Abstract:
A vibrating pulse monitored alarm bracelet consists of control panel/display/capacitive touchscreen, a flash memory to collect and communicate data, two rechargeable batteries which serve as the power source for the device, sensors to collect pulse rate data, vibrating pads to provide silent, electric pulse stimuli, and a neoprene band to secure the device to its wearer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    61/795,745; 61/848,394; 61/855,222 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is in the technical field of alarm bracelets. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of pulse-monitored, silent alarm bracelets. This invention relates to a drowsiness warning system which monitors the wearer&#39;s pulse rate and activates the vibration mode when the wearer&#39;s pulse rate falls below a calculated, predetermined level. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Conventional alarms such as alarm clocks, cell phones, digital watches are only useful when set to a certain time specification. However, what if sleep overcomes a person who has neglected to set the traditional wake up device? Furthermore, what if sleep overwhelms one who is in acting in a situation where sleep is inappropriate. For example, a deployed soldier standing guard on an overnight watch would jeopardize his own life as well as the life of others if he succumbs to sleep. For the soldier to anticipate the exact moment when sleep will occur is impossible. Therefore, to predict sleep and be prepared by setting an alarm is not feasible. For the safety of the soldier and his/her team members, the soldier needs assistance to stay awake. This is the case for many professions: military, nursing, transportation, education, security and criminal justice, as well as, the general population who may engage in an activity that will put a person or others in harm&#39;s way if sleep occurs. If a device can detect physical manifestations of sleep and respond to that change, unwanted sleep can be avoided. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a bracelet that monitors the average pulse rate of its wearer; when the pulse slows below the resting heart rate—an indicator of sleep, the bracelet vibrates silently to restore the wearer to the state of being alert. The human heart rate can be affected by many variables. Each individual has a resting heart rate that is unique to that individual. An individual&#39;s resting pulse rate can change over a lifetime based on how physically active the person is, the amount of stress one is facing, and numerous other weighted factors. The average range of a resting heart rate ranges from 50 to 85 beats per minute. Another factor that alters heart rate is the onset of sleepiness. 
         [0007]    For a majority of the population, the onset of sleep drops the pulse rate between 55 to 65 beats per minute. The average reduction of pulse rate during sleep is 8%. However, if that percentage of decrease has been reached, the awareness and alertness of the individual has been compromised. Therefore, the warning to the individual must occur before the full onset of sleep. To review the function of this device, each individual will calibrate the device. For example, the individual will attach the bracelet to his/her wrist. Once the device is activated, it will calibrate to the average pulse rate of the individual. If the pulse rate falls below the specified percentage below the wearer&#39;s average pulse rate; then, the silent alarm triggers and vibration waves stimulate the wearer&#39;s arm. The sensation is like that of a limb that “falls asleep” and tingles. This alerts the wearer of the onset of sleep and the individual may then take the appropriate precautions for safety in his or her given situation. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, the strength of the vibration necessary for effectiveness will vary from individual to individual. Therefore, the vibration mode will be adjustable to be customized to the need of each wearer. There will be 10 levels of vibration that will activate at a specified level then escalate to the desired full effect for the individual as to not startle the individual. The device will activate 3 levels below the desired “awake” level. For example, a young female may select the desired vibration level  6 . As the device is activated by the reduction of pulse rate, the device will activate at level  3  and build steadily to level  6  to restore the individual to full awareness. For another example of custom vibration, a middle-aged male may preset the vibration level to  10 . For him, the device would activate at level  7  and build to level  10  for maximum individual effectiveness. 
         [0009]    When an individual first attaches the band to his/her wrist, he/she will engage the capacitive touchscreen and press the option to calibrate. The device will detect and monitor the wearer&#39;s average heart rate throughout the duration of device usage. As soon as the device calibrates, it will cue the wearer to set the vibration level. The device will fire at level  1 ; then the wearer can increase level for individual optimum effectiveness. 
         [0010]    If the device does not receive input for pulse detection within 90 seconds, the device hibernates to save battery life. The device will retain the settings for this individual until another wearer calibrates the device for his/her use. When the device is reattached to the wearer, the pulse is detected and the device restores to active state. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, a flash memory records the time and date of each “fired” vibration warning of the device as a record of the wearer&#39;s sleepiness patterns. When the device is calibrated for a new wearer, the calibration is reset and the device will begin recording new data for the new wearer. 
         [0012]    Due to the device&#39;s bluetooth capabilities, the device can share information with other personal devices. This can also be utilized for audibly signaling to a driver through a phone, GPS, or Bluetooth capable audio/stereo car systems. 
         [0013]    There is a second mode that the wearer can select when he/she is in a situation when sleep is appropriate and desired or when there is no danger that will result from the onset of sleep. For example, a nurse who is working a double shift has an hour break. The nurse may choose to sleep briefly to revive himself/herself for the next phase of the shift. He/she can set his/her device to sleep mode to ensure that he/she is restored to full awareness before his/her shift resumes. Since the vibration alarm is silent, no patient or coworker will be disturbed by the use of the device. When the bracelet is set to this mode, the wearer can set the silent vibrating alarm for a desired wake up time; or, the wearer can simply refer to the device as a digital clock. 
         [0014]    The device is powered by a rechargeable, lithium, 3V, button batteries. The batteries are rechargeable by two systems. The first system available will recharge the device externally through a battery charging micro-USB port that pulls energy through a connector which can be powered from an electrical outlet or through a car charging adapter. The second option also utilizes the micro-USB port but pulls energy from an external solar powered charger. The use of rechargeable energy allows the device to function with consideration for clean energy processes. 
         [0015]    The device is wearable on the wrist. It includes a capacitive touchscreen that navigates and controls this device. Through the navigation screen, the wearer calibrates the device and allows the wearer to establish his/her average pulse rate. Then, the wearer sets the customized vibration level for his/her usage. The programming allows the wearer to select between the “work” and “sleep” modes. There is also a display lock button on the side of the device which houses the micro-USB port. When the display is locked, no programming can be accessed or altered. The neoprene band provides a weatherproof casing to optimize the durability of the device in any climate or territory. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the anterior of the vibrating bracelet and the capacitive touchscreen, control panel of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the vibrating bracelet of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the interior mechanism of the alarm bracelet of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the vibrating pads and sensors of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is the expanded perspective view of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is the general 3-D image of the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , there is shown a control panel  1  on which is located the capacitive touchscreen  1 , which controls the vibration levels and the time settings as well as the display lock button  3  that locks the operational mode of the present device. The micro-USB port  2  for charging the device and data sharing is located on the same surface as the display lock button  3  as shown on  FIG. 2 . 
         [0023]    In further detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , display screen is sufficiently wide and long for comfortable viewing, such as 1 inch by 1½ inches. The button  3  is sized appropriately to be unobtrusive, while the micro-USB port  2  is the standard industry specification. 
         [0024]    The construction details of the invention as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are that the present device may be made of sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high-strength plastic, metal, and the like. Further, the various components of the display control panel can be made of different materials. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , there is shown the internal components of the device. The connector plate  4  is the transmitter that emits the electronic pulse to the vibrating pads  7  on  FIG. 4 . The wireless sensor  8  collects the pulse rate data and transmits it to the microprocessor for monitoring. The rechargeable batteries  5  supply power to the control panel ( FIG. 1 ) and the vibrating mechanism  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . The rechargeable batteries  5  are chargeable through a battery charging port that pulls energy through a micro-USB port  2  which can be powered from an adapter by an electrical outlet or through a car charging port. Again referring to  FIG. 3 , the microprocessor  6  is the operating system of this present device. 
         [0026]    In more detail, still referring to the invention in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the connector plate  4  is approximately ¾ inch by ¼ inch. The batteries  5  are 3V, rechargeable, lithium, button batteries. The microprocessor  6  is approximately ¾ inch by ½ inch. In addition, the vibrating pads  7  of  FIG. 4  are dispersed equidistant alternating with the wireless sensors  8  connected within and throughout the neoprene band  10  with bioelectrical cable  9  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0027]    The construction details of the invention as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are that the present device may be made of sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high-strength plastic, metal, silicone, and the like. The button batteries  5  in  FIG. 3  are rechargeable lithium with 3V. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, the various components of the inner mechanism can be made of different materials. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the various layers of the present device: capacitive touchscreen  1 , the connector plate  4 , the rechargeable, lithium button batteries  5 , the microprocessor  6 , and the circuit board  11  which is embedded in the inner casing of the control panel of the present device. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown the 3D, external, perspective view of the vibrating, pulse-monitored, alarm bracelet as a whole: capacitive touchscreen  1  and the bracelet band  10  which fastens the device to the wearer and protects mechanisms of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]    In more detail referring to  FIG. 6 , the band of the device has a width of 1-2 inches, a length of 6-9 inches and is composed of neoprene. The band is permanently attached on one side of the device and clasps into the opposite side of the control panel  1  with a box and tongue clasp. The construction details of the invention as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are that the present device may be made of sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high-strength plastic, metal, neoprene, and the like. Furthermore, the various components of the device can be made of different materials. 
         [0031]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is lightweight and dependable. The band of the device is comfortable, well-fitting, and adjustable, available in four sizes to fit all. The device is easy to set with two modes of operation. The device is weather-proof and can function without failing in extreme temperatures. Moreover, the present device is sweat/water resistant and with certain specifications waterproof with a sufficient depth rating. The device has application for all sectors of society--civilian to military, or in any situation when it is vital for one to stay awake and alert. 
         [0032]    In broad embodiment, the present invention is a vibrating pulse monitoring alarm device that also has a vibrating alarm clock mode. 
         [0033]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skills to make use of what is considered presently to be best the mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivocations of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.