Wake Up Stimulus Control System With Feedback Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wake-up stimulus control systems are unreliable as they often wake users too early, too late, or not at all due to variations in perceived stimulus levels, which are not accurately accounted for.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a stimulus sensor coupled to the control unit to measure and adjust the actual stimulus level, ensuring a gradually increasing stimulus output based on user-determinable parameters, such as desired wake-up time, to enhance reliability and consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wake up stimulus control system is implemented without a stimulus sensor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of waking the user at the desired time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by introducing a stimulus sensor that measures the actual stimulus level and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the stimulus source output based on this feedback to achieve the desired wake-up stimulus level. This closed-loop control system resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through real-time monitoring and adjustment, while the added complexity is justified by the significant improvement in waking reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the stimulus source provides a gradually increasing stimulus output, then the user comfort is improved, but the time required to wake the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the stimulus output gradually increase over time rather than switching on abruptly. The control unit is configured to control the stimulus source to provide a gradually increasing stimulus output, which allows the user to wake up comfortably without sudden shocks. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by providing both user comfort through gradual increase and acceptable wake-up time by optimizing the rate of increase.
3Measurement precision
If the stimulus sensor is added to measure actual stimulus level, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus sensor provides precise measurement of the actual stimulus level, and this measurement is fed back to the control unit which uses it to adjust the stimulus source. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by justifying the added complexity through significant improvement in measurement precision, which directly enables reliable control of the wake-up stimulus.
4Reliability
If the control unit adjusts stimulus output based on sensor feedback, then the reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by using the stimulus sensor to automatically monitor and adjust the stimulus output without requiring manual intervention. The control unit continuously adapts the stimulus source output based on sensor feedback, ensuring reliable wake-up control while optimizing energy usage by adjusting to the minimum necessary output level.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves reliability by accounting for variations in stimulus sources and positions, ensuring users wake up at the desired time with increased comfort and reduced energy consumption by utilizing ambient light levels effectively.
Implementation Method 1
at least one stimulus sensor arranged for sensing said wake up stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a wake up stimulus control system, comprising a control unit (1) arranged to receive a user-determinable wake up time input and to control at least one stimulus source (11), a coupling for operably coupling at least one stimulus source (11) to said control unit, wherein the stimulus source (11) is controllable by the control unit (1) in such a way that the stimulus source (11) provides a gradually increasing stimulus output in dependence on said input wake up time, at least during a time period before the input wake up time, and at least one stimulus sensor (7) that is operably coupled to the control unit (1). The sensor allows a much better control of the supplied stimulus level to account for various ambient influences. The stimulus is preferably light. The invention also provides a socket, a stimulus source and a control unit for use in the system.