Sunrise Simulation Sleep Mask

Abstract

A sunrise simulation sleep mask for providing a mask that protect outside light from impinging on an individual's eye area during sleep and wakes an individual with light in the morning or when desired. The sunrise simulation sleep mask generally includes a mask apparatus, a light unit attached to the inside of the mask apparatus, a power supply, and a controller attached to the mask apparatus. Alternatively, a receiver and a mobile device may replace the aforementioned controller.

1 . A sunrise simulation sleep mask comprising:
 (a) a mask apparatus comprises a mask and a retainer, the mask is a structure that covers the eye area of a user, having an inside designed to face the user and an outside designed to face away from the user, the retainer is attached to the mask and coupling the mask to the user's face and secures the mask to the user's head;   (b) a light unit designed to direct light into the eye area of the user at a specific time to aid in waking the user is attached to the mask;   (c) a means for controlling the light unit and the headphone is attached to the mask apparatus and is electronically connected to the light unit and the headphone; and   (d) a power supply is attached to the mask apparatus, providing electricity to the light unit, headphone, and means for controlling the light unit and headphone.   
     
     
         2 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 1  further comprising at least one headphone to emit audible alarm at a specific time is attached to the mask apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 2  wherein the means for controlling the light unit and the headphone is a controller which comprises a display that shows time in clock format and user inputs that control the light unit and headphone, the controller is configured to activate the user inputs to control the intensity and timing of the light unit and to emit an audible alarm through the headphone. 
     
     
         4 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 3  wherein the controller has built-in programs to select to activate the light source at a set time and linearly or exponentially increase the light intensity over a predetermined time to simulate a sunrise sequence. 
     
     
         5 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 4  wherein the controller can be programmed by the user to simulate a sunrise sequence instead of using built-in programs. 
     
     
         6 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 2  wherein the means for controlling the light unit and the headphone is a receiver which is in wireless communication with a mobile device, the user's inputs that control the light unit and headphone are made through the mobile device and transmitted to the receiver which in turns activates the inputs to control the intensity and timing of the light unit and to emit an audible alarm through the headphone. 
     
     
         7 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 1  wherein the light unit is attached to the side of the mask facing the user. 
     
     
         8 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 1  wherein the mask comprises two layers, a top layer and a bottom layer, the light unit is affixed between the two layers, the top layer over the light unit can hold the form of the mask apparatus and the bottom fabric layer can provide comfort to the users eye area and allow the light from the light unit to penetrate and diffuse through. 
     
     
         9 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 1  wherein the mask can be made from a variety of fabrics and materials, preferably materials that are lightweight, comfortable, and can block out light. 
     
     
         10 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 1  wherein the mask can have eye cavity or cavities. 
     
     
         11 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 1  wherein the retainer is an elastic band with a fastening means to ensure the mask fits snug on the user's face to prevent any outside light from impinging on the eyes. 
     
     
         12 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 1  wherein various luminescent fabrics, light sources, colors, wavelengths, temperatures, arrangements and directions of light may be used in the light unit. 
     
     
         13 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 12  wherein the light unit comprises a light emitting diode substrate fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 6  further comprising a mobile device in wireless communication with the receiver, the mobile device comprises a display showing time in clock format and user inputs, and activates the user inputs and controls the light unit and the headphone through the receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 14  where in the mobile device is programmed to activate the light source at a set time and increase the intensity of the light source over a predetermined time, the mobile device is programmed to activate the headphone at a set time and activate an audible alarm. 
     
     
         16 . A sunrise simulation sleep mask comprising:
 (a) a mask apparatus comprises a mask and a retainer, the mask is a structure that covers the eye area of a user, having an inside facing the user and an outside facing away from the user, the retainer is attached to the mask and coupling the mask to the user's face and secures the mask to the user's head;   (b) a light unit designed to direct light into the eye area of the user at a specific time to aid in waking the user comprising a light emitting diode substrate fabric is attached to the mask;   (c) at least one headphone to emit audible alarm at a specific time is attached to the mask apparatus;   (d) a controller comprising a display that shows time in clock format and user inputs that control the light unit and headphone is attached to the mask apparatus and electronically connected to the light unit and headphone, the controller is configured to activate the user inputs to control the intensity and timing of the light unit and to emit an audible alarm through the headphone; and   (e) a power supply is attached to the mask apparatus, providing electricity to the light unit, headphone, and controller.   
     
     
         17 . A sunrise simulation sleep mask comprising:
 (a) a mask apparatus comprises a mask and a retainer, the mask is a structure that covers the eye area of a user, having an inside facing the user and an outside facing away from the user, the retainer is attached to the mask and coupling the mask to the user's face and secures the mask to the user's head;   (b) a light unit designed to direct light into the eye area of the user at a specific time to aid in waking the user comprising a light emitting diode substrate fabric is attached to the mask;   (c) at least one headphone to emit audible alarm at a specific time is attached to the mask apparatus;   (d) a receiver which is attached to the mask apparatus and electronically connected to the light unit and headphone, receives and activates user's inputs to control the light unit and headphone via wireless communication with a mobile device where the user's inputs to control light unit and headphone are made through and transmitted; and   (e) a power supply is attached to the mask apparatus, providing electricity to the light unit, headphone, and receiver.   
     
     
         18 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 17  further comprising a mobile device in wireless communication with the receiver, the mobile device comprises a display showing time in clock format and user inputs, and activates the user inputs and controls the light unit and the headphone through the receiver. 
     
     
         19 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 16  wherein the mask comprises two layers, a top layer and a bottom layer, and the light unit is affixed between the two layers, the top layer over the light unit can hold the form of the mask apparatus and the bottom fabric layer can provide comfort to the users eye area and allow the light from the light unit to penetrate and diffuse through. 
     
     
         20 . The sunrise simulation sleep mask of  claim 17  wherein the mask comprises two layers, a top layer and a bottom layer, and the light unit is affixed between the two layers, the top layer over the light unit can hold the form of the mask apparatus and the bottom fabric layer can provide comfort to the users eye area and allow the light from the light unit to penetrate and diffuse through.