Wearable Wake Up Alarm System

Abstract

An electronic, silent alarm is provided which includes a body worn alarm apparatus having one or more buzzers for communicating vibration and sound to the skin of a user at a mounting position on the body. The system, employing software operating to the tasks, will determine an awakening time, and for two time periods prior to that awakening time, impart vibrations to gently wake the user. At the determined awakening time, the system operates to communicate the strongest vibrations to the user. The user is, thus, gently awakened over three time periods to eliminate the conventional loud awakening of conventional alarms.

Claims

1. An electronic silent alarm apparatus, comprising: a body worn alarm apparatus having one or more buzzers thereon; a display; one or more processors; and electronic memory storing one or more computer programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more computer programs including instructions for: depicting on the display a time input interface that includes a user input of an awakening time; in accordance with said user input of said awakening time determining an alarm initiation time which is prior to said awakening time; in accordance with said alarm initiation time energizing said buzzer to generate a first number of vibrations therefrom in a first phase for a first time duration at said alarm initiation time; subsequent to said first time duration of said first phase, energizing said buzzer to generate a second number of vibrations therefrom for a second phase having a second time duration, said second phase being in between said first phase and said waking time; at said waking time, energizing said buzzer to generate a third number of vibrations therefrom for a third phase having a third time duration, whereby a user is awakened in a sequence by said buzzer operating during said first phase and said second phase and said third phase.

2. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display and said one or more processors and said electronic memory are located in a computing device which is in wireless communication with said body worn alarm apparatus.

3. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein said time input interface includes a choice of a duration of time for sleeping; and in accordance to a user input of said duration of time for sleeping, determining said awakening time.

4. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 2 wherein said time input interface includes a choice of a duration of time for sleeping; and in accordance to a user input of said duration of time for sleeping, determining said awakening time.

5. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 1 additionally including: a sleeping level input interface including a choice for a level of sleep of said user; in accordance to a user input of a level of sleep, adjusting one or both of said first number of vibrations and a duration of each thereof.

6. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 5 additionally including: in accordance with said user input of a level of sleep adjusting one or both of: said second number of vibrations and a duration of each thereof; and said third number of vibrations and a duration of each thereof.

7. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 1 additionally including: a connector to hold a contact surface of a housing of the body worn alarm apparatus in a direct contact against the skin of the user; and said direct contact minimizing sound emanating from said buzzers to areas surrounding said housing.

8. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 2 additionally including: a connector to hold a contact surface of a housing of the body worn alarm apparatus in a direct contact against the skin of the user; and said direct contact minimizing sound emanating from said buzzers to areas surrounding said housing.

9. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 4 additionally including: a connector to hold a contact surface of a housing of the body worn alarm apparatus in a direct contact against the skin of the user; and said direct contact minimizing sound emanating from said buzzers to areas surrounding said housing.

10. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 6 additionally including: a connector to hold a contact surface of a housing of the body worn alarm apparatus in a direct contact against the skin of the user; and said direct contact minimizing sound emanating from said buzzers to areas surrounding said housing.

11. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 7 additionally including: a recess in said contact surface of a housing of the body worn alarm apparatus; said recess forming cavity with said contact surface in said direct contact against the skin of the user; and said cavity for containing said sound emanating from said buzzer to minimize said sound emanating to said areas surrounding said housing.

12. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 8 additionally including: a recess in said contact surface of a housing of the body worn alarm apparatus; said recess forming a cavity with said contact surface in said direct contact against the skin of the user; and said cavity for containing said sound emanating from said buzzer to minimize said sound emanating to said areas surrounding said housing.

13. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 9 additionally including: a recess in said contact surface of a housing of the body worn alarm apparatus; said recess forming a cavity with said contact surface in said direct contact against the skin of the user; and said cavity for containing said sound emanating from said buzzer to minimize said sound emanating to said areas surrounding said housing.

14. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 1 additionally including: in accordance with a received signal from a movement sensor located on said body worn alarm apparatus ceasing operation of said buzzer.

15. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 4 additionally including: in accordance with a received signal from a movement sensor located on said body worn alarm apparatus ceasing operation of said buzzer.

16. The electronic silent alarm apparatus of claim 9 additionally including: in accordance with a received signal from a movement sensor located on said body worn alarm apparatus ceasing operation of said buzzer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0059] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some but not the only or exclusive examples of embodiments and/or steps of the silent waking alarm system herein. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of preferred modes of the system rather than limiting.

[0060] In the drawings:

[0061] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the curved oval housing of the device herein in which the electronic components and onboard battery are held.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a lower perspective view of the housing of the device showing the contact surface opposite the curved upper surface which is positionable in contact with the skin of the user and also shows a battery insertion opening.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a mode of the device wherein a video display is included in the housing in a position to allow input by the user of an awakening time as well as other optional inputs.

[0064] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of the device which is configured for contacted engagement with the skin of a user showing the onboard battery and the circuitry which operates the onboard buzzer.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows the electronic circuit board of the device which is positioned within the housing and a remote computing device, such as a smartphone or other computer which is in wireless communication with the circuit board components.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a graphic depiction of steps in operation of the device and system herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0067] Referring now to the drawings the electronic silent alarm apparatus herein includes a body worn alarm device 10 and a computing device which is shown in simple format by the depictions of FIGS. 1-6, as noted above. Also included, in all modes of the apparatus, is software operating to the task of performing each step or task in the method of operation of the body worn alarm device 10 which will operate on a computing device 12.

[0068] As noted, the electronic silent alarm apparatus herein will, in all modes, include the body worn alarm device 10 in combination with a remote computing device, in the preferred mode, or onboard in a self contained apparatus and will include a video display, one or more processors, and electronic memory storing one or more computer programs which are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the one or more computer programs including instructions for each step in the system of determining and operating silent alarms to wake the user. As such, by electronic silent alarm apparatus herein is meant that the one or more processors and electronic memory may be positioned on a remote computing device, such as a smartphone in a wireless communication with the body worn alarm device 10, or the processors and electronic memory may be located within the housing 14, or electronic processors and electronic memory may be located in both the remote computing device and the housing 14.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the body worn alarm device 10 has a housing 14 which is attachable to the person of the user. This attachment preferably holds the contact surface 20 in contact directly with the skin of the user. Connectors are employable to hold the body worn apparatus or device 10 in this direct contact with the skin. The connector may be an adhesive pad 15 or may be a band 17 or strap which will extend around the user and hold the contact surface 20 of the body worn alarm device 10 in direct contact with the skin of the user in a mounting position such as the wrist.

[0070] If the strap 17 is employed, preferably the strap 17 will be elastic and initially smaller than the distance around the mounting position on the body of the user. This will allow the user to form a biased contact of the contact surface 20 against the skin of the user at the mounting point on their body for the body worn apparatus or device 10, thereby insuring a more quiet operation and better communication of the vibrations or pulses to the skin of the user.

[0071] The housing 14, as depicted, is of a shape which is particularly preferred in that it has a curved upper surface 16 opposite the contact surface 20 and a has a circular or oval perimeter edge 21 defining a substantially oval shape therearound. This curved housing 14 configuration is particularly preferred as it is less likely to catch on clothing or bedding during use due to the elimination of sharp corners.

[0072] In FIG. 2 is depicted the housing 14 from a lower perspective view thereof. The contact surface 20, as noted, is configured for a direct contact against the skin of the user in the mounted position on their body. This direct contact is preferred to maximize transmission of vibrations and sound to the user and to minimize the sound of the buzzer which might emanate to areas surrounding the housing 14 during operation in any of the three alarm phases.

[0073] As can be seen, the planar contact surface 20 may have a recess 22 therein for enhanced communication of vibrations from the buzzer 23 (FIG. 4). The recess 22 may also be an opening communicating through the contact surface 20. The recess 22, with the contact surface 20 held in a contact with the skin of the user, will form a substantially sealed cavity which will further help contain the noise from vibrations emanating from the buzzer 23 within the cavity and housing. This helps to prevent sound from emanating to areas surrounding the housing 14 and reduces the chances of a third party hearing it. Also shown is a battery insertion opening cover 24 which is removably engageable to allow for insertion and removal of a battery 25 (FIG. 4) providing electric power to operate the device 10.

[0074] In FIG. 3 there can be seen the housing 14 of the device which has the strap 17 engaged thereto which provide a removable biased contact of the contact surface 20 against the skin of the user when the housing 14 is in a mounted position upon the body of the user. Also shown is an optional video display 26 which includes a touch screen whereby the user may input operating parameters such as the awakening time, upon a software generated graphic interface. As noted, to save electric power and for a less complicated operation a remote computing device 12 is preferred which will wirelessly communicate with a transceiver within the housing 14, such as in FIG. 5.

[0075] In FIG. 4 is shown an exploded view of the body worn alarm for the electronic silent alarm apparatus herein. As shown, the curved housing 14 engages with the contact surface 20 to hold the battery 25 which powers the electronic circuit board 27 which includes components which operate to energize the buzzer 23 in the three phases of operation. Also shown are the recess 22 which is shown as an opening in this view.

[0076] The circuit board 27 includes processors and electronic switching to energize the buzzer 23 for the number of pulses in each of the three phases of operation and for the durations of each according to such determined by software operating to the task noted herein. The onboard battery 25 provides the electric current for the operation of the processors and switches on the circuit board 27 as well as to energize and operate the buzzer 23.

[0077] Shown in FIG. 5 is the preferred configuration of the electronic silent alarm apparatus herein wherein a remote computing device 12 is in wireless communication with the body worn alarm 10 herein. This is accomplished using the onboard wireless communication transceiver for the computing device 12 over bluetooth or WiFi or similar broadcast communications. A wireless transceiver 28 and processor 30 on the body worn alarm will be paired to that of the computing device 12 in a conventional fashion to allow the requisite communication to operate the buzzer 23 on the body worn alarm 10 for the three phases noted herein.

[0078] Shown in FIG. 6 is a simple graphic depiction of steps of the system herein in operation to provide the three phases of operation to awaken the user.

[0079] As shown, the system will depict on a video display 26 a time input interface which allows the user to input a preferred awakening time 32.

[0080] In accordance to a user input of an awakening time, the system will determine an alarm initiation time 34 which is prior to said awakening time 32.

[0081] In accordance with the determined alarm initiation time 34, software running on the system will cause the buzzer to generate a first number of vibrations therefrom in a first phase for a first time duration at the determined alarm initiation time 36.

[0082] Next and subsequent to an ending of the first time duration of the first phase, software running on the system will operate to the task of energizing the buzzer to generate a second number of vibrations therefrom for a second phase which has a second time duration, in a time slot between an end of the first phase and the waking time 38.

[0083] In a next software enabled step, at the determined waking time, the software will operate to the task of energizing the buzzer to generate a third number of vibrations therefrom for a third phase having a third time duration 40. This third phase will have the most number of pulses for the longest individual durations thereof and may have stronger pulses to insure awakening of the user.

[0084] It should be noted that the system employing software operating to the step of ceasing the alarm phases may be included which will operate to de-energize the buzzer if movement indicating the user is awake is sensed. Such may be determined for example by movement of an onboard accelerometer 42 positioned on the body worn alarm 10.

[0085] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the wearable wake up alarm device and system herein have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features or steps of the disclosed system may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention herein disclosed.