Patent No. 4777937 Mood altering device
Patent No. 4777937 Mood altering device (Rush, et al.,Oct 18, 1988)
Abstract
The invention features a method and apparatus for altering the mood of an individual. A facial mask is provided that excludes external stimuli while providing visual and auditory stimulation designed to influence the brain wave pattern. The visual stimulus introduces a continuous, uniform light of a particular color. The light stimulus is designed to produce an effect known as ganzfeld, wherein there occurs a complete loss of visual sensation.
Notes:
BRIEF
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention differs from the aforementioned patented relaxation device
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,502, in that the light stimulation is continuous instead
of pulsating. The continuous light is desired to product ganzfeld, a visual
"blanking out", which in turn affects the brain waves. While both light and
sound are simultaneously introduced, the rhythmic pink noise is not synchronously
coupled to the light generator, i.e., the two stimulative effects are independent
of each other.
The invention features a method and apparatus for altering the mood of an individual.
The individual is simultaneously subjected to light and sound stimulation, which
affects the brain waves and induces a feeling of relaxation.
The light stimulation is introduced to the sight of the individual in a face
mask that excludes external light stimulation.
The introduced light is of a substantially continuous and uniform color, which
is designed to produce a condition or effect known as ganzfeld, wherein there
is a loss of visual sensation.
A rhythmic pink noise is simultaneously introduced to the hearing of the subject.
The pink noise is a monotonous sound simulative of flowing water. The combined
effect of both the light and sound stimulation reduces stress and provides a
state of relaxation.
The light is produced by an electroluminescent light generator and has a glowing
appearance.
The light color can be selected to enhance a particular mood. For example, blue
or green is most useful for inducing relaxation.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mood altering method
and device.
It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus that provides
visual stimulation for inducing a ganzfeld effect.
Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic of the
invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and the manner in which
it may be carried out, may be further understood by reference to the description
following and the accompanying drawing.
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It is also understood the following
claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention
which, as a matter of language, might fall therebetween.
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