CA2082644A1

CA2082644A1 - Dream machine

Info

Publication number: CA2082644A1
Application number: CA 2082644
Authority: CA
Inventors: Keith Melvyn Trevor Hearne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: HEARNE BOBBI LYNN; OULTON RICHARD JOHN
Priority date: 1990-05-10
Filing date: 1991-05-10
Publication date: 1991-11-11
Also published as: AU660613B2; AU7862891A; WO1991016853A1; RU2077866C1; JPH05508330A; EP0527857A1; GB9010518D0

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a dream machine, arranged to awake a sleeper experiencing a dream. In one embodiment a physical condition of the sleeper is monitored by a sensor (11), the sensed physical condition is compared with a predetermined value for the physical condition and when the monitored value of the physical condition reaches the predetermined value an alarm (19) wakes the sleeper. In one form the predetermined value is set manually but in other arrangements said value is calculated in the machine.

Description

W ~ 91/16853 PCTt~B91/00743 2~26~

"DREAM MACHINE

, This invention relates to a dream machine and, more specifically, to a machine arranged to awake a ~leeper experiencing a dream at a predetermined point in the dream to aford the dreamer recall of the dream.
In a normal sleep period a sleeper will experience alternating periods of "910w wave sleep" (SWS) and so-called "rapld eye movement" sleep (REM). The periods of SWS may vsry from a few minutes to an hour, and the REM sleep periods can vary from a few minutes to forty minutes or, in exceptional case~, longer.
Generally the longer periods of SWS will occur in the early part of the sleep period and the length of the periods reduce as the sleep period continues ~hilst the shorter periods of REM sleep occur in the early part of the sleep period and the length of said periods increases as the sleep period continues.
It has been estimated that in an eight hour sleep period the average adult can experience some two hours of REM
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W 0 91/16853 PCr/GB91/0074~
2~82~ 2 -sleep periods. It has also been estimated that at least ninety five percent of all vividly recalled dreams occurred in the REM sleep period. Ihere are detectable changes between ~S and RE~5 sleep periods and, for example, there i9 a readil~
detectable difference in the breathing rate.
It is well known in the art that the higher the respiration rate in a dream the more vivid will be the recall of the dream.
A sleeper's ability to recall a dream is dependent upon the point at which the ~leeper awakes. If the sleeper awakes in a REM period in which ~he sleeper is experiencing a dream he, or she, will have immediate and vivid recall of the dream.
Whilst the most vivid recall of a dream occurs when the sleeper is woken whilst in the dream state the ability to recall a dream does not necessarily terminate if the sleeper remains asleep beyond the end of the dream, the ability to recall a drean does fade rapidly at the end of the dream phase but, if awakened after the breathing rate having risen sbove the predetermined rate and falls to the said predetermined breathing rate, or up to two or three minutes after the monitored breathin8 rate has fallen below the predetermined breathing rate the sleeper can have some recall of the dream and the closer to the end of the dream phase the sleeper awakes the more vivid is the recall of the dream.
; The present invention seeks to provide a dream machine, arranged to detect a dream phase in sleep and to wake ; the dreamer at a predeterminable point in the dream to afford ` the dreamer recall of the dream.
According to the present invention there is provided a dream machine, comprising means for detecting a dream state and means for waking the sleeper at a predetermined time directly related to ~he dream state.
Preferably said means for detecting a dream ~tate ~i comprise means for monitoring at least one physical condition of the sleeper known to vary between slow wave sleep perlods , , - - -, . ..

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W O 91/1685~ PCT/GB91/0074 and rapid eye movement sleep periods. Phys?~i~ca~ 2conditions which do vary between slow wave sleep periods and rapid eye movement periods, and which can be readily monitored are, for example, heart or pulse beat, eye movement, t~itching of digits and or breathing rate Preferably said means for detecting a dream state comprise means for monitoring breathing rate. For most adults the respiration rate in SWS is in ehe region of twelve to fourteen cycles per minute whilst in REM sleep the breathing rate increases and can exceed thirty cycles per minute.
Preferably said means for de~ec~ing a dream state comprise means for detecting changes in the monitored physical CoiuiLi~n.
Preferably said machine includes comparator means, arranged to compare the monitored physical condition with a predetermined value of the physical condition.
In one embodiment in accordance with the invention the machine includes means for monitoring the physical condition being monitored over a predetermined time period, determining the maximum value of the monitored physical condition over said predetermined time period, and storing said maximum value as the predetermined value of the physical condition for comparison by the said comparator means.
In another embodiment the machine includes means for monitoring the physical condition being monitored over a predetermined time period, determining an average value for the physical condition being monitored over the said predetermined time period, adding to the said average value a preset value to obtain the said predetermined value of the physical condition, and storing said predetermined value of the physical condition for comparison by said comparator means.
In a further embodiment the machine includes means for manually setting the said predetermined value of the physical condition for comparison by said comparator means.
Preferably the machine is characterised by an alarm and means for actuating said alarm when the comparator means .

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2~2~A4 detects a value of the monitored physical condition equal to the said predetermined value of the phy~ical condition.
Preferably the alarm comprises a stepped audible alarr which increases in volume one a predetermined time period.
In another embodiment the machine is characterised by an alarm and means for actuating said alarm a predetermined time pcriod aEter the value of the monitored physical condition has reached the said predetermined value of the physical condition.
Preferably the machine is characterised by a first timer, means for starting said first timer ~hen the comparator means detects a value of the monitored physical condition equal tu ;;1~ ~id prede~ermined value o~ the physical condition, and means controlled by said short timer for actuating said alarm when said short ~imer has run for a predetermined time period.
In one embodiment the timer is arranged to return to its start or zero position, without actuating the said means for actuating the alarm, if the monitored physical condition falls below said predetermined value of the physical condition whilst the timer is running.
In another embodiment the machine is characterised by an alarm, arranged to be actuated only when the monitored physical condition has risen above the said predetermined value of the physical condition condition and falls to said predetermlned value.
Preferably the machine is characterised by a long timer, arranged to run for a predetermined time period, and arranged to prevent the said means for waking the sleeper from being actuated whilst the ~aid long timer is running.
In a preferred embodiment the machine is characterised by an alarm, arranged to actuate immediately the detected physical condition reaches a predetermined value of the physical condition.
In one embodiment in accordance with the invention the machine is characterised by means for detecting a dream state and means for transmitting a signal to the sleeper, ~. .

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recognisable by the sleeper as indicative of a dre~ state, before th~ means for waking the sleeper are actuated.
Preferably the said siO~nal comprises ~ serie~ o~
pulses applied to the sleeper.
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The invention will now be described furthe~ bv ~-a~- o' example with reference to the accompanying drawings in ~ich Fig. 1 shows, in blocked diagram fonn, one arrangement Eor a dream machine in accordance with the invention and Fig. 2 shows, diagrammatically and in block form, a dream chine in accordance with the inventlon belng capabie ~ -of operating in different ways.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 1 a means for monitoring a physical condition of the sleeper comprises a sensor 11, which in this embodiment conveniently comprises a temperature sensitive element, is arranged in or adjacent an air duct of a sleeper to detect the differences in temperature as the sleeper inhales and exhales. A monitoring ' means 12, is arranged to receive signals indicative of the changes of temperature from the sensor 11 and is adapted to extend a signal indicative of the breathing rate of the sleeper to a comparator device 13. The comparator device 13 includes a manual control 14 by which a signal indicative of a predetermined breathing rate can ~e stored in the comparator 13, The comparator device 13 compares the si~nals received from monitoring means 12 with the stored predetermined breathing rate signals and, when the said monitored breathing rate from monitoring means 12 rises above the stored :~
predetermined breathing rate the comparator device 13 extends ~ an actuating signal to a short timer 15. The short timer 15 ;`~ has a manual control 16 by which the time period for the short timer 15 can be adjusted to run and, conveniently, the short , ' "' ::;
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3 2 0 8 2 ~ ~. 4 - 6 - PC'r/GB91/007 1~

tim~r l~i m.~v h~ mnnll~lly s~ ~o rlln for .~n~ (le.sire-l peri~
between one and fifteen minutes.
l~len tl~e sirnll from rolnparator 13 to short time~ 1 is m~intained for the time period set for timer 15, the shor~
timer 15, extends a signal to a long timer 17, and ~;~ich ma~
be manually adjusted to r~ for a period up to eight hours b~-a manual control 18.
In the event that the actuating signal from com?arator 13 to timer 15 is terminated before timer 15 runs out, due to the breathing rate detected hy the monitoring means 12 falling below the predetermined breathing rate stored in the comparator 13, the short timer 15 returns to zero and does not extend a signal to the long timer 17.
The signal from the timer 15 to timer 17 is blocked whilst the timer 17 is running and is extended to an alarm 19, convenien~ly a stepped all~ihle alarm increases in volume in time, only after the time period set by the timer 17 has run out.
The monitored breathing rate from device 12 is also extended to a comparator device, 20 which stores a predetermined breathing rate which may be adjusted by a manual ~djustment 21, the predetermined value set for the comparator 20 is higher than that set for the comparator device 13 and whereupon, on the monitored breathing rate from the device 12 reaching the predetermined value set in the comparator 20 the comparator 20 im~ediately actuates a second alarm 22, which again may comprise a stepped audible alarm which increases in volume with time.
It should be observed that the signals from the comparator 20 to the al~rm 22 bypass the long timer so that the alarm 22 can be actuated at any time during the sleep period.
To prepare the device for use the intended sleeper will first set the timer 17 to a predetermined time period to allow the sleeper to enjov all uninterrupted sleep for tlle period set on said timer 17, the short timer 15 will then be set to determine the length o.f dream from which the sleeper ' .

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W O 9l/16853 PCT/GB91/00743 wishes recall and ~he predetermined ~ ~ t~in~ ra~e for triO~,erin~ the comparator 13 is then set, convenlently between 17 and ? l-r~n~hin~ cv~ 't- minllt~ ~e~en~ent n~n tl~ level of emotion the sleeper wishes to experience. The sleeper will then set, usin~, the control 21, a predetermined breathing rate above that set for the device 13, and which conveniently ma-: lie al)ove ~8 ~reatl~ cycle~ per minute. It is then onl-necessary for the sleeper to retire an~ to fit the sensor 11 in one nostril, preferably usin~ a clip which will not cause the `
sleeper discomfort.
Whilst the sleeper is asleep the sensor 11 is continuously monitoring the temperature change between inhaiation and e~lalation and the monitoring device 12 is transnutting a signal to the comparator device 13 and to the comparator device 20 indicative of the breathing rate of the sleeper.
In the event that at any time during the sleep period the monitored breathing rate rises above the preset value for the comparator 20, indicative of an unpleasant dream or a nightmare, the comparator device 20 immediately actuates the alarm 22 which emits an audibl_ alarm at a relatively low level. IE the low level alarm is sufficient to disturb the sleeper Erom the unpleasant dream or ni8htmare the monitored breathing rate will fall below the predetermined level set in the comparator 20 and on such a fall below said predetermined value the signal to the alarm is terminated, In the event that the lo~ level alann does not disturb the sleeper and the unpleasant dream or nightmare continues the alarm 22 goes to ~, its hi~her level of sound to walce the dreamer from the unpleasant dream or sleep thus to terminate the unpleasant dream or nightmare before said dream can become too fearful.
: In the event that th~ monitored breathing rate rises ~hove the predetennined level set for the comparator 13, to i cause short timer 15 to start running signals from the timer 15 to the long timer 17 are blocked until the timer 17 has run out, thus allowinp, the sleeper to enjoy an undisturbed sleep , . .
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period, but with the ~imer 17 n~n out a si~nal to timer 15 from the comparator 13 of sufficient length to allow the timer 15 to run out will cause the alarm 19 to be actuated to awake the sleeper and, with the sleeper awakening from the dream he or she will have full recall of the dream.
; Ihus, the device illustrated in Fig. 1 allows the sleeper to enjoy an undisturbed period of sleep whilst timer 17 is run~ing and arouses the sleeper from any dream period after the timer 17 has run out and which dream runs longer than the period set in the timer 15. Further, the sleeper can feel -confident that the comparator 20 will, throughout the sleep period, prevent the sleeper from experiencing an unpleasant dream or nightmare.
. In the example illustrated in Fig. 2 sensor 31, conveniently a temperature sensing device located in or adjacent the ~reathlng duct of the sleeper, determines temperature changes between inhaling and exhaling of the sleeper and transmits this information to a monitoring means 32. The monitoring means 32 receives the signals from sensor 31 and, by monitoring said signals relative to an inbuilt timer, extends a signal indicative of the monitored breathing rate to a comparator ~evice 33 anA to a smoothinp, device 34, which counts the number of breathing cycles indicated by the signals from monitor 32, over a period of time, calculates a mean value for the breathing rate and extends a signal indicative oP the mean breathing rate over said predetermined period to a memory 35.
On receiving signals indicative of the monitored breathing rate from the device 32 and the stored mean breathing rate from the memory 35 the comparator device 33 compares said values and, when the monitored breathing rate from the device 32 exceeds the stored breathing rate from the device 34 by a predetermined amount the comparator device 33 emits a transmission signal which may be used in one of three modes In one mode, indicated in full line in Fig. 2, the comparator device 33 emits an activating signal to a short .' ~
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: , W O 91/168;3 2 ~ 8 2 6 ~ ~ PCT/GB91/0074~

timer 36, set to run for a predetermined time (1 to 15 minutes) and which may be manually set by means (not sho~), or w1~ nav 1~ ~reqct in t11e macl~in(.
The comparator device 33 wlll continue to emit its t~ansmissio,l qignal to the shirt timer 36 whilst the monito~e~
breathing rate value from the device 32 continues to exceed the store~ valve froln the device and if the transmission signal from comparator device 33 terminates before the timer 36 has run through its time period the short timer 36 is re-set to zero.
In the event that the comparator device 33 continues to transmit its signal to the timer 36 until the timer 36 runs -out a signal is extended to a long timer 37, which may be pre-set for a predetermined time period or manually adjustable to a predetermined time period, the long timer 37 runs continuousl~
from its actuation an~ if a si~nal from timer 36 is received hy timer 37 hefore the timer 37 ha~s run through it~s preset time period the timer 37 blocks the signal from the timer 36 and the timer 36 then returns to its start position.
In the event that the signal from timer 36 is received ~y timer 37 after the predetermined time period set for sai~ timer 37 the timer 37 extends a signal to an alarm 38, conveniently a stepped audible alarm which increases in volume with time, to awake the sleeper.
In its second mode for operation, indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 2, the comparator 33, on detecting a monitored breathing rate above the value stored in memory 35, extends a signal to the timer 37 and, if the timer 37 has run through its preset time period, a signal is extended to the audible alarm 38. -In its third mode of operation (indicated by the broken line in Fig. 2) the comparator device 33 on receiving a monitored breathing valve exceeding the stored breathing valve, transmits a signal to the long timer 37 to actuate the alarm 3 only when the comparator 33 detects the monitored breathing rate falling below the predetermined value, indicative of the WO 91/168~3 PCltGB91/0074~
2~g2~at -10-en~A, ~f ,~ dre,~rn, whereu~oo ~lle slcc~cr i~ w~lccn imm~ia~el~
after the dream has terminated.
The dcvicc illustr;lte(l in ~ig. 2 also includes a comparator device 39, pre-setable by a manual control 38, and arranged to operate in identical manner to the comparator device 20 and control 21 illustrated in Fig. 1 and, when actuated, the comparator device 39 is arranged to emit a signal to actuate an alarm 40, arranged to operate in identical manner to the alarm 22.
It will now be appreciated that in all the above described modes of operation the apparatus continuously monitors a physical condition (in the embodiments the breathing rate) of the sleeper, compares the monitored physical condition with a predetennined value of the physical condition which may be manually set or determined by the apparatus and, when the monitored physical condition exceeds the predetermined value of the physical condition, wakes the sleeper during, or immediately after, the detected dream state to afford the sleeper full and vivid recall o the dream.

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Claims

1. A dream machine, comprising means for detecting a dream state and means for waking the sleeper at a predetermined time directly related to the dream state.

2. A dream machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said means for detecting a dream state comprise means for monitoring at least one physical condition of the sleeper known to vary between slow wave sleep periods and rapid eye movement sleep periods.

3. A dream machine according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that said means for detecting a dream state comprise means for monitoring breathing rate.

4. A dream machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said means for detecting a dream state comprise means for detecting changes in the monitored physical condition.

5. A dream machine according to claim 4 characterised by comparator means arranged to compare the monitored physical condition with a predetermined value of the physical condition.

6. A dream machine according to claim 5, characterised by means for monitoring the physical condition being monitored over a predetermined time period, determining the maximum value of the monitored physical condition over said predetermined time period, and storing said maximum value as the predetermined value of the physical condition for comparison by the said comparator device.

7. A dream machine according to claim 5, characterised by means for monitoring the physical condition being monitored over a predetermined time period, determining an average value for the physical condition being monitored over the said predetermined time period, adding to the said average value a preset value to obtain the said predetermined value of the physical condition, and storing said predetermined value of the physical condition for comparison by said comparator means.

8. A dream machine according to claim 5, characterised by means for manually setting the said predetermined value of the physical condition for comparison by said comparator means.

9. A dream machine according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterised by an alarm and means for actuating said alarm when the comparator means detects a value of the monitored physical condition equal to the said predetermined value of the physical condition.

10. A dream machine according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterised by an alarm and means for actuating said alarm a predetermined time period after the value of the monitored physical condition has reached the said predetermined value of the physical condition.

11. A dream machine according to claim 10, characterised by a first timer, means for starting said first timer when the comparator means detects a value of the monitored physical condition equal to the said predetermined value of the physical condition, and means controlled by said short timer for actuating said alarm when said short timer has run for a predetermined time period.

12. A dream machine according to claim 11, characterised in that the timer is arranged to return to its start on zero position, without actuating the said means for actuating the alarm, if the monitored physical condition falls below said predetermined value of the physical condition whilst the timer is running.

13. A dream machine according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterised by an alarm, arranged to be actuated only when the monitored physical condition has risen above the said predetermined value of the physical condition condition and falls to said predetermined value.

14. A dream machine according to any of the preceding claims characterised by a long timer, arranged to run for a predetermined time period, and arranged to prevent the said means for waking the sleeper from being actuated whilst the said long timer is running.

15. A dream machine according to any one of claims 2 to 14 inclusive characterised by an alarm, arranged to actuate immediately the detected physical condition reaches a predetermined value of the physical condition.

16. A dream machine according to any of the preceding claims characterised by means for detecting a dream state and means for transmitting a signal to the sleeper, recognisable by the sleeper as indicative of a dream state, before the means for waking the sleeper are actuated.

17. A dream machine according to claim 16, characterised in that the said signal comprises a series of pulses applied to the sleeper.