# US 10,765,831 B1 · Traumatic nightmare detection and intervention > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,831 B1 - Document ID: US10765831B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/713,313 - Filed: 2017-09-22 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-23 - Assignees: Nightware, Inc. - Applicants: NightWare, Inc. - Inventors: Tyler Skluzacek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765831B1 ## CPC - A61B 5/02438: {with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient} - A61M 21/02: for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia (for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021) - A61B 5/0205: Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition - A61B 5/1118: {Determining activity level} - A61B 5/165: {Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety} - A61B 5/4815: {Sleep quality} - A61B 5/4836: {Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods (A61B5/0036 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/681: {Wristwatch-type devices} - G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture - G16H 20/70: relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training - G16H 40/63: for local operation - G16H 40/67: for remote operation - A61B 5/024: Measuring pulse rate or heart rate - A61B 5/11: Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb {(A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721)} - A61B 2562/0219: Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches - A61M 2021/0022: {by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations} - A61M 2021/0027: {by the hearing sense} - A61M 2021/0044: {by the sight sense} - A61M 2021/0083: {especially for waking up} - A61M 2205/3303: Using a biosensor - A61M 2205/332: Force measuring means - A61M 2205/3375: Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means - A61M 2205/3592: using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission - A61M 2205/505: Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches - A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient - A61M 2209/088: on the body - A61M 2230/06: Heartbeat rate only - A61M 2230/205: partial oxygen pressure (P-O2) - A61M 2230/50: Temperature - A61M 2230/63: Motion, e.g. physical activity - A61M 2230/65: Impedance, e.g. conductivity, capacity - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract The present disclosure, in one embodiment, is a computer-implemented method for the detection of and intervention in traumatic nightmares. In one embodiment, a user wears a watch wirelessly connected to a phone. The watch may include an accelerometer, gyroscope, and heartrate monitor. The application may monitor these sensors and intervene with haptic feedback if the application detects a traumatic nightmare. In one embodiment, the application may include a monitoring module that collects data from the watch's accelerometer, gyroscope, and heartrate sensors. The application may then estimate and record stress levels based on these sensors. The application may also include an intervention module that responds to high stress levels with haptic feedback that increases in intensity of previous efforts to intervene were unsuccessful. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of detecting and intervening in traumatic nightmares, the method comprising: monitoring a user by collecting data from at least two of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a heartrate sensor of at least one device worn by the user; determining average values for each of the at least two of the accelerometer, gyroscope, or heartrate sensor over a first period of time and detecting traumatic nightmares or precursors thereof based on a combination of the average values; and causing an intervention based upon detection of a traumatic nightmare or precursor thereof; wherein detecting traumatic nightmares or precursors thereof based on a combination of the average values comprises averaging combinations of the average values over a second period of time greater than the first period of time; and wherein average values for each of the at least two of the accelerometer, gyroscope, or heartrate sensor are determined over a plurality of first periods of time, and the average values corresponding to the plurality of first periods of time are averaged over the second period of time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one device worn by the user comprises a watch, armband, or chest band. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the combination of the average values corresponds to an estimate of stress of the user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first periods of time are each about one minute, and the second period of time is about five minutes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring a user by collecting data comprises collecting data from each of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a heartrate sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the combination of the average values comprises a stress magnitude value calculated using an equation: s = 0.125 ⁢ a 2 + 0.125 ⁢ g 2 + h 2 1 . 6 ⁢ 1 ⁢ 2 ⁢ 5 wherein s is the stress magnitude value, a is the average value of the accelerometer over the first period of time, g is the average value of the gyroscope over the first period of time, and h is the average value of the heartrate sensor over the first period of time. ### Claim 7 A method of detecting traumatic nightmares, the method comprising: monitoring a user by collecting data from at least two of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a heartrate sensor of at least one device worn by the user; and determining average values for each of the at least two of the accelerometer, gyroscope, or heartrate sensor over a first period of time and detecting traumatic nightmares or precursors thereof based on a combination of the average values; wherein detecting traumatic nightmares or precursors thereof based on a combination of the average values comprises averaging combinations of the average values over a second period of time greater than the first period of time. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein monitoring a user by collecting data comprises collecting data from each of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a heartrate sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the combination of the average values comprises a stress magnitude value calculated using an equation: s = 0.125 ⁢ a 2 + 0.125 ⁢ g 2 + h 2 1 . 6 ⁢ 1 ⁢ 2 ⁢ 5 wherein s is the stress magnitude value, a is the average value of the accelerometer over the first period of time, g is the average value of the gyroscope over the first period of time, and h is the average value of the heartrate sensor over the first period of time. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein average values for each of the at least two of the accelerometer, gyroscope, and heartrate sensor are determined over a plurality of first periods of time, and the average values corresponding to the plurality of first periods of time are averaged over the second period of time. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising causing an intervention based upon detection of a traumatic nightmare or precursor thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the combination of the average values corresponds to an estimate of stress of the user. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the estimate of stress is compared to a plurality of prior stress estimates for the user, and wherein causing an intervention comprises causing an intervention if the estimate of stress is above a specified percentile of the prior stress estimates. ### Claim 14 A method of detecting and intervening in traumatic nightmares, the method comprising: monitoring a user by collecting data from at least two of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a heartrate sensor of at least one device worn by the user; determining average values for each of the at least two of the accelerometer, gyroscope, or heartrate sensor over a first period of time and detecting traumatic nightmares or precursors thereof based on a combination of the average values; detecting a plurality of traumatic nightmares or precursors thereof of the user over a second period of time; and causing an intervention based upon detection of a traumatic nightmare or precursor thereof, wherein causing an intervention comprises causing at least one of vibration, light, or sound from the at least one device worn by the user. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one of vibration, light, or sound increases in intensity between at least two of the plurality of traumatic nightmares or precursors thereof of the user detected over the second period of time. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein a first intensity of the at least one of vibration, light, or sound is configured to arouse, but not awaken, the user. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein at least one other intensity of the at least one of vibration, light, or sound is configured to awaken the user. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein there is a minimum duration between interventions.