Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Sleep Sensors

Sleep is something we all do every day (unless its finals week.) However, its something that not everyone is 'good' at. 1 out of 3 adults suffer from insomnia at least once in their life. Insomnia, while not exactly an illness, can easily lead to other illnesses, irritability, and if continued long enough, even depression. One of the bet ways to treat insomnia or other poor sleeping habits is to have them monitored, however sleep studies are not common and forces a person to sleep in an unfamiliar situation for several days. In the past couple of years sensors, usually in the form or a wrist band or headband, have been released that are capable of tracking a person's sleep patterns. Theses sensors can track things such as heart beat, breathing rate, how many times a person wakes during the night, how much the toss and turn, some can even determine how deep of a sleep you are in at any give point.

Most of these sensors are reasonably affordable to the average person if they would like to track their sleep cycle, however many people may find it difficult to sleep with a wristband or headband. In the article I read there is a new form of sensor that works as a sensor that lies under the mattress and can still read, through the tremors the person makes, heart rate, breathing rate, and any times the person would turn over or get up. This sensor has the great advantage of allowing the person to sleep completely unobstructed. One of the best uses of this type of sensor is in the medical field and at places like retirement homes. The under the mattress sensor allows the medical professionals to accurately monitor patients and the people in their care while still providing them with comfortable sleep and privacy.

Using these sensor can teach a person how they sleep and help them achieve a better sleep. These sensors could easily be integrated with a household system and the house could learn how the occupants best sleep, such as what temperature and what level of white noise. These simple sensors, as they work there way to the mainstream and start getting into housing and other building can very simply, and very non-invasive create a better living environment for the people who occupy the building. The simple life tweaks would probably not even go noticed by the person, but could potential drastically increase their quality of life over all.

Imagine if the type of sensor i talk about, combined with the thermostat sensors that Tom and David talk about, and the type of control sensors the Elda talks about, a house would not only become drastically more efficient, but it would also become drastically more comfortable. Nathan states a fear of sensors in his post. I would have to disagree as I think the use of sensors will drastically increase the quality of life for everyone.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/426073/sleep-sensor-hides-beneath-the-mattress/
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes

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