Sleep system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11617854-B2
Application number	US-202016844402-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 9, 2020
Priority date	Sep 16, 2016
Publication date	Apr 4, 2023
Grant date	Apr 4, 2023

Abstract

A method for helping a user awaken from sleep includes receiving information indicating a wake-up time frame; receiving a plurality of biometric readings of the user, each biometric reading including at least one of a heart rate or respiration rate; based on the plurality of biometric readings, determining that the user has had sufficient sleep; and arranging a wake-up sound after entering the wake-up time frame and after determining that the user has had sufficient sleep or at the end of the wake-up timeframe.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A method for helping a user awaken from sleep via a sleep assistance device, the method comprising:
receiving, by a processor of the sleep assistance device, information indicating a wake-up time frame;
receiving, by the processor, a plurality of biometric readings of the user from one or more contactless biometric sensors in association with the sleep assistance device and the user, each biometric reading including at least one of a heart rate and respiration rate;
based on the plurality of biometric readings, determining, by the processor, that the user has had at least a predetermined amount of sleep; and
arranging, by the processor, a wake-up sound after entering the wake-up time frame and after determining that the user has had at least the predetermined amount of sleep or is at the end of the wake-up timeframe, wherein the step of arranging the wake-up sound comprises re-arranging an initial soundscape that was already playing prior to the wake-up timeframe for use as a wake-up sound, the initial soundscape including individual sound records representing sounds associated with the initial soundscape including:
selecting, by the processor, additional sound records and incorporating them into the initial soundscape, creating a revised soundscape, wherein the step of selecting additional sound records includes selecting additional sound records indicative of a morning time ambience for the initial soundscape; and
playing the revised soundscape on a speaker embedded within the sleep assistance device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of re-arranging the initial soundscape further comprises increasing the volume of the wake-up sound beginning upon reaching the wake-up time frame and after determining that the user has had at least the predetermined amount of sleep until reaching the end of the wake-up time frame.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
detecting a time at which the user has awoken, based on the plurality of biometric readings of the user;
recording, in a sleep profile, at least one of a current volume level of the wake-up sound and a current arrangement of the wake-up sound at the time at which the user awoke.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
determining a wake-up volume for the wake-up sound based on information stored in the sleep profile and increasing the volume of the wake-up sound so as to at least obtain the wake-up volume upon reaching the end of the wake-up timeframe.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial soundscape comprises a forest soundscape and the additional sound records indicative of the morning time ambience comprises the sound of songbirds.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising re-arranging the initial soundscape into a plurality of sleep modes comprising a relaxation mode, a sound-masking mode, a gentle wake-up mode, and an alarm mode.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the initial soundscape comprises the same initial soundscape throughout the plurality of sleep modes.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising updating a sleep profile of the user with biometric information from the plurality of biometric readings along with information relating to the initial soundscape playing at the time the biometric information is detected.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
initiating the relaxation mode upon detecting that the user is preparing to sleep; and
arranging the initial soundscape based at least in part on the biometric information from the plurality of biometric readings stored in the sleep profile during the relaxation mode.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of detecting that the user is preparing to sleep is performed based on information received from the contactless biometric sensor, a photodetector, a microphone, a home automation system, a user input, or a user-defined time.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
detecting external noises within a room or sleep space using a microphone;
initiating the sound-masking mode upon detecting that the user has fallen asleep; and
arranging the initial soundscape based at least in part on information received from the microphone, the contactless biometric sensor, or the sleep profile.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of receiving information indicating the wake-up time frame comprises receiving a final desired wake-up time of the user.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving an earliest acceptable wake-up time of the user.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
initiating the gentle wake-up mode in advance of the final desired wake-up time; and
gradually adjusting at least one of an arrangement and a sound setting of the initial soundscape during the gentle wake-up mode to begin waking the user from sleep.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
initiating the alarm mode after the final desired wake-up time; and
adjusting at least one of an arrangement and a sound setting of the revised soundscape during the alarm mode in order to wake the user from sleep.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the plurality of biometric readings of the user includes operating one or more contactless biometric sensors.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount of sleep is one of:
a predetermined level of sleep quality; and
a predetermined duration of sleep.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial soundscape comprises an urban soundscape and the additional sound records indicative of the morning time ambience comprises one of a sound of delivery trucks and a sound of shops opening for business.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial soundscape comprises an urban soundscape and the additional sound records indicative of the morning time ambience comprises one of a sound of honking horns and a sound of jack-hammers.

Assignees

• Bose Corp

Inventors

• Freed Jonathan
• Ware Laura
• Read Jack
• Reich Debra
• Keshavan Leela
• Mulcahey Brian David

Classifications

• A61M2205/3584

  using modem, internet or Bluetooth® · CPC title

• A61M2205/505

  Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches · CPC title

• A61B5/0816

  Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency (measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00) · CPC title

• A61B5/4812

  Detecting sleep stages or cycles · CPC title

• A61M2021/0088

  modulated by a simulated respiratory frequency · CPC title