Sign me up. I think a buzz or shock to the wrist would surely wake me up. It might even be that you set the alarm clock the regular way and the wrist band gets the signal from the alarm clock that it is time to wake up.

On this topic, there is New York Times Circuits columnist David Pogue's idea that alarm clocks should be able to be set with a numeric keypad (similar to a phone) rather than having to scroll through all the times.

Setting the alarm clock the regular way is what I had in mind, although the idea of a number pad is excellent. The band getting the signal from the clock is also how I envisioned it (and when I started thinking of the Vibrating Home Communicator). I wasn't thinking of a shock, though, only a vibration.

Going a little further, I've heard of clocks that set themselves via a broadcast radio signal. It could also pick-up the Emergency Broadcast system signals and vibrate to wake you if there were a tornado warning, etc.

I'm a little concerned about the battery for the band. I don't want a big battery that is heavy and bulky, but I don't want a small battery that must be changed constantly. How about if the band has a rechargeable battery, and the clock is the charger (it could even be inductive, which would be cool :).

That is interesting. I think Sharper Image has a wrist band that helps you sleep better. The theory is, gentle massage to your wrist, stimulates pressure points that help you sleep. You could combine the two, -gentle massage for sleep, followed by a jarring vibration or shock, (also have one where you could turn off the sleep assist)

Why Not add have the alarm clock itself on the bracelet?

The digital clock can be very small and it needs very little power to run.

I use my cellphone as an alarm clock. On some cellphone you can choose a vibration only signal. If you place it on your side of the bed, you would have a very personal alarm clock. Hope that helps.

Many mobile phones have both an alarm function and a vibrating sounder. Several are small enough to be strapped to the forearm (if you really want to...). Or perhaps something more sensitive?

You could even make this bracelet have a little clock on it. It could have leather bands and a little buckle where they connect.

I saw a vibrating alarm watch at a watch store at my local mall! I immediately thought of this post on whynot? and wondered where they got their idea... heh

Good job, everyone!

Great idea

I am, in fact, currently wearing a wristwatch with a vibrator alarm, and considering that it's been sitting on my wrist for nearly three years now, I'd say that this idea has been around for a good while.

To those who like the idea of having a cellphone close to your body during your sleep, remember that cellphone companies (in Japan at any rate) suggest keeping cellphones about 2.5 cm away from your body as a safety precaution. Not sure of the details, but I like to err on the side of caution.

It wouldn't be hard to make small, likely soft/cushioned bracelets that vibrate upon alarm. It would have to be soft in order to be comfy when you sleep.

Already been done. See Alarm Watch

Hello,I've had this EXACT same idea for a couple of years now. With my idea though, I would employ the owner's existing clock radio and the transmitter would sit on top of it.You could keep the clock radio's volume down to a point where there is no way that it would wake you up, but the transmitter could detect it and then send the signal to the receiver wrist unit.

I had a similar idea to this, but I envision it as a sweatband for your wrist. I don't know if I could sleep with a leather watch on my wrist. A terry cloth digital watch that vibrates would be ideal. You could also put it on your ankles if it is uncomfortable on your wrist. I can't believe I haven't seen this in the stores before. So many couples have different sleep schedules, it seems like no brainer.

This device is more like a watch than a bracelet, but it not only vibrates, it monitors your sleep patterns to wake you at the best time.

You can buy such things already... http://medicalarm.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=211