Method and apparatus for a waking control system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for waking an individual in a manner that promotes said individual'"'"'s well being comprising:
- at least one sensor operative to sense at least one parameter correlated to said individual'"'"'s sleep level; and
a controller capable of being set by said individual with a final wakeup time, said controller connected to receive sensed values of the at least one parameter from the sensor and configured to introduce a stimulus at a stimulus introduction time prior to the final wakeup time and, over a period between the stimulus introduction time and the final wakeup time, to adjust an intensity of the stimulus based on feedback which comprises the sensed values of the at least one parameter and based on a difference between a current time and the final wakeup time, so as to bring said individual gradually out of sleep and to an awake state over a period of time between the stimulus introduction time and the final wakeup time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for a waking system that wakes an individual gradually over a period of time in order to promote the wellness of that individual. The user sets the system controller with a desired final wakeup time, which is the time that the user must be awake. When the actual time reaches a stimulus introduction time (i.e. some time prior to the desired final wakeup time), the system controller causes the introduction of stimulus. The system further comprises a detection system that measures a parameter correlated to the individual'"'"'s sleep level (preferably motion). This measured parameter is then used in a feedback loop to control the level of stimulus experienced by the individual. In this manner, the user is woken gradually over a period of time between the stimulus introduction time and the desired final wakeup time, without introducing any sudden shocks to the user'"'"'s physiological systems.
141 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus for waking an individual in a manner that promotes said individual'"'"'s well being comprising:
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at least one sensor operative to sense at least one parameter correlated to said individual'"'"'s sleep level; and
a controller capable of being set by said individual with a final wakeup time, said controller connected to receive sensed values of the at least one parameter from the sensor and configured to introduce a stimulus at a stimulus introduction time prior to the final wakeup time and, over a period between the stimulus introduction time and the final wakeup time, to adjust an intensity of the stimulus based on feedback which comprises the sensed values of the at least one parameter and based on a difference between a current time and the final wakeup time, so as to bring said individual gradually out of sleep and to an awake state over a period of time between the stimulus introduction time and the final wakeup time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for waking an individual in a manner that promotes said individuals well being comprising:
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a detection system operative to sense at least one parameter correlated to said individuals sleep level; and
a controller capable of being set by said individual with a final wakeup time, said controller connected to receive sensed values of the at least one parameter from the sensor and configured to introduce at least one stimulus at a stimulus introduction time prior to the final wakeup time and to adjust an intensity of the stimulus over a period of time between the stimulus introduction and the final wakeup time based on feedback which comprises sensed values of the at least one parameter and based on a difference between a current time and the final wakeup time, so as to bring said individual gradually out of sleep and to an awake state over said period of time. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of waking an individual in a manner that promotes said individual'"'"'s well being, said method comprising:
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setting a desired final wakeup time;
sensing at least one parameter correlated to said individual'"'"'s sleep level;
introducing at least one stimulus to said individual'"'"'s sleeping environment at a stimulus introduction time prior to said final wakeup time;
over a period between the stimulus introduction time and the final wakeup time, adjusting an intensity of the stimulus based on feedback which comprises sensed values of the at least one parameter and based on a difference between a current time and a final wakeup time, so as to bring said individual gradually out of sleep and to an awake state over a period of time between the stimulus introduction time and the final wakeup time. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of waking an individual in a manner that promotes said individual'"'"'s well being, said method comprising:
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setting a desired final wakeup time;
measuring at least one parameter correlated to said individuals sleep level;
introducing at least one stimulus to said individual'"'"'s sleeping environment at a stimulus introduction time prior to said final wakeup time; and
adjusting an intensity of the stimulus over a period of time between the stimulus introduction time and the final wakeup time based on feedback which comprises sensed values of the at least one parameter sensed during the period of time and based on a difference between a current time and the final wakeup time, so as to bring said individual gradually out of sleep and to an awake state over said period of time. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification