Sleeping mode accessory

1. A portable device for inducing a target sleep state in a user, the device comprising:

at least one receiver for receiving measurement data indicative of a current sleep state of the user,

a processing unit for processing the received measurement data,

at least one audio output unit and a memory,

the processing unit to:

detect the current sleep state of the user by comparing the processed received measurement data with predefined data in the memory indicative of sleep states,

output audio data through the audio output unit depending on the detected current sleep state,

adjust the output of the audio data according to a target sleep state to be induced in the user,

detect that the user has fallen asleep, and

switch off the output of the audio data in response to detecting that the user has fallen asleep.

2. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a user interface via which the user defines the predefined data in the memory indicative of sleep states and selects the target sleep state.

3. The device according to claims 2 , further comprising a display unit for displaying visual data indicative of the current sleep state of the user.

4. The device according claims 1 , further comprising a transmitter that connects the main unit to a wireless communication network.

5. The device according to claim 4 , arranged to switch to a predefined state when the target sleep state has been induced.

6. The device according to claim 5 , where the device is portable.

7. The device according to claim 1 , where the received measurement data comprises analog data.

8. The device according to claim 7 , where the processing unit is arranged to amplify and filter the analog sleep data before converting the analog sleep data into digital data.

9. The device according to claims 6 where the received measurement data comprises digital data.

10. The device according to claim 1 , where the measurement data indicative of the current sleep state of the user comprises the pulse, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure or some other parameter suitable for indicating the sleep state of the user.

11. The device according to claim 10 , where the predefined data in the memory indicative of sleep states comprises at least one threshold value or at least one graphical diagram indicative of a known sleep state in a human being.

12. The device according to claim 1 , where the at least one audio output unit comprises a loudspeaker, headphones or some other unit suitable for audio output.

13. The device according to claim 12 , where the audio data from the memory comprises musical or audio files.

14. The device according to claim 1 , where the measurement data indicative of the sleep state of the user is received continuously.

15. The device according to claim 1 , where the measurement data indicative of the sleep state of the user is received intermittently.

16. A system for inducing a target sleep state in a user comprising

a portable device according to claim 1 , and

an accessory unit,

the accessory unit comprising

a sensing unit for measuring data indicative of the current sleep state of the user of the portable device, and

a transmitter for transmitting the measured data to the portable device.

17. The system according to claim 16 , where the accessory unit is adapted to be worn by the user of the portable device.

18. The system according to claim 17 , where the accessory unit is to obtain measurements of data indicative of the current sleep state of the user as soon as the accessory unit is worn by the user.

19. The system according to claim 17 , where the accessory unit further comprises a receiver for receiving control information from the portable device.

20. The system according to claim 19 , where the control information comprises information on parameters to be measured by the accessory unit or information on a measurement interval.

21. The system according to claim 16 , where the accessory unit further comprises

a receiver for wirelessly receiving control signals controlling a time interval of the measurement.

22. The system according to claim 21 , where the accessory unit further comprises an audio output unit for outputting wirelessly received music or sound to the user.

23. The system according to claim 22 , where the receiver is further to wirelessly receive control signals controlling the output of the music or sound through the output unit depending on the measured current sleep state of the user and to adjust the output of the audio data according to the target sleep state to be induced in the user.

24. A method for inducing a target sleep state in a user using a portable main unit comprising:

receiving, by a sensor associated with the portable main unit, measurement data indicative of a current sleep state of a user of the portable main unit;

processing, by a processor of the portable main unit, the received measurement data;

detecting, by the processor, the current sleep state of the user by comparing the processed received measurement data to predefined data, in a memory, indicative of sleep states;

outputting audio data through an audio output unit based on the current sleep state;

adjusting, by the processer, the output of the audio data according to the target sleep state to be induced in the user;

detecting, by the processor, that the user has fallen asleep, and switching off, by the processor, the output of the audio data in response to detecting that the user has fallen asleep.

25. A memory device storing instructions for execution by a processer, comprising instructions for:

receiving measurement data indicative of a current sleep state of a user of a main unit;

processing the received measurement data;

detecting the current sleep state of the user by comparing the processed received measurement data to predefined data, in a memory, indicative of sleep states;

outputting audio data through an audio output unit based on the current sleep state;

adjusting the output of the audio data according to a target sleep state to be induced in the user;

detecting that the user has fallen asleep, and

switching off the output of the audio data in response to detecting that the user has fallen asleep.