Need some opinions

Posted by ArchitecTonic | Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 1 comments »

I have been trying lately the software without a clear trace where to go now.. I would like to release the code under GPL and get users to start using it and comment on it.
But I have no time at the moment (at least for all the thoughts I have in mind)..
So it is a good time for testing and some feedback probably, so what I want to know is:

- If you check the sleeping motion data on this blog, please comment on when do you think I had a REM.. So I can get an idea of how to detect (predict, estimate) REM time.
- Your opinion on how this technology can be used, i.e. is vibrating periodically instead of playing a sound is a better option? is flashing the camera flash a better way to go? because trying all the methods can get frustrating, especially that I can try them only once per day :)
- What features do you expect in such a software? of course the ability to choose type and intensity of the alarm (vibration, sound, light), adjust motion sensitivity, and the HappyWakeUp option are already there (however suggestions concerning particulars of them are most welcome).

Licensing and preparing for alpha

Posted by ArchitecTonic | Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | , , | 2 comments »

So based on the advice of my dear friend Daniel, I am willing to license the code under GPL, the advanced alarm (that wakes you up in the right moment) is functional but the interface is not user-friendly yet.
The lucid dreaming helper is still under adjustment, but even though, feedback is appreciated.

I will work on tidying up and documenting the code, and will probably be released next week.

Haunted

Posted by ArchitecTonic | Tuesday, March 17, 2009 | | 2 comments »

This night was a mess, never sleep too late.. Same nightmares haunting me again and I am just missing all the dream signs.
Nah, practice makes perfect.

Land ahoy!

Posted by ArchitecTonic | Monday, March 16, 2009 | , , | 0 comments »

Finally, I managed last night to insert a stimuli into my dream.. knocking on the door. The bad news is that it was directly interpreted as a normal event by my dreaming brain.:(
Anyway, that's an important milestone.

HappyWakeUp, sound motion detection

Posted by ArchitecTonic | Monday, March 16, 2009 | , , | 0 comments »

This HappyWakeUp application looks cool, it would definitely be better to be able to keep the phone near your pillow instead of on your wrist.. and sense sound instead of motion..
If the sensitivity of the mic is good enough, it can monitor your motion all through the night..
But having it ringing when you move within the last 20 minutes is an oversimplification of the concept..
Anyway, and according to Daniel, it would not be useful in the case of two (or more) persons in the room.. and it is liable to different noises from around.

Some preliminary conclusions

Posted by ArchitecTonic | Monday, March 16, 2009 | , , | 0 comments »

It is not that easy to determine the REM phase from motion data. unless you want to try to predict it, and especially that during REM "Limbs are totally still".
Last advances in the LD direction was last night, After detecting total stillness of the hand, start flashing the flash with predefined intervals (5 minutes). When motion is detected again, delay flashing for 7 minutes and then continue. Here is the chart of motion data and flashing times.
The flash flashed 58 times last night, I noticed 1 of them.. since the flash is on my hand not pointing at my eyes, it might go unnoticed.. I am thinking about playing a certain sound or vibrating instead.. like here
On the contrary, REM can be detected by the varying breathing rate as seen here. But it is much easier to attach the phone to your hand instead of your chest..

Further.. fork on the road

Posted by ArchitecTonic | Monday, March 16, 2009 | , , | 0 comments »

Ok, I have worked a little on it and it looks like it is going in three different directions:
- Advanced alarm clock (functions almost like the SleepTracker): this one is almost ready for testing..
- Lucid dreams helper: I don't know whether I will continue with this one, since determining the REM sleep phase from the motion data is not that easy, and being able to see the flash burst is difficult unless your hand is over the sheet (not for winter times).
- Breathing rate analyzer: hmm.. probably more useful in determining the REM phase, however it requires the phone to be attached in a dangerous way.

I like the sensitivity of the accelerometer, but I had problems with the time precision since I couldn't manage to get more precision than 1 second Sad .. which is not enough in the case of breathing rate detection..