Lucid Dream Technology.

Alright, the idea I have here might be far off to say the least. I have done very little background research on the topic, but I've formulated an idea for a machine that induces lucid dreams based on some of the manual induction methods available here on the forum. I believe this kind of thread belongs here, being a piece of equipment that has not been made that could help lucid dreams, but correct me if I'm wrong. :)

Down to business. The machine I've been "designing" works like The Animus from Assassin's Creed. I can't post a link due to the 7 day rule, but if anyone knows what I'm talking about, could you post it? That would help.

I'm off subject again, sorry. The machine (which I'm going to dub Lucid Dream Induction Machine X1 "LDIMX1") would consist of a reclining chair, padded and insulated with memory foam under a leather cover for optimal comfort. The reason it's a chair and not a bed is because this won't be designed for use every night, just on nights you feel the need for a lucid dream. LDIMX1 as I imagine it would have a console on the arm rest (or maybe one on each for more customization) that would control the settings for each LD. Above the chair would rest a piece of headgear - we'll get to that in a second.

So here's what happens: The user is done with their day and ready for a good nights rest. However, they feel the need to enter an LD, maybe for a vacation or something of that nature. They sit down on the LDIMX1, and strap a band around each arm (these will monitor blood pressure, heart-rate, etc.) and turn on the machine itself. Each time the machine boots, it will give a preliminary checkup to make sure the LDer would actually be in the right health to successfully experience a lucid dream. After the checkup, the armrest consoles will show the various options. The options will be like if they want to wake up right after the lucid dream (for dream journal purposes, or if they're just going in for one REM and then continuing on their day) or continue sleeping after each REM. Other options will be the music that is heard (again, getting to that in a second), the preferred form of Induction (MILD, WILD, DILD, getting to those later too.), and what video to display on the viewpiece before falling asleep. Then, after options are chosen and the LDer hits the Initiate button, the headgear would descend until it is right above the user's face.

So here's what this fancy set of headgear does. What the LDer sees immediately is the viewscreen - imagine a PlayStation Portable's screen, stretched a good bit and curved to make a peripheral effect. The screen will show videos (if told to) that relaxes the LDer and might carry on into the dream. Two camera's/IR scanners situated near the top of the viewpiece monitors the facial features of the user that could possibly show REM signs (if I'm wrong, please correct me. I assume that it is possible to view rapid-eye movements) which, depending on the Induction method, could either wake the user after REM is over or allow the machine to send subliminal messages audibly that affect the user's dream and allow them to find Dream Signs at a faster rate. There would be earpieces, resembling Bose noise-canceling headphones, that sit right next to the users ears and play mantras (for MILD) or music, as well as the subliminal messages I talked about. A microphone of sorts would also be located here, for the LDer to give vocal Dream Journals upon awakening. It would also record anything the LDer might say in his or her sleep.

As for the induction methods, here are how the machine would achieve them based on its equipment.

1. DILD - This is hard to do, as it is natural sleep and relies mostly on the LDer. The LDIMX1, upon detecting that the user has entered an REM state, would "whisper" subliminal messages into the ear of the LDer. Since subliminal messages work by motivating the subconscious, it is reasonable to assume that if the machine said something along the lines of "This is a dream, just look around you" that the user, in their dream, would notice that the world isn't what they thought it was.

2. MILD - Before entering sleep, the machine would play a mantra based on what the user wants. This would resemble the subliminal message. If wanted, the viewpiece would offer a relaxing view. If it is the last thing the user sees, chances are that's what they will encounter inside a dream (i.e. beach).

3. WILD - The user would go through sleep as normal. After a predetermined amount of time (the LDIMX1 would basically document when REM cycles happened every night. If you have a regular sleep pattern, then it can accurately guess when REM cycles will happen each night, therefore it can practically determine NREM cycles) it would wake you up. Afterward, when ready to go into the dream state, the chair will automatically stiffen the foam (this can be disabled if it doesn't work for the user) in order to keep them in a more stable position. The machine temporarily rests itself, shutting off most processes that could register to the body as external stimuli. Once the user enters REM, the machine returns to its normal processes of monitoring the body. Note: This would probably be the hardest to achieve, as it relies more on the LDer themselves instead of the machine. And as the machine is built to sway dreams with external stimuli, this method is harder as it requires a lack of focusing on the external stimuli.

Well, that's about all I have for the LDIMX1. If anyone has any questions for me, or opinions that may help the design of this machine, let me know. :) I doubt it's possible at this point in time, but if I keep along with the LD like I plan to throughout life, there is a good chance I can see to it that something of this nature is built. Lucid dreaming is a truly marvelous thing, and I believe the world would be a better place if more people could experience it on a regular basis. I believe things such as war would not exist if people had another place to channel anger and primal instincts.

Thanks in advance,
Virk.