Patent US3863243A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sleep inhibiting alarm
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-01-19
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1992-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for detecting eye closure of an individual is provided comprising a signal source for directing signals at an individual''s eye and means for detecting the said signals after reflection by the eye. An alarm system responsive to a chosen reflected signal level is also provided to alert the individual to the occurrence of an eye closed condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Skolnick
- 👤 William Steckowich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:07
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1103; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/02; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G02; G02C; G02C11/00; G02C5/00; G02C5/001; A61B2503/00; A61B2503/20; A61B2503/22; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6802; A61B5/6803; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/6821
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for detecting eye closure of an individual comprising: a signal source for generating and transmitting a signal into the individual''s eye; a power source for energizing said signal source; means for detecting the difference in reflected signal intensity between the signal reflected by the opened eye of the individual and the higher signal intensity reflected by the eyelid of the individual when the eye is closed, comprising a photosensitive signal generator; said signal source comprising a pulse generator to generate a signal; an amplifier to amplify said signal and a light energized by said signal; said pulse generator comprising means for generating a sawtooth pulse at a desired frequency; means for varying the width of the generated pulse and means for compensating said generating means so as to eliminate the dependency of frequency upon said pulse width varying means; said generating means compriSing a unijunction transistor and a capacitor, said capacitor being connected between the emitter of said transistor and the negative lead of said power source such that upon charging to the activation voltage of said transistor said transistor is activated to discharge said capacitor, and means for varying the charging time of said capacitor; an alarm activated by said reflected higher intensity signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for detecting eye closure of an individual comprising: a signal source for generating and transmitting a signal into the individual''s eye; a power source for energizing said signal source; means for detecting the difference in reflected signal intensity between the signal reflected by the opened eye of the individual and the higher signal intensity reflected by the eyelid of the individual when the eye is closed, comprising a photosensitive signal generator; said signal source comprising a pulse generator to generate a signal; an amplifier to amplify said signal and a light energized by said signal; said pulse generator comprising means for generating a sawtooth pulse at a desired frequency; means for varying the width of the generated pulse and means for compensating said generating means so as to eliminate the dependency of frequency upon said pulse width varying means; said generating means compriSing a unijunction transistor and a capacitor, said capacitor being connected between the emitter of said transistor and the negative lead of said power source such that upon charging to the activation voltage of said transistor said transistor is activated to discharge said capacitor, and means for varying the charging time of said capacitor; an alarm activated by said reflected higher intensity signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pulse width varying means comprises; a second transistor biased by said capacitor to operate when the bias voltage is less than the voltage at the emitter of said second capacitor, means for adjusting the voltage at the emitter of said second transistor, and a third transistor biased by said second transistor to operate whenever said second transistor is operable such that the signal output at the collector of said third transistor has a pulse width dependent upon said adjusting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said adjusting means comprises a second capacitor and a variable resistor in parallel with said second capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said compensating means comprises: a feedback circuit for connecting the collector of said third transistor to the first capacitor such that the charging time of said first capacitor is independent of the charging time of said second capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the input of said amplifier is connected to the collector of said third transistor and wherein said light is connected to the output of said amplifier.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
161 words
The method of detecting eye closure of an individual comprising: energizing a light to emit a light ray pulse of a particular frequency and pulse width, amplifying said pulse and energizing said light with the signal output from said amplifier converting a constant direct current into a pulsed signal of designated frequency and varying the width of said pulse without changing the frequency of said signal; directing said light to the individual''s eye; detecting the reflected signal from the eye in both the open and closed position of the eye, and providing an alarm responsive to the signal reflected when said eye is in said closed position; the step of converting a constant direct current comprises the steps of charging a capacitor, biasing a transistor to operate when the capacitor is fully charged to discharge said capacitor, adjusting resistance to vary the charging time of said capacitor and biasing a second transistor to operate during the time the capacitor is charging.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
161 words
The method of detecting eye closure of an individual comprising: energizing a light to emit a light ray pulse of a particular frequency and pulse width, amplifying said pulse and energizing said light with the signal output from said amplifier converting a constant direct current into a pulsed signal of designated frequency and varying the width of said pulse without changing the frequency of said signal; directing said light to the individual''s eye; detecting the reflected signal from the eye in both the open and closed position of the eye, and providing an alarm responsive to the signal reflected when said eye is in said closed position; the step of converting a constant direct current comprises the steps of charging a capacitor, biasing a transistor to operate when the capacitor is fully charged to discharge said capacitor, adjusting resistance to vary the charging time of said capacitor and biasing a second transistor to operate during the time the capacitor is charging.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the step of varying the pulse width comprises: charging a second capacitor when said second transistor is operational, varying the discharging time of said second capacitor by means of an adjustable resistor, controlling the emitter voltage on a third transistor in accordance with the discharging time of said second capacitor such that the output pulse at the collector of said third transistor has the frequency determined by the charging time of said first capacitor and a pulse width determined by the discharging time of said second capacitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein the step of varying the pulse width further comprising compensating the bias of said second transistor to keep the charging time of said first capacitor independent of the discharging time of said second capacitor.
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) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |