KR20020034111A - Dawn/Dusk simulator for the induction of sleep/wakefulness - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A sunrise/sundown facsimile device for a natural wake up/sleep is provided to wake up a user at a desired rising time by gradually increasing an illuminating intensity of a bedroom. CONSTITUTION: A power supply circuit(1) changes an AC power to a DC power for a power source of an illuminator. A controller(2) performs a pulse width modulation using a DC link voltage. A switch(3) includes a lamp switch, a beep switch, and an overall switch. The lamp switch controls an on/off signal of an illuminator. The beep switch controls a sound signal which is generated in an alarm time. The overall switch simultaneously controls a beep and the illuminator. A user inputs information such as a current time, a brightness of the illuminator, and light and flashing forms using a key pad(4). A display device(5) displays the current time and input data. A microprocessor(6) performs operation and control functions based on input data.

Description

Sunrise / Dusk simulator for the induction of sleep / wakefulness}

The primary object of the present invention is to gradually increase the illuminance of the bedroom at a specific time before sunrise by using an electric lamp similar to the sunrise so that the user naturally wakes up at the time when the user wants to wake up. The goal is to induce a comfortable sleep by creating a light environment similar to sunsets at bedtime.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of the alarm clock device, there is a significant difference from the alarm clock or vibration alarm clock in that it uses the light of the electric lamp as a weather guide means. During sleep, sounds and vibrations directly stimulate the reticular activation system (RAS) of the brain stem to induce arousal states (i.e., weather), but light is the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Arousal is induced by indirectly stimulating the reticular body through a biological clock located in SCN). For this reason, sound or vibration only wakes the sleep but does not 'wake up' other biological rhythms (eg body temperature rhythm, hormonal rhythm) with the sleep. Therefore, it causes internal dysynchronization (disruption of the topological relationship between biorhythms), which causes fatigue, stress and the like. On the other hand, since light induces an awakening state through the biological clock, it wakes up all biological rhythms together and thus does not cause internal disharmony. In other words, light is the most natural means of meteorological guidance that does not break the harmony between biorhythms.

The meteorological induction device using light is already commercialized in foreign countries, and there are two related patent applications in Korea (one registration: 2000931600000, one publication: 1019980050110). However, since the increase pattern of illuminance implemented by these devices is linear, it is quite different from sunrise. This invention increases the brightness of the electric lamp exponentially or Sigmoid type to more closely simulate the illuminance increase pattern at sunrise. At this time, the selection of the slope of the lighting pattern is allowed to consider the difference in response of the object to the light. In addition, the present invention may increase the brightness of the electric lamp by a hyperbolic function, which is a consideration for people who wake up only after a considerable time has elapsed in the state of increased illumination.

The current invention belongs to the technology of developing a sleep induction device using flashing light, which is distinguished from the existing one in that an exponential function, a transcendental function or a sigmoid type flashing pattern can be selected.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to manufacture a microcomputer system for controlling the power sent to the electric lamp to implement the illumination change pattern selected by the user.

Figure 1: Overall System Schematic

2: Gate Drive Circuit Diagram

3: Operation flowchart of the sunrise and sunset simulation apparatus

4: Setting lighting on / flashing time, brightness and holding time

5: Increase or decrease pattern of transcendental or exponential illumination

6: Sigmoid type illumination increase and decrease pattern

7: Example of the lighting operation according to the user input

Each component adopted in the present invention (see Fig. 1) and description thereof are as follows.

1. Power unit (1): A power circuit unit for converting AC power into DC power to use as a power source for lighting.

The 220V / 60mA input for commercial power was converted to an uncontrolled 280V DC using a rectifying bridge diode circuit, and then smoothing capacitors (480WV, 470 입력) were adopted to change the input to DC for constant voltage and stable current supply. In addition, by connecting fuse and load resistor to commercial power input terminal, stable power circuit part prevents overload or sudden inrush current.

2. Control unit (2): Switch and drive drive circuit of a power FET, a semiconductor device that performs PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) using a DC Link voltage.

Since commercial power cannot specify the brightness of the lighting as the user wants (0 ~ 220V) without changing the voltage, current and frequency, the voltage source of DC Link stage is similar to AC waveform with the overall voltage and current value using PWM technique. Should be as variable as possible. In the present invention, power FET (400V, 10A) semiconductor element is adopted for switching. In addition, the switch gate drive drive is constructed to protect the control circuit by insulating the power supply of the lighting and the control circuit. (See Figure 2)

3. Switch (3) and user input (4):User-selectable control switches and keypad for data entry.

1) Lamp switch (SW1) that controls the lighting on / off signal

2) Beep switch (SW2) for sound signal control occurring at alarm time

3) Overall switch (SW3) to control Beep and lighting at the same time

4) Keypad for inputting information such as current time, light brightness, lighting status

(3 x 4)

4. Display unit (5):LCD liquid crystal display that user can check current time and input data.

Using LCD liquid crystal that can display 2 Line 16 Digit, it implements the function of the clock to display the current time and the user interface to check the data input by the user.

5. Microprocessor unit (6):A microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) that performs calculation and control based on data inputted with the above-described functions.

The CPU used 80c196kc commercially available from Intel. The CPU supports three PWMs, four HSIs and HSOs, and uses a 20MHz system clock to provide high computational speed. In particular, the PWM terminal provides a maximum ratio of 1 to 255 resolution, so when the DC voltage is PWM, it can be turned on and off slowly in the load lamp.

The operation of the device is as follows. The user enters the current time using the keypad and selects sleep mode, wake mode, or both modes. Then, ① lighting time of lighting, ② maximum and minimum brightness of lighting, ③ lighting pattern of lighting, ④ start time of lighting, ⑤ lighting time of lighting, ⑥ maximum and minimum brightness of lighting, ⑦ Input lighting maintenance time after lighting lighting pattern, ⑧ lighting is completed as necessary. When this input via the keypad is completed, the current time and the lighting start time (when the weather mode is selected) are displayed on the liquid crystal 5, and the CPU 6 immediately starts operation. When the sleep and wake modes are selected, the lights start flashing according to the data entered by the user. After the flashing is completed, the lights remain off until the wake mode. When you enter the wake mode, the light starts to turn on based on the data you entered before bedtime. As soon as the lighting is completed, Beep sounds for 5 minutes and the lighting remains at maximum brightness for a preset time. After that, the illumination remains completely off. If only one of the sleep mode and the wake mode is selected, the other functions are omitted. (Note: If you do not reset the control board after a cycle has ended, the next day will go to bed and wake up automatically at the set time.)

3 shows the operation of the apparatus in the form of a flowchart. 4-6 diagrammatically show that the behavior of lighting can vary in accordance with user definition. And, Figure 7 is an example of the lighting operation, the maximum brightness of the light bulb is 220V, the light blinking time is 60 minutes in the sleep mode, inputs the operation of the light decreases in the slow sigmoid form, fast index function in the weather mode It shows the 60 minute lighting section increasing and 20 minutes after the lighting is completed.

The effects of the present invention can be considered in terms of human welfare, industry and economy. Unlike conventional devices that use sound or vibration as an alarm signal, the device using light induces arousal state naturally without causing internal dissonance and subsequent fatigue and stress. Therefore, the user wakes up in a pleasant state, and the body maintains an optimal condition. The device also has the effect of smoothing the parallax after jet travel. In addition, when the shift workers use the device, it adapts to new work schedules more quickly, so it can be expected to prevent accidents and increase work efficiency.

The meteorological guidance function of the present invention will be useful to a variety of people. In particular, it will be of great help to students, office workers who need to go to work early in the morning, flight attendants and pilots, industrial workers, railway workers, public bus drivers, nurses and soldiers.

The sleep induction function of the present invention will help children who are unable to sleep because they are afraid of sleep in a room that is turned off. It is also believed to be helpful for those suffering from insomnia.

Claims (6)

A microcomputer system for controlling electric lamp input power such that the brightness of the electric lamp increases or decreases transcendentally, exponentially, or sigmoidally (FIG. 1). Allowing the user to set the slope of the selected lamp illuminance change pattern (claim 1) (FIGS. 5, 6). Allowing the user to determine the lighting, blinking time of the electric lamp and the maximum and minimum brightness of the electric lamp, and the time the illumination is maintained after the lighting is completed (FIG. 4). Power circuit section (1 in FIG. 1) using a rectifying diode bridge to supply DC power to the lighting system. Gate drive circuit of the Power FET configured to supply AC power directly to the lighting lamp different from the frequency of the commercial power supply (2 in FIG. 1). Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is applied to support user specified lighting brightness, dwell time and start-up method.