Sleep-inducing method and arrangement using modulated sound and light

Claim 2

Method for inducing sleep in a subject, comprising, in combination, the steps of starting at a first and a second location the generation of perceivable sound signals in the range of 40 to 80 Hz. free of overtones and amplitude modulated between perceivable minimum and a perceivable maximum with a predetermined perceivable constant period within a perceivable distance of said subject, said sound signals at said first and second location being continued with substantially equal volume and the frequency of said sound signals at said second location differing from the frequency of the sound signals at said first location by approximately 0.5 to 2 Hz. and gradually terminating the generation of said sound signals after the same have been continued for a predetermined length of time.

Claim 3

A method as set forth in claim 1, including the step of generating a light signal of modulated intensity simultaneously with said perceivable sound signals.

Claim 4

A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said light is a blue light.

Claim 5

A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the amplitude variation is a sinusoidal variation, and wherein said period is between 3 and 12 seconds.

Claim 6

A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ratio of maxiMum to minimum amplitude is within a range extending between 2:1 and 10:1.

Claim 7

A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frequency of one of said signals is 55 Hz.

Claim 8

Apparatus for inducing sleep in a subject, comprising, in combination, carrier signal generating means for generating a sinusoidal carrier signal in the frequency range between 40 and 80 Hz.; modulation signal-generating means for generating a sinusoidal modulation signal having a predetermined modulation period; modulator means for combining said sinusoidal carrier signal and sinusoidal modulation signal to generate an amplitude-modulated signal; speaker means adapted to convert said amplitude-modulated signal to an audible tone; delay means for delaying the generation of said amplitude-modulated signal for a predetermined time period after activation of said carrier signal generating means and said modulation signal-generating means; and electrical means for automatically and gradually terminating the generation of said amplitude-modulated signal after a predetermined time length.

Claim 9

Apparatus for inducing sleep in a subject, comprising, in combination, carrier signal generating means for generating a sinusoidal carrier signal in the frequency range between 40 and 80 Hz.; modulation signal-generating means for generating a sinusoidal modulation signal having a predetermined modulation period; modulator means for combining said sinusoidal carrier signal and sinusoidal modulation signal to generate an amplitude-modulated signal; speaker means adapted to convert said amplitude-modulated signal to an audible tone; delay means for delaying the generation of said amplitude-modulated signal for a predetermined time period after activation of said carrier signal generating means and said modulation signal-generating means; and electrical means for automatically and gradually terminating the generation of said amplitude-modulated signal after a predetermined time length.

Claim 10

A system as set forth in claim 7 also comprising a power source, switching means connecting said sleep-inducing apparatus to said power source when operated; wherein said delay means comprise a delay transistor connected to said modulator in such a manner that said modulator is operative when said transistor is in the blocked state and inoperative when said transistor is in the conductive state; and a delay capacitor connected between said switching means and the base of said delay transistor in such a manner that the base current of said delay transistor causes said capacitor to become charged, blocking said delay transistor when sufficient charge has accumulated after said predetermined time period.

Claim 11

A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said electrical means comprise a first switch-out transistor; a switch-out resistance-capacitance circuit connected between the collector and base of said switch-out resistor and adapted to determine the switch-out time of said sleep-inducing arrangement; a second switch-out transistor having a base connected to the emitter of said first switch-out transistor, an emitter connected to ground, and a collector connected to the base of said delay transistor.

Claim 12

A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said carrier signal generating means and said modulating signal-generating means each comprise transistor amplifier means having an input and an output; a plurality of RC stages connected between said output and said input; and an emitter-follower circuit having an input connected to the input of said transistor amplifier means, and an output furnishing said carrier signal or said modulation signal.

Claim 13

A system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said transistor amplifier means comprise an input transistor and an output transistor and means for overdriving said output transistor.

Claim 14

A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said modulator means generates an amplitude modulated signal whose degree of modulation is adjustable between 0 and 90 percent.

Claim 15

A system as set forth in claim 7 also comprising a low-frequency amplifier for amplifying said amplitude-modulated signal.

Claim 16

A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said low-frequency amplifier has a distortion factor of less than 0.5 percent at a 15 watt output.

Claim 17

A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said speaker means comprise a speaker in an acoustically absorbtive conventional speaker cabinet.

Claim 18

A system as set forth in claim 7 also comprising a source of direct current; means for applying said modulation signal to said direct current source, thus generating a modulated direct current; and a light source energized by said modulated direct current, thus generating an intensity-modulated light.

Claim 19

A system as set forth in claim 16 also comprising filter means arranged in front of said light, said filtEring means permitting passage of one color only.

Claim 20

A system as set forth in claim 17, wherein said color is blue.

Claim 21

A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said modulator comprises a transistor having an emitter, collector and base; feedback means, independent of frequency, providing feedback from the collector circuit to the base circuit; and an emitter resistor, R, having a value substantially equal to 1/Sa, where Sa is the slope of the curve of collector current plotted against base voltage at the operating point of said transistor.