Monitoring and control of sleep cycles

Abstract

A system is provided including: a monitor for monitoring a user's sleep cycles; a processor which counts the sleep cycles to provide a sleep cycle count and which selects an awakening time according to a decision algorithm including the sleep cycle count as an input; and an alarm for awakening the user at the awakening time. Use of the sleep cycle count as an input to the decision algorithm advantageously enables a user to more fully control and optimize his or her personal sleeping behavior.

1 . A method for awakening a user from sleep, the method comprising: 
 a) monitoring sleep cycles of said user;    b) counting said sleep cycles to provide a sleep cycle count;    c) selecting a time according to a decision algorithm including said sleep cycle count as an input; and    d) awakening said user at said selected time.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said decision algorithm further includes event priority data for a following day as an input.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising providing a schedule to said user after said awakening based on said event priority data and on said selected time.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said event priority data includes absolute time requirements and optional time requirements.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said decision algorithm further includes historical data from said user as an input.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said decision algorithm further includes preferences of said user as an input.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said decision algorithm further includes information on future travel of said user to a different time zone.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a nominal awakening time is shifted earlier or later from day to day prior to said travel, whereby jet lag of said user is reduced.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said decision algorithm further includes a nominal awakening time as an input.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying said sleep cycles of said user.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said modifying comprises altering an ambient temperature, an ambient light level or an ambient sound level.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an indication as to whether or not sufficient rest was obtained.  
   
   
       13 . A system for awakening a user from sleep, the system comprising: 
 a) a monitor for monitoring sleep cycles of said user;    b) a processor for counting said sleep cycles responsive to input from said monitor to provide a sleep cycle count and for selecting a time according to a decision algorithm including said sleep cycle count as an input; and    c) an alarm for awakening said user at said selected time.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said decision algorithm further includes event priority data for a following day as an input.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said processor provides a schedule to said user after said awakening based on said event priority data and on said selected time.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said event priority data includes absolute time requirements and optional time requirements.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a modifier for modifying said sleep cycles of said user.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said modifier comprises an ambient temperature control device, an ambient light level control device or an ambient sound level control device.