Abstract: System (100) for accommodating mobile devices used for video teleconferencing, the system including a loudspeaker (120), a controller (190), and an elevated support (140) for the mobile device. The controller communicates with the mobile device and controls the loudspeaker to provide an audio interface with the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for helping a user awaken from sleep includes receiving information indicating a wake-up time frame; receiving a plurality of biometric readings of the user, each biometric reading including at least one of a heart rate or respiration rate; based on the plurality of biometric readings, determining that the user has had sufficient sleep; and arranging a wake-up sound after entering the wake-up time frame and after determining that the user has had sufficient sleep or at the end of the wake-up timeframe.

Abstract: A dynamic wake-up alarm is provided-for, including a clock, a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor may be configured to receive a wake-up rule based on at least two wake-up criteria including a time from the clock and data from the biometric sensor, and evaluate whether the criteria are met to activate an alarm.

Abstract: A dynamic wake-up alarm is provided-for, including a clock, a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor may be configured to receive a wake-up rule based on at least two wake-up criteria including a time from the clock and data from the biometric sensor, and evaluate whether the criteria are met to activate an alarm.

Abstract: A sleep assistance device includes a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor detects a user's sleep state by reading signals from the contactless biometric sensor. The processor may then initiate a wind-down routine upon detecting a sleep-readiness state, including playing relaxing sounds or playing a respiration entrainment sound. The processor may also play noise-masking sounds upon detecting that a user has fallen asleep and seamlessly transition between the sounds played during the wind-down routine and the noise-masking sounds.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser maintains a profile queue with profile data of “close” consumer mobile computing devices. Each profile in the profile queue maintains one or more beverages previously selected by a consumer, such as favorite beverage(s), mixed or blended beverages, and/or past or future beverage order(s). Each profile in the profile queue is additionally associated with a profile identifier, such as a name, screen name, social media picture, avatar, alphanumeric identifier, other such text or graphics recognizable by a consumer to be associated with their corresponding profile. Upon navigation to an appropriate screen on the beverage dispenser, a display on the beverage dispenser shows the profile identifiers or one or more of the previously selected beverages in the profiles of “close” consumer mobile computing devices. In this way, a consumer is able to quickly access their previously selected beverages without actively manipulating their mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that provide respiration entrainment cues to a user to encourage relaxation or a sleep state. The entrainment cues may be audible, visible, or tactile (or any combination). The entrainment cues include a rhythmic component associated with a target respiration rate and may include sub-components associated with a target breath architecture, such as an inhale-exhale cycle. The systems and methods detect the user's respiration to determine whether the user's respiration matches the entrainment cues or whether the user has fallen asleep.

Abstract: A user controllable sleep system is provided-for, including at least one biometric sensor, a processor, memory in communication with the processor, a display in communication with the processor, and a user interface. The user interface provides landscape graphics relating to a selected soundscape comprising one or more related sounds. The user interface also has health indicia indicating health information from the biometric sensor and environmental indicia indicating environmental information received by the processor.

Abstract: A method for helping a user awaken from sleep includes receiving information indicating a wake-up time frame; receiving a plurality of biometric readings of the user, each biometric reading including at least one of a heart rate or respiration rate; based on the plurality of biometric readings, determining that the user has had sufficient sleep; and arranging a wake-up sound after entering the wake-up time frame and after determining that the user has had sufficient sleep or at the end of the wake-up timeframe.

Abstract: A sleep assistance device is provided-for, including a housing, a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor may detect a user's sleep state by reading signals from the contactless biometric sensor based on at least one of a detected change in heartrate, body movement, or respiration. The processor may also arrange a soundscape including individual sound records representing sounds associated with the selected soundscape based, at least in part, on the detected sleep state of a user.

Abstract: A sleep assessment device is provided for, including biometric sensors for detecting a heart rate, respiration, or movement of a user. The device detect a user's sleep state by reading signals from the biometric sensor and logs detected information in a sleep record. The device then compares the logged information to a thumbprint of sleep patterns indicative of sleep disorders and outputs an indication of potential sleep disorders based on the comparison.

Abstract: A sleep assessment device is provided for, including biometric sensors for detecting a heart rate, respiration, or movement of a user. The device detect a user's sleep state by reading signals from the biometric sensor and logs detected information in a sleep record. The device then compares the logged information to a thumbprint of sleep patterns indicative of sleep disorders and outputs an indication of potential sleep disorders based on the comparison.

Abstract: A sleep assistance device is provided-for, including a processor, communications hardware, memory, and a speaker. The processor receives information from an other device via the communications hardware. The processor may then provide a wake up alarm to a first user via the speaker based on the information received from the other device.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A sleep scoring device is provided for, including a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a microphone. The sleep scoring device may detect a user's sleep state by reading signals from the contactless biometric sensor based on at least one of a detected change in heartrate, body movement, or respiration, and log the biometric information. The sleep scoring device may also generate a sleep score for a sleep session based on the latency of the sleep session, the number of detected waking events, the amount of REM sleep, the amount of deep sleep, or the number of times the snooze button was pressed during the sleep session.

Abstract: A sleep assistance device is provided-for, including a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor detects a user's sleep state by reading signals from the contactless biometric sensor. The processor may then initiate a wind-down routine upon detecting a sleep-readiness state, including playing relaxing sounds or playing a respiration entrainment sound. The processor may also play noise-masking sounds upon detecting that a user has fallen asleep and seamlessly transition between the sounds played during the wind-down routine and the noise-masking sounds.

Abstract: A sleep assistance device is provided-for, including a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor detects a user's sleep state by reading signals from the contactless biometric sensor. The processor may then initiate a wind-down routine upon detecting a sleep-readiness state, including playing relaxing sounds or playing a respiration entrainment sound. The processor may also play noise-masking sounds upon detecting that a user has fallen asleep and seamlessly transition between the sounds played during the wind-down routine and the noise-masking sounds.

Abstract: A sleep assistance device is provided-for, including a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor detects a user's sleep state by reading signals from the contactless biometric sensor. The processor may then initiate a wind-down routine upon detecting a sleep-readiness state, including playing relaxing sounds or playing a respiration entrainment sound. The processor may also play noise-masking sounds upon detecting that a user has fallen asleep and seamlessly transition between the sounds played during the wind-down routine and the noise-masking sounds.