Adaptive Wearable Device for Controlling an Alarm Based on User Sleep State

• US 20130154838A1
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Alameh, Rachid Mohsen, Alberth, William Paul Jr., Rasky, Phillip David
• Granted Patent: US 9,019,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/023 Adjusting the duration or amplitude of signals
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/02 Detectors of external physical values, e.g. temperature

Abstract

A method is provided for dismissing or altering a user-configured alarm upon detection of the user'"'"'s sleep state. The method includes associating an alarm device with the user'"'"'s body by securing a wearable device to the user'"'"'s wrist, placing the device in a pocket, integrating the device into the user'"'"'s clothing such as a belt, or otherwise placing the device in contact with or adjacent to the user. The device includes one or more sensors for detecting physiological and/or environmental parameters such as heart, respiration, or pulse rate, body movements, eye movements, ambient light, and the like. If the user is asleep, the alarm is actuated in a typical manner. If the user is awake, the alarm is suppressed. If the user is neither asleep nor fully awake, the alarm is adjusted to provide an appropriate level of stimulation.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an alarm feature of a wearable device based on the sleep state of a user, the method comprising:

sensing a physiological parameter of the user through a sensor associated with said wearable device;

determining the sleep state of the user based on said physiological parameter; and

actuating said alarm in accordance with said sleep state.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing said device to the user'"'"'s wrist using a wrist band.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining comprises monitoring physiological data associated with the user'"'"'s sleep state.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said physiological data comprises user limb movements.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said physiological data comprises at least one of:

galvanic skin response;

pulse oxymetry data;

heart rate; and

respiration.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein actuating comprises actuating an alarm which is connected to and on-board said device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein actuating comprises actuating an alarm which is remote from and off-board said device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing comprises recognizing a pattern associated with the user'"'"'s eyes.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said actuating is repeated at an increasing level of stimulation if the user remains asleep after an initial actuation.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining comprises determining whether the user'"'"'s eyelids are closed.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing comprises detecting nodding of the user'"'"'s head.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein sensing comprises detecting the user'"'"'s skin temperature.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said alerting comprises at least one of:

audible alarm;

vibration;

blinking LEDs; and

displayed text.

14. A method of controlling an alarm associated with a wearable device, the method comprising:

monitoring a physiological parameter using a sensor associated with said device;

detecting, using said sensor, the sleep state of the user;

actuating said alarm if the user is asleep;

dismissing said alarm if the user is awake; and

modifying said alarm if the user is neither asleep nor fully awake.

15. A wearable device for providing an alert to a user, the device comprising:

a controller;

a user interface coupled to said controller, wherein said user interface facilitates scheduling said alert for a user-selected point in time;

a sensor coupled to said controller, wherein said sensor detects a sleep state of the user;

wherein said controller is configured to;

cause said alert to be provided to the user if the user is asleep at said point in time; and

suppress said alert if the user is awake at said point in time.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said sensor is configured to monitor a physiological parameter of the user associated with the user'"'"'s sleep state.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said sensor is configured to detect body movements.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein said sensor is an accelerometer.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said accelerometer is configured to detect rhythmic bodily movements associated with heart rate.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said accelerometer is configured to detect rhythmic bodily movements associated with respiration.