Wake-up system for waking a user

Abstract

Wake-up system (1) for waking a user, comprising a data processing unit for processing provided data and for controlling the wake-up system (1), comprising a wake-up element (2) for outputting a wake-up signal, characterized in that the wake-up system (1) comprises a sensor unit (3) to detect whether a user is in bed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm system for waking a user, comprising a data processing unit for processing provided data and for controlling the alarm system and comprising an alarm element for outputting an alarm signal.

[0002] It's often a problem that a person can't wake up properly in the morning. In these cases, the alarm clock's snooze function is often used. This can easily happen that the person, half asleep, accidentally turns off the snooze function. This results in the person oversleeping, which can lead to unpleasant situations at work. Therefore, there is a need for a simple and effective solution to this common problem.

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device that reliably prevents a user from oversleeping.

[0004] The problem is solved by an alarm system and a bed having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous or preferred embodiments are each subject of a corresponding dependent claim.

[0005] A wake-up system for waking a user is proposed, comprising a data processing unit for processing provided data and controlling the wake-up system. Furthermore, the wake-up system comprises a wake-up element for emitting a wake-up signal. The wake-up system has a sensor unit for detecting whether a user is in bed. If a user is in bed, they can be woken by the wake-up element.

[0006] It is advantageous if the sensor unit detects when a user leaves the bed and the alarm element is then deactivated, for example, by the data processing unit. This ensures that the alarm signal is only triggered when the user is actually in bed, reducing the risk of oversleeping. It also prevents the alarm signal from continuing to be triggered once the user has already left the bed.

[0007] It is also advantageous if the alarm system includes an input unit and / or an interface that allows the alarm time to be set. This allows the alarm time to be individually and precisely adjusted to the user's needs. An input unit offers an easy-to-use and user-friendly solution. The interface allows the alarm system to be connected to external devices, such as smartphones or smart home systems, enabling automatic synchronization of the alarm time.

[0008] It is also advantageous if the input unit includes buttons or a microphone. The ability to set the alarm time either via buttons or voice input via a microphone increases user-friendliness and offers flexible operation. Voice control via a microphone allows even users with limited mobility to operate the alarm system easily and conveniently. Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the interface is a wireless interface, particularly Bluetooth, RFID, or Wi-Fi. The wireless interface allows the alarm system to automatically receive alarm times from networked systems, such as smartphones, smartwatches, or smart home platforms.

[0009] It is advantageous if the alarm element is a loudspeaker, a light source, a vibration unit, or a mechanical movement unit. This allows for individual adaptation to the user's needs, allowing the user to select an acoustic, visual, or mechanical signal depending on the environment or personal preference. This allows the alarm system to be optimized for hearing-impaired individuals, for example, with a light signal or a vibration unit, while a mechanical movement unit can trigger a physical response to facilitate waking up.

[0010] A particular advantage is offered by a sound box as the alarm element. This allows not only the playback of a standard alarm signal, but also personalized alarm tones, music, or voice output, making the alarm system individually customizable. Furthermore, the sound box can be connected to external devices via a wireless interface, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, allowing the alarm signal to be flexibly controlled and adjusted.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the sensor unit comprises two electrical conductors, each with an uninsulated section. This enables simple and reliable detection of a user's presence. The uninsulated sections allow the electrical circuit to be closed as soon as the user is in bed and broken again when they get out of bed. This allows direct and precise detection of getting up without the need for additional mechanical or complex electronic components. Furthermore, this design can be implemented particularly cost-effectively and requires little maintenance, thereby increasing the longevity and reliability of the alarm system. It is particularly advantageous if only some of the two electrical conductors have an uninsulated section, so that the majority of the two electrical conductors are insulated. This reduces susceptibility to interference and increases safety.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the two electrical conductors are designed and / or arranged in such a way that the two uninsulated areas are arranged one above the other. This results in a particularly simple and reliable circuit. It is particularly advantageous if the electrical conductors are arranged underneath a user's mattress. This arrangement ensures that the circuit is closed by the user's weight as soon as they lie down in bed and is interrupted again when they get up. This enables precise and direct detection of the user's presence without the need for complex sensor structures or additional electronic components. Furthermore, a spring element can be positioned between the two electrical conductors. This ensures reliable interruption of the circuit once the user has gotten out of bed.

[0013] It also offers advantages if the sensor unit is designed as a pressure sensor, weight sensor, capacitive sensor, or infrared sensor. A pressure or weight sensor enables precise detection of the forces acting on the bed and can reliably detect whether a person is sitting on it. A capacitive sensor offers the advantage of contactless detection by measuring changes in the electrical field, while an infrared sensor detects temperature differences and thus enables contactless and unobtrusive presence detection. By choosing the appropriate sensor type, the wake-up system can be adapted to different requirements and environmental conditions, creating a particularly reliable and flexible solution for detecting user presence.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the interface can receive data from an external device, especially a smartphone. This enables flexible and convenient control of the alarm system. This allows automatic synchronization of the alarm time with calendar entries or scheduled appointments and enables remote control of the alarm functions via a mobile application. Furthermore, additional information, especially personalized alarm tones, can be transmitted directly from the external device, making the alarm system individually customizable. Wireless communication also reduces the need for physical controls and increases user-friendliness, especially in networked smart home environments.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the alarm system includes a display unit for showing the current time and / or the set alarm time. This allows the user to have a quick overview of the relevant alarm information at any time. This facilitates checking and adjusting the alarm time and increases ease of use. Furthermore, the display unit can be designed in various forms, such as a digital display or a projected display, allowing it to be flexibly integrated into the alarm system. Additional backlighting or automatic brightness adjustment can optimize readability and make the system particularly user-friendly.

[0016] A bed with an alarm system for waking a user is proposed. The alarm system can be designed according to at least one feature of the preceding and / or following description. The direct integration of the alarm system into the bed enables a particularly reliable and intuitive alarm function, as the system can react immediately to the user's presence in bed. This improves alarm efficiency, as the alarm signal can be specifically adapted to the sleep rhythm and actual use of the bed. Furthermore, the need for separate alarm devices is eliminated, creating a space-saving and convenient solution.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the bed includes a mattress and the sensor unit of the alarm system is located on the underside of the mattress, away from the sleeping surface. This allows for discreet and convenient integration of the sensor. This positioning ensures that the sensor unit can reliably detect the user's presence without compromising sleeping comfort. Furthermore, the sensor unit is protected by the mattress, increasing the system's longevity and preventing accidental damage or displacement of the sensor. This arrangement allows the alarm system to respond precisely to a user entering or leaving the bed and enables targeted control of the alarm signal.

[0018] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. It shows: Fig. 1 a side view of an alarm system for waking a user.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of an alarm system 1 for waking a user. The alarm system 1 comprises an alarm element 2. The alarm element 2 is designed to emit an alarm signal. In a preferred embodiment, the alarm element 2 is designed as a sound box, so that the alarm signal is emitted as an acoustic signal. Alternatively or additionally, the alarm element 2 can comprise a light source, a vibration unit, and / or a mechanical movement unit to achieve an optical or mechanical alarm effect.

[0020] The wake-up system 1 further comprises a sensor unit 3. The sensor unit 3 can detect and / or determine the presence of a user in bed. The sensor unit 3 can comprise different sensor technologies, for example a pressure sensor, a weight sensor, a capacitive sensor, or an infrared sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor unit 3 comprises two electrical conductors, each having an uninsulated area and arranged one above the other. When subjected to a load due to the user's body weight, the conductors are brought into contact with each other and close an electrical circuit. If the user leaves the bed, the circuit is interrupted.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the alarm system 1 has a display unit 4. The display unit 4 is designed to display the current time and / or the set alarm time. The time and / or alarm time can be received from an external device either manually via an input unit or automatically via an interface, for example, Bluetooth, WLAN, or RFID.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the alarm system 1 is integrated into a bed, with the sensor unit 3 located on the underside of a mattress 5, facing away from the sleeping surface. This positioning enables precise detection of the user's presence without compromising sleeping comfort. Furthermore, the sensor unit 3 is protected by the mattress 5, ensuring increased durability and operational reliability.

[0023] Sensor unit 3 detects whether a user is in bed by detecting the closing or breaking of the electrical circuit. If the user is in bed, alarm system 1 remains active. As soon as the set alarm time is reached, alarm element 2 is activated, and an acoustic, visual, or mechanical alarm signal is emitted. If the user leaves the bed, sensor unit 3 detects the change in activity and can deactivate the alarm signal accordingly.

[0024] The present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are possible, as is any combination of the described features, even if they are illustrated and described in different parts of the description or the claims or in different embodiments, provided that no contradiction arises with the teaching of the independent claims. List of reference symbols 1 alarm system 2 alarm element 3 Sensor unit 4 Display unit 5 bed mattress

Claims

[1] Wake-up system (1) for waking a user, with a data processing unit for processing provided data and for controlling the wake-up system (1), with a wake-up element (2) for outputting a wake-up signal, characterized by that the alarm system (1) comprises a sensor unit (3) to detect whether a user is in a bed. [2] Alarm system according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the alarm system (1) comprises an input unit and / or an interface by means of which an alarm time can be set. [3] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the input unit comprises buttons or a microphone and / or that the interface is a radio interface, in particular Bluetooth, RFID, WLAN. [4] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the wake-up element (2) is a loudspeaker, light source, vibration unit or mechanical movement unit. [5] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the alarm element (2) is designed as a sound box. [6] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensor unit (3) comprises two electrical conductors, each having an uninsulated area. [7] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two electrical conductors are designed and / or arranged in such a way that the two uninsulated areas are arranged one above the other. [8] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensor unit (3) is designed as a pressure sensor, weight sensor, capacitive sensor or infrared sensor. [9] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the interface can receive data from an external device, in particular a smartphone. [10] Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the alarm system (1) comprises a display unit (4) for displaying the current time and / or set alarm time. [11] Bed with an alarm system (1) for waking a user, characterized by that the alarm system (1) is designed according to one or more of the preceding claims. [12] Bed according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the bed comprises a bed mattress (5) and that the sensor unit (3) of the wake-up system (1) is arranged on a mattress underside facing away from a lying surface.

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