pulse sensor connected to said computer and adapted to sense pulse rate of a human heart, said pulse sensor sending signals to said computer representative of said pulse rate;

c. a visual display on said housing and connected to said computer and displaying pulse rate responsive to receipt by said computer of said signals;

d. an audio output device on said housing and connected to said computer to provide an audio output;

e. a source of a periodic beating sound in said housing and connected to said computer and, when activated, resulting in periodic beating sounds to emanate from said audio output device;

f. frequency adjustment means in said housing for adjusting frequency of said beating sound; and

g. a timer circuit associated with said source of periodic beating sound and configured to alternate in a repeating sequence between a first “

on”

condition that activates said source of periodic beating sound for a first pre-set time period, and a second “

off”

condition that deactivates said source of periodic beating sound for a second pre-set time period.

2. The stress reducer of claim 1, wherein said pulse sensor is attachable to a human finger.

3. The stress reducer of claim 1, wherein said visual display includes a numeric display for displaying a pulse rate in beats per unit time.

4. The stress reducer of claim 1, wherein said audio output device includes a speaker.

5. The stress reducer of claim 4, wherein said audio output device further includes earphones.

6. The stress reducer of claim 5, further including a volume control interposed between said computer and said speaker and earphones.

7. The stress reducer of claim 1, wherein said periodic beating sound resembles a sound made by a metronome.

8. The stress reducer of claim 1, wherein said frequency adjustment means is adapted to adjust frequency from 30 to 120 beats per minute.

9. The stress reducer of claim 1, further wherein said visual display further includes a lighted display.

10. The stress reducer of claim 9, wherein said lighted display includes a plurality of lights.

11. A stress reducer, comprising:

a. a portable housing containing a computer connected to a power source;

b. a pulse sensor connected to the computer and adapted to sense the pulse rate of a human heart, the pulse sensor sending signals to the computer representative of the pulse rate;

c. a visual display on the housing and connected to the computer, the visual display operable to display the pulse rate responsive to receipt by the computer of the pulse sensor signals, wherein the visual display comprises a lighted display including a plurality of lights, the plurality of lights comprising an arcuate line of light emitting diodes;

d. an audio output device on the housing and connected to the computer to provide an audio output;

e. a source of a periodic beating sound in the housing and connected to the computer and, when activated, resulting in periodic beating sounds to emanate from the audio output device;

f. frequency adjustment means in the housing for adjusting frequency of the beating sound; and

g. a timer circuit associated with the source of periodic beating sound and configured to alternate between a first condition that activates the source of periodic beating sound for a first pre-set time period, and a second condition that deactivates the source of periodic beating sound for a second pre-set time period.

12. The stress reducer of claim 11, including means for flashing the light emitting diodes in a desired pattern.

13. The stress reducer of claim 11, further including a voice synthesizer programmed with soothing words, said voice synthesizer connected to said computer.

14. The stress reducer of claim 13, wherein said frequency adjustment means is adapted to adjust frequency of sounding of soothing words per unit time by said audio output device.

15. The stress reducer of claim 11, further including a tape recorder and microphone connected to said computer for recording sounds, said computer including a memory for storing said sounds for subsequent replay.

16. A stress reducer, comprising:

a. a portable housing containing a computer connected to a power source;

b. a pulse sensor connected to said computer and adapted to sense pulse rate of a human heart, said pulse sensor sending signals to said computer representative of said pulse rate;

c. a visual display on said housing and connected to said computer and including a numeric display displaying pulse rate responsive to receipt by said computer of said signals;

d. a speaker on said housing and connected to said computer to provide an audio output;

e. a source of a periodic beating sound resembling sound of a metronome and located in said housing and connected to said computer and, when activated, resulting in periodic beating sounds to emanate from said audio output device

f. frequency adjustment means in said housing for adjusting frequency of said beating sound between 30 and 120 beats per minute; and

g. a timer circuit associated with said source of periodic beating sound and configured to alternate in a repeating sequence between a first “

on”

condition that activates said source of periodic beating sound for a first pre-set time period, and a second “

off”

condition that deactivates said source of periodic beating sound for a second pre-set time period.

17. The stress reducer of claim 16, wherein said audio output device further includes earphones.

18. The stress reducer of claim 17, further including a volume control interposed between said computer and said speaker and earphones.

19. The stress reducer of claim 16, further wherein said visual display further includes a lighted display including a plurality of lights, said plurality of lights comprising an arcuate line of light emitting diodes.

20. The stress reducer of claim 16, further including a voice synthesizer programmed with soothing words, said voice synthesizer connected to said computer, said frequency adjustment means being adapted to adjust frequency of sounding of soothing words per unit time by said audio output device.