FIELD OF INVENTION

This present invention is concerned with the application of stimuli to a human subject to induce sleep. Embedded sound waves are used as a method and system to induce sleep, increase the effectiveness of sleep, lengthen periods of sleep, and to reduce or prevent insomnia.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Sleep is a normal, indeed essential part of our lives. But if you think about it, it is such an odd thing to do. At the end of each day we become unconscious and paralysed. The general scientific belief is that sleep is to enable our bodies and especially our brains to recover. Recently researchers have been able to find out some of the detailed processes involved.

During the day brain cells build connections with other parts of the brain as a result of new experiences. During sleep it seems that important connections are strengthened and unimportant ones are pruned. Experiments with sleep-deprived rats have shown that this process of strengthening and pruning happens mostly while they sleep. And sleep is also an opportunity for the brain to be cleared of waste.

Several studies show that the light bulb has led people shifting their day and getting less sleep. On average we go to bed and wake up two hours later than a generation ago. A recent study found that those who read electronic books before they went to bed took longer to get to sleep, had reduced levels of melatonin (the hormone that regulates the body's internal body clock) and were less alert in the morning. Since more people are choosing electronic devices for reading, communication and entertainment, sleeping aids becomes an important field to mental wellness of many children and working adults. Embodiments of the invention provide an effective way of inducing sleep using sound waves, without side effects and long term dependency.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention provides a solution through an effective method and a system to influence human subjects' brain waves and bring them from Beta activities stage to Alpha stage then to Theta and eventually Delta stage. Through this method and system, human subjects could get into sleep, increase the effectiveness of sleep, lengthen periods of sleep and to reduce or prevent insomnia. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is the complete sound wave for inducing sleep in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is the lead in relaxation part of the sound wave for inducing sleep in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with an asymmetrical waveform in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with a symmetrical waveform in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with an asymmetrical waveform and both right and left channel synchronised in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with an asymmetrical waveform and both right and left channel out of synchronisation with a phase shift in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with an asymmetrical waveform and both right and left channel out of synchronisation with a 180 degree phase shift in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with a symmetrical waveform and both right and left channel synchronised in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with a symmetrical waveform and both right and left channel out of synchronisation with a phase shift in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a part of the sound wave for inducing sleep with a symmetrical waveform and both right and left channel out of synchronisation with a 180 degree phase shift in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a method and system to induce sleep of human subject through an embedded wave that is embedded into a carrier sound wave which is an audible music. The desired frequencies and waveforms are modulated onto a carrier signal of frequencies which are in audible range from 20Hz to 20KHz. Modulation is the process of varying one or more properties of a periodic waveform, called the carrier signal, with a modulating signal that typically contains information to be transmitted. The carrier signal, which is music audible to human ears, provides a comfortable and soothing effect to the human subject, while the desired frequencies and waveforms are embedded into the carrier signal and send to the human subject's brain. It will influence the brain waves and guide the brain waves to a reduced excitation state bringing peace and relaxation to the human subject and induce sleep in an effective way.

The desired sound wave begins with the Alpha range of frequencies when the human subject is in a state of physical and mental relaxation, although aware of the surrounding happening, its frequency are around 7 to 1 3 pulses per second. It will be reduced gradually using the following formula: t2 = Ft-i - N, where F _t 2 is the present frequency

F _t i is the frequency X seconds ago and

N is the numerical number in hertz

In accordance with this invention, the desired frequencies will be reduced gradually or in steps with the above formula from Alpha range to Theta range which is around 4 to 7 pulses per second; it is a state of somnolence with reduced consciousness. Subsequently, the desired frequencies will be reduced further to Delta range when there is unconsciousness, deep sleep or catalepsy, emitting between 0.1 and 4 cycles per second. Apart from frequencies modulation, the sound wave will also introduce waveform changes and phase shift transitions. Figure 1 is the complete sound wave that induces sleep. The overall waveform is shown as 10, left channel shown in 1 1 and right channel shown in 12.

Figure 2 is the lead in relaxation part of the sound wave that induces sleep, 13 shows the overall waveform, 14 shows the left channel and 15 shows the right channel waveform.

Figure 3 is a part of the sound wave that induces sleep with asymmetrical waveform, 16 shows the overall waveform, 17 shows the left channel and 18 shows the right channel waveform.

Figure 4 is a part of the sound wave that induces sleep with symmetrical waveform, 19 shows the overall waveform, 20 shows the left channel and 21 shows the right channel waveform.

In accordance with this invention, the lead in relaxation is developed using asymmetrical waveforms. The desired frequencies start with an asymmetrical waveform 22 as illustrated by Figure 5 with left channel 23 and right channel 24 being synchronised. As time goes by the asymmetrical synchronised waveform will change to an asymmetrical waveform 25 with phase shift as illustrated by Figure 6, left channel 26 is phase shifted from right channel 27. It will then change to an asymmetrical waveform 28 with 180 degrees phase shift as illustrated by Figure 7, left channel 29 is 180 degrees phase shifted from right channel 30.

After the lead in relaxation stage, the human subject's brain has entered the relax and sleepy phase with brain wave frequencies reaching the Alpha range of frequencies. The desired frequencies now changes to a symmetrical waveform 31 as illustrated by Figure 8 with left channel 32 and right channel 33 being synchronised. As time goes by the symmetrical synchronised waveform will change to a symmetrical waveform 34 with phase shift as illustrated by Figure 9, left channel 35 is phase shifted from right channel 36. It will then change to a symmetrical waveform 37 with 180 degrees phase shift as illustrated by Figure 10, left channel 38 is 180 degrees phase shifted from right channel 39.

Through this method and system of frequencies modulation and systematic frequencies reduction, waveform changing, synchronisation and phase shifting, the human brain waves could be influenced and brought to a relax and sleeping state.