Sleeping Device

About the problem

Modern life stressing activities, daily chores and technological gadgets are constantly withdrawing one´s attention for increasingly longer periods. For many people, anticipating thoughts of forthcoming activities often come to mind at bed time, bringing with them worries and anxiety that prevent proper relaxation for a good sleepy condition (i.e. insomnia).

Currently available solutions

Traditionally, this problem has been addressed by taking sleeping pills, which have side effects, or a change in habits. More recently, alternative methods for relaxation have been introduced to the general public like meditation techniques, conducting the practioner to empty the mind through avoidance of thoughts.

The proposed solution

This prototype of a sleeping device inducts the observer to a sleepy condition without pills, nor learning or practicing needed. By capturing the user's attention, watching and/or listening to this device allows one to avoid thoughts that inhibit falling asleep. For those lacking regular sleep hours like shift workers or travelers (jet-lag), it will help catching up sleep sooner than any other method, keeping good quality of life by ensuring more resting hours.

Description of the design

The light panel displays a series of colored blinking LEDs accompanied by musical notes in a predefined sequence, which offers a cadential rhythm-based motion that syncopates with the brain bioelectric activity. The LEDs are placed strategically underneath a translucid panel depicting a human figure, signaling the proper flow sequence of energy throught the body as each LED light on and sound goes off. A simple microcontroller holds the proper programming for the sequence blinking, delays and sound generation.

Applications

The light panel can be deployed to any display device such as picture holders, wall frames, alarm clocks, software for mobile applications, etc.

The idea behind it

The realization of this sleeping device was based on a musicotherapy fundamental that relates external cadential motion to the human brain, presenting several possibilities of implementation.

Market potential

Considering that a large part of the population is affected by insomnia, this sleeping device will certainly be beneficial to many people. In fact, it has been considered effective by all users who volunteered to test it, actually soothing sleep problems. As its effect becomes internal to the brain, even a cure for insomnia caused by anxiety can be achieved.

Manufacturing will depend on the medium used: if hardware: PCB, microcontroller, programmer, LEDs, voltage source, case, etc; if software: software development, tests, deployment for the chosen computing platform. In both cases, cost of production is minimal compared to the potencial market.

Further improvements

Research may be conducted in fields related to human health for the development of therapeutic devices for treating anxiety symptoms.

Conversely, similar devices can be developed in order to automatically alert people while executing tedious tasks like driving a vehicle on the road or working on a production line, improving awareness, concentration and alertness (i.e. security and efficiency).