Systems and methods for podcast playback in a system including a playback device and a mobile device as a system controller are disclosed. In one embodiment, a playback system comprising a first playback device and a mobile device, the mobile device comprising computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable to perform a method comprising capturing user input selecting an alarm function, capturing user input selecting a time for playing an alarm on the first playback device, capturing user input selecting a podcast channel, updating the graphical user interface to reflect the selected podcast channel, capturing user input specifying what order to play podcast episodes from the selected podcast channel, and starting playback of a first podcast episode on the first playback device according to the specified order to play podcast episodes by the previous user input and the selected time for playing an alarm.

Techniques are disclosed for facilitating disabling an alarm in response to particular types of activity-indicative data. More specifically, activity-indicative data (e.g., sensor data or input(s) can be detected prior to a preset alarm time. Upon determining, based on the activity-indicative data, that a wakefulness condition is satisfied (e.g., that the activity-indicative data corresponds to one or more predefined characteristics), a disablement query can be displayed that includes an option to disable the alarm. In response to detecting a selection of the option, the alarm can be disabled such that the alarm stimuli is not to be presented at the preset alarm time.

The present invention is directed to devices that may be used to help young children stay in bed or their room until it is time to get up. The device may be configured as a clock. The clock may be programmable to have a duration of a nap time, or a time when the child is able to get up. A visual countdown timer may be provided with the device (e.g., on the clock face), which may include a graphical representation of the remaining fraction of time before get up time. The visual countdown timer may not include number indicia, but rather includes a graphic (e.g., ring extending about the perimeter of the clock face), which gradually diminishes as the predetermined get up time is approached. A reward drawer may also be provided, which automatically unlocks at the get up time, and provides the child with a prize.

A terminal apparatus includes an ending operation detection section for detecting that an operation to stop an audio output of an alarm has been made; and a wake-up determination section for determining, as wake-up timing of the user, timing when the operation has been detected.

A tap sensitive alarm clock has a housing (20), a vibration sensor (22) mechanically coupled to the housing for receiving a shock due to a user tapping the housing, and a control circuit (24) coupled to the vibration sensor for controlling a function of the alarm clock. An audio unit (26) is coupled to an audio circuit (25) for generating sound, e.g. a loudspeaker in an alarm clock or a wake up light. To avoid interference of the sound and the vibration sensor, the alarm clock is provided with a filter (23) coupled to the vibration sensor and the control circuit. The filter has a filter curve matched to block frequencies occurring in the sound. Advantageously it is avoided that the sound frequencies trigger the function, while the sensor is sensitive to other frequencies up to the frequency range of the sound for reliably detecting the tapping.

Apparatus for an alarm clock with one or more alarms that are challenging to deactivate are provided. The alarm clock is fixedly attached to a wall or other surface, and contains a power source such that the alarm cannot be deactivated by unplugging the alarm clock or by easily removing batteries. The alarm(s) may be programmed to activate for a first length of time. To deactivate the alarm, a user must take some action to interact with the alarm clock, for a second length of time, which second length of time is sufficient for the user to become fully awake. Aspects of the alarm clock may be digital or analog, may have manual or electronic or remote controls, may have one or more alarms of different types, and may require different types of user interaction with alarm deactivation components in order to deactivate the one or more alarms.

An alarm apparatus, in particular an alarm apparatus having at least two separate parts, includes an alarm unit and a user portion for generating a localized alert. The user portion has an attachment means for attaching the user portion about or onto a part of the user's body. The user portion includes a lock which in use is adapted to lock the user portion about or onto a part of the user's body. The alarm unit and user portion in use are located apart one from another and the lock is adapted to unlock upon presentation of the user portion to the alarm unit.

Embodiments of the present application relate to a method and apparatus for setting an alarm clock. The method includes receiving an input directed at a time-display area on a display screen of a device, adjusting time information displayed on the display screen according to the input, and setting an alarm clock according to the adjusted time information.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose methods and apparatuses for controlling an alarm clock. Processing circuitry of an apparatus determines an alarm time for the alarm clock of a first terminal device. When a time difference between a present time of the first terminal device and the alarm time is determined to reach a preset duration, the processing circuitry determines whether a second terminal device is located within a reachable distance from the first terminal device. The second terminal device is associated with a first wearable device used by a user. When the second terminal device is determined to be located within the reachable distance from the first terminal device, the processing circuitry acquires, from the first wearable device, a sleep signal indicating a sleeping status of the user, and controls the alarm clock and a second wearable device associated with the first terminal device based on the sleep signal.

A Wake-up Alarm device that receives REM sleep data from Sleep Tracker Device and sets the Alarm On based on sleeping person's setting on REM sleep