F-Light Bed & F-Light Pillows, 1999
F-LIGHT BED & F-LIGHT PILLOWS © are new concepts in programmable Illuminating sleeping equipment, both designed to guide and control it’s users circadian rhythms and dreams sequences. These cots and pillows apply a uniquely designed “intelligent” fabric, woven from two state -of –the-art materials; LiveWire, a electro-luminescent filament and Vectran, a liquid crystal polymer fiber. This “intelligent” fabric is programmed by timer and micro processor to illuminate and cycle with variable sequences, speeds, and intensities. These appliances have two principle modes of operation; Circadian Programming and Dream Sequencing, allow for these designs to have a broad array of applications in the field of sleep research.
The Circadian Programming mode is designed to help the sleeping subject gain control of their circadian rhythm. A subject’s circadian rhythm dictates when their body is either active or at rest. Daily sleeping schedules are generally dictated by the solar day. However, Airforce pilots, Astronauts and Intercontinental travelers, are often set out of sync with the solar day by routine time zone changes. The re-alignment and or correction of the circadian rhythm is most efficiently achieved through scheduled and controlled exposure to light.
When utilizing the circadian programming mode, The LIGHT BED or FLIGHT PILLOWS controls the on/off periods during which the “intelligent” fabric emanates light. These devices, function as silent Illuminated alarm clocks, or as supplementary light sources. The light bed is designed to meet military specifications and can serve in both training and field exercises as a silent reveille. The flight pillows are battery operated light weight compact, an ideal travel accessory for fighting jet lag on long intercontinental flights, as well as treating seasonal affected depression caused by dark winter months.
When using the Circadian Programming mode, both the Light Bed and the Flight Pillow are ideal for fighting fatigue, restoring alertness, and maximizing working and waking hour potential.
The Dream Sequencing mode is designed to help the sleeping subject evoke dreams of motion and flight during their R.E.M dream state. R.E.M. (Rapid Eye Movement) dreaming, also referred to as active dreaming, is the period in which the sleeper comes closest to consciousness and experiences vivid and life like dreams. R.E.M. occurs in regular and predictable intervals of a healthy sleepers daily rhythm. When in an R.E.M. dream state, a sleeper is sensitive and easily influenced by changes in their physical environment, i.e. sound, motion, temperature and light. Altering these conditions is found to influence the nature, and course of the sleepers dreams. Dreams of motion and flight can be installed in the mind of a sleeper by exposing the subject to patterns of sequenced light.
In the Dream Sequencing mode the “intelligent” fabric of the Light Bed and Flight Pillow generate a virtual experience of motion for the sleeper, by applying a chase sequence to the parallel lines of electroluminecent wire woven into their fabric. This sequence of subtly flashing lines of light generates an optical illusion similar to vector graphic flight simulators. These sequenced light patterns emanating from the “intelligent” fabric are visible through the closed eye lids of the subject. Upon sensing this illusion of motion, the subject (in the R.E.M. state) is induced into empowering dreams of self propelled flight, and progressive movement.
When used in the Dream Sequencing mode Both the LIGHT BED and the FLIGHT PILLOWS may be used for training; Airforce pilots, Astronauts and flight enthusiasts. These nocturnal simulations will serve as influential and enlightening exercises for the minds of soldiers and civilians alike.
PRINCIPAL MATERIALS
Both these designs; the LIGHT BED and FLIGHT PILLOWS, apply the use of technologies developed by the United States and Israeli Military industrial complexes.
Live Wire is the brand name for the electro-luminescent wire light source, a 16th inch diameter flexible cable that emanates light along its entire length and circumference.
This cable emits a cold light, much like the flat screen illuminated displays of hand held and laptop computers. This technology originally developed for the Israeli military, has recently been UL approved and made commercially available for public use.
Vectran is the brand name for fiber that composes the cots matrix into which the Live Wire is woven. Vectran is a light weight liquid crystal polymer that has extraordinary heat resistance and tensile strength (greater than that of Kevlar).
The unique properties of this high performance fiber satisfies many of today’s United states military and aerospace needs. For example, air bags woven out of Vectran were deployed to cushion the Pathfinder's landing on Mars in 1997. This fiber is also now commercially available to the public.
Extren is the brand name for tubing that composes the folding frame work of the Light Bed. Extren is a fiber glass and epoxy reinforced structural tubing that is corrosion resistant, nonconductive, and has a high strength to weight ratio (two thirds the weight of aluminum).
This structural material is commonly used for the construction of clean room and air craft equipment. Extren is also commercially available to the public.
DESIGNER’S NOTE
“The Conquest of the unconscious and the exploration and control of the mind are age old desires which may now be embarked upon with the aid of my new technology. This new technology designed for the enlightenment of man, has been woven from a matrix of technologies that were designed for mans destruction.
Beyond the marketable applications, and Utopic socio-political implications, these devices, which apply this new technology may also be appreciated as works of conceptual art & design which will encourage the viewer to romance the exploration of the ineffable and debate the ethics of the conquest of the subconscious. To date the unconscious mind still largely remains an un-chartered territory.
My intentions are for these inventions to serve as vehicles of exploration within this realm of the unknown.”
- Julian Jean-Baptiste LaVerdiere
