U.S. patent application number 17/653171 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-08 for artificial heartbeat generator device with automatic control system.
The applicant listed for this patent is James F. MacKay. Invention is credited to James F. MacKay.
Application Number | 20220280879 17/653171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006549554 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220280879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MacKay; James F. |
September 8, 2022 |
ARTIFICIAL HEARTBEAT GENERATOR DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC CONTROL
SYSTEM
Abstract
A heartbeat or pulse generator device is provided separately for
use in or in combination with a comfort product such as a plush
toy. The heartbeat generator device includes an automatic control
system that provides for controlled operation of the heartbeat
generator while compensating for natural movements during use. The
heartbeat generator device contains a pulse generator to create the
motion necessary to cause the heart to "beat" twice early in a beat
interval. The heartbeat generator device to increase battery
longevity by allowing the generator device to selectively shut off
when it senses that the animal or other user is no longer
interacting with the product. As the animal interacts, the emulated
heartbeat continues. When the animal stops interacting for a period
of time, the heartbeat will stop, and battery life is preserved.
The heart will restart when motion is detected once again. Further,
the improved device contains a sensor and control system that can
sense physical movement of the heartbeat generator device while at
the same time compensating for the physical movement it is itself
creating with the motor to emulate a heartbeat.
Inventors: |
MacKay; James F.;
(Brimingham, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MacKay; James F. |
Brimingham |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006549554 |
Appl. No.: |
17/653171 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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63155347 |
Mar 2, 2021 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/001 20130101;
A63H 3/02 20130101; A01K 15/025 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/00 20060101
A63H003/00; A63H 3/02 20060101 A63H003/02; A01K 15/02 20060101
A01K015/02 |
Claims
1. A heartbeat generator device for a comfort product, comprising:
a pulse generator for generating pulsed beats emulating a heartbeat
during a beat interval, each said beat interval comprising an
initial beat segment wherein said pulse generator generates at
least one pulsed beat and a rest segment following said beat
segment wherein said pulse generator discontinues generating said
beat pulses; a battery for powering said pulse generator; a control
module comprising a controller circuit operatively connected to
said pulse generator to generate said pulsed beats during each said
beat segment and discontinuing said pulsed beats during each said
rest segment, wherein said controller circuit is configured to
continue operation of said pulse generator over successive beat
intervals repeated one after the other for a time period to emulate
a heartbeat; a sensor for detecting movement of the comfort product
and generating sensor signals communicated to said control module
in response to said movement, said sensor signals comprising beat
signals generated upon detection of said pulsed beats by said pulse
generator, rest signals during said rest segment which are lower
than said beat signals, and movement signals different from said
beat signals and rest signals in response to movement of said
comfort product during said beat interval, said controller circuit
continuing said pulsed beats during an extended time period upon
each detection of said movement signals to continue generating
heartbeats during movement of said heartbeat generator device by
external movements generated by a user.
2. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 1 wherein said
pulse generator comprises an intermittent motor and unbalanced
weight to create a physical motion emulating a heartbeat, wherein
said physical motion serves as said pulsed beat.
3. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 2, wherein
said pulse generator generates at least two beat pulses during said
beat segment of said beat interval emulating a heartbeat.
4. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 1, wherein
said controller circuit discontinues said pulsed beats in the
absence of movement signals transmitted during said time period to
preserve battery power.
5. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 4, wherein
said controller circuit continues said pulsed beat by extending
said time period upon each detection of said movement signals.
6. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 1, wherein the
controller circuit monitors said sensor signals including said beat
signals and said rest signals over a plurality of said beat
intervals and generates an average signal level for each of said
beat segments and said rest segments to compensate for fluctuations
in said beat signals and said rest signals.
7. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 6, wherein
said controller circuit compares a magnitude of said sensor signals
to differentiate said movement signals from said beat signals and
said rest signals, wherein said movement signals are substantially
greater than said beat signals and said rest signals.
8. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 4, wherein
said controller circuit starts said pulse generator when stopped
after detecting a said movement signal, and continues said pulsed
beats by extending said time period upon each detection of said
movement signals after starting of said pulse generator.
9. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 8, wherein
said controller circuit discontinues said pulsed beats at the end
of said time period when no movement is detected as indicated by
the absence of said movement signals for a defined period.
10. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 1, which is
provided in a plush comfort product for comforting a user by
mimicking a heartbeat.
11. A heartbeat generator device for a comfort product, comprising:
a pulse generator for generating pulsed beats emulating a heartbeat
during a beat interval, each said beat interval comprising an
initial beat segment wherein said pulse generator generates at
least one pulsed beat and a rest segment following said beat
segment wherein said pulse generator discontinues generating said
beat pulses; a battery for powering said heartbeat generator
device; a control module comprising a controller circuit
operatively connected to said pulse generator to generate said
pulsed beats during each said beat segment and discontinuing said
pulsed beats during each said rest segment, wherein said controller
circuit is configured to continue operation of said pulse generator
over successive beat intervals repeated one after the other for a
time period; a sensor for detecting movement of the comfort product
and communicating sensor signals to said control module in response
to said movement, said sensor signals comprising beat signals
generated upon detection of said pulsed beats by said pulse
generator, rest signals during said rest segment which are lower
than said beat signals, and movement signals different from said
beat signals and rest signals in response to movement of said
comfort product during said beat interval, wherein said controller
circuit monitors said sensor signals including said beat signals
and said rest signals over a plurality of said beat intervals and
generates an average signal level for each of said beat signals and
said rest signals to compensate for fluctuations in said beat
signals and said rest signals.
12. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 11, wherein
said controller circuit compares a magnitude of said sensor signals
to differentiate said movement signals from said beat signals and
said rest signals, wherein said movement signals are substantially
greater than said beat signals and said rest signals.
13. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 12, wherein
said controller circuit discontinues said pulsed beats at the end
of said time period when no movement is detected to increase
battery longevity by allowing said heartbeat generator device to
selectively shut off when it senses that a user is no longer
interacting with said heartbeat generator device.
14. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 13, which is
provided in a plush comfort product for comforting a user by
emulating a heartbeat.
15. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 11, wherein
said pulse generator comprises an intermittent motor and unbalanced
weight to create a physical motion emulating a heartbeat, wherein
said physical motion serves as said pulsed beat.
16. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 15, wherein
said pulse generator generates at least two beat pulses during said
beat segment of said beat interval mimicking a heartbeat.
17. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 11, wherein
said controller circuit discontinues said pulsed beats in the
absence of movement signals transmitted during said time
period.
18. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 17, wherein
said controller circuit continues said pulsed beat by extending
said time period upon each detection of said movement signals.
19. The heartbeat generator device according to claim 11, wherein
said controller circuit continues said pulsed beat by extending
said time period upon each detection of said movement signals.
20. A heartbeat generator device for a comfort product, comprising:
a pulse generator for generating pulsed beats emulating a heartbeat
during a beat interval, each said beat interval comprising an
initial beat segment wherein said pulse generator generates at
least one pulsed beat and a rest segment following said beat
segment wherein said pulse generator discontinues generating said
beat pulses; a battery for powering said heartbeat generator
device; a control module comprising a controller circuit
operatively connected to said pulse generator to generate said
pulsed beats during each said beat segment and discontinuing said
pulsed beats during each said rest segment, wherein said controller
circuit is configured to continue operation of said pulse generator
over successive beat intervals repeated one after the other for a
time period; a sensor for detecting movement of the comfort product
and communicating sensor signals to said control module in response
to said movement, said sensor signals comprising beat signals
generated upon detection of said pulsed beats by said pulse
generator, rest signals during said rest segment which are lower
than said beat signals, and movement signals different from said
beat signals and rest signals in response to movement of said
comfort product during said beat interval, wherein said controller
circuit monitors said sensor signals including said beat signals
and said rest signals over a plurality of said beat intervals and
generates an average signal level for each of said beat signals and
said rest signals to compensate for fluctuations in said beat
signals and said rest signals; said controller circuit being
configured to compare a magnitude of said sensor signals to
differentiate said movement signals from said beat signals and said
rest signals, wherein said movement signals are substantially
greater than said beat signals and said rest signals, and said
controller circuit being further configured to discontinue said
pulsed beats at the end of said time period when no movement is
detected to increase battery longevity by allowing said heartbeat
generator device to selectively shut off when it senses that a user
is no longer interacting with said heartbeat generator device, and
configured to continue said pulsed beat by extending said time
period upon each detection of said movement signals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a completion application of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/155,347, filed Mar. 2, 2021,
the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to an artificial heartbeat generator
typically provided in plush toys to simulate a heartbeat and
provide a calming effect to an animal such as a pet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Artificial heartbeat generators that physically pulse or
"beat" are used in pet calming products to emulate another member
of the pack. The heart is a heartbeat generator that is placed
inside a plush toy and given to the pet. These products are
particularly useful to counteract the effects of separation anxiety
when an animal is removed from the litter. The animal instinctively
desires to be near the artificial littermate and nudges, snuggles
or lays on top of it. Known heartbeat generators can generate a
steady, consistent pulse of heartbeats where each heartbeat can
comprise a heartbeat pulse followed by a rest period before the
next heartbeat pulse.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
artificial heartbeat generator.
[0005] The present invention relates to an improved heartbeat or
pulse generator device provided separately for use in or in
combination with a comfort product such as a plush toy, wherein the
heartbeat generator device includes an automatic control system
that provides for controlled operation of the heartbeat generator
while compensating for natural movements during use. The heartbeat
generator device contains a motor and unbalanced weight to create
the motion necessary to cause the heart to "beat" twice early in a
beat interval that preferably is a one second interval. Claimed and
disclosed herein is an improvement to the heartbeat generator
device to increase battery longevity by allowing the generator
device to selectively shut off when it senses that the animal or
other user is no longer interacting with the product. As the animal
interacts, the emulated heartbeat continues. When the animal stops
interacting for a period of time, the heartbeat will stop, and
battery life is preserved. The heart will restart when motion is
detected once again.
[0006] Further, the improved device contains a sensor and control
system that can sense physical movement of the heartbeat generator
device while at the same time compensating for the physical
movement it is itself creating with the motor to emulate a
heartbeat. In particular, the heartbeat generator device can sense
both the natural heartbeat pulses created by the generator device
while sensing and compensating for additional vibrations or
movements generated independently of the heartbeat generator device
such as by animals or other users or other external influences.
[0007] In one embodiment, the sensor detects movement and
vibrations by opening and closing a mechanical switch. When at
rest, the switch remains closed. When movement occurs, the switch
opens and generates a signal indicating movement of the product,
whether cause by the heartbeat generator or by independent
movements from external influences. When the heart is mechanically
"beating", the signal from the sensor is extremely noisy. The noise
tapers off during the rest portion of the beat but will not
completely settle to a closed state. The control system
automatically compensates for noise by dividing the beat time into
the beat half and the rest half. The average level of noise is
recorded for each half and compared to prior cycle averages. When
the most recent levels are significantly greater than the average
of prior beats, the system records a motion event and extends the
overall time the heart will run. As a safety measure, if motion
persists for an extended period of time the control system enters a
fallback mode and will pause the beats and await motion before
continuing.
[0008] Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations
thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification
and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heartbeat generator device
positioned within a comfort product such as a plush toy formed in
the anatomical shape of a dog.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows the plush toy in use with a live animal.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a plush toy having an alternate shape in use
with a young child.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heartbeat generator
device from a rear side thereof.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the heartbeat
generator device with a battery cover and batteries in a removed
position.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a front side of the heartbeat
generator device.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the heartbeat generator device with
a battery cover removed.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows the heartbeat generator device with a lower
casing removed.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows the heartbeat generator device of FIG. 8 with a
pulse generator removed therefrom for clarity of illustration.
[0018] Certain terminology will be used in the following
description for convenience and reference only, and will not be
limiting. For example, the words "upwardly", "downwardly",
"rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will refer to directions in the
drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and
"outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away from,
respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement and
designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words
specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar
import.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Generally referring to the figures and the following
disclosure, artificial hearts that physically pulse or "beat" are
used in pet calming products to emulate another member of the pack,
litter or household. The artificial hearts are particularly useful
for young animals but are not so limited to young animals since the
pet calming product may help with separation anxiety for any
animal. The artificial heart is placed inside a plush toy or other
comfort product and given to a pet. These products are particularly
useful to counteract the effects of separation anxiety when an
animal is removed from the litter. In use, the animal instinctively
desires to be near the artificial littermate and nudges, snuggles
or lays on top of it.
[0020] In more detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a comfort product 10
preferably in the form of a stuffed or plush toy for use with
animals such as household pets. The comfort product 10 may also be
configured for use with other product users such as young infants.
In the illustrated embodiment, the comfort product is provided with
an anatomical form such as the form of a dog in FIG. 1. FIG. 1
illustrates a view of the back 12 of the animal lying on its belly.
The anatomical form of the toy animal could be other than that of a
dog, such as in the shape of a cat/kitten or other animal, or the
comfort product 10 may be provided in a non-anatomical form such as
a mattress or pillow that an animal to be calmed or soothed lies
against. FIG. 3 shows a comfort product 10-1 in the anatomical
shape of a small human-like baby.
[0021] In the embodiment shown, the comfort products 10 has an
exterior surface 14 that is typically soft and forms an interior
that is filled with a plush material such as a soft microfiber or
like filler material. The filler material is selected to be soft,
compliant, and adapted to form an inviting structure for the animal
or other product user to rest against. Illustrative fillers would
include the polymeric foam filler materials such as used in
sleeping pillows. Preferably, the filler material is formed with an
accessible pouch or chamber or cavity 16 as indicated in phantom
outline in FIG. 1 in which a heartbeat generator device 18 may be
inserted. Preferably, the exterior surface 14 is provided with an
opening provides access into the accessible pouch 16, wherein a
central opening may be formed on the bottom of the comfort product
10 and may have closures such as flaps secured by Velcro or other
fasteners that are releasable to permit insertion of the heartbeat
generator device 18 into the accessible pouch 16. This allows for
insertion of the heartbeat generator device 18 into and out of the
accessible pouch 16 such as during battery replacement. The
closures are fastenable to secure the generator device 18 therein
when the comfort product 10 is in use. While Velcro can serve as
one type of fastener, other fasteners include straps, snaps and
zippers.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heartbeat generator device
18 serves as a vibratory or periodic pulse generator that is
removably placed in the pouch 16. The heartbeat generator device 18
is adapted to generate rhythmic soothing acoustic sounds that
simulate the heartbeat of a live being such as an animal 20. As
seen in FIG. 2, the comfort product 10 may be provided to the
animal 20 to emulate the heartbeat of another live being such as
that of the animal's mother, littermate or even housemate, and to
transmit the heartbeat pulses to the animal 20 when lying against
the body of the comfort product 10. As seen in FIG. 3, the present
invention is preferably used to comfort animals but may be used
with infants 22, who also may be comforted by the feeling of a
heartbeat in a comfort product, wherein the illustrated comfort
product 10-1 has a more human form. In this alternate anatomical
form, the heartbeat generator device 18 is still provided within an
internal pouch 16-1. The heartbeat generator device 18 can also be
stored within a mattress or pillow having a non-anatomical shape.
Therefore, the present invention is directed to the heartbeat
generator device 18 either by itself or as part of the comfort
product 10 or 10-1 that may be provided in both anatomical and
non-anatomical forms.
[0023] In more detail as to the heartbeat generator device 18, the
heartbeat generator device 18 Has a main body 24, which may be in
the shape of a heart, but is not limited to this specific shape.
The appearance of the body 24 can be changed according to the
user's preference or needs, and can be circular or rectangular or
geometric or any other shape. The body 24 has an upper casing 26
and a lower casing 28, which may be fastened together such as a by
a screw 29 or the like inserted into fastener bores 29A and 29B
formed in the upper and lower casings 26 and 28. The lower casing
28 may be formed with a battery compartment 30 enclosed by a
battery cover 31 that is removably held in place by a fastener 32
such as a screw, snap lock or the like. The battery compartment 30
includes one or more removable batteries 33 for powering the
heartbeat generation system.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, the upper casing 26 may include a power
or control button 34 for selectively activating and deactivating
the heartbeat generator device 18. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the
upper casing 27 normally encloses or covers the interior side of
the lower casing 28 but also is removable by removing the fastener
29 to expose the interior of the lower casing 28.
[0025] As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower casing 28 is formed with
the rectangular side walls 35 that form the battery compartment 30.
The ends of the side walls 35 may include battery contacts 36 that
electrically connect to a control module 37 mounted internally
within the upper and lower casings 26 and 28. The control module 37
is thereby powered by through the battery contacts 36 and
associated power conductors and activated by the control button 34,
which also is operatively connected to the control module 37.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the control module 37 generally
comprises a controller circuit 40, which interconnects to a sensor
41 for detecting motion or movement of the comfort product 10. The
heartbeat generator device 18 further includes a pulse generator 42
comprising an intermittent motor and unbalanced weight to create
the motion necessary to cause the heart to "beat" twice early in a
defined beat interval mimicking a heartbeat such as a one second
interval. A one second beat interval is a preferred frequency that
comforts the emotions of the animal 20 or human 22, but the
invention is not limited thereto. In use, the beat interval can be
adjusted according to the user's needs, habits or preferences.
[0027] The beat interval comprises both an initial beat segment
wherein the pulse generator 42 generates at least one and
preferably two beat pulses like the vibration of a heartbeat, and a
rest segment following the beat segment wherein the pulse generator
42 no longer generates the beat pulse. Notably, there may be some
lower level vibrations during the rest segment in comparison to the
beat segment and such vibrations need not reach zero during the
rest segment. Rather, the invention encompasses the pattern wherein
the beat segment generates higher vibration levels due to the pulse
generator 42 in comparison to lower or zero vibration levels during
the rest segment. The periodic vibrations from the pulse generator
42 during the beat segment and rest segment are detected by the
sensor 41, which generates signals that are communicated to the
controller circuit 40 for storage and analysis.
[0028] The controller circuit 40 is able to receive signals from
the sensor 41 and store and analyze the signal data during
operation. The sensor 41 also is able to detect external movements
transmitted to the comfort product 10 such as external movements
caused by an animal or other product user during normal use. These
external movements detected by the sensor 41 may be pulses or
vibratory movements but generally have a greater magnitude than the
magnitude of the heartbeat pulses created by the pulse generator
42. Therefore, the sensor 41 detects a base level of internal
movements from the periodic beat pulses from the pulse generator 42
through both the beat segment and rest segment during each beat
interval and monitors the increases and decreases in magnitude of
these internal or base movements during successive beat intervals.
Where additional external movements are encountered through use or
movement of the comfort product 10 by a user or other external
influences, these additional external movements are also detected
by the sensor 41 and reflected in the sensor signals transmitted to
the controller circuit 40. Notably, these external movements are
typically transitory and non-necessarily uniform during use. In
comparison, the base, internal movements from the pulse generator
42 cycle higher and lower during the beat and rest segments and are
relatively uniform and repetitive. That being said, these base and
external movements are not necessarily precise due to the nature of
the comfort product 10 or 10-1 and the sensor signals may contain
significant noise or fluctuations in the signals.
[0029] The sensor 41 may have a variety of suitable configurations.
In one embodiment, the sensor 41 may be a moving ball type sensor,
which is commonly referenced as a SW-420 vibration sensor. This
sensor 41 is a high sensitivity non-directional vibration sensor.
In the preferred embodiment, when the control module 37 is stable,
the sensor circuit is turned on and the output is high to generate
a signal that indicates no or low movement. When movement or
vibration occurs, the sensor 41 may turn to an off state so as to
be briefly disconnected and output low to generate a signal that
indicates movement.
[0030] In this embodiment, the sensor 41 thereby detects movement
and vibrations by opening and closing a mechanical switch, which
may be a ball switch as found in the type of sensor disclosed
above. When at rest, the switch remains closed so that the high
output signal indicates no or low movement. When movement occurs,
the switch opens and the sensor 41 generates a signal indicating
movement of the comfort product 10, whether such movement is caused
by the heartbeat generator device 18 or independent movements from
external influences on the comfort device 10.
[0031] The heartbeat generator device 18 is also configured to
increase battery longevity by allowing the generator device 10 to
selectively shut off when it senses that the animal or other user
is no longer interacting with the comfort product 10. For example,
as the animal interacts, the emulated heartbeat continues by
repeating the beat interval successively through continued
operation of the heartbeat generator device 18. In more detail, the
controller circuit 40 continues to operate the pulse generator 42
so that the heartbeats continue in succession over time. The
controller circuit 40 may continue this cycle for a predefined time
period as measured by a timer or heartbeat cycle counter. During
this operational state, if the sensor 41 transmits a signal that
indicates that additional external movement is detected in addition
to the heartbeat vibrations, the controller circuit 40 will
register that the comfort product 10 is being moved by an animal or
person. This is assumed to indicated that the user is still in need
of comfort by the heartbeat vibrations so that the controller
circuit 40 will continue operation of the pulse generator 42 such
as by extending the predefined time period by an additional time
period. The extended time period may be the same as the predefined
time period or may be different than the initial predefined time
period.
[0032] In the alternative, the controller circuit 40 may track the
signals indicating external movements and the time between such
movement signals, and if no such signals are received during a
particular time period or a particular number of beat cycles, the
controller circuit 40 may determine that the comfort product 10 is
no longer in use or needed. This may occur if the product user,
such as an animal, has departed from or stopped using the comfort
device 10 or the user may have reached a comforted state such as
sleep.
[0033] When the animal or other user stops interacting with the
comfort device 10 for a period of time as indicated by the absence
of external movements detected by the sensor 41, the controller
circuit 40 will recognize the lack of movement over such period of
time and then discontinue operation of the pulse generator 42 such
that the pulse generator 42 will stop and battery life is
preserved. However, the sensor 41 will be triggered by subsequent
or restarted external product movements and signal the controller
circuit 40 by a movement signal that causes the controller circuit
40 to restart the pulse generator 42. As such, the heartbeat
generator device 18 will restart when motion is detected once
again, and as noted, this preserves battery life.
[0034] The control module 37 also compensates for the combination
of the internal movements generated by heartbeat vibrations and
external movements caused by external influences during use. As
disclosed above, the sensor 41 detects both internal movements and
external movements to generate heartbeat signals and movement
signals. Both the heartbeat signals and the movement signals
generated by the sensor 41 can be relatively "noisy" or have signal
fluctuations during actual use, but the inventive comfort device 10
is configured to compensate for such noise or signal
fluctuations.
[0035] In this regard, when the heartbeat generator device 18 is
mechanically "beating" or generating the vibratory pulse during the
initial beat segment, the heartbeat signal from the sensor 41 is a
relatively high signal that might exhibit significant noise or
signal fluctuations. The noise or signal fluctuations typically
taper off to a low signal during the rest portion of the beat
interval so as to periodically cycle higher and lower during the
beat and rest segments, but the heartbeat vibrations typically need
not completely settle to a closed state in the time allotted before
the next heartbeat pulse is generated by the heartbeat generator
device 18.
[0036] The control system or module 37 automatically compensates
for noise by dividing the total beat time or interval into the beat
half or segment and the rest half or segment, and monitors the
sensor signals during these segments of the total beat time
interval. The average level of the beat signal or rest signal is
calculated recorded for each half or segment, i.e., the beat
segment and rest segment, and compared to prior cycle averages for
these segments. This establishes baseline averages for the beat
segment and rest segment and allows signal fluctuations or noise to
be averaged out of the signal levels.
[0037] When the most recent movement levels are significantly
greater than the average of prior beats as detected by the sensor
41, the system records a motion event and extends the overall time
the heart will run as described above. As a safety measure, if
motion persists for an extended period of time, the control module
37 of the control system enters a fallback mode and will pause the
beats from the pulse generator 40 and await detection of additional
motion before continuing.
[0038] As described above, the improved heartbeat generator device
18 contains a sensor and control system that can sense physical
movement of the heart device 18 while at the same time compensating
for the physical movement it is itself creating with the motor of
the pulse generator 40 to emulate a heartbeat.
[0039] Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention
have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be
recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed
apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *