GB2275547A - Alarm lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

An early morning alarm system makes use of light 1 instead of sound in order to wake a person from sleep in the morning coupling a voltage ramp generator with a timer switch in order to slowly fade up a light to stimulate dawn. A radio alarm, or buzzer, or cassette facility may additionally be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

EARLY MORNING ALARM CALLER This invention relates to waking a person from sleep in the mornings.

Most early morning alarms comprise of the use of sound to wake a person from sleep. Usually in the form of a radio alarm clock or buzzers. This method, although efficient, is often stressful.

The present invention makes provision for waking a person from sleep by using an electric light to simulate the effect of dawn in a dark room. This is done by slowly increasing the amount of light in the said room by use of a ramp voltage generator in connection with a timer switch so that a 'dawn simulation' is effected. The lamp can be programmed to slowly fade up for this effect at a pre-set time.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the general perspective of the lamp designed to sit on a bedside table. (Note: This is the most basic model and does not incorporate the additional added extras that are later referred to in Claim 3.) Figure 2 illustrates the same principal only incorporated in a wall switch. This is just to illustrate the various means available for the invention's construction.

Referring to the drawing the lamp comprises of a movable light with shade 1, which is shown in Fig 1 as being in the down position as if it were an ordinary bedside lamp. But when it is being used as the early morning alarm, the shade 1 can be tilted to point upwards so that light is bounced off the ceiling for a more natural effect and thus avoiding light shining directly into the eye.

There is a brightness control switch 3, which can be used for normal lamp usage, and also for adjusting the final brightness that is required for early morning alarm setting.

There is a manual override switch 5, which can be set to "ON", "OFF", or "ALARM" according to what is required.

(Note: in Fig 2 the switches 3 & 5 are combined.) In order to set the clock 2, and the alarm, there are four little buttons 6. These are marked TIME, ALARM, HOUR & MIN.

These are brought into use by pressing them down, either with a pin or ball point pen, to set both the real time and the alarm time setting that would be required for the early morning wake up. Clock 2 would show the difference between AM and PM and would act as clock face for both real time and alarm time. Although alarm time would only show when the alarm button 6, was pressed down.

On the bedside lamp version there is provision for a "SNOOZE" button 4, enabling the light to turn off for a further period of time, say half an hour, placed either side of base of lamp for symmetry and ease of access.

Figure 2 shows what the same invention would look like if adapted to fit a wall switch instead of a lamp as in Figure 1. But the invention could just as easily take the form of a free standing uplighter or plug socket system.

Claims (7)

1 An early morning alarm system to wake a person from sleep by using an electric light to simulate the effect of dawn in a dark room. This is done by slowly increasing the amount of light in the said room by use of a ramp voltage generator in connection with a timer switch so that the 'dawn simulation' may be programmed to come on at a pre-set time.

2 An early morning alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein means are provided on the system for an override button to enable it to be used also as an ordinary bedside lamp.

3 An early morning alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the system may be adapted to incorporate, as an additional extra, a facility for a sound alarm as backup. This could take the form of a built in radio alarm, buzzer, or tape cassette facility.

4 An early morning alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the system can be adapted in the form of a wall switch similar to an ordinary household light fitting, or, alternatively, in the form of a free standing lamp, or socket plug system.

CLAIMS (Cont)

5 An early morning alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 4, wherein the 'simulated dawn' effect has far reaching medical and health implications. The simulation would stimulate the body's natural awakening conditions similar to those experienced on a bright summer morning which give cause for us to awaken naturally. This could be a major factor in relieving stress levels, tension, anxiety, high blood pressure and generally enhancing health and promoting a smoother lifestyle by the simple recreation of the body's instinctive and natural behavioural patterns.

6 An early morning alarm system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein provision can be made for a cassette or recording of a real dawn, i.e. bird songs and wildlife, to be played in conjunction with the light fading up to enhance the dawn simulation effect.

7 An early morning alarm system substantially as described herein with reference to two possible designs, Figures 1 & 2, of the accompanying drawing.