System and method to optimize sleep conditions

• US 9,415,184 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EDIA LLC
• Original Assignee: EDIA LLC
• Inventors: Julkowski, Jeff, Howard, James, Ziaja, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II, Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dorna, Carrie R
• Application Number:
  US14/170,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20150217081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021

Abstract

A system and related method to optimize the process of getting a child to fall asleep. The system is a computer-implemented system comprising a set of functions or algorithms to assist a child develop a routine to fall asleep. The particular routines are dependent on the age of the child, with three categories being toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. The routines include providing for the generation of a set of sounds for selectable periods of time, dependent on the age group. The sounds include lullabies, stories, songs and white noise. The time periods range from 15-45 minutes. The method involving the use of the sound generation routine establishes a regularity of process that comforts a child and enhances the likelihood of a good transition to sleep.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system used to optimize sleep initiation for a child having an age of one of a toddler, a preschooler and school-age, comprising:

a computer storing a database populated with information associated with timing, type and form of steps for a child sleep routine for a selected timeframe that includes an elo time period defining a plurality of functions;

a signal exchange device connectable with the computer;

a first computing device separate from the computer and connectable with the computer through the signal exchange device and having a first computer processor configured to perform one or more steps during the selected timeframe and associated with the child sleep routine stored in the database prior to the elo time period;

a second computing device separate from the computer and the first computing device, positioned within a pillow and connectable to the first computer processor through the signal exchange device, comprising;

a contact sensor configured to sense contact with the pillow;

a speaker positioned within the pillow and configured to generate sound; and

a second computer processor positioned within the pillow and electrically coupled with the contact sensor and the speaker, wherein upon the contact sensor sensing contact with the pillow, the second computer processor initiates programming to perform, as a function of the age of the child and based on the child sleep routine, one of the plurality of functions stored in the database during the elo time, the plurality of functions comprising;

a) a toddler routine function arranged to generate a set of sounds using the speaker within the elo time period for each sound of the sound set suitable for easing a toddler to sleep;

b) a preschooler routine function arranged to generate a set of sounds using the speaker within the elo time period for each sound of the sound set suitable for easing a preschooler to sleep; and

c) a school-age routine function arranged to generate a set of sounds using the speaker within the elo time period for each sound of the sound set suitable for easing a school-age child to sleep.

2. The computer-implemented system of claim 1 wherein the set of sounds includes lullabies, stories and white noise.

3. The computer-implemented system of claim 2 wherein the set of sounds further includes an initialization chime.

4. The computer-implemented system of claim 1 wherein the elo time for the toddler routine function is 15-20 minutes, for the preschooler routing function is 20-30 minutes and for the school-age routine function is 30-45 minutes.

5. A method to optimize sleep initiation for a toddler comprising the steps of:

a) using a computer, a first computing device separate from the computer and a second computing device separate from the computer, each of the first computing device and the second computing device connectable through a signal exchange device to facilitate a child sleep routine for a selected timeframe that includes an elo time period,

b) during the selected timeframe and prior to the elo time period, performing one or more steps using the first computing device and the toddler to provide a determination of whether an elo time routine should be initiated for the toddler; and

c) carrying out an elo time routine using the second computing device, wherein the elo time routine includes sensing contact of the toddler with a pillow using a contact sensor associated with the pillow and, in response to sensing contact of the toddler with the pillow, generating a series of sounds using a speaker associated with the second computing device during the elo time period while the toddler maintains contact with the pillow.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the set of sounds includes lullabies, stories and white noise.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the set of sounds further includes an initialization chime.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the selectable period of time is 15-20 minutes.

9. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of giving the toddler a bath prior to carrying out the elo time routine.