Patent ID: 8749360

Claim:
A sleep management device, comprising: a processor operatively coupled to a memory, wherein the processor is configured to control operation of the sleep management device; a display included with the sleep management device that is operable to display at least the time of day; an audio reproduction device associated with the sleep management device that is operative to output audio; and at least one connector that is configured for docking a consumer electronic device to the sleep management device; wherein, when the consumer electronic device is docked to the sleep management device and further wherein when the consumer electronic device operates a sleep management application, the sleep management device is authenticated so as to be responsive to the sleep management application and further comprising a communication link to a remote server having external data pertaining to the consumer electronic device or to a user of the consumer electronic device; wherein the sleep management application, when executed by the consumer electronic device, causes the consumer electronic device to: initiate communications over the communication link between the sleep management application and the remote server; receive the external data from the remote server; analyze the external data to identify elements that pertain to the sleep management application; generate a control signal based on the identified elements; modify a setting governing an operation of an alarm function in accordance with the control signal; and activate the sleep management device in accordance with the modified setting.