APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR A PHYSIOLOGICAL ALARM

1 . An alarm apparatus comprising:

a data analysis unit;

an input unit; and

an alarm control unit;

wherein the data analysis unit is configured to analyze data related to a state of sleep of a person;

wherein the input unit is configured to input data related to a desired awaken period within which the person desires to be awakened; and

wherein the alarm control unit is configured to control an alarm for awakening the person using information from the data analysis unit.

2 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm apparatus is incorporated into a standalone unit.

3 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the data analysis unit is configured to analyze data relating to at least one of body movement of the person, breathing rate of the person, heart rate of the person and state of sleep of the person.

4 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the data analysis unit is configured to analyze data relating to at least one of body position of the person, near-body temperature of the person and near-body humidity of the person.

5 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the data analysis unit is configured to determine an optimal sleep state of the person within the desired awaken period; and

wherein the alarm control unit is configured to initiate an alarm when the data analysis unit determines that the person is at the optimal sleep state.

6 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the data analysis unit is configured to determine whether data indicates that the person is in a deep state of sleep within the desired awaken period;

wherein the alarm control unit is configured such that, if the data analysis unit determines that data indicates that the person is in a deep state of sleep within the desired awaken period, then the alarm control unit delays initiating the alarm until either the data analysis unit determines that data indicates that the person is in a lighter state of sleep or the desired awaken period expires.

7 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the data analysis unit is configured to determine whether data indicates that the person is in a state of REM sleep within the desired awaken period;

wherein the alarm control unit is configured such that, if the data analysis unit determines that data indicates that the person is in a state of REM sleep within the desired awaken period, then the alarm control unit delays initiating the alarm until either the data analysis unit determines that data indicates that the person is in a state of non-REM sleep or the desired awaken period expires.

8 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a sleep data collection unit configured to collect data related to a state of sleep of the person.

9 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the data analysis unit is configured to determine the optimal sleep state of the person using sleep state patterns exhibited by the person over time.

10 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the sleep data collection unit collects data using a variable sleep system.

11 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm apparatus is integral with a mattress.

12 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the sleep data collection unit collects data using a head support member.

13 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the sleep data collection unit collects data using a near-body sensor.

14 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm control unit is configured to control an audible alarm.

15 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm control unit is configured to control movement of at least one of a mattress and a pillow.

16 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm control unit is configured to control a lighting device.

17 . The alarm apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm control unit is configured to control at least one of a temperature of a sleep system and a humidity of the sleep system.

18 . A method for awakening a person, the method comprising:

inputting a desired awaken period within which the person desires to be awakened;

determining whether a current time is within the desired awaken period;

if it is determined that the current time is within the desired awaken period, then executing an analysis method comprising:

analyzing data relating to the person's state of sleep;

determining whether the analyzed data indicates that the person is in a light stage of sleep;

if it is determined that the analyzed data indicates that the person is in a light stage of sleep, then initiating an alarm process;

if it is determined that the analyzed data does not indicate that the person is in a light stage of sleep, then determining whether the desired awaken period has expired;

if it is determined that the desired awaken period has expired, then initiating the alarm process.

19 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , wherein the analyzing data relating to the person's state of sleep comprises analyzing data relating to at least one of body movement of the person, breathing rate of the person, heart rate of the person and state of sleep of the person.

20 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , wherein the analyzing data relating to the person's state of sleep comprises analyzing data relating to at least one of body position of the person, near-body temperature of the person and near-body humidity of the person.

21 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , further comprising:

determining an optimal sleep state of the person within the desired awaken period; and

initiating an alarm when it is determined that the person is at the optimal sleep state.

22 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , further comprising:

determining whether data indicates that the person is in a deep state of sleep within the desired awaken period; and

if it is determined that data indicates that the person is in a deep state of sleep within the desired awaken period, then delaying initiation of the alarm until either it is determined that data indicates that the person is in a light state of sleep or the desired awaken period expires.

23 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , further comprising:

determining whether data indicates that the person is in a state of REM sleep within the desired awaken period; and

if it is determined that data indicates that the person is in a state of REM sleep within the desired awaken period, then delaying initiation of the alarm until either the data analysis unit determines that data indicates that the person is in a state of non-REM sleep or the desired awaken period expires.

24 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 21 , further comprising determining the optimal sleep state of the person using sleep state patterns exhibited by the person over time.

25 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , wherein the alarm process comprises controlling an audible alarm.

26 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , wherein the alarm process comprises controlling movement of at least one of a mattress and a pillow.

27 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , wherein the alarm process comprises controlling a lighting device.

28 . The method for awakening a person according to claim 18 , wherein the alarm process comprises controlling at least one of a temperature of a sleep system and a humidity of the sleep system.