Wearable Pre-Sleep State Detection for Task Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices fail to effectively remind users of scheduled tasks before they fall asleep, as they lack the capability to detect the pre-sleep state and provide timely alerts.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with sensors to detect a pre-sleep state and a controller that retrieves and alerts the user of scheduled tasks through a display module, audio, and haptic signals, utilizing data from both local and remote sources, including calendars, messages, and weather updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing wearable devices are used without pre-sleep state detection capability, then device complexity remains low, but the ability to remind users of scheduled tasks before sleep is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary detection of the pre-sleep state through sensors (motion, light, temperature) before the user actually falls asleep. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare and deliver task reminders at the optimal moment, ensuring reliability without requiring complex real-time analysis during sleep transition
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device integrates multiple existing functions (motion sensing, light sensing, temperature sensing, calendar access, message notification) into a unified system. By making these existing components work together for pre-sleep detection and reminder delivery, the system achieves reliable task reminders without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Loss of time
If the device continuously monitors user state to detect pre-sleep condition, then task reminder timing is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the device uses periodic sampling of sensor data at intervals appropriate for detecting sleep transitions. This periodic action maintains adequate timing accuracy for pre-sleep detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The device leverages existing sensor data collection infrastructure already present in modern wearables for other purposes (activity tracking, health monitoring). By repurposing these existing sensing capabilities for pre-sleep detection, the system achieves accurate timing without additional energy expenditure from dedicated monitoring hardware
3Loss of information
If the device integrates multiple data sources (calendar, messages, weather), then task information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple information sources (calendar events, messages, weather data) into a unified task reminder system. By combining these data streams through a centralized controller that prioritizes and integrates information, the system achieves complete task information without proportionally increasing complexity through separate handling of each source
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device leverages its existing multi-functional capabilities (already having access to calendar, messages, and weather through smartphone connectivity) and applies them to the pre-sleep reminder function. This universal use of existing data access pathways avoids creating separate complex infrastructure for each information source
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for alerting a user of scheduled tasks prior to falling asleep. The method includes associating an alarm device with a user's body by securing a wearable device to the user's wrist, placing the device in a pocket, integrating the device into the user's clothing such as a belt, or otherwise placing the device in contact with or adjacent to the user. The device includes one or more sensors for detecting physiological and/or environmental parameters such as heart, respiration, or pulse rate, body movements, eye movements, ambient light, and the like. Upon detecting a pre-sleep state, the device gathers information about tasks which the user desires to perform or attend to prior to going to sleep, and alerts the user before falling asleep.