IT WORKS LIKE A DREAM

Ananova reports that a Japanese toymaker claims to have invented a gadget that can help people control their dreams. Tokyo-based Takara Co says its Dream Workshop can be programmed to help sleepers choose who or what to dream about. In a study on a group of men and women aged 20 to 40, it had a success rate of 22% in inducing dreams in which one of the prompt words appeared.

This is how it works: while preparing for bed, the user mounts a photograph on the device of who should appear in the dream, selects music appropriate to the mood and records word prompts, such as a name. Placed near the bedside, the Dream Workshop emits a special white light, relaxing music and a fragrance to help the person nod off. Later, it plays back the recorded word prompts, timed to coincide with the part of the sleep cycle when dreams most often occur. It even helps coax the sleeper gently out of sleep with more light and music so the dreams are not forgotten. Takara spokeswoman Mayuko Hasumi says the Dream Workshop will go on sale in Japan in August for about £110.

The IPKat wonders whether the Dream Workshop has been the subject of a patent application. If so, how would infringement damages be assessed in respect of wrongfully induced dreams?

More induced dreams here
Forgotten dreams here, here and here
Stolen dreams here and here; unwanted dreams here and here
Dream patents here, here and here