Project:AlarmClock

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

No, I do not want to use my phone. I forget to plug it in.

--Jonty

Criteria

• Does not rely on being irritating, should be designed for gradual wakeup.
  • That means no "find the puzzle piece I ejected into orbit" solutions.
• 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.
• Settings for week and weekend.
• Mains powered, but relatively low power.

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.
• "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?
• Detect if someone is actually in the bed, and cancel the alarm if not. No more irritating the neighbors when you go away.
• 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.
• Multiple alarms that can be set on a day-by-day basis
• Configurable via a web-interface (using buttons and shit is painful)
• Sources alarm times from an .ics file (Google calendar etc.)
• Wake up to the sound of random, interesting facts.
  • Gives you something to look forward to every day.
    • Isn't this called "Radio 4"?

Less desirable ideas

• A beers made - along the lines of a teas-made but with beer instead of tea; and therefore a fridge instead of a kettle.
• A bees-made - along the lines of a teas-made but releases a swarm of angry bees instead of tea; and therefore a hive instead of a kettle.
• Big Shower Button - The button to turn off the alarm is located in the shower which is running with cold water. The button has to be held down for 30 seconds or the alarm will restart.