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Patent No. 5064410
Stress control system and method (Frenkel, et al., Nov 12, 1991)
Abstract
A portable unobtrusive device to be used in combination with an imagescope. The portable device features a pair of eyeglasses having a circuit for monitoring a physiological function of the eyeglass wearer corresponding to a predetermined stress level. The circuit contains an alarm which emits an auditory and/or visual signal in response to a change in said physiological function.
Notes:
DESCRIPTION
This invention relates to an unobstrusive,
multi-level stress control system and method of utilizing same.
During the course of the day most individuals undergo various levels of stress.
This stress in turn can cause significant and complex changes in physiological
functioning. Many believe that stress which is increased beyond a certain level
and which is sustained over a lengthy period of time is unhealthy. Such a stress
level can be detected by changes in electrical skin conductivity, blood pressure,
temperature, muscle tone and heart rate. Changes in electrical skin conductivity,
will be used to measure the physiological stress in individuals for purposes
of this invention.
The subject invention features a system and method which can alert users to
modify their behavior before it leads them to experience dangerous levels of
stress. A multi-level stress alarm is part of the inventive system, and warns
of continuing increases in the levels of stress. A single stress level setting
is not necessarily effective. An ordinary stress setting can cause the user
to ignore the alarm. A high stress level setting can result in an individual
experiencing dangerous stress before remedial action is taken. The alarm of
this invention has the important advantage of being portable and unobtrusive.
The stress prone person does not need to feel self conscious by the additional
stress created by the observation and cognizance of his increasing stress by
others.
The inventive system in its entirety comprises in combination:
1. An imagescope, described in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,712, for testing
the particular illumination for both alleviating and treating the stressful
condition in each individual.
2. An eye glass frame or other non-obtrusive portable device carried upon one's
person having a built-in sensor for measuring the skin's electrical conductivity
as a correlation with, and as an indication of, the stressful condition. The
sensor can include a pair of sensing pads or electrodes that contact the skin.
A power source provides a low current potential across the pair of sensing pads,
and this potential is continiously monitored by a circuit containing a quad
comparator. The quad comparator is fed a reference (battery) voltage. The reference
potential is used to determine when the sensor voltage or skin resistance changes
with respect to the reference voltage or resistance. Several levels of stress
can be monitored by supplying several reference voltages. As the stressful level
increases the skin will increase its perspiration, which in turn allows more
current to flow across the sensor pads (sweat contains conductive electrolytes).
Each level of stress is compared to a different reference voltage.
Upon detection of each stress level an alarm is sounded off which only the individual
who is under the stress is made aware. Either of two circuits can be provided
for detecting and warning the individual.
A first circuit, having a low power consumption can provide a multiple alarm
level, with two distinct and discriminate alarm signals. Two or more different
color LED'S can be activated in a treatment mode, wherein each color is prescriptive
of the particular stress level. The prescriptive color being determined from
the testing utilizing the imagescope.
The second circuit is similar to the first circuit, except that the alarm discriminates
between stress levels by providing a changeable pulsating alarm as the stress
level increases, thus making the individudal increasingly aware of his changing
or increasing stress.
3. A peripheral apparatus for automatically medicating an invalid can be optionally
attached to the eyeglass frame, and invasive delivery of a tranquilizing substance
in response to a high stress signal in more extremely stressful individuals.
The method of the inventive system is as follows:
(a) The individual is tested for calming and stress relieving colors using the
imagescope;
(b) A pair of eyeglasses is designed with lens and lighting elements such as
LED'S having the color or colors obtained from the imagescope tests; and
(c) The individual wears the eyeglasses during stressful periods, such as during
working hours, in order to warn him of impending dangerous or harmful stress
levels. The LED'S of the eyeglasses have a dual purpose in this regard: (1)
They provide a warning of increasing stress at different levels of the stressful
condition, and (2) The pulsing or flashing LED'S provide a therapeutic and calming
effect, thus tending to relieve the stressful condition.
The eyeglasses of the system are unobtrusive and can be worn without alerting
others that the individual is being treated for stress. The eyeglasses of the
invention can be integrated into a pair of prescription or sunglasses.
The absolute levels of the physiological function at which the alarms are activated
are preset by the dispensing therapist taking into account personal needs of
the user as modified by trial and error. The volume of the tone can be adjusted
to be audible only to the wearer.
In another embodiment, the eyeframes can contain alerting means detectable by
persons other than the wearer operated by the same principle. This would be
especially useful where the wearer can not be relied upon (due to physical or
mental incompetency) to appropriately react to an unobtrusive signal and is
under the care of a companion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a prespective view of the eyeglasses of the inventive system;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the eyeglass alarm system which is built-in
to the frames shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front, in situ view of the imagescope of the inventive system;
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for the alarm system depicted in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an alternate circuit embodiment of the alarm circuit
shown in FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a self-medicating system in accordance with
the inventive eyeglasses illustrated in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the invention has as one of its objects to provide an unobtrusive
system and method of relieving and or reducing stress in an individual. The
system of the invention comprises in the first instance, a device known as an
imagescope, for determining the specific color or colors that act as stimuli
in the creation of, and or the relief of, the stress condition.
Referring to FIG. 3, an individual 50 undergoing stress therapy, is required
to gaze into the imagescope 51. The imagescope 51 generally comprises a mirrored
surface (not shown) by which the individual 50 can observe his own reflection.
The person's image is then bathed in different colors of light, and the therapist
determines by careful analysis and questioning, the specific color or colors
that effect the person's mood and stress levels.
For the sake of brevity, the teachings for the use and construction of the imagescope
51 can be obtained by way of reference to the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,712.
For purposes of the present invention, the specific color which best relieves
the stress or anxiety in the individual 50 is used to custom design the eyeglasses
52, illustrated in FIG. 1.
The eyeglasses 52 of FIG. 1 comprises a front section 10 and two side pieces
11 and 12. A circuit 14 (shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5) for monitoring
a physiological function and for providing an alarm at several given levels
of stress is built into side piece 11.
As shown in FIG. 2, a block diagram of the circuit 14 comprises one or more
sensing devices 15, connected by one or more wires 16 to a chip-like device
17.
When the physiological function sensed by sensor 15 exceeds a first predetermined
level, chip-like device 17 sends a signal to alarm 19 via wire 18, causing the
alarm to emit a signal. When a second predetermined level is exceeded, a second
signal is sent to alarm 19, causing the alarm to emit a second, distinct and
different signal.
The preferred physiological function to be monitored is skin conductivity. There
are two pads or electrodes (sensors) the first of which is designated 15 and
the second of which has reference numeral 15A. The sensors are connected via
lines 16 and 16A, respectively, to chip-like device 17.
The sensors or electrodes are spaced a fixed distance apart. The chip-like device
17 can be a circuit design shown in either circuit diagram of FIG. 4 or 5, which
will be described in more detail, hereinafter.
Miniaturizing the circuits of FIGS. 4 and 5 into a chip-like device 17 will
allow such circuits to fit into frame piece 11.
If skin temperature is to be monitored, the circuit shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,274,994
can be used, incorporated herein by way of reference. In such case sensor 15
and 15A can be a thermocouple.
Regardless of which physiological function is monitored, the apparatus is operative
to emit alarms, which are different and distinctive, in order to distinguish
the stress levels.
It is preferred that an audible signal be of a low level, and located next to
the wearer's ear, so that only the wearer will be cognizant of the stress level
warning.
The signals can be continuous at a low level of stress identification, and pulsating
at a higher stress level.
Also, the tone may have different pitch to distinguish the different stress
levels.
The alarm 19 can also comprise light-emitting diodes 19A and 19B located in
front 10 of the eyeglasses 52 so that only the wearer could detect their illumination.
Of course, two different light emissions (steady or pulsating) could be used.
This light emission could provide stress relief as well as an alarm.
It is desirable to have a test circuit 20 as part of overall circuit 14 to provide
an input to the chip-like device that is equivalent to that generated by the
monitored physiological function related to excess stress. Test circuit 20 can
be activated by pressing button 21, which would be conviently located on the
outside of side piece 11 of eyeframe 10.
It can be seen that the invention provides for the monotoring of potentially
serious levels of a physiological function that is portable and unobtrusive.
The patient can wear the device without embarrassment because the alarms being
generated are observable only to him, and not to outsiders.
Moreover the invention provides continuous monitoring of the physiological function
without conscious effort by the wearer. Merely wearing the device can be relaxing
and beneficial to the wearer's peace of mind, because the absence of an alarm
assures the wearer that he is not undergoing serious physiological stress. This
is similar to the assurance one has when sleeping in a room having a smoke detector.
The device creates a desirable biofeedback loop, i.e. when the wearer hears
no alarm, he experiences no stress, so that the alarm on the device is not activated.
In an optional embodiment of the invention, the lenses of the eyeglasses 52
can be tinted various colors. It has been found that controlled color perception
can generally cause a profound psychological effect for reasons described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,712. The coloring effect would further enhance the above-described
stress-reducing effect.
Now referring to FIG. 6, an optional, self-medicating system is shown utilizing
the eyeglasses 52 illustrated in FIG. 1. The eyeglasses 52 can comprise an output
(female) jack 53 as an extension of line 18 of citcuit 14 of FIG. 2. A male
plug 54 is inserted into (arrow 55) the female jack 53, in hospital patients.
The plug 54 is connected to an invasive system, such as an I.V. device 56.
When a high level of stress is sensed in the individual a signal is transmitted
to triggering device 57 comprising a syringe barrel and a spring-loaded switch
or solenoid 58, that actuates a plunger 59 of a syringe 60. The syringe 60 contains
a tranquilizing medication 61, which is forced into hep-lock 62, and hence,
into the vein 63 of the patient via the vein needle 64.
Now referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, two detailed circuit embodiments are illustrated
for the chip-like device 17 of FIG. 2. Each circuit uses several low power quad
comparator IC's (RCA CA 339) hereinafter designated as circuits 65. The rest
of the circuitry can be customized into these IC's or can be fabricated as additional
IC's for electrical connection with circuits 65 to provide miniaturization.
For purposes of brevity the same element designations of FIG. 2 will be used
where possible.
Each circuit 65 of FIG. 4 and 5 can compare two electrical signals and provide
an alarm signal when one electrical imput becomes greater or lesser than the
other imput signal.
One such imput signal is provided by sensor elements 15 and 15A. The other imput
signal is supplied by the reference resistors R.sub.A, R.sub.B, R.sub.C, and
R.sub.D via the voltage source 68. In FIG. 4, a first alarm 19 is triggered
by the first comparator circuit 65 via line 70, while a second alarm 19' is
triggered by the second comparator circuit 65 via line 71.
In FIG. 5, two comparator circuits 65' are ganged to provide a pulsed signal
to alarm 19" via output line 73.
The electrical source 68 is a miniaturized battery. The aforementioned resistors
for setting the reference imput can be made variable, if so desired. Resistive
test switches R.sub.T.sbsb.1 and R.sub.T.sbsb.2 are equivalent to elements 20
and 21 in FIG. 2, and are used to periodically monitor or test the system functions.
The alarms 19 and 19', respectively, of FIG. 4, are self-discriminating, i.e.
each provide different LED colors and/or a different tonal signal. Obviously,
each comparator is set for activation at a different stress level to provide
multiple signals.
In FIG. 5, as aforementioned, the alarm 19" can provide a steady or continuous
light and/or tone alarm from the first comparator 65 via line 70, or a pulsating
light and/or tone signal from ganged comparators 65' via line 73.
Having thus described an exemplary form of the invention what is desired to
be protected by Letters Patent is presented by the subsequently appended claims.