WAKE UP STIMULUS CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20100278016A1
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Sandu, Daniel Eduardt, Taekema, Harko Jan
• Granted Patent: US 8,259,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0083 especially for waking up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/023 Adjusting the duration or amplitude of signals
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

The invention relates to a wake up stimulus control system, comprising a control unit (1) arranged to receive a user-determinable wake up time input and to control at least one stimulus source (11), a coupling for operably coupling at least one stimulus source (11) to said control unit, wherein the stimulus source (11) is controllable by the control unit (1) in such a way that the stimulus source (11) provides a gradually increasing stimulus output in dependence on said input wake up time, at least during a time period before the input wake up time, and at least one stimulus sensor (7) that is operably coupled to the control unit (1). The sensor allows a much better control of the supplied stimulus level to account for various ambient influences. The stimulus is preferably light. The invention also provides a socket, a stimulus source and a control unit for use in the system.

Claims

1. A wake up stimulus control system, comprising

a control unit (1) arranged to receive a user-determinable wake up parameter input and to control at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) that is arranged to supply a wake up stimulus; and

a coupling for operably coupling said at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) to said control unit, wherein the at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) is controllable by the control unit (1) in such a way that the stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) provides a gradually increasing stimulus output, in dependence on said input wake up parameter,

wherein the system further comprises at least one stimulus sensor (7;

25) arranged for sensing said wake up stimulus, which stimulus sensor (7;

25) is operably coupled to the control unit (1).

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wake up parameter comprises a desired wake up time, and wherein the at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) provides said gradually increasing stimulus output at least during a time period before the desired wake up time.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wake up stimulus comprises light.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stimulus sensor (7;

25) comprises a sensor built into the control unit (1) and/or an external sensor, the external sensor preferably being operably coupled to the control unit (1) by a wired or a wireless network connection.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (1) comprises a comparator for comparing a sensor signal value to a predetermined threshold value, preferably corresponding to a light level of at least 250 lx.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, arranged such that a stimulus output level, preferably a light level, increases according to a predetermined function, preferably an e-curve.

7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (1) is arranged to control the at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) in dependence on a wake up stimulus level measured by the at least one stimulus sensor (7;

25).

8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises at least one output terminal for the at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53), and/or a transmitter arranged to emit a control signal to the at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) and/or the at least one output terminal.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) coupled to the control unit, preferably at least two stimulus sources (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53).

10. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit (1;

32, 43, 52) is partly housed in the at least one output terminal and/or stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53).

11. A socket (31) with a power connection and being arranged to releasably receive a controllable stimulus source (33) arranged to provide a wake up stimulus, the socket further comprising a control unit (32) that is arranged to receive an external control signal and to control the stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) in dependence on said control signal, in such a way that the stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) provides a gradually increasing stimulus output, in dependence on said external control signal.

12. A stimulus source (50) that is releasably receivable in a socket and is arranged to supply a wake up stimulus, the stimulus source (50) further comprising a control unit (52) that is arranged to receive an external control signal and to control the stimulus source (50) in dependence on said signal in such a way that the stimulus source (50) provides a gradually increasing stimulus output in dependence on said external control signal.

13. A stimulus control device comprising

a control unit (1) arranged to receive a wake up parameter input from an external parameter input device (20), and to control at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) that is controllable by the control unit and is arranged to provide a wake up stimulus; and

a coupling for operably coupling the at least one stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) to said control unit in such a way that the stimulus source (11;

23, 24, 26;

33, 41, 53) provides a gradually increasing stimulus output in dependence on said wake up parameter input.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the stimulus comprises light and/or wherein the wake up parameter comprises a desired wake up time.