US4297685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for sleep detection
Assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL DEVICES CORP
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Filing: 1979-05-31
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Granted: 1981-10-27
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Expires: 1999-05-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention rests on the discovery that the onset of sleep is preceeded by a drop in brain temperature as measured within the auditory canal. Auditory canal temperature is thus measured and its value used to activate an audible or visible alarm to prevent the subject's falling asleep.
Inventors
- 👤 II Edward C. Brainard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; A61B5/48; A61B5/4806; A61B5/4809; G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; differentiator means interconnected with said temperature measuring means for generating the time rate of change of said temperature; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said time rate of change of said temperature exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; differentiator means interconnected with said temperature measuring means for generating the time rate of change of said temperature; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said time rate of change of said temperature exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; means for generating a running average of the time series of said temperature measurements; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said temperature drops below said running average by a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; means for generating a running average of the time series of said temperature measurements; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said temperature drops below said running average by a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a particular human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said particular human being; means for storing the previously determined normal circadian temperature variations within said auditory canal of said particular human being over a time period; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said temperature drops below said normal circadian temperature by a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a particular human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said particular human being; means for storing the previously determined normal circadian temperature variations within said auditory canal of said particular human being over a time period; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said temperature drops below said normal circadian temperature by a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; means, including a second temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the body core temperature of said human being; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said temperature within said auditory canal drops below said body core temperature by a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said apparatus comprising: means, including a temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; means, including a second temperature responsive sensor, for measuring the body core temperature of said human being; and comparator means for producing an output signal when said temperature within said auditory canal drops below said body core temperature by a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein said means for measuring said temperature within said auditory canal comprises a temperature responsive sensor in a heat conduction relationship with the auditory meatus.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein said means for measuring said temperature within said auditory canal comprises an infrared sensor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein said means for measuring said temperature within said auditory canal comprises a temperature responsive sensor in a heat conduction relationship with the tympanic membrane.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein said output signal is adapted to activate an audible alarm.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein said output signal is adapted to activate a visual display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said method comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being to produce a signal which varies with said temperature; (2) differentiating said signal to produce the time rate of change of said temperature; (3) comparing said time rate of change of said temperature with a predetermined value; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said time rate of change of said temperature exceeds said predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said method comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being to produce a signal which varies with said temperature; (2) differentiating said signal to produce the time rate of change of said temperature; (3) comparing said time rate of change of said temperature with a predetermined value; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said time rate of change of said temperature exceeds said predetermined value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said method comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; (2) computing a running average of the time series of said temperature measurements; (3) comparing said temperature with said running average; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said temperature drops below said running average by a predetermined value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being, said method comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; (2) computing a running average of the time series of said temperature measurements; (3) comparing said temperature with said running average; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said temperature drops below said running average by a predetermined value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a particular human being, said method comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; (2) measuring and storing the previously determined normal circadian temperature variations within said auditory canal of said particular human being over a time period; (3) comparing said temperature with said normal circadian temperature at the time of measurement; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said temperature drops below said circadian temperature by a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a particular human being, said method comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; (2) measuring and storing the previously determined normal circadian temperature variations within said auditory canal of said particular human being over a time period; (3) comparing said temperature with said normal circadian temperature at the time of measurement; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said temperature drops below said circadian temperature by a predetermined value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; (2) measuring the body core temperature of said human being; (3) comparing said auditory canal temperature with said body core temperature; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said auditory canal temperature drops below said body core temperature by a predetermined value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
Method for detecting the onset of sleep in a human being comprising the steps of: (1) measuring the temperature within the auditory canal of said human being; (2) measuring the body core temperature of said human being; (3) comparing said auditory canal temperature with said body core temperature; and (4) generating an audible or visible alarm when said auditory canal temperature drops below said body core temperature by a predetermined value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |