GB2440751A

GB2440751A - Skin conductivity monitor with audio or visual feedback

Info

Publication number: GB2440751A
Application number: GB0615801A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Perry James Rabbitts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-09
Filing date: 2006-08-09
Publication date: 2008-02-13
Also published as: GB0615801D0

Abstract

A skin conductivity monitor or galvanic skin resistance (GSR) monitor has indicators to provide feedback to the user to aid relaxation and meditation. The indicators comprise three coloured light indicators or three sound indicators, one to indicate a rise in skin conductivity, one to indicate a fall in skin conductivity, and one to indicate no change in skin conductivity. The monitor may include a fourth indicator to show the trend in conductivity change. The measured skin resistance may be transmitted to a secondary device, which may indicate by light or sound changes in conductivity of the skin.

Description

Skin conductivity monitor, deep relaxation and meditation learning tool

This invention relates to a skin electrical conductivity monitor, or a galvanic skin resistance (GSR) monitor, which, by the biofeedback principal, helps people learn to relax deeply and enter meditation states of mind. A person's thinking, emotions and body condition affects the electrical conductivity of their skin; generally, skin conductivity is lower when relaxed and higher when excited or active. With modern microprocessor technology monitoring electrical conductivity is simple, this invention relates to how the changes in skin conductivity are indicated.

To succeed in deep relaxation one must detach themselves from the external world, that is become less conscious of what is happening around them. The problem is that other skin conductivity monitors have visual displays or multi-tonal sounds that interfere with the user's attempt of detaching themselves from the external world.

With such monitors the user must remain alert in order to be conscious of and observe the indicator signals and the user has to use complex reasoning and mind activity to interpret the changing indicator signals.

To overcome this the present invention has three indication lights or three indication sounds. The light indicators for example, have a red light for increased conductivity, green light for reduced conductivity, and a white light for no change in conductivity and the three lights are in different positions. The sound indicators for example, have a high tone sound for increased conductivity, a low tone for reduced conductivity, and a middle tone for no change in conductivity. After a while the user becomes accustomed to these three basic' signals and instinctively knows what they mean without having to unduly use the analysing powers of their mind.

When one is going from a relaxed state to a deeply relaxed state only small changes in skin conductivity are likely to occur. A problem with other monitors is that they indicate on the scale of possible levels where the user's skin conductivity level is. On the scale of conductivity levels these small changes are hardly differentiated and result in a veiy small change in indicator signal. Therefore the user has to keep extra alert and analyse the indication signals very closely to know if these small changes are occurring. This need to be extra alert is counterproductive to deep meditation.

To overcome this the present invention does not indicate the level of skin conductivity, it indicates one of three things; these are, whether there has been a rise in conductivity between one period and the preceding period, whether there has been a fall or whether there has been no change in conductivity. Thus, even for small changes a clear indication will be made. Furthermore, the present invention gives a relatively large, or longer duration, indication for small changes than for large changes.

When active our relaxation levels are constantly changing but when someone is relaxing there will be times of no change in relaxation. These no change' times are an important aspect to relaxation. Therefore for relaxation and meditation purposes it is useful to know when the no change' periods are. A problem with some monitors is that where there has been no change in conductivity between one period and the next a distinct signal is not made.

To overcome this the present invention makes a distinctive indication when there has been no change' in conductivity between one period and the next.

It is usefW to know the trend of relaxation over a period of time. Other monitors either do not indicate a trend over time or, if they do, it is a complex visual image that requires the user to analyse and interpret which interferes with the process of deep relaxation and meditation.

To overcome this the present invention has a forth-pulsating light, or pulsating sound, indicator to indicate the trend in changes in conductivity' over time. The trend indicator encourages the user to relax over a period of time with the trend algorithm such that, as the user gets more experienced in relaxing, then it becomes harder to keep the trend indicator working. The trend algorithm works along the following lines; for each decrease in or no change in skin conductivity then a program variable (number) is increased and for each increase in conductivity the program variable is decreased. Each time the program variable number rises or falls by a certain amount then the forth light, or sound, pulse rate is changed accordingly.

Skin conductivity measured by monitors is affected greatly when a user changes the pressure of holding or changes the way they hold the monitor. A problem which other monitors is that these changes in holding then give a large signal which, during deep relaxation, may unduly disturb the user.

To overcome this the present invention minimises the affect caused by changes in skin pressure or holding position. Firstly, as it is only monitors change from one period to the next, a change in holding will result in one. or perhaps just a few large change readings. Secondly, large changes result in relatively small indicator signals than do small changes.

The present invention can emit a signal to a secondary device, for example by infra read, ultra sound or radio signal. This secondary device will indicate the changcs in conductivity monitored by the invention and also indicate the trend in changesóf conductivity. The secondary device can be placed in a position within a room allowing the invention user and other people to be aware of the changes in the user's skin conductivity without looking at the invention itself.

The embodiment of the present invention is a casing that incorporates metal touch plates' that act as electrodes. The casing encloses the power supply, microprocessor and electronic parts and is held or placed on one's body ensuring that skin contact is made with the metal contact plates. A small electric current is passed through the contact plates and is monitored by the microprocessor and changes in conductivity calculated. Light or sound indicator signals are made to inform the user of the changes in skin conductivity or a signal is emitted to a secondary device and this secondary device indicates the changes in skin conductivity.

Claims

Claims 1. A skin conductivity monitor with three basic indicator

coloured lights or three basic indicator sounds that indicates whether there has been a rise in conductivity between one period and the preceding period, whether there has been a fall or whether there has been no change in skin conductivity.

2. A skin conductivity monitor according to claim 1, that gives larger indicator signal for small changes in conductivity than it does for large changes in conductivity.

3. A skin conductivity monitor according to claim 1, that has a forth light or forth sound indicator to indicate the trend in changes of conductivity over time.

4. A skin conductivity monitor according to claim 1, that emits a signal to a secondary device allowing the secondary device to indicate the changes in conductivity.