Wake up stimulus control system

• US 8,259,535 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W
• Application Number:
  US12/523,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20100278016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,692 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/72, 368/73, 368/79, 368/245, 368/250, 368/256, 368/11, 368/12, 362/153, 362/253
• 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 arranged to receive a user-determinable wake up parameter input and to control at least one stimulus source for supplying a wake up stimulus;

and

a coupling for operably coupling said at least one stimulus source to said control unit, wherein the at least one stimulus source is controllable by the control unit in such a way that the stimulus source provides a gradually increasing stimulus output, in dependence on said input wake up parameter,

wherein the system further comprises at least one stimulus sensor arranged for sensing an ambient stimulus level proximate a user of the wake up stimulus control system, said ambient stimulus level being influenced at least in part by the stimulus output of said at least one stimulus source, said stimulus sensor being operably coupled to the control unit;

and wherein the control unit controls the at least one stimulus source in dependence on the ambient stimulus level sensed by the at least one stimulus sensor.

2. The wake up stimulus control 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 provides said gradually increasing stimulus output at least during a time period before the desired wake up time.

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

4. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stimulus sensor comprises a sensor built into the control unit and/or an external sensor, the external sensor preferably being operably coupled to the control unit by a wired or a wireless network connection.

5. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a comparator for comparing a sensor signal value to a predetermined threshold value.

6. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 1, arranged such that a stimulus output level increases according to a predetermined function.

7. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises at least one output terminal for the at least one stimulus source, and/or a transmitter arranged to emit a control signal to the at least one stimulus source and/or the at least one output terminal.

8. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wake up stimulus control system comprises at least one stimulus source coupled to the control unit.

9. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit is partly housed in the at least one output terminal and/or stimulus source.

10. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control unit comprises a comparator for comparing a sensor signal value to a predetermined threshold value corresponding to a light level of at least 250 lx.

11. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 1, arranged such that a stimulus output level, comprising a light level, increases according to a predetermined function corresponding to an e-curve.

12. The wake up stimulus control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wake up stimulus control system comprises at least two stimulus sources coupled to the control unit.

13. A socket with a power connection and being arranged to releasably receive a controllable stimulus source arranged to provide a wake up stimulus, the socket further comprising a control unit that is arranged to receive an external control signal and to control the stimulus source in dependence on said control signal, in such a way that the stimulus source provides a gradually increasing stimulus output, in dependence on said external control signal,

wherein the control unit is arranged to control the at least one stimulus source in dependence on an ambient stimulus level measured by an external stimulus sensor positioned proximate to a user, said ambient stimulus level being influenced at least in part by the stimulus output of said at least one stimulus source, and said external stimulus sensor being operably coupled to the control unit.

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

wherein the control unit is arranged to control the stimulus source in dependence on an ambient stimulus level measured by an external stimulus sensor positioned proximate to a user, said ambient stimulus level being influenced at least in part by the stimulus output of said stimulus source, and said external stimulus sensor being operably coupled to the control unit.

15. A stimulus control device comprising

a control unit arranged to receive a wake up parameter input from an external parameter input device, and to control at least one stimulus source 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 to said control unit in such a way that the stimulus source provides a gradually increasing stimulus output in dependence on said wake up parameter input

wherein the control unit is arranged to control the at least one stimulus source in dependence on an ambient stimulus level measured by an external stimulus sensor positioned proximate to a user, said ambient stimulus level being influenced at least in part by the stimulus output of said at least one stimulus source, and said external stimulus sensor being operably coupled to the control unit.

16. The stimulus control device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the stimulus comprises light and/or wherein the wake up parameter comprises a desired wake up time.