Project:AlarmClock

Alarm clocks are shit. I want to build one that actually works at a cost that isn't absurd.

Criteria

• Does not rely on being irritating. No "find the puzzle piece I ejected into orbit" type things.
• Uses the time signal to set itself, should be aware of DST as a result.
• Stores settings on flash so they're not lost in power cuts.
• Has a programmable wake-up sequence.
• Mains powered.

Ideas

• Dawn light, use a full-spectrum bulb. Turns on at the start of the wakeup sequence, gradually gets brighter.
  • Allow for plugging in an external lamp instead of a built in lamp?
• Alarm starts to make noise at start of wakeup sequence, gradually getting louder. Possibly with breaks.
• Settings for week and weekend. Programmable in some way.
• "Cut off" time, at which point the thing goes mental and forces you to get up if you've not turned it off.
  • Does this even need a snooze if you go for gradual wakeup?
• A wireless off button that lives in another room.
  • Maybe unnecessary if it's designed for gradual-wakeup?
  • Maybe just for "Cut off" mode.
• Programmable noises for wakeup sequence. USB upload? SD card?
• Some form of sleep cycle monitoring.
  • Change the alarm to start going off at the correct point in your cycle.
  • Preferably via a method that doesn't require something in the bed with you, or a wristband. Possibly a PIR type sensor, or a camera.
  • For bonus points, allow data export for data porn. Maybe save to the SD card with the sound files on.
    • If we have data export, I'd love to get the data about the time between alarm activation and shutoff over time.
      • And if we're doing data logging over time, add temperature logging in the room. Especially if you can associate that with the quality of the sleep cycle.