FR2884326A1 - Sleep duration programming device for individual, has push button switching on indicating lamp corresponding to sleeping program, where button validates program and actuates countdown unit of sleeping time corresponding to selected program - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a push button (1) associated to a control unit (4), and selecting the desired sleeping time. The push button, at each pulse, successively switches on a light emitting diode type indicating lamp of a series of indicating lamps (5A, 5B) belonging to a display unit (5). Each lamp corresponds to a sleeping program of a well determined duration. The button, at each action supported with respect to the selected lamp, validates the corresponding program, and actuates, during the release of the button, a countdown unit (2) of the sleeping time corresponding to the selected program.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROGRAMMING SLEEP HOURS DESCRIPTION

  FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a device for programming sleep durations, that is to say to wake an individual after a predetermined time with respect to the beginning of the sleep phase, of the kind essentially comprising: a) a means able to select the desired sleep time and to activate, at the time of falling asleep, a unit of counting of the selected sleep time; b) a means, of the alarm type, able to wake up the person concerned at the end of the selected sleep time.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

  Sleep consists of successive cycles of duration that can vary between 1 h 30 and 2:15 depending on the individual and each having successively: a) a sleep phase that triggers the physiological mechanisms of sleep; b) a phase of deep sleep that rest the muscles and the heart; c) a paradoxical sleep phase during which the individual has intense brain activity (dreams); d) a light sleep phase during which the individual is sensitive to his environment.

  The ideal time to be awake is at the end of the cycle during the light sleep phase.

  If waking occurs during the other phases, the individual has a feeling of fatigue during the day.

  The known devices, such as alarm clocks, trigger their ring at a fixed time without taking into account the sleep cycles of the person in question, in other words the actual times between falling asleep and waking.

  It is therefore important to wake an individual at the end of the sleep cycle, in other words during the light sleep phase.

  In some cases the individual needs to program, during the day, short sleep times, called recovery SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to achieve a device of the kind in question to implement an unprecedented solution and original able to respond to the problem of waking an individual after a predetermined time from the beginning of the sleep phase.

  It relates for this purpose, a device which is essentially characterized in that the means for selecting the desired sleep time and actuation of the selected sleep time counting unit with respect to the beginning of the sleep phase, is consisting of a device, of the push button type, associated with a control unit, which: a) at each pulse, turns on successively a light indicator constituting a series of indicator lights belonging to a display unit and corresponding, each 10 , to a sleep program of definite duration; b) each sustained action, relative to the selected indicator light, validates the corresponding sleep program; c) when releasing said means, actuates the unit for counting the sleep time corresponding to the selected program.

  Said means for selecting the sleep and operating time of the sleep counting unit, is provided with a device having a determined restoring force to return said means to the rest position when the user falls asleep, in other words, when his muscles relax, a position that has the effect of actuating the counting unit of the selected sleep time.

  Thus, the user holds his finger pressed on said means until his muscles relax so as to trigger the countdown of the sleep time from his sleep.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

  The features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows of at least one preferred embodiment thereof given by way of non-limiting example and shown in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings: FIG. 1 represents, schematically, the subsets of the device according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows the operating diagram of said device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The device shown is intended to awaken an individual after a predetermined time with respect to the beginning of the sleep phase.

  It essentially comprises: a) means (1) capable of selecting the desired sleep time and operating a unit (2) for counting the selected sleep time; b) means (3), of the type audible alarm, able to wake up the person concerned at the end of the selected sleep time.

  According to the basic characteristics of the invention, the means for selecting the desired sleep time and for actuating the unit (2) for counting the selected sleep time with respect to the beginning of the sleep phase consists of a device (1), of the pushbutton type, associated with a control unit (4), which: a) at each pulse, turns on successively a light indicator constituting a series of indicator lights (5A, 5B) belonging to a viewing unit (5) each corresponding to a sleep program of definite duration; b) each sustained action, relative to the selected indicator light, validates the corresponding sleep program; c) when releasing said means (1), actuates the unit (2) for counting the sleep time corresponding to the selected program.

  According to another basic characteristic of the invention, said means (1) is provided with a device having a determined restoring force to return said means to the rest position when the user falls asleep, in other words when his muscles relax. , a position having the effect of actuating the unit (2) for counting the selected sleep time.

  According to particular features of the invention: - a first series of indicator lights (5A) is assigned to sleep programs duration of situations depending on short-term specific needs, such as for example: a flash sleep duration 3 minutes, parking for 10 minutes, a nap relax 20 minutes, a standard nap 40 minutes; a second series of indicator lights (5B) is assigned to sleep programs of multiple durations of the biological sleep cycles of a given individual, for example: a royal nap of duration equal to 1 cycle, a short night of duration equal to 2 cycles, a small night of duration equal to 3 cycles, a good night; - The selected indicator light flashes once the time counting unit (2) triggered by the release of the selection and actuation means (1); any impulse on the selection and actuation means (1), during the time-counting phase, has the effect of stopping said count and of returning said device to the standby state.

  The various subassemblies that compose it are placed in a housing (6) which also comprises its own power supply (7) of the rechargeable battery or rechargeable battery type and a potentiometer-type means intended to regulate, for example 15 min. 15 minutes, the duration of the biological sleep cycle of a given individual. The operating diagram of said device is as follows: - phase A: idle system; - Phase B: a pulse (duration less than 1 second) on the selection means lights the first indicator; phase C: a series of pulses successively lights the various LEDs; - phase D: a sustained action (greater than 1 second) validates the selected indicator which remains on; phase E: the release of the selection means actuates the time counting unit; phase F: a new pulse on said means stops the buzzer.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown for which other variants may be provided, in particular in the choice of subassemblies used in the composition of the device such as for example the type (button mechanical pusher or other) of selection and actuation means, the type (LED or other) and the number of indicator lights, the predetermined durations stored, and extend it to other applications consisting of selecting preprogrammed times; without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

  A device for programming sleep durations, that is to say, to wake an individual after a predetermined time with respect to the beginning of the sleep phase, of the kind comprising essentially: a) means (1) capable of selecting the desired sleep time and to activate, at the time of falling asleep, a unit (2) for counting the selected sleep time; b) means (3), of the type audible alarm, able to wake the person concerned at the end of the selected sleep time; characterized in that the means for selecting the desired sleep time and for actuating the selected sleeping time counting unit (2) with respect to the beginning of the sleep phase, comprises a device (1) , of the push button type, associated with a control unit (4), which: a) at each pulse successively lights a light indicator constituting a series of indicator lights (5A, 5B) belonging to a display unit (5); ) and corresponding, each, to a sleep program of definite duration; b) each sustained action, relative to the selected indicator light, validates the corresponding sleep program; c) when releasing said means (1), actuates the unit (2) for counting the sleep time corresponding to the selected program.   2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (1), of the push button type, for selecting the desired sleep time and for actuating the unit (2) for counting the selected sleep time, is provided with a device having a restoring force determined to return said means to the rest position when the user falls asleep, in other words when his muscles relax, in order to actuate the unit (2) for counting the time of selected sleep.   3- Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that a first series of indicator lights (5A) is assigned to sleep programs duration of situations depending on short-term specific needs.   4- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a second series of indicator lights (5B) is assigned to sleep programs of multiple durations of biological sleep cycles of a given individual.   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a means of the potentiometer type for adjusting the duration of the biological sleep cycle of a given individual.   6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selected indicator light flashes once the time counting unit (2) triggered by the release of the selection and actuation means (1).   7- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that any pulse on the selection and actuation means (1), during the time counting phase, has the effect of stopping said counting and restoring said device in state Eve.   8- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the various subsets that compose it are placed in a housing (6) which also has its own power supply (7) of the rechargeable battery or rechargeable battery type.