IT8222749A1 - DEVICE TO PREVENT SNORING IN A SLEEPING PERSON - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for preventing snoring in a sleeping person, having a microphone that detects the snoring noises and a jamming device controlled by the microphone. Such an "anti-snoring device" is known from the examined German publication 1151347. The microphone detects the snoring noises and, by means of an electrical command, activates an electric motor that varies the position of the sleeping person's head to stop snoring. The known apparatus requires bulky components in the bed and is overall quite expensive.

The aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus for preventing snoring in a sleeping person, which is easily transportable and independent of the sleeping person's position.

According to the invention, this task is accomplished by having a transmitter installed downstream of the microphone, which wirelessly sends signals representing the snoring noises. The jamming device has a receiver for the transmitter's signals, as well as a voltage source connected to the receiver to form a portable unit that can be operated by the received signals. The output connections of the device are connected to two electrodes that are brought into contact with the sleeping person.

The voltage source-receiver unit, housed for example in a common case and worn on the arm with a strap or similar like a wristwatch, is separate from the microphone, which preferably, together with the transmitter, forms a single unit that can be placed at the head of the bed. When the microphone detects snoring sounds above a predetermined level, the voltage source is switched on, and an excitation current is passed between the two electrodes, which are attached at a certain distance from each other on the case and are in contact with the sleeping person's bare arm, until the snoring stops. In this case, the sleeping person is connected to the microphone by an electric cable, allowing him or her to move freely during sleep. Since the microphone is mounted permanently and does not participate in the movements performed during sleep, it does not detect the rustling sounds that would be produced if the microphone were combined into a single unit. together with the e_t trodes and participated in the movements performed during sleep.

Preferably, the transmitter is designed in the form of an ultrasonic transmitter and the receiver in the form of an ultrasonic receiver. The transmission power of these ultrasonic transmitters can be kept relatively low, so that receivers installed in nearby rooms are not disturbed, which could lead to interference under unfavorable conditions in the case of radio transmitters.

In order for the excitation current to flow only above a predetermined snoring noise level, the transmitter can be provided with amplitude-modulated signals depending on the snoring noise level, and a threshold stage can be inserted downstream of the receiver to control the voltage output of the voltage source, with an adjustable intervention level based on the desired snoring noise level. In this type of implementation, the threshold stage is a component of the receiver-voltage source unit, which is particularly advantageous if the output voltage of the voltage source must be controlled as a function of the snoring noise intensity, i.e., if the output voltage must increase as the snoring intensity increases.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible to provide for a threshold stage to be inserted downstream of the microphone, which controls the transmitter and has a trigger level that can be adjusted based on a desired snoring noise level, and for the transmitter to send a control signal, independent of the snoring noise intensity, to activate the voltage source when the trigger level is exceeded. This type of implementation analyses the snoring sound intensity within the microphone-transmitter unit, so that only a small number of components need be present on the transmitter-voltage source side of the unit, which has an advantageous impact on the size and power consumption of this unit.

The device must respond exclusively to snoring noises, especially those of a specific person, but not to other ambient noises. A bandpass filter is advantageously inserted in the signal transmission path between the microphone and the voltage source, which essentially allows only the snoring noise frequencies to pass. For the previously mentioned space and power saving reasons, the bandpass filter is preferably inserted between the microphone and the transmitter, although it could also be inserted downstream of the receiver. The bandpass filter should have the narrowest bandwidth possible to suppress the ambient noise frequencies as best as possible. Since the snoring noise frequency bands can be different, the pass-through frequency band of the bandpass filter is preferably adjustable. The bandpass filter with a pass frequency band that is adjustable with respect to the width of the pass frequency band, or preferably with respect to the middle frequency, can be designed in the form of an active filter with a particulate filter.

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I'm taking up too much space.

Preferably, the output voltage of the voltage source is between approximately 20 and 40 volts. The voltage of the batteries or the mains-independent battery of the voltage source-receiver unit is always significantly below these voltage values. The low operating voltage could be increased to higher voltage values by means of ripple or vibration using a transformer. However, the transformer would require considerable space on the receiver side. Added to this are its relatively large weight and relatively high manufacturing costs. Therefore, a preferred embodiment provides for the voltage source to have a voltage multiplier circuit powered by a rectangular pulse generator, the outputs of which are connected to the electrodes. The voltage multiplier circuit preferably sends a symmetrical DC voltage to ground. In the case of the voltage multiplier circuit, it is preferably a cascade circuit with diodes. However, voltage multiplier circuits according to the vibrator-amplifier principle are also suitable.

^ Furthermore, these voltage multiplier circuits have the advantage that their output voltage can be controlled relatively simply. This is particularly desirable if the output voltage must be controlled as a function of the amplitude of the received signal representing the sound level of the snoring noise, in order to increase the arousal exerted on the sleeping person as the sound level of the snoring noise increases.

Preferably, the receiver and the voltage source are mounted in a common case, provided with an arm strap or similar, on the side of which facing the arm of the person sleeping in the position of use, the two insulated electrodes are applied at a certain distance from each other. The receiver-voltage source unit can be worn like a wristwatch and does not hinder the person during sleep.

The electrodes can be made of conductive ebonite, nickel, or silver, or they can be made in the form of silver-chloride electrodes. Since in some applications an electrolytic gel must be used to improve contact between the electrode and the skin, the electrodes are preferably made of porous graphite.* This is because these electrodes must simply be moistened with water to improve contact.

Some examples of embodiments of the invention are illustrated in more detail below on the basis of the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of a microphone-transmitter unit, Fig. 2 shows a diagram of a receiver-source unit,

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Fig. 3 shows another type of realization of a voltage source-receiver unit and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a voltage receiver-sensor unit for attachment like a wristwatch to the wrist of a sleeping person.

The device for preventing snoring in a sleeping person comprises a microphone-transmitter unit 1 (fig. 1) to be placed, for example, at the head of the sleeping person's bed, as well as a receiver-voltage source unit 3 (fig. 2), separate from the first unit and having two electrodes 5 in contact with the sleeping person at a certain distance from each other. When snoring noises occur, an excitation current passes between the electrodes 5, to which the sleeping person reacts by stopping snoring.

The microphone-transmitter unit 1 comprises a microphone 7 which is connected to an active bandpass filter 11 via a preamplifier 9. The active bandpass filter can be conventionally designed as a frequency-dependent feedback-coupled and/or feedback-coupled amplifier, whereby resistor-capacitor circuits with a suitable frequency range are appropriately used as frequency-dependent members. The passband of the bandpass filter 11 is relatively narrow. Its average frequency, adjustable for example in the frequency range between 10 and 100 Hz, can be set on a control member 13, for example on a potentiometer, in one of the circuits as a function of the frequency in order to adapt the passband filter 11's performance to the frequency range of snoring noises. The output signals of the bandpass filter 11 are sent to an ultrasonic transmitter 15. which sends ultrasonic signals with an amplitude proportional to the sound level of the snoring noises?

An ultrasonic receiver 17 of the voltage source-receiver unit 3 receives the transmitted ultrasonic signals and transmits the signal portions proportional to the sound level to a threshold stage 19, the threshold level of which can be adjusted in a device 21 to a desired trigger level for the excitation currents. When the trigger level is exceeded, the threshold stage 19 releases a square wave generator 23, whose rectangular output pulses are sent to a voltage multiplier circuit 25. The voltage multiplier circuit 25 may be a diode cascade, optionally mounted symmetrically to ground, for example in a Greinach circuit. An amplifier circuit with outputs preferably symmetrically to ground is also suitable, which is controlled by the square wave generator in the manner of a vibratory amplifier. The voltage multiplier circuit 25 comprises a regulator 27, on which the output voltage can be set within a range of approximately 20 to 40 volts between the electrodes 5. The operating voltage source of the voltage source-receiver unit 3 is not shown in Fig. 2. Is it a battery or accumulator for achieving mains-independent operation?

Fig. 3 shows the diagram of another type of embodiment of a voltage source-receiver unit 29, which differs substantially from the voltage source-receiver unit 3 according to Fig. 2 only in that a rectangular pulse generator 33 is connected to an ultrasonic receiver 31, the output voltage of which, or the output frequency, can be controlled as a function of the output signals of the ultrasonic receiver 31. Also connected to the rectangular pulse generator 33 is a voltage multiplier circuit 35, the preferably symmetrical outputs of which are connected to two electrodes 37, which are connected to ground. The rectangular pulse generator 33 controls the output voltage of the voltage multiplier circuit 33 in such a way that the output voltage increases as the sound level of the snoring noises increases. The base value of the output voltage can be set on a control element 39 of the voltage multiplier circuit 35. A threshold stage 41? is also connected to the output of the ultrasonic receiver 31 which, when a certain intervention level is exceeded, unlocks the rectangular pulse generator 33? and consequently the generation of the excitation signals. The intervention level can be set on a control element 43 of the threshold stage 41.

In the previously illustrated embodiments, the microphone-transmitter unit 1 sends ultrasonic signals, the amplitude of which is proportional to the sound level of the snoring noises. In the previously illustrated embodiments, the threshold stage that defines the intervention level is provided on the side of the voltage source-receiver unit 3 (29). Alternatively, this threshold stage can also be provided on the side of the microphone-transmitter unit; in this case, the transmitter only sends insertion signals, the amplitude of which is independent of the sound level of the snoring noises.

Instead of an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver, it is also possible to use a radio transmitter or radio receiver.

Fig. 4 shows the voltage source-receiver unit.

This comprises a common case 45 for the components illustrated above in accordance with figures 2 and 3. On the case 45? on opposite sides, two straps 49*51 are attached, which are connected and looped together with a buckle 47? so that the case 45 can be fastened like a wristwatch on the arm of the sleeping person. > On the side of the case 45

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Two electrodes 53, free towards the outside, are applied with insulation to the housing 45 facing the arm at a distance of approximately 20 mm from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrodes 53 protrude with a convexity from the surface of the housing 45. The protruding parts of the electrodes 53 are made of graphite, which can be moistened with water to improve contact.

Other types of construction are possible, particularly with a flat surface. Other materials are also suitable for the electrode contact surfaces, such as conductive ebonite, nickel, or silver. Furthermore, silver/silver chloride electrodes can also be used.

EIVEHDICATIONS

1. Apparatus for preventing snoring of a sleeping person, having a microphone, which detects the snoring noises, and (j ^ <?_ jamming device controlled by the microphone, characterised in that downstream of the microphone (7) there is a transmitter (15) which wirelessly sends signals representing the snoring noises, in that the jamming device has a receiver (17} 31) for the signals of the transmitter (15) as well as a voltage source (23, 25, 33, 35) connected to the receiver (15531) to form a transportable unit (3J29M-5), which can be operated by the received signals, to the output connections of which two electrodes (5} 37; 53) are connected to be brought into contact with the sleeping person.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmitter (15) is made in the form of an ultrasonic transmitter and the receiver (17) is made in the form of an ultrasonic receiver.

3? Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmitter (15) sends amplitude modulated signals as a function of the sound level of the snoring noises and in that downstream of the receiver (17,31) there is a threshold stage (19541) which controls the voltage supply of the voltage source (23, 25} 33, 35) with an intervention level adjustable based on a certain desired snoring noise level.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that downstream of the microphone there is a threshold stage which controls the transmitter with a trigger level adjustable based on the desired snoring noise level and in that the transmitter, when the trigger level is exceeded, sends a control signal independent of the snoring noise level to activate the voltage source.

5? Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that between the microphone (7) and the transmitter (15) there is inserted an active filter (11) with an adjustable pass frequency band mounted using at least one frequency-dependent feedback coupled and/or feedback coupled amplifier.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the active filter (11) is made in the form of a pass-band filter having an average frequency adjustable in the frequency range between 10 and 100 Hz.

7? Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the voltage source (23, 25} 33, 35) has a voltage multiplier circuit (25} 35) powered by a rectangular pulse generator, to the outputs of which the electrodes (5} 37) are connected?

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the voltage multiplier circuit (25} 35) sends a symmetrical direct voltage to the ground to the outputs.

9? Apparatus according to claims 3 and 7, characterised in that the output voltage of the multiplier circuit (35) can be controlled as a function of the amplitude of the received signal representing the sound level of the snoring noise, whereby the output voltage increases as the amplitude increases.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the frequency of the rectangular pulse generator (33) can be controlled as a function of the amplitude of the received signal.

11. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the voltage source (23; 25; 33, 35) comprises a manual adjustment organ (27; 39) by means of which the output voltage can be set to approximately between 20 and 40 Volts.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the electrodes (5; 37; 53) have a contact surface made of conductive ebonite, or nickel or silver.

13? Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrodes (5; 37; 53) are made in the form of silver/silver chloride electrodes.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the electrodes (5; 37; 53) have a contact surface 0? made of porous graphite.

15* Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the receiver and the voltage source are mounted in a common case (45) provided with a similar arm fastening strap (49f 51) and on the side of which facing the arm of the sleeping person in the position of use the two electrodes (53) are applied with insulation and at a certain distance from each other.