Capstone Project
| Group | 2024-22 | Status | inprogress |
| Title | Smart Alarm Clock Kit (SACK) | ||
| Supervisor | S. Le Beux | ||
| Description | In today s fast-paced society, individuals often struggle with maintaining healthy sleep schedules
and achieving restorative sleep, which are vital for overall well-being and daily productivity.
Traditional alarm clocks offer limited functionality—they typically support only one or two alarm
times and require manual resetting, lacking the flexibility to accommodate dynamic weekly
routines. Moreover, these devices cannot verify if a user is genuinely awake after silencing the
alarm, leading to oversleeping and disrupted schedules. Smartphones, while offering advanced
alarm features, inadvertently contribute to poor sleep hygiene due to increased screen time
before bed. The exposure to screens emits blue light, disrupting circadian rhythms and making it
harder to fall asleep. Additionally, engaging with smartphones immediately upon waking fosters
unhealthy habits and increases morning stress.
Another critical issue is the impact of sleep cycles on waking experiences. Being awakened during a deep sleep phase can result in decreased alertness, negatively affecting mood and efficiency throughout the day. There is a pressing need for a system that not only wakes users at optimal times aligned with their sleep cycles but also provides insights into their sleep patterns to promote better sleep hygiene. Furthermore, the lack of integration between sleep management and smart home devices means missed opportunities for creating an optimal sleep environment and streamlined morning routines. Adjusting environmental factors such as lighting, temperature, and appliance activation in coordination with sleep patterns can significantly enhance sleep quality and morning efficiency. Our project, the Smart Alarm Clock Kit (SACK), is an intelligent alarm clock designed to address these challenges more effectively than existing solutions on the market. While some smart alarms offer features like sleep tracking or smart home integration, they often rely on intrusive methods or do not verify if the user is genuinely awake. Unlike these alternatives, our system utilizes biometric data from wearable devices—such as heart rate and movement patterns—to accurately determine wakefulness without compromising privacy. This ensures the alarm will not turn off until the user is truly awake and active. Additionally, many current smart alarms depend heavily on smartphone interaction for configuration and operation, which can contribute to increased screen time before bed and negatively impact sleep quality. Our system addresses this by providing a mobile application designed to minimize pre-sleep screen exposure, promoting healthier sleeping habits. By seamlessly integrating control of other nearby wireless appliances, our solution creates an optimal waking environment by adjusting lighting in coordination with the user sleep patterns. |
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| Student Requirement | ● ENGR 290 (Microcontroller Board Programming) ● COEN 317 (Microcontroller Board Programming) ● COEN 451 (PCB Design) ● ELEC 273 (Basic Circuit Design & Analysis) ● COEN 390 (Android App Design & understanding of API) ● SOEN 357 (UI Design) ● SOEN 341 (Experience with Git Commands) | ||
| Tools | ● Programming Knowledge in C++, Java and/or Python ● Knowledge on Microcontrollers ● Knowledge and Experience in Circuit Design (PCB Design) ● Programming Knowledge of App development ● Knowledge and Experience in Git command ● Knowledge of CAD Tools ● Knowledge of Smart Home devices ● Access to Concordia Sleep Lab | ||
| Number of Students | 6 | ||
| Students | Bachar Alshabab, Gabriel Brodeur, Sriram Kanagalingham, Abdelaziz Mekkaoui, Sarmad Sabbagh, Amritpal Singh Parihar, | ||
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