Abstract: A device that monitors a user's sleep cycles and operates to sound an alarm to awaken the user at an optimal point within a sleep cycle. Once an alarm time is set and the alarm is activated, the device begins to monitor a wearer's sleep cycles by identifying the points in time at which the wearer moves his or her body limbs. As the alarm time is approached, the device can trigger the alarm earlier if the wearer is at an optimal point in the sleep cycle or, even retard the triggering of the alarm if the optimal point in the sleep cycle is expected to occur shortly. The device can be used to assist children in waking up to prevent bed wetting, or in a patient for obtaining light therapy.

Abstract: A device for obtaining media content from a source and storing the media content for subsequent playback. A response mechanism enables a listener to generate response information associated with particular media content that is being rendered by the device. This response information can be delivered to a third party system for triggering the performance of specific actions related to the media content. A content system interfaces to the device and to the Internet. The content system obtains media content from one or more sources via the Internet and delivers the content to the device.

Abstract: A device for obtaining media content from a source and storing the media content for subsequent playback. A response mechanism enables a listener to generate response information associated with particular media content that is being rendered by the device. This response information can be delivered to a third party system for triggering the performance of specific actions related to the media content. A content system interfaces to the device and to the Internet. The content system obtains media content from one or more sources via the Internet and delivers the content to the device.

Abstract: A closed loop system for and method of delivering information obtained from an information content source to a playback device and to receive response information related to the information content. The system comprises an information source (710), a mobile-content server (735) and a playback device (755). The mobile content server (735) comprises a web site, a database, and a server application. The web site interfaces to the information content source (710) and is available for access by a user. The database stores, among other things, user information. The server application operates on the mobile-content server (735) and enables the mobile-content server (735) to: retrieve the user information from the database; retrieve content segments or programming information from the information content source (710); deliver the content segments or programming information to the playback device (755) to the client platform; and receive response information from the playback device (755).

Abstract: A device that monitors a user's sleep cycles and operates to sound an alarm to awaken the user at an optimal point within a sleep cycle. Once an alarm time is set and the alarm is activated, the device begins to monitor a wearer's sleep cycles by identifying the points in time at which the wearer moves his or her body limbs. As the alarm time is approached, the device can trigger the alarm earlier if the wearer is at an optimal point in the sleep cycle or, even retard the triggering of the alarm if the optimal point in the sleep cycle is expected to occur shortly. The device can be used to assist children in waking up to prevent bed wetting, or in a patient for obtaining light therapy.