Apparatus for facilitating analysis of dream activity

[0002] This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/722,173 filed on Nov. 24, 2000, which claims priority of provisional Application Ser. No. 60/167,564 filed on Nov. 26, 1999.

[0003] The present invention provides a method and apparatus enabling a user to investigate his or her nightly dream activity with little or no loss in the restorative process of a good night's sleep.

[0004] The use of dreams as an anecdotal source of inspiration and prophecy is so common as to be recognizable across cultures, both current and through the ages. Mythological references to dreams and their effects abound. More recently, dreams have been made the basis of mental health inquiries through psychoanalysis. Individuals discussing their dreams with family and friends is an experience shared by all. Many inventors, scientists and artists have reported dream activity as the basis of many of their creative accomplishments.

[0005] A few devices have been developed over the years to analyze dreams and enhance the dreamer's memory of his or her dreams. However, the prior art has mainly focused on one notable aspect of dream activity: the so-called “Lucid Dream”. The lucid dream is a dream in which the dreamer is aware of dreaming while remaining in the dream state. This arcane condition is often the focus of sleep labs and research institutes. Such facilities have developed devices to sense a sleeper's dreaming or non-dreaming state.

[0006] In general, these devices are worn by the test subject in order to sense the dream state. When a dream state is detected some form of feedback is provided to alert the patient that a dream is occurring. If all works out well, a lucid dream will ensue. The prior art all require some form of device that is physically attached to the sleeper. Wearing such an attachment is not a normal part of the sleeper's habits and can interfere with the test subject's usual night's sleeping process and may itself become the focus of the subject's dream activity.

[0007] For example, LaBerge et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,716 discloses a mask, similar to sunglasses or goggles, which is additionally wired for sound. Such devices may be suitable for investigating sleep patterns in a lab context, but are not likely to find widespread nightly usage among the general populous. Additionally, the devices described by Laberge et al. are expensive, further limiting their appeal to individuals who may desire to investigate their dreams on their own.

[0008] Many experiments have been performed to awaken test subjects during the so-called REM (Rapid Eye Movement) periods of sleep. It has been determined that these periods usually correspond with dream activity. When a test subject is awakened during a REM event, the subject is usually able to remember the dream which was occurring at the time he or she was awakened. If the test subject is not awakened, the dream is more likely to be forgotten during the intervening periods of deeper, dreamless sleep. Thus, for those individuals who are interested in investigating the subjects of their dreams it is desirable that they occasionally be woken up either during or shortly after a REM event. With most subjects, the first REM event usually occurs about sixty minutes after the subject falls asleep. Thereafter, periods of deep sleep with little dream activity are punctuated by periods of heightened dream activity during REM events which occur approximately every 90 minutes.

[0009] Most persons experience a cycle of 4, 5 or 6 REM events per night.. These cycles are usually consistent for a given individual but vary from one person to another. In a substantial percentage of the population the rhythms are so strong and consistent that many people have no need for an alarm clock. Their own “internal clocks” are so accurate that they wake up at the same time each morning on their own. This indicates that for many individuals it is not necessary to provide sensors and or physical hookups to the individual to determine when REM events are taking place since the REM events will take place at substantially the same time each night.

[0010] For those persons having a sufficiently regular sleeping rhythm, a remote device could be programmed to awaken the individual at the appropriate time at the end of or just after the conclusion of a REM event. Such a device could be configured to wake the dreaming individual by issuing an “alert” in the form of flashing lights, playing sounds at certain frequencies, playing music, and so forth. As REM sleep is much closer to the waking state than non-REM sleep, the strength of the alert would be set at a level which would only awaken the user during a REM event. Such a device would ideally allow for variable time settings in order to individually synchronize the occurrence of dream alerts with an individual's nightly rhythms. Dream alerts could be set to occur, for example, at the end of the individual's REM events or shortly thereafter.

[0011] Such synchronization could be effected through repeated use and fine tuning of the dream alert settings. Reliable timing will proceed from the daily stored and updated values of the alert variables. By fine tuning the synchronization between the dream alerts and the occurrence of REM events, the dream alerts may be provided by a remote device with no physical connections to the user. The user would then experience a more natural sleep environment while still benefiting from being awakened during and usually near the end of REM events so that dreams are more fully remembered. An additional desirable feature of such a device would be to include a dictation system so that the user could record the subject matter of his or her dreams before returning to sleep. Further, the user's normal sleep patterns such as the time the individual normally goes to bed and gets up should be storable so that the user need not go through a tedious set up procedure each night before retiring. The nature of the dream alerts should also be selectable to allow for a wide range of wake up options. For example, device settings should allow for minimal intrusion during the REM cycle. This will help to prevent waking the user during non-REM periods, as well allowing the user to complete dreams before the user awakens in response to the alert event.

[0012] These needs and other needs are satisfied by the present invention comprising a programmable dream analyzer apparatus containing a programmable microcontroller, at least one input device operatively connected to the microcontroller, and an alert device or alert enunciator connected to the microprocessor. The microcontroller is adapted to receive user input consisting of a start time corresponding to a time when the user goes to sleep, and an end time corresponding to a time when the user expects to wake up. Alternatively, the user may input his or her total sleep time instead of the wake up time.

[0013] The microcontroller then calculates and programs the times for an alert that are associated with the occurrence of a REM event that the user is expected to experience in the time period between the start time and end time. The microcontroller then activates an alert device or alert enunciator at the programmed alert times, such as flashing LEDs or playing a melody or tone through a speaker.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventive dream analyzer apparatus shown in relation to the user.

[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a timeline showing the periodicity of dream intervals with six REM events within an eight hour and six hour period, respectively.

[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a timeline showing the periodicity of dream intervals with five REM events within an eight hour and six hour period, respectively.

[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a timeline showing the periodicity of dream intervals with four REM events within an eight hour and six hour period, respectively.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the dream analyzer apparatus of FIG. 1 seen from behind, showing the assembly of the electronic unit on the wall mounting plate.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the dream analyzer apparatus of FIG. 5 seen from the front.

[0020] FIG. 7 is an inverted bottom perspective view of the dream analyzer apparatus of FIG. 1 seen from behind, showing the assembly of the electronic unit on the wall mounting plate.

[0021] FIG. 8 is an inverted, bottom perspective view of the dream analyzer apparatus of FIG. 7 seen from the front.

[0022] FIG. 9 is an inverted, exploded bottom perspective view of the dream analyzer apparatus of FIG. 1 seen from the front.

[0023] FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view of the dream analyzer apparatus of FIG. 9 seen from the front.

[0024] FIGS. 11aand 11btogether are an operational flowchart illustrating the Program Interface as the user sets the times and alert variables for the inventive dream analyzer apparatus.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the inventive dream analyzer apparatus.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive dream analyzer apparatus, shown in relation to the user.

[0027] In accordance with the present invention, a dream analyzer apparatus is described, which operates to wake a sleeping individual at predetermined times corresponding to the individual's pattern of nightly REM event cycles. In general, dreams that occur during REM events are usually forgotten during the next non-REM interval. Thus, an individual is more likely to remember the details of a dream or dreams that occurred during the REM event if he or she awakes at or near the end of an REM event, than if the individual remained sleeping.

[0028] The inventive dream analyzer includes a voice activated recording system whereby, upon waking up during or shortly after a dream, an individual may dictate a description of the dream to the apparatus. The dream analyzer records the individual's spoken message for later playback when the individual is awake. In this way, an individual may preserve many vivid details of the dreams that are normally forgotten when the individual returns from REM to non-REM sleep.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows the inventive dream analyzer apparatus 18 mounted to a wall or the head board of a bed above a sleeping individual 16. Dream analyzer 18 operates by playing a series of alert event devices to wake individual 16 at predetermined times corresponding to the individual's nightly pattern of REM event cycles. The time and nature of each alert is fully programmable, so that individual 16 can customize dream analyzer 18 to his or her individualized sleeping patterns and habits. Optimal results are achieved when the individual using dream analyzer 18 has regular sleep habits, such as going to bed at or near the same time each evening and rising at substantially the same time each morning. Under these conditions, REM events are most likely to occur at or near predictable times each night.

[0030] In order to fully appreciate the operation of the inventive dream analyzer apparatus, it is first necessary to review the sleeping patterns common to most people. The sleep period for most individuals ranges from 6 to 10 hours, and usually varies with the age of the user. Older children and younger adults may require up to 10 hours of sleep, while the elderly require, on average, 6 or even fewer hours of sleep a night. Thus, dream analyzer 18 provides for up to a 12-hour sleep period, with the actual time settings typically determined by the age of the user.

[0031] Most individuals experience 4, 5 or 6 REM event cycles during each sleep period. The first and last REM events typically occur at the same relative time, regardless of the length of the sleep period or the number of REM events. The first REM event occurs approximately 60 minutes after the individual falls asleep and usually lasts about 10 minutes. The last REM event of the night occurs approximately 30 minutes before the end of the sleep period and typically ends when the individual wakes up. In general, the remaining REM events are evenly spaced between first and last REM events, and increase in length as the sleep period progresses.

[0032] For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B, 3A and 3B, and 4A and 4B respectively depict the REM event cycles of individuals having 4, 5 or 6 REM events per night. FIGS. 2A, 3A and 4A depict the REM event cycles of individuals over an 8-hour sleep period, while FIGS. 2B, 3B, and 4B depict the REM event cycles over a 6-hour sleep period. In general, individuals who have a sleep period in the 6-hour range will experience 4 REM event cycles per night (FIG. 4B), while those in the 8-hour range will experience 5 or 6 REM event cycles per night (FIGS. 2A, 3A). A 10-hour sleep period is not shown but would be proportional to the sleep periods shown FIGS. 2A and 2B, 3A and 3B, and 4A and 4B.

[0033] Each such figure depicts a graph of an individual's sleep period, with time extending along the horizontal axis. The longer, lower shaded portions represent intervals of deep sleep 22, while the upper shaded portions represent REM events 20. The series of numbers above REM events 20 represent the duration of each REM event in minutes. Line 24 shows the REM event cycles, with the series of numbers above line 24 indicating the amount of time for each cycle, as measured between the midpoints of adjacent REM events 20. Similarly, line 25 shows the amount of time for each interval of deep sleep 22 between REM events 20. Finally, line 26 shows the total amount of time for the sleep period.

[0034] As can be seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, 3A and 3B, and 4A and 4B, the duration of the REM events 20 increases as the night wears on, while the duration of the intervals of deep sleep 22 remains substantially constant. For example, FIG. 4B shows an individual who experiences 4 REM event cycles in a 6-hour (360 minute) sleep period. The duration of the REM events 20 increases in time from 10 minutes for the initial REM event to 16, 23 and 30 minutes for subsequent REM events. The REM events are evenly spaced between 74 minute intervals of deep sleep 22. Thus, if that individual desired to be awakened for each REM event, dream analyzer 18 would be programmed to play a series of alerts at the midpoint of each REM event 20, approximately 64, 150, 244 and 345 minutes after first falling asleep.

[0035] Dream analyzer 18 may be programmed to wake the user at appropriate times by simply inputting the time for going to bed at night and getting up in the morning, to define the total amount of time for the sleep period. Dream analyzer 18 will then calculate and set the time for a series of alerts based on the 4, 5 and 6 REM event cycles. The user may further program dream analyzer 18 by individually rescheduling each alert.

[0036] Dream analyzer 18 is also programmable in the sense that the user may adjust the strength of each alert with respect to several variables to fit his or her own preferences. In particular, the strength of the alert may be adjusted so that it is sufficient to wake the user during a REM event when the user is closest to the waking state, but not during non-REM, deep sleep. In one embodiment of the invention, the dream analyzer 18 is provided with an alert device or alert enunciator, such as flashing Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 54a, 56aand 58adirected toward the sleeping user, as best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58aare arranged in a plurality of triads of red 54a, green 56aand blue 58adiodes. The user may adjust the color emitted by alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58aby programming dream analyzer 18 to flash either one or a combination of red, green and blue diodes in each triad. The user may also adjust the overall intensity of alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58a, as well as the number, duration and length of time between flashes.

[0037] The required alert strength varies not only between individuals, but also at different times of the night for the same individual. Thus, if a user is particularly interested in dreams that occur in early REM events, he or she may program dream analyzer 18 to increase the strength for alerts that occur early in the night, and reduce the strength for later alerts. The user may further program a ramp function wherein the intensity of flashing alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58agradually decreases and increases over the course of an alert. The least intensity that will awaken the user will also usually awaken the user latest in the REM event and, thus, offer most of the dreaming sequence for vocal notation.

[0038] The alert device may also play an accompanying sound which is selectable by the user, such as a melody, tone, or other alert sounds that are well known in the art. Dream analyzer 18 may be programmed such that the early, middle and late alerts may each have their own alert sound. Silence also may be selected and the alert sound volume is adjustable. As the entire program fills approximately only 60% of the memory capacity of a microcontroller, such as the PIC16F876 chip (Microchip Technology Inc.—Itasca, Ill.), space for two dozen songs is available.

[0039] Dream analyzer 18 will now be described with regard to FIGS. 1, and 5-10. FIG. 1 shows dream analyzer 18 properly positioned for use by a sleeping individual 16. Dream analyzer 18 comprises an electronic unit 30 rotatably mounted on a mounting plate 28, that is attached to a vertical support above the head of a sleeping individual 16, such as a wall or headboard of a bed, by screws, adhesive or other means well known in the art (not shown).

[0040] Electronic unit 30 comprises a bottom casing 70a, an upper casing 70b, and a transparent lens 70c. As best seen in FIGS. 5-10, electronic unit 30 is assembled on mounting plate 28 by means of a tab 27b, which projects from the rear of bottom casing 70a. A slotted opening 27ais formed in the center of the mounting plate 28, and is configured to rotatably receive tab 27b. Electronic unit 30 is assembled on mounting plate 28 by inserting tab 27binto slotted opening 27aand rotating 90 degrees to lock tab 27bin place within slot 27aand fix electronic unit 30 in its proper position on mounting plate 28.

[0041] The power for the unit electronic 30 is primarily provided by a 600 mA/6 V wall outlet transformer with appropriate cord and plug (not shown), as is well known in the art. To accommodate the transformer plug, a recessed power jack 27dis formed in tab 27b, which accepts a complementary projection plug 27ccast within the slot 27aof mounting plate 28.

[0042] Upper casing 70bis removably attached to lower casing 70aby means of complementary threads 70d, 70f, respectively formed in lower casing 70aand upper casing 70b. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, threads 70dand 70faccommodate a 90 degree rotation. The removable upper casing 70bprovides convenient access to the battery carriage 70e, which is integrally formed within upper casing 70b. Battery carriage 70eis configured to hold 6 AA-type batteries 73, which provide backup power when the electronic unit 30 is removed from mounting plate 28 and is disconnected from the wall outlet transformer.

[0043] Lens 70cis permanently attached to lower casing 70aby welding, gluing or other means well known in the art.

[0044] The instrumentation and display for operating dream analyzer 18 is mounted on underside 74 of electronic unit 30, so as to face the user sleeping below. A single row, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen 42awith an integral backlight 43 (shown in FIG. 12), such as an Optrex DMC 16105NY-LY produced by Optrex America, Inc. (Plymouth, Mich.), is mounted in an opening 42bin bottom casing 70a. A speaker 44a, such as a LabTech SS-11 (Andover, Mass.) is mounted within a housing 42bformed in bottom casing 70a, and concealed behind a screen 44c. A series of indicator LEDs 57a, 59aand 61aare mounted within complementary slots 57b, 59band 61bin bottom casing 70a, and provide visual confirmation of the status of the recording system as described below.

[0045] As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of momentary pushbutton operators 36a, 38a, 40a, 47a, 53aand 55a, such as Mountain Switch momentary, 107 DS-622, and latching operators 48aand 52a, such as Mountain Switch on-off switch, also 107 DS 622, (Mouser, Mansfield, Tex.) and a one megaohm potentiometer 49a, such as Digi-Key CT2271-ND (Thief River Falls, Minn.) are positioned on the underside 74 of the electronic unit 30, mounted within complementary slots 36b, 38b, 40b, 47b, 48b, 49b, 52b, 53band 55bin bottom casing 70a. The pushbuttons include a device on/off button 48a, a playback/record button 52a, a voice chip reset button 53a, a voice chip start/pause button 55aand a device reset button 47a. In addition, electronic unit 30 is provided with a quartet of device programming pushbuttons comprising left, middle and right pushbuttons 36a, 38a, and 40a, and a rotatable alert sound volume button 49a. Buttons 36a, 38aand 40ahave varying functionality in the input of user information and programming of dream analyzer 18, as described below.

[0046] In alternative embodiments, other input devices may be utilized as well as the pushbutton operators 36a, 38a, 40a, 47a, 48a, 49a, 52a, 53aand 55a, such as an infrared remote control device, as is well known in the art. In yet another embodiment, dream analyzer 18 is provided with an input/output jack and direct reprogramming of microcontroller 60 is enabled, as is well known in the art, to permit downloading of alert presets, songs, tones or other information stored in a computer or similar device, or from an Internet web site.

[0047] A pair of electret microphones 50a, 50band a series of alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58aare concealed behind lens 70c. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a printed circuit board 80 is mounted within bottom casing 70a, behind lens 70c. LEDs Microphones 50a, 50bare installed in sound mounts 50cattached to circuit board 80 and positioned above openings 50din lens 70c. A plurality of alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58aare also connected to circuit board 80 behind lens 70c, arranged in a series of triads encircling LCD 42a, each triad comprising a red 54a, green 56aand blue 58aalert LED. Alert LEDs 54a, 56a, and 58a, are preferably 10 mm narrow view diodes having at least 8000 mll luminosity, such as those provided by Marktech Optoelectronics (Menands, N.Y.), but other comparable LEDs or lamps may be used. As alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58ahave a 10 year life expectancy, the lens 70cis permanently mounted to lower casing 70a.

[0048] As shown in the diagram of FIG. 12, printed circuit board 80 includes a microcontroller 60, a voice recording/playback chip 66 and a voice activated switch 64. In a preferred embodiment, microcontroller 60 is a PIC16F876 chip, voice recording/playback chip 66 is an ISD25120 chip (WINBOND/ISD, Inc.—San Jose, Calif.), although those skilled in the art will appreciated that other chips with similar functions may be used. If a PIC16F876 chip is used, the following chip fuses should be programmed along with the hex code supplied.

[0049] Voice activated switch 64 is an Rk 990-0085 switch (Electronic Rainbow Inc. —Indianapolis, Ind.). The circuit diagram for voice switch 64 indicates a one megaohm pot may be used as an alternate for a supplied resistor to tune the sensitivity of the switch, as is well known in the art. Operating power for the components mounted on circuit board 80 is provided by wall outlet transformer or by batteries 73 through a +5 volt voltage regulator with suitably sized and mounted heat sink 63, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0050] FIG. 12 shows the connections between voice recording/playback chip 66, speaker 44a, and one of the microphones 50a. The second microphone 50bis connected to voice activated switch 64, which, in turn, is input to the RBO interrupt line of microcontroller 60. The output from voice activated switch 64 controls the record function of voice recording/playback chip 66, as modified by the programming output of microcontroller 60.

[0051] During a programmed alert, dream analyzer 18 enables voice activated switch 64 and turns on LCD screen backlight 43 in preparation for receiving the dictated description of the user's dream. The sound of the user's voice activates switch 64, which, in turn, signals microcontroller 60 to activate voice recording/playback chip 66 and record the user's dictation. Voice recording/playback chip 66 further activates indicator LED 61ato provide visual confirmation that the recording system is activated. As the recording device is a solid state voice recording/playback chip 66 rather than tape, a syllable may be slightly clipped, but beginning words are usually not completely lost or unintelligible.

[0052] Because the brain represses physical movements during dreaming, a dream will usually be forgotten if a dreamer initially moves after waking without first mentally reviewing the dream. For this reason, the combination of voice-activated switch 64 and voice recording/playback chip 66 allows the user to record a description of his or her dream without requiring the user to move. In addition, not moving permits the user to quickly fall back into non-REM slumber after the record of the dream is made. On arising the following morning, the user may playback the dream recorded during the night by pressing playback/record button 52ain conjunction with voice chip start/pause button 55a, as indicated by step 200, allowing the user to remember the dream that would otherwise probably have been forgotten.

[0053] Voice recording/playback chip 66 has a two minute record time, which may be extended by cascading additional chips 66, as is well known in the art. To conserve recording capacity, pauses in dictation or short silences of approximately two seconds will temporarily turn off voice recording/playback chip 66 and indicator LED 61a, until the sound of the user's voice once again activates switch 64.

[0054] For each programmed alert, microcontroller 60 resets an internal pointer to the beginning of voice recording/playback chip 66's message storage. Thus, if voice activated switch 64 is activated during more than one alert, the recording made during the last alert will partly or wholly overwrite the earlier recordings. In addition, the user may manually reset voice recording/playback chip 66's internal message pointer to the beginning by pressing reset button 53aor by pressing playback/record button 52a. In an alternative embodiment, dream analyzer 18 is able to save multiple recordings made during different alerts. Increased storage for multiple messages may be obtained by cascading additional recording/playback chips 66 and providing the appropriate code for microcontroller 60, as is well known in the art.

[0055] To provide visual confirmation and ensure that dream analyzer 18 is not inadvertently left in manual playback mode, which would prevent voice activated recording during alerts, LCD screen backlight 43 is on during the play mode for voice recording/playback chip 66, but is other wise off except for programming and alert event times.

[0056] The playback function is controlled by the play/record pushbutton 52a, the voice chip reset by button 53aand the start/pause function by button 55a, all of which are connected as shown in FIG. 12. Various biasing, filtering and voltage regulating components are also connected as shown in FIG. 12.

[0057] Microcontroller 60 is further connected to a 4 MHz oscillator 62athrough OSC1 input at pin 9, to provide the clock input for operation of microcontroller 60. A 32 kHz oscillator 62b, commonly known as a watch crystal, is connected to microcontroller 60 at pins RC1 and RC2, to provide a very accurate clock time for user inspection at any time during nominal operation of dream analyzer 18. Device programming pushbuttons 36a, 38a, and 40aare connected to microcontroller 60 through inputs RB2, 3, and 4 at pins 23, 24, and 25, respectively. Microcontroller 60 drives alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58athrough outputs RA1, RA2 and RA3, pins 3, 4, and 5. Microcontroller 60 in combination with voice recording/playback chip 66 also drives backlight 43 for LCD screen 42athrough output RB7, pin 28; RB5, pin 26 or playback/record button 52a. Microcontroller 60 also plays the programmed melody or other alert sound at the beginning of an alert through the RA0 pin, which is connected to the auxiliary pin 12 in voice recording/playback chip 66. Various biasing resistors and operating voltages are connected to the microcontroller 60, voice recording/playback chip 66 and voice activated switch 64, as shown.

[0058] Microcontroller 60 automatically turns on backlight 43 for LCD screen 42 during an alert, the programming of electronic unit 30 or during a test of the programmed alerts. Backlight 43 turns off to conserve power after the alert, programming or test is complete. However, except during an alert or device programming, the user may manually activate voice recording/playback chip 66 and backlight 43 at any time by pressing latching playback/record button 52ato initiate Playback or Record mode and then pressing momentary reset button 53aand then the momentary chip enable button 54a.

[0059] Dream Analyzer 18 operates by playing an alert, such as flashing alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58a, for each REM event during the user's sleep period. In a preferred embodiment, dream analyzer 18 does not require the user to determine in advance the number of REM events cycles he or she will experience, but calculates an alert for every REM event predicted to occur during a 4, 5 and 6 REM event cycle. Although the 4, 5 and 6 REM event cycles total 15 REM events (4 +5 +6), the first and last REM events in each cycle take place at the same time. Thus, dream analyzer 18 calculates and programs a total 11 separate alerts, any or all of which may be enabled or reset by the user.

[0060] The user inputs the start time and end time of his or her sleep period using device programming buttons 36a, 38aand 40a. Dream analyzer 18 automatically calculates the time and programs an alert for each REM event predicted to occur during the user's input sleep period, according to the proportionate ratios shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B. The user may then reprogram dream analyzer 18 to reschedule, set or clear any of the 11 automatically calculated alerts, as illustrated by the flowchart of the steps of programming and operation of dream analyzer 18 shown in FIGS. 11a, 11band Appendix A. The flowchart is generally divided into three levels of programming steps 82a, 82band 82c, each successive level providing more detailed control of the functions of dream analyzer 18. Appendix A shows the software program for a PIC16F876 microcontroller chip in hexadecimal code, enabling the operation of dream analyzer 18 as described by the flowchart of FIGS. 11aand 11b.

[0061] The software program running the microcontroller 60 is initialized by pressing on/off button 48ain conjunction with reset button 47a. The sequence of boxes 84, 86, 87a, 87b, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 99 in FIGS. 11aand 11bshow the display of LCD screen 42aat each programming step. LCD screens 84, 86, 87aor 87brepresent the steps of entering the user's sleep period information, which dream analyzer 18 uses to calculate the times of the alerts. The user begins the process of programming dream analyzer 18 by inputting the start time and length of his or her sleep period. Initial LCD screen 84 displays the current time “XX:XX”, where “X” represents the decimal value that appears on LCD screen 42aas the result of user input or the operation of dream analyzer 18. The current time may be adjusted up 148 in one minute increments by pressing button 146 (“R”), which corresponds to right button 40aas shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Similarly, the time may be adjusted down 150 in one minute increments by pressing button 144 (“M”), which corresponds to middle button 38a. The user then enters the time displayed on LCD screen 84 by pressing button 142 (“L”), which corresponds to left button 36a. These same buttons 146 (40a), 144 (38a) and 142 (36a) are also used to select between the options presented in each subsequent programming step, as indicated in FIGS. 11aand 11b.

[0062] Once the current time is set, microcontroller 60 displays LCD screen 86 showing the previously stored BEDTIME value, which corresponds to the user's time for going to bed. The user may either accept or set a new BEDTIME value by pressing buttons 146 (40a), 144 (38a) and 142 (36a) as described above for setting the current time. Microcontroller 60 compares the entered BEDTIME value with the previous BEDTIME value. If the user accepts the previous BEDTIME value, microcontroller 60 displays LCD screen 87ashowing the previously stored TOTAL SLEEP time, which corresponds to the total length of the user's sleep period. The user may then accept or set a new value for the TOTAL SLEEP time by pushing buttons 146 (40a), 144 (38a) and 142 (36a) as before.

[0063] If the user accepts the previous TOTAL SLEEP time displayed on LCD screen 87a, the program proceeds to review the number of events set for each alert event cycle by automatically displaying the sequence of LCD screens 88, 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98, as indicated by diamond shaped automatic sequencing blocks 152. LCD screen 88, 4 DREAM CYCLE, indicates that the number of alerts set for a sleep period having 4 REM events will be reviewed. Microcontroller 60 then automatically displays LCD screen 90, which shows the current number of programmed alerts SET for a 4 REM event cycle sleep period. The user may interrupt the automatic sequence of the program and reschedule any of the 4 REM event cycle alert times by pressing left button 142 (36a) in response to LCD screen 90.

[0064] The user may accept the previously programmed 4 REM event cycle alert times by allowing the automatic sequence of LCD screens to proceed uninterrupted. Microcontroller 60 then displays LCD screens 92 and 94, which allow the user to review and reschedule the previously programmed times for each of the alerts SET corresponding to a 5 REM event cycle sleep period, in the same manner as screens 88, 90. If the user does not interrupt LCD screen 94, microcontroller 60 automatically proceeds to display LCD screens 96 and 98, which similarly allows the user to review and reschedule the previously programmed times for each of the alerts SET corresponding to a 6 REM event cycle sleep period.

[0065] If the user accepts the previously programmed BEDTIME value shown on LCD screen 86, but enters a new TOTAL SLEEP time in response to LCD screen 87a, microcontroller 60 automatically recalculates, without setting or clearing their alert status, the predicted times for each of the 11 alerts based on the new TOTAL SLEEP time, and then proceeds to display the automatic sequence of LCD screens 88, 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98, as described above.

[0066] If the user enters a new BEDTIME value in response to LCD screen 86, the previously stored TOTAL SLEEP time is displayed on LCD screen 87b. As before, the user may accept or enter a new value for the TOTAL SLEEP time. If the user accepts the previous TOTAL SLEEP time, microcontroller 60 then displays LCD screen 91, which provides the user with the option to SHIFT ALL or REVISE ALL of the programmed times for each alert. The user selects the SHIFT ALL or REVISE ALL options by pressing middle button 144 (38a) or right button 146 (40a), respectively, and then entering the selected option by pressing left button 142 (36a).

[0067] If the user selects and enters the SHIFT ALL option, microcontroller 60 shifts all of the programmed alert times by an amount equal to the change in BEDTIME value. The SHIFT ALL option allows the user to change the BEDTIME value and preserve previous alert settings, without rescheduling each alert. Thus, the SHIFT ALL option is useful where the user has developed individualized alert settings found to be particularly effective based on previous experience and merely wishes to accommodate a change in BEDTIME.

[0068] If the user selects and enters the REVISE ALL option in response to LCD screen 91, microcontroller 60 recalculates, without setting or clearing their alert status, the predicted times for each of the 11 alerts based on the new BEDTIME value. Similarly, if the user enters a new BEDTIME value and a new TOTAL SLEEP time in response to LCD screens 86 and 87b, then microcontroller 60 recalculates, without setting or clearing their alert status, the predicted times for each of the 11 alerts based on the combination of the new TOTAL SLEEP time and the new BEDTIME values.

[0069] It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that microcontroller 60 can be used to calculate the TOTAL SLEEP value if the user's time to wake up is known. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, the user may input his or her “WAKE UP” time, instead of the TOTAL SLEEP time.

[0070] Once the alert times are calculated and stored, microcontroller 60 automatically sequentially displays LCD screens 88, 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98, as described above. LCD screens 88, 92 and 96 show the location of the user in the program step of reviewing the 4, 5 or 6 REM event DREAM CYCLE. LCD screens 90, 94 and 98 respectively display the number of alerts programmed for the 4, 5 and 6 DREAM CYCLE. The user may choose to allow the program to automatically sequence through LCD screens 90 to 98 without interruption, thereby accepting the settings of previous use as the settings of the present use. Microcontroller 60 then completes the programming process by automatically displaying LCD screen 99 NOMINAL DISPLAY, and then LCD screen 191 TIME'S NOW XX:XX, which displays the current time in minutes until a programmed alert occurs. This will be the usual mode as users empirically arrive at their individual settings with the use of the dream analyzer 18 over a period of time.

[0071] Should the user desire to review and/or reset the time of the alerts, he or she may interrupt the automatic sequence of LCD screens 88, 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98, and send the program to the second level of LCD screens 82bthrough paths 154a, 154band 154c. The second level 82bcomprises the sequence of LCD screens 100, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112, which allow the user to review and change the status of each alert. Pressing left button 142a(36a) in response to LCD screens 90, 94 or 98 causes microcontroller 60 to display LCD screen 100, showing the time of the first alert in the appropriate DREAM CYCLE and whether it is SET (“S”) 174 or CLEAR (“C”) 176. At LCD screens 100, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112, pressing the right button 146 (40a) will SET 174 an alert at the time shown, and pressing the middle button 144 (38a) will CLEAR 176 an alert so that the alert will not occur at the time shown. Pressing the left button 142 (36) enters the selected SET or CLEAR option and continues the programming sequence.

[0072] If the SET option is selected and entered, each LCD screen 100, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112 respectively proceeds to LCD screens 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102eand 102f, which provide the user with the option to CONTINUE CYCLE and review the time programmed for the next alert in the DREAM CYCLE, or RESET and reschedule the programmed alert variables. Continuing to press the left button 142 (36a) in response to LCD screens 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102eand 102fwill accept the default screen CONTINUE CYCLE and display the next LCD screen in the sequence. If the CLEAR option is selected and entered in response to LCD screens 100, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112, the program skips the corresponding LCD screen 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102eor 102fand proceeds to the next LCD screen in the previous sequence. This review/reset sequence will continue until the last alert in the DREAM CYCLE is displayed on either LCD screen 102d(4 DREAM CYCLE), 102e(5 DREAM CYCLE) or 102f(6 DREAM CYCLE). Pressing left button 142 (36a) at this point accepts the current alert settings and sends the program to the next step of the first level of screens 82athrough paths 162a, 164aand 166a.

[0073] For example, pressing left button 142a(36a) in response to LCD screen 90 sends the program to the second level of screens 82bthrough path 154a, and causes microcontroller 60 to display LCD screen 100, showing the time of the first alert in the 4 DREAM CYCLE and whether it is SET 174 or CLEAR 176. The user may select the SET 174 or CLEAR 176 options by pressing either right button 146 (40a) or middle button 144 (38a), respectively, and then entering the selection by pressing left button 142a(36a). If the SET 174 option is selected, microcontroller 60 displays screen 102a, which provides the user with the option to CONTINUE CYCLE and review the subsequent alert settings or RESET ALERTS and reschedule the current alert and its variables. The CONTINUE CYCLE or RESET ALERTS options are selected by pressing either middle button 144 (38a) or right button 146 (40a), respectively, and then entered by pressing left button 142a(36a).

[0074] If the user selects the CONTINUE CYCLE option in response to LCD screen 102aor selects the CLR 176 option in response to LCD screen 100, microcontroller 60 displays LCD screen 104 showing the time of the second alert in the 4 DREAM CYCLE and whether it is SET 174 or CLEAR 176. The user may choose to SET 174 or CLEAR 176 the displayed alert time and then CONTINUE CYCLE or RESET ALERTS as before. Each of the alert times programmed in the 4 DREAM CYCLE may be sequentially reviewed and reset by proceeding through LCD screens 100, 102a, 104, 102b, 106, 102c, 108 and 102din this manner. Pressing left button 142a(36a) in response to LCD screen 102dreturns the program to the first level of screens 82bat LCD screen 92 through path 162a.

[0075] Similarly, pressing left button 142 (36a) at the last LCD screen 102efor the 5 DREAM CYCLE, returns the program to LCD screen 96 through path 164a. Pressing left button 142 (36a) at the last LCD screen 102ffor the 6 DREAM CYCLE, returns the program to LCD screen 99 NOMINAL DISPLAY, through path 166a.

[0076] Selecting and entering the RESET ALERTS option in response to LCD screens 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, or 102f, sends the program through path 180 to the third level 82c, comprising the sequence of LCD screens 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136 and 137, which allow the user to reschedule each of the alert variables. For example, LCD screen 130 displays the time set for the alert. LCD screen 131 displays the FLASHES/EVENT value, which represents the number of times alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58aare flashed during an alert and ranges from 0 to 29. LCD screen 132 displays the INTENSITY value, which represents the intensity of the flashes. LCD screen 133 displays the LED ON value, which represents the length of time the alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58aare on during a flash. LCD screen 134 displays the LED OFF value, which represents the length of time between flashes. LCD screen 135 displays the PULSE CONTROL value, which represents the ramping up and down of the intensity of alert LEDs 54a, 56aand 58aduring a series of flashes. The values of LCD screens 132, 133, 134 and 135 arbitrarily range from 0-9. In alternative embodiments, dream analyzer 18 may be reprogrammed to provide a larger or smaller number of intervals over the range for these variables.

[0077] LCD screens 136 and 137 have non-numerical values. LCD screen 136 displays the COLOR CHOICE value, which represents the color of the flash. By using different combinations of red 54a, green 56aand blue 58aalert LEDs, dream analyzer 18 may produce flashes that are White, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Blue-Green or Magenta in color. LCD screen 137 displays the SELECT SONG value, which represents the melody or other alert sound that is played during an alert. A microcontroller, such as the PIC16F876 chip, has sufficient memory space to program a dozen or more melodies, as the user may desire.

[0078] The numerical values for each alert variable displayed by LCD screens 130, 131, 132, 133, 134 and 135 may be adjusted up 190 by pressing right button 146 (40a) or down 192 by pressing middle button 144 (38a). Pressing right and middle buttons 146 (40a), 144 (38a) in response to LCD screens 136 and 137, cycles through the various COLOR CHOICE and SELECT SONG values. Once the appropriate value is selected, pressing left button 142 (36a) enters the displayed value and causes microcontroller 60 to display the next LCD screen in the sequence.

[0079] The programmed values of the alert variables are shared between certain alerts according to their relative time of occurrence during the user's sleep period. Alerts are divided into early, middle and late categories. In the 4 REM event cycle, the first two REM events are classified as early, the third is classified as middle, and the last is classified as late. In the 5 REM event cycle, the first two REM events are early, the third is middle, and the last two are late. Finally, in the 6 REM event cycle, the first two REM events are early, the second two are middle, and the last two are late.

[0080] Alerts in each category share the same alert variables, except the alert time. Thus, setting an alert variable for any early alert, other than the alert time, will set that alert variable for all early alerts in the 4, 5 and 6 DREAM CYCLEs. Similarly, except for the alert time, all alerts in the middle category share the same alert variables and all late alerts share the same alert variables. This arrangement of alert variables allows the user to store variable settings for the alerts for the early, middle or last part of the sleeping period and provides greater control over awakenings by cutting alert values to the barely noticeable during one part of the sleep period, while holding other alert values constant as a control group in dream awakening experimentation.

[0081] Although it is possible to program an alert at a time that is earlier or later than the time calculated by microcontroller 60, the alert will retain its original early, middle or late classification. For example, the time of the first alert in the 4 DREAM CYCLE may be rescheduled for the end of the sleep period, but will still retain the early alert variables.

[0082] Once all of the alert variables are programmed for the alert, pressing left button 142 (36a) in response to LCD screen 137 causes microcontroller 60 to display LCD screen 138, which allows the user to TEST the program by reviewing the sequence of alert variables and the overall effect of the sounds and lights programmed for each alert. Pressing right and middle buttons 146 (40a), 144 (38a) in response to LCD screen 138, respectively selects between the default CLR TEST option to skip the test, and the SET TEST option to run the TEST. If the user makes no selection, the default value is CLR TEST. The selection is then entered by pressing left button 142 (36a). A selection of SET TEST or CLR TEST is operative unless changed later in the programming or unless the device program is reset which reestablishes the default setting of CLR TEST.

[0083] If the SET TEST option is chosen, dream analyzer 18 will display LCD screen 191, but will pass time at the rate of 4 minutes per second until a programmed alert occurs. The TEST will then play the flashing LEDs and alert sounds comprising the programmed alert variables at the normal rate of time. Once the alert is completed, dream analyzer 18 resumes passing the time at the accelerated rate. The TEST proceeds through a 12-hour period in this fashion, playing each programmed alert until device reset button 47ais pressed to clear the TEST and reset the program.

[0084] Dream analyzer 18 does not store the time displayed during a TEST. After the TEST is completed and the user resets the device, the program returns to LCD screen 84 which shows the actual current time. The user may then proceed from the LCD screen 84 to LCD screen 191 by pressing the left button 142a(36a) to progress through LCD screens 84, 86 and 87awithout changing any of the input values, and then allowing the program to automatically proceed through the remaining steps without further button press, as described above.

[0085] If the user accepts the default CLR TEST option, the program returns to the next sequential program step in the first level of screens 82aalong path 178ato 178bor the second level of screens 82balong path 178ato 178cor if at the end of the 6 EVENT CYCLE proceeds to the final user input screen 99, NOMINAL DISPLAY.

[0086] All user data in the microcontroller is stored in a separate bank called EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Memory) (not shown), which will retain all user data even when the device is without power. However, the stored user data may become corrupted in conditions of low power or static discharge. This condition may be resolved by pressing right button 146 (40a) at LCD screen 99 NOMINAL DISPLAY, which allows the user to return the program to the LCD screen 84 to reconfigure the user data. The use of the right button 146 (40a) to reprogram the user data at LCD screen 99, rather than the usual left button 142 (36a), which is used to interrupt the automatic sequencing of screens, helps to prevent accidental reset by the user.

[0087] Pressing right button 146 (40a) at LCD screen 99 NOMINAL DISPLAY, causes microcontroller to display LCD screen 102g, which provides the user with the option to CORRECT ERRORS and reprogram the user data, or to enter NO CORRECTIONS. Pressing right button 146 (40a) at LCD screen 102gselects the CORRECT ERRORS option and causes the EEPROM memory bank to be cleared via path 155b. A blank LCD screen is then displayed to indicate that the reprogramming has taken place and that the device must be reinitialized and programmed with all new entries made by the user beginning at LCD screen 84, as previously described. Pressing either middle button 144 (38a) or left button 142 (36a) returns the program to its normal progression and displays LCD screen 191, showing the current time. If the user does not press either right, middle or left buttons 146 (40a), 144 (38a) or 142 (36a), the program will proceed automatically from LCD screen 102gto LCD screen 191.

[0088] In addition, pressing the device on-off button 48aand then the device reset button 47aat any time will also restart the program at LCD screen 84, as indicated by operational step 202.

[0089] Once the user has input his or her sleep period information and completes the programming of dream analyzer 18, microcontroller 60 displays the current time on LCD screen 191 and proceeds with operational steps 193, 194, 196 and 198. As previously mentioned, oscillator 62bis used as a watch crystal, which provides input to the timer function of microcontroller 60. In the case of a PIC16F876 chip, the Timer 1 function is a 16 bit register which counts up until it rolls over at zero and sets an interrupt bit. The timer is two seconds long with the default loading, but in the preferred embodiment is loaded halfway to produce a rollover each second. The PIC16F876 chip is ordered to sleep each second and only reawakens with the Timer 1 interrupt. It then will increase that minute's seconds, increase the display by one minute when required, store the new time as each minute is increased, check whether an alert has been programmed for that time 193, play an alert if appropriate, and then returns to sleep. The oscillator 62bthereby provides electronic unit 30 with an accuracy of within a few seconds per day. The timing interrupt is continuous through user programming, running the alert sequences and keeping clock time. If electronic unit 30 loses power or is otherwise reset, it will, when restarted, display the stored value when power down occurred.

[0090] If it is determined in step 193 that an alert has been programmed for the current time, then microcontroller 60 will play the alert 194 if the alert has been set or bypass the alert if cleared. As indicated by step 196, during an alert LCD screen backlight 43 is turned on and voice activated switch 64 is enabled for a period of approximately 15 minutes after the end of the flashing light and/or sound alert. During this 15 minute period, voice recording/playback chip 66 will record the user's spoken description of his or her dream, as shown by step 198. Alert LED 61ais turned on only while recording is actually taking place. If the user is not awakened, voice recording/playback chip 66 will not record and, after the 15 minute period, LCD screen backlight 43 and voice activated switch 64 are turned off until the next set alert. In the morning, the user may playback any recordings made during the previous night, which will be a continuous message.

[0091] Voice recording/playback chip 66 automatically resets for the next alert and begins a continuous record over any notes made previously. The user may also manually playback or record by pressing playback/record button 52ain conjunction with voice chip reset button 53aand chip enable button 55a. Accordingly, the user may manually enable the recording and playback modes at any time other than the programmed alert times enabled by the microcontroller 60.

[0092] FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment 318 of the present invention, which is housed in a one-piece casing 370. Dream analyzer 318 provides the same features shown in the preferred embodiment, described above. Red 354a, green 356aand blue 358aLEDs are shown in the same orientation as in the preferred embodiment. However, the speaker 344a, the electret microphones 350aand 350b, the LCD screen 342a, the left, middle and right pushbuttons 336a, 338aand 340a, the device reset button 347a, the device on/off button 348a, the alert sound volume button 349a, the Sound Playback button 352aare all at right angles to the orientation of the preferred embodiment.

[0093] All features and operations of the preferred embodiment are the same as those of the alternative embodiment. The significant differences between the two are the removable electronic unit 330 of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7. This is smaller than the assembly 318 of FIG. 13 and is easy to remove from its normal placement and its orientation is both more accessible and readable than the alternative embodiment.

[0094] Dream analyzer 318 may have the advantage of lower cost through the use of less casing, tooling and material. In addition, dream analyzer 318 may have an aesthetic advantage in that it is similar to a picture mounted to the wall and, therefore, may be more familiar to the user.

[0095] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the dream analyzer apparatus includes an input/output plug or jack for connection to a computer port or sound card, as is well known in the art. The user's oral recordings can then be converted and stored as text, using commercially available software such as “Naturally Speaking 5.0” by Dragon Systems, Inc. In addition, the computer can be used to transmit the user's oral or text records via the Internet, to facilitate analysis or share information with others on a web site. Conversely, be enabling direct reprogramming of microcontroller 60, the computer may be used to download material to dream analyzer 18 from the Internet, computers or similar devices, such as alert variable settings, program upgrades or additional alert sounds.

[0096] While my above descriptions contain many specificities, those should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example: cell phone, personal digital assistant and hand-held electronic game operations could also easily adopt the means herein disclosed. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

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