Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
18 I sackground of the Invention
I
19 ¦ The vihration of articles of furniture for inducing
20 ¦ relaxation in the user has been accomplished in the prior
21 ¦ art using a variety of mechanisms. Because of the ready
22 ¦ availability of high power, 60-cycle current, however, the
231 bulk of these systems have used either a direct 60-cycle
2g ¦ transducer to induce vibration or a motor with an eccentric
25 ¦~weight operating from the 60-cycle current. In some
26¦ instances where a motor with an eccentric weight is used,
271 the speed of the motor is variable, for example, using a
28 solid state control or a rheostat. Such devices, however,
29 necessarily control the amplitude and frequency o~ vibration
31 simultaneously, and it is impossible, without altering the
32 -1-
.~ l
. .
..
., . : . : . ,
~ . . , ; ,' , ..... . . .
. : . : , . . .
~ ' , - '.
. .
1 ¦ eccentricity of the weight (a difficult operativn) to alter
2 ¦ the frequency and vibration independently.
3 ¦ In systems where two eccentric weight motors are used
4 ¦ on a single piece of furniture, it has been found that
5 ¦ interference waves can be produced in the furniture, which
6 ¦ waves result in a pleasant sensation for the user. These
~ ¦ systems, however, as mentioned above, can produce such
8 ¦ interference waves only at predetermined amplitudes depending
9 ¦ completely upon the frequency selected for ~otor operation. _
10 ¦ Thus, in the prior art, vibration transducers have
11 ¦ typically been limited to operation from the available
12 ¦ 60-cycle current and have not been utilized to independently
13 ¦ vary the frequency and amplitude of the vibration. Motors
14 ¦ used in the prior art are limited in the variation of waves
15 ¦ which may belinduced and, fuxthermore, are 9ubject to
16 ¦ substantial wear generated by the eccentric weight.
17 ¦ Summary of the Invention
18 ¦ The present invention alleviates these and other
19 ¦ difficulties inherent in prior art furniture vibrator
20 ¦ designs by utilizing a solid state driving circuit in
21 ¦ conjunction with a vibration transducer to generate vibration
22 ~ in furniture~l and particularly in waterbeds, having
23 ¦ independently variable amplitude and frequency characteristics.
24 ¦ In a particular embodiment of the present invention, two such
25 ¦ vibration systems are used so that interference waves may be
26 ¦ produced within the furniture of varying amplitude and
271 frequency.
28 ¦ The present invention further provides the ability
29 ¦ to induce in the vibration system a time varying amplitude
31 and frequency characteristic which is particularly adaptable
32 ~ -2-
. ' . , ' , ' .
v~ 3
1 for use in combination with an alarm clock circuit forslowly inducing sleep or slowly waking up the user. When
31 this circuit is used in combination with a pair of transducers
4 ¦ and vibrators, it is possible to slowly induce sleep or
~ ¦ wake the operator up while at the same time producing
6 ¦ pleasant interference waves within the furniture by vibrating
7 ¦ the pair of transducers at different frequencies.
8 ¦ The ability to independently vary the amplitude and
: ~ frequency of a vibrator attached to furniture, and particularly
10 ¦ to waterbeds, is extremely important in that substantially
11 aifferent effects can be achieved by producing, for example,
12 low frequency, high amplitude waves as opposed to high
13 frequency, low amplitude wave motion within the bed, one
14 of which may induce a very relaxed state in the user whereas
the other may heighten the awareness and sensitivity of the
16 u~er.
17 These and other features of the present invention are
18 best understood through the following detailed description
19 which references the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the vibration
21 mechanism of the present invention attached to the underside
22 of a typical waterbed; .
23 Figure 2 is an elevation view of the vibration transducer
24 utilized in the system shown in Pigure l;
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustration of the circuitry
26 used for driving the.transducers of Figure 2;
27 Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of signal levels on
28 various lines of the circuit of Figure 3, illustrating
29 frequency adjustments;
Figure 5 is a schematic illustration similar to that of
31 Figure 4, but illustrating amplitude adjustments;
32
I -3-
1 ¦ Figure 6 is a schematlc illustration of signals on other
2 ¦ lines of the circuit of Figure 3, illustrating the alarm
3 ¦ operation of the circuit;
4 ¦ Figure 7 is a schematic illustration similar to that of
5 ¦ Figure 6, but illustrating the sleep inducing operation of the
6 circuit; and
7 Figure 8 is a detailed circuit diagram showing the
8 circuits which make up the black box members of ~igure 3.-
9 Detailea Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring initially to Figure 1, a typical waterbed
11 is shown to include a deck support grid 11, formed of
12 vertical support members, positioned below and supporting a
13 flat, horizontal deck member 13. These elements 11,13 are
14 typically constructed of wood and are used to suppoxt a
flexible water mattress 15 above the floor. Attached to
16 the underside of the deck 13, preferably at diagonally
17 opposed corners of the deck 13, are a pair of vibration
18 transducers 17,19. Each of the transducers 17,19 is connected
19 electrically to a driving circuit 21 by means of wires 23
and 25, respectively.
21 The system of the present invention permits each of the
22 transducers 17 and 19 to be independently energized at
23 varying amplitudes and frequencies. When the transducers
24 17 and 19 are operated at different frequencies, each of
these frequencies will be induced in the water of the mattress
26 15 and will be felt by anyone lying on the mattress 15. In
27 addition, an interference frequency, the difference between
28 the frequencies of the transaucers 17 and 19, will form an
29 interference wave within the mattress 15 which can also be
felt by the user. This interference wave can typically be
31 o extremely low frequency while, at the same time, each of
32 the transducers is producing a primary, higher frequency.
1 For example, if the transducer 17 is vibrating at 45 cycles
2 per second and the transducer l9 at 42 cycles per second, they
3 will produce an interference wave of 3 cycles per second. This
4 low frequency interference wave can be extremely soothing
to the user and can produce an altogether different sensation
6 from that produced by the direct vibration of either of the
7 transducers 17,19 alone.
8 Referring now to Figure 2, the particular transducer
9 utilized in the system of Figure 1 will be described. As
previously stated, the transducer 17 is connected to the
ll deck 13. In the preferred embodiment, it includes a generally
12 u-shaped band of spring steel 27, one flat side of which is
13 connected, as by plural screws 29, to the deck 13. The
14 band 27 is preferably isolated from the deck 15 by washers
31. The opposite flat side of the u-shaped band 27 mounts
16 a magnet coil 33. This coil, when energized, will attract
17 the opposite flat side of the u-shaped spring steel band 27.
18 Thus, when the magnet coil 33 is induced with a cyclical
19 current, it will vibrate, so that the free side of the
u-shaped spring steel band 27 is forced to oscillate relative
21 the stationary side. Since the magnet 33 is relatively heavy,
22 this vibration will, in turn, induce vibration in the deck 13
23 and in the mattress 15 above the deck. The transducer 17
24 is capable of vibrating at a variety of frequencies, depending
upon the inducing current, and the amplitude of vibration can
26 be varied by altering the level of the inducing current t
27 as will be described in detail below.
28 Referring now to Figure 3, the transducers 17 and 19
2~ are shown together with the control circuit which forms the
driving circuit 21 of Figure l. This circuit includes a pair
32 -5-
.
1 of astable multivibrators 35 and 37 are shown con~ected to a
2 control line 39 which, together with a pair of variable
3 res.istors 41 and 43, controls the multivibrator frequency.
4 It will be understood that each of the astable multivibrators
35l37 produces an output square wave, the frequency of which
6 is determined by the setting of the variable resistors 41,43
7 or the voltage on the control line 39.
8 The output of each of the astable multivibrators 35,37.
9 is conducted by means of a pulse shaping circuit 45,47,
respectively, to a pair of monostable multivibrators 49,51.
11 The monostable multivibrators are responsive to the output
12 frequency signal from astable multivibrators 35,37 to produce
13 a controlled duration output pulse for each negative going
14 input pulse from the pulse shape circuits 45,47 so that, on
their output lines 53,55, respectively, the multivibrators 49,51
16 each produce a signal, the frequency of which is determined
17 by the astable multivibrators 35,37 and the pulse width of
18 which is determined by the monostable multivibrators 49,51.
19 This pulse width ultimately determines the amplitude of
vibration produced by the system. In a manner similar to the
21 resistors 41,43, variable resistors 52,54 control the time
22 delay of the monostable multivibrators 49 and 51, respectively.
23 Additionally, this time delay may be set by a control signal-
24 on line 60.
Referring briefly to Figure 4, the output of astable
26 multivibrator 35 is shown as a function of time and, for
27 purposes of illustration, is shown as having a first
28 relatively low frequency during a time period Tl and a.
29 second relatively high frequency during a time period T2.
~0 Corresponding with this output, the output of the pulse shape
31 circuit 45 is shown, as is the output of monostable multivibrator
-6-
1 ¦ 49. ~n this example, the pulse width of the monostable multivibrat ~r
2 ¦ 49 is left unchanged as the frequency of the astable
3 multivibrator 35 changes. It can be seen that the frequency
at the out~ut of the monostable multivibrator 49 changes
significantly between times Tl and T2, but the pulse width
6 does not appreciably change.
7 In the illustration of Figure 5, times T3 and T4 are
8 shown and the outputs of elements 35, 45, and 49 are again
9 depicted. In this example, however, the setting of the astable
multivibrator 35 is left unchanged, so that the frequency
11 remains constant. During the time T3, the monostable
12 multivibrator 49 is set for a relatively short time delay,
13 so that the amplitude of vibration will be relatively small.
14 During the time T4, however, the monostable multivibrator 49
has an increased time delay, so that the output pulse wid~h,
16 and the resulting amplitude of vibration, is substantially
17 increased without altering the output frequency.
18 Fram the diagrams of Figures 4 and 5 it can be seen that
19 any combination of output frequency and amplitude which is
desired may be achieved by independently varying the resistors
21 41 and 43 for frequency adjustment, and the resistors 52 and
22 54 for amplitude of vibration adjustment.
23 Referring once again to Figure 3, the output signals on
24 lines 53 and 55 are coupled to driver amplifiers 61 and 63,
respectively, which are in turn connected to drive the
26 transducers 17,19 in accordance with the signals on lines
27 53,55.
28` While the frequency and amplitude of vibration may be
29 controlled as previously described using the variable resistors
41, 43, 52, and 54, the present invention includes an alternate
31
32
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1 control responsive to a digital clock circuit 65. This clock
2 circuit produces an alarm si~nal on line 67 in typical fashion,
3 which is used to drive a mode control circuit 68 at the time
for which the alarm o~ the digital clock 65 is set. Once it is
set, the mode control 68 drives an integrator 71 which produces
6 a negative-going ramp signal on line 73. An inverted, positiv~-
~ going ramp signal is produced on line 75 by an inverting amplifier
8 77 in response to the signal on line 73.
9 The mode control 68 includes, as a second input, a sleep
switch 81 which is closed by the operator to place the circuit
11 21 in a sleep inducing mode. Either of the inputs, 81,67, will
12 initiate control signals from the mode control 68 to enable
13 the integrator 71. In addition, however, the mode control
14 operates a double pole, double throw switch 83 in accordance
with the initiating signal 67,81. Thus, the mode control 68
16 controls the switch 83 to connect line 39 to line 73 and line
17 60 to line 75 during the alarm period (line 67 signal) or,
18 alternatively, line 60 to line 73 and line 39 to line 75 during
19 the sleep inducing period (switch 81).
In addition, the mode control 68 automatically produces a
21 signal on a line 184 which enables the multivibrators 35,37,49,51
22 during the alarm and sleep inducing modes. A switch 183 is
23 also provided for manually enabling the multivibrators 35,37,49,51.
24 The output of the inverting amplifier 77 and mode control 68
are additionally connected to an alarm and reset control 86 which
26 monitors the output voltage on line 75 and provides an output
27 signal on a line 87 when the alarm ramp signal has terminated.
28 m is signal on line 87 drives a speaker 96 to give an audible
29 alarm sound indicating that the alarm cycle is completed. The
speaker 96 assures that the operator wakes up.
31 Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the integrator 71 ramp
32
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.. ~ .
l signal, inverter 77 ramp signal, and the control of the
2 multivibrators 35, 37, 49, and 51 in response ~o these
3 siynals will be described. Figure 6 shows the alarm
4 sequence, that is, the sequence normally utilized in the
morning to slowly wake the operator prior to the energization
6 of the audio speaker 96. It will be seen that, during a
7 predetermined time period, the output of the integrator 71
8 is a linearly decreasing ramp signal while the output of the
9 inverting a~plifier 77 is a linearly increasing ramp signal.
The rates of change of these signals in Figures 6 and 7 are
ll greatly exaggerated to ease understanding, the transitions
12 actually occurring over an extended period of time, for example,
13 l/2 hour.
14 The multivibrators 35 and 37 respond to the ramp signal
from the integrator 71 by producing an output frequency which
16 increases linearly with time. The multivibrators 49 and 51
17 simultaneously xespond to the output from the inverting
18 amplifier 77 by producing a linearly increasing amplitude signal.
l9 Thus, during this alarm period, both the frequency and the
amplitude of vibration are linearly increased until they
21 reach the levels preset by resistors 41, 43, 52, and S4. -~his
22 increasing frequency and amplitude slowly brings the user
23 from a subconscious sleep level to a level of heightened
24 awareness, at the end of which the alarm 96 sounds, finally ~
waking the operator.
26 As shown in Figure 7, when the sleep switch 81 is closed,
27 the output of the integrator 71 and the inverting amplifiers
28 77 are identical to that shown in Figure 6. In this case,
29 however, the interconnections are reversed by the double
3 ~ pole, doub throw cwitch 83, so that the integrator 71
1 controls the multivibrators 49 and 51 and the inverting amplifier
2 77 controls the multivibrators 35 and 37. The result of this
3 switching is that the fre~uency as well as the amplitude of the
4 output signal from the monostable multivibrators 49,51 are redu^ed
from the value preset by resistors 41, 43, 52, and 54 to a very
6 low frequency, low amplitude level, slowly bringing the operator
7 from a level of heightened awareness to a level of relatively
8 deep sleep.
9 It will-be seen that by altering the values of resistors
41 and 43, interference waves can be generated during the sleep
11 and alarm phases of operation as may be desired. The present
12 circuit thus permits a very unique system for producing time
13 variations in the frequency and amplitude of vibration to lull
14 the user to sleep ox to slowly waken him as desired.
Referring now to Figure 8, the detailed circuitry,
16 represented in block form in Figure 3, will be described.
17 A power supply 101 supplies a V+ voltage on output line
18 103 which is referenced to an output neutral or ground line
19 105. This voltage is produced by a stepping transformer 107,
the secondary of which is connected in series with a filtering
21 capacitor 111 and rectifying diode 180, which is used, together
22 with resistor 115 and reference diode 113 for controlling a
23 regulating transistor 117 to provide the desired voltage. In
24 addition, the power supply 101 provides filtered driving current
for the vibrators 17,19 by connecting a capacitor 121 and
26 rectifying diode 178 in series with the 60-cycle source. A pair
~7 of output lines 105,119 are connected in shunt with the filter
28 capacitor 121 and a bleeder resistor 123.
29 The astable multivibrators 35 and 37 are identical in
construction and thus only the multivibrator 35 will be described.
31 This multivibrator uses an integrated circuit 124 commonly
32 available in the art under standardized part number NE555 (or
-10-
3~ 7i~;~
1 others). Pin 8 of this integrated circuit is connected to line
2 103 and pin 1 thereof is connected to line 105 for powering the
3 integrated circuit. Fixed resistors 125 and 127, along with
4 variable resistor 41 and capacitor 131, all connected in series
between lines 103 and 105, are connected at their junctions to
6 pins 2, 6, and 7 of the integrated circuit 124. These components
7 125, 127, 41, and 131 control the frequency of the astable
8 multivibrator configured integrated circuit 124 in the absence
9 of a voltage control signal on pin 5.
Pin 4 of the integrated circuit 124 is connected to line
11 184 for enabling (when a signal is present on line 184) or
12 disabling (when no signal is present) the integrated circuit 124.
13 Line 39, previously mentionèd, is connected to pin 5 of
14 the astable multivibrator 124 and will alter the bias on pins
2, 6, and 7 to set the free running frequency of the multivibrator
16 124 when a voltage i8 present. As the voltage on line 39 increase ,
17 the frequency of the integrated circuit 124 will decrease.
18 As previously mentioned, the output at pin 3, line 135, is
19 a square wave, the frequency of which is controlled by the
variable resistor 41 or the voltage on line 35, is the latter is
21 above ground level, that is, the level on line 105.
22 Each of the output lines 135 of the multivibrators 35
23 and 37 are connected to a balance indicator light 137, -
24 comprising a resistor 139, diode 141, and light emitting
diode 143 connected in series between these outputs. The
26 light emitting diode 143 is mounted on the front panel of
27 the circuit chassis and is illuminated to show maximum
28 intensity in a cyclicly changing pattern, the frequency of
29 which is equal to the difference frequency between the
~0 astable multivibrators 35 and 37. As previously mentioned,
31 this difference in frequency is the interference wave
32 frequency within the waterbed and the light emitting diode
l~'gl~3
1 143 makes it easy for the user to adjust the frequencies of
2 the multivibrators 35 and 37 to provide a desired differen~e
3 frequency.
4 The outputs of each of the astable multivibrators on
lines 135 are additionally connected to the inputs of the
6 monostable multivibrators 49 and 51. These multivibrators are
7 also identical in construction, thus only multivibrator 49 will
8 be described. This multivibrator is also built around an -
9 NE555 integrated circuit 147, including pin 8, connected
to line 103 and pin 1 connected to line 105 for supplying
11 power to the circuit. The output on line 135 from the
12 astable multivibrator 35 is connected to the input at pin 2
13 of the integrated circuit 147 through a pulse shaping
14 capacitor 45. The capacitor 45 produces negative going
pulses at the trailing edge of the output square wave on
16 line 135 for triggering the multivibrator 49. The input on
17 pin 2 of the integrated circuit 147 is responsive only to the
18 negative going pulses, such that the frequency of the integrated
19 circuit 147, but not its pulse duration, is identical to the
frequency of the signal on line 135.
21 Pins 6 and 7 of the integrated circuit 147 are each connected
22 at the ~unction of the variable resistor 52 and capacitor 151
23 which are, in turn, connected in series with a fixed resistor
24 153 between the V+ line 103 and ground 105. The variable
resistor 52 sets the pulse duration of the monostable
26 multivibrator 49 and thus the intensity of vibration caused
27 by the water~ed vibrator. It can be seen, therefore, that the
28 resistor 52r in setting the pulse duration, changes the
29 vibration amplitude independent of the frequency, which is determin ~d
by the re9istor 41 or the signal on line 39.
31 A voltage control signal on line 60 is connected to pin
32 5 of the integrated circuit 147 and alters the pulse duration
12-
.
- . - : .
1 siynal at pin 6, if it is enabled. As the voltage on line 60
2 increases, the pulse width of ~he monostable multivibrator 49
3 increases, that is, the time period during which the output
4 voltaye is high is increased. The output at pin 3, line 153, is
thus a rectangular wave, the frequency of which is determined
6 by the astable multivibrator integrated circuit 124 and the
7 pulse duration of which is determined by the monostable
8 multivibrator integrated circuit 147. As with the astable
9 multivibrator, a signal supplied to pin 4 from line 184 enables
or disables the monostable multivibrator 49.
~1 The outputs of the monostable multivibrators 49 and 51 are
12 connected through bias resistors 155 to driver amplifiers 61
13 and 63. These amplifiers are identical in construction and
14 only the amplifier 61 will be described. The amplifier 61
includes a transistor 157 which is operated as a switch, that
16 i5, either totally cut off or saturated. When the output on
17 line 153 is at ground level, the transistor 157 is cut off.
18 When the output on line 153 is high, the transistor 157 is -
19 saturated and thus conductive. When conductive, the voltage
on lines 119 and 105 appears across the vibrator or transducer
21 17 and the current through the vibrator 17 increases until
22 limited by the resistance of the vibrator. When the transistor
23 157 cuts off, the inductance of the vibrator 17 is prohibited
24 from damaging the transistor 157 by a shunting diode 159 in typical
fashion. The vibrator 19 is operated in an identical fashion
26 from the driver amplifier 63.
27 Turning now to the control circuitry used for operating
28 this vibrator circuit, a digital clock 65, in the form of
29 an integrated circuit chip, readily available on the market,
is supplied with operating voltages from lines 103 and 105
31 and provides, at a time set by the operator, an alarm signal
32
- on line 67. An alarm reset lnput on line 163 responds to
2 negative going pulse signals to reset the alarm circuit of
3 the clock 65. The line 163 is normally clamped through a
resistor 165 to the voltage on line 103.
Signals on the line 67, indicating that the alarm time has
6 been reached, set a pair of flip-flops 69 and 79 which form a
7 part of the mode control 68. A diode 167 prevents the signal
8 from attempting to both set and reset the flip-flop 79 at the
9 same time. The flip-flop 69 is used to cycle the vibrators,
whereas the flip-flop 79 determines the direction of cycling,
11 that is, whether the vibrator circuit is being used to induce
12 sleep in the operator or to wake the operator up slowly. When
13 the flip-flop 79 is set by the signal on line 67, the set state
1~ indicates a wake up phase. Alternatively, when the flip-flop
79 is reset by a manual closure of the switch 81~ the sleep
16 switch, the sleep inducing cycle of the vibrator will begin.
17 Note that a diode 167 sets the flip-flop 69 in response to the
18 switch 81 so that the flip-flop 69 is set for either the sleep
19 or wake up mode. The output o the flip-flop 69 is connected
to the integrator 71, the output of which is at ground potential
21 until the flip-flop 69 is set. At that time the output on line
22 73 changes linearly from a high potential, the potential on lina
23 103, to ground level, the potential on line 105. The inverting
24 amplifier output is opposite that of the integrator 71, that
is, when the flip-flop 69 is set, the output on line 75 changes
26 linearly from ground potential, the potential of line 105, to a
27 positive voltage potential, that of line 103. Each of these
28 outputs on lines 73 and 75 are applied to the double pole,
29 double throw solid state switch 83, a commonly available
integrated circuit.
51 When the flip-flop 79 is set by the alarm on line 67,
32 and when the flip-1Op 69 i5 set, a signal on line 169 will
1 ¦ close a double pole, single throw solid state switch 171
2 ¦ to conduct the set voltages from the Q and Q o~tputs from the
3 ¦ f)ip-flop 79 to the switch control inputs of the double pole,
¦ double throw integrated circuit switch 83. Alternatively, when
the sleep switch 81 has been closed so that the flip-~lop 79
6 is reset, but the flip-flop 69 is set, the signal on line
169 will close the double pole, single throw solid state
8 switch 171 to connect the reset voltages from the Q and Q
9 outputs of the flip-flop 79 to the switch 83. The double
pole, double throw intègrated switch 83 is controlled by
11 the outputs from switch 171 o~ lines 173 and 175, such that if
12 the flip-flop 79 is set, indicating a wake up sequence, the
13 negative going ramp signal from the integrator 71 will be
14 connected to output 177 of the switch 83, line 39, for controlling
the astable multivibrators. At the same time, the positive going
16 ramp signal on line 75 will be connected at output 179, line 60,
17 o~ the switch 83 for controlling the monostable multivibrators.
18 Alternatively, when the flip-flop 79 is reset indicating
19 a sleep inducing phase, the output of the integrator 71
will be conducted by the switch 83 to the monostable
21 multivibrator on line 60, whereas the output of the
22 inverting amplifier 77 will be connected to the astable
23 multivibrators on line 39. The state of the flip-flop 79
24 in conjunction with the switch 83 thus conducts the output
of the integrator 71 and inverting amplifier 77 to the
26 multivibrators so that the astable multivibrator and the
27 monostable multivibrator in each half of the driving circuit
28 receive a ramp signal going in opposite directions. During
29 the wake up phase the vibrators begin at low frequency,
low amplitude and cycle slowly to high frequency, high amplitude.
31
32
.. .- ,, . : . -.: . -
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.
~ i3
1 Th.is operation is reversed when flip-flop 79 is reset, that
2 i~, the vibrators begin at high frequency, high intensity
3 and cycle slowly to low frequency, low intensity.
When the end of the cycle is reached, flip~flop 69 is
5 reset by a signal produced by the alarm reset and control . .
6 circuit 86. Specifically, a comparator 85 produces an output
~ voltage signal when the negative going ramp signal from the
8 integrator 71 reaches the level of voltage on line 105. The
9 output 87 of this comparator 85 is ANDed with the Q output of
the flip-flop 79 (indicating wake up rather than sleep phase)
11 in an AND gate 181, enabling a gate circuit 90 t~ energize an
12 audio oscillator 94. A reset switch 92 resets the gate 90, when
~3 closed by the operator, to disable the audio oscillator 94.
14 The oscillator is in turn connected to speaker 96 to awaken
the user. Also, upon resetting flip-flop 69, line 169 opens
16 the switch 171, which in turn opens the switch 83, thereby
17 removing all control voltages from lines 39 and 60. In addition,
18 line 169 disables a gate 182 (if switch 183 is open). ~he
19 gate 182 then produces a signal on line 184 to disable. all
multivibrators 35,37,49,51. If the operator wishes to
21 manually turn on the vibrator system.without using the alarm
22 circuit, he closes switch lB3, which enables the gate 182 to
23 produce a signal on line 184, enabling multivibrators 35,37,
24 49,51 regardless of the state of the flip-flop 69.
From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the
26 present circuit, in addition to permitting totally flexible
27 control of both amplitude and frequency of a pair of vibrators
28 adapted for connection to a piece of furniture such as a
29 waterbed, will slowly phase the amplitude and frequency to
31 pxoduce a wake up and sleep mode. During the w~ke up mode, the
32 -1.6- . .
~ 4 3
1 amplitude and frequency star-t at low levels and are gradually
2 increased to heighten the awareness of the individual before an
3 audible alarm sounds. During the sleep phase, the frequency
and amplitude begin at a high level and are slowly reduced to
i ce a res~ful sta~ in 'he us-r.
20 ~
2a , .
26 .
28
29 .
JB~:pb 30
32 -17-
`': - ' ' ' ' :
