Patent No. 5076281 Device and method for effecting rhythmic body activity

 

Patent No. 5076281

Device and method for effecting rhythmic body activity (Gavish, Dec 31, 1991)

Abstract

A biorhythm modulator, consisting of a sensor for monitoring biorhythmic activity of the body of a user, a circuit for continuously analyzing the biorhythmic activity and producing parameter signals based upon a biorhythmic activity, a circuit for generating selectable sound-code pattern signals, a central processing unit (CPU) connected to receive signals from both the activity characteristic parameters producing circuit and the selected sound patterns generating circuit, and to feed the signals of the parameters and patterns to a sound pattern synthesizer for producing music-like sound pattern signals, transduceable into audible music-like patterns, and having a rhythm which is non-identical to the rhythm of the biorhythmic activity. A method for modulating biorhythmic activity is also described.

Notes:

Such musical patterns have the advantage that the same "music" can be played at any desired rhythm which is not attainable with recorded music, since slowing down or speeding up the rhythm of recorded music changes tones and nature of the sounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is therefore provided a biorhythm modulator, comprising a sensor for monitoring rhythmic activity of the body of a user, circuit means for continuously analyzing said rhythmic activity and producing activity characteristic parameter signals, means for generating selectable sound pattern signals, a central processing unit (CPU) connected to receive signals from both, said activity characteristic parameters producing circuit means and said selected sound pattern generating means and to feed the signals of said parameters and patterns to a sound pattern synthesizer for producing music-like sound pattern signals, transduceable into audible music-like patterns, and bearing selected relationship to said characteristic parameters of the rhythmic activity.

The invention further provides a method for modulating biorhythmic activity, comprising sensing the rhythmic activity of a user and transducing same into electrical signals, continuously analyzing said signals representative of the biorhythmic activity for producing activity characteristic parameter signals, generating selectable sound pattern signals, feeding said activity characteristic parameter signals and said sound pattern signals to a sound pattern synthesizer for producing music-like sound pattern signals of selected relationship to said characteristic parameter signals of the monitored biorhythmic activity, and transducing the synthesized signals into audible music-like sound to be heard by the user, thereby forming a closed-loop biorhythmic modulator.

The term "musical pattern" as used herein is meant to include not only acoustical patterns or effects, but also effects or patterns produced by optical signals similarly sensed by the body. Moreover, in conjunction with the present invention, this term may also refer to a combined effect of sound and visual patterns or effects perceivable by man or animals.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments directed to a respiration modulator with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.


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Hence, by means of predetermined selectable synthesized music which is produced by synthesizing sound pattern with real time rhythmic biosignals of a user and feeding the sound of synthesized music to be heard by the user, there is formed a closed loop system wherein a controlled variation in the rhythm and other parameters of the synthesized music can influence the respiration rate which, in turn, otherwise influences the state or degree of relaxation or excitation of the user.

It should be noted that in practice heart beats are also notable in the pattern shown in FIG. 3A and could be used to analyze pulse rate.

The sensor can monitor changes in the skin blood volume e.g., by means of an infrared photoplethysmographic transducer. Blood volume changes are translated into variations in light absorptions and then transduced into electric current signals. Such signals contain both, rhythm and amplitude of the body activity. Another example of sensors which can similarly be used are, ECG electrodes for monitoring the body's pulse rate. The body's respiration rate and neural activity appear as frequency modulations. Alternatively, there may be used EEG or EMG electrodes which monitor brain wave frequencies, and respectively, electrical activity of the muscles.

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It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.