JP2002055182A - Alarm setting method for alarm timepiece alarm timepiece device with downloading function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm setting method additionally registering alarm signal data stored in an external alarm data server by downloading it via a communication line and to provide an alarm timepiece device with a downloading function for the alarm signal data. SOLUTION: This alarm timepiece device is constituted of a timepiece means 1, an alarm setting means 3 setting an alarm time to be issued and alarm types, an alarm control means 2 having an alarm issue control mechanism, an alarm data storage means 6 storing the alarm data, an alarm data selecting means 7 selecting and outputting the alarm data, an alarm signal issuing means 4 issuing the alarm signal based on the alarm data, an alarm signal output means 5 outputting it with voice and image, and the downloading I/F means 8 downloading and inputting the alarm signal data from the alarm data server 9 via the communication line 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alarm clock device and an alarm setting method, and more particularly, to an alarm clock device capable of selecting a plurality of alarms and an alarm setting method capable of downloading an alarm signal via a communication line. Related to

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many types of alarm clocks have already been put into practical use, such as an alarm clock for selecting and calling a plurality of alarms, and an electronic alarm clock for registering a user's own music melody as an alarm signal. The alarm clock is used in various forms depending on the purpose of use, such as a stationary alarm clock used in a fixed place, a portable alarm clock carried when traveling, a pocket or a watch closely mounted on a body, and the like.
Depending on the purpose of use of the alarm, there is a case where it is desired to add or replace the type of the alarm signal, but there is no alarm clock that can be used at present. Therefore, the present application aims to propose a method of downloading and additionally registering alarm signal data via an external communication line via a communication line and an invention of an alarm clock having a download function.

[0003]

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an alarm setting for downloading and additionally registering alarm signal data stored in an external alarm data server via a communication line. It is an object of the present invention to propose a method and an alarm clock device having a function of downloading alarm signal data.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems In an alarm setting method for setting an alarm such as an audible sound or a time signal of an alarm clock, a clock means having a calendar data generating function, an alarm time for calling an alarm and an alarm time for calling are set. Alarm setting means for setting a type and the like; alarm control means having a control function of calling an alarm at a predetermined time;
Alarm data storage means for storing alarm data such as alarm signal data and alarm time used for calling,
Alarm data selection means for selectively outputting alarm signal data stored in the alarm data storage means; alarm signal generation means for generating an alarm signal based on the selectively output alarm signal data; Alarm signal output means for outputting, and download I / F for downloading and inputting alarm signal data
The download I / F means downloads the alarm signal data stored in the external alarm data server via a communication line and uses the downloaded alarm signal data as an alarm. The alarm control means issues a selection output command of the set alarm signal data when a preset alarm time comes based on the time data of the clock means, and the alarm data selection means outputs the selected output. Based on the command, the corresponding alarm signal data is selectively output and input to the alarm signal generating means. The alarm signal generating means generates an alarm signal by selecting and using a signal generation source held based on the alarm signal data.

[0005] The download I / F means is provided by ISD
I / F means for communication connection to a communication line via TA of N, CATV modem for communication connection to a CATV line network, LAN adapter for communication connection to LAN, I / F with a mobile phone having a packet communication function / F means, wireless packet communication means for communication connection with a telephone line network or a data communication network by wireless means, PC-I / F means for communication connection with a personal computer, digital broadcasting for communication connection with a digital broadcast receiver An I / F means, or an I / F means with a package medium such as a semiconductor card or an FD.

An alarm clock device with a download function includes a clock unit having a calendar data generation function, a time setting unit for setting a current time, and an alarm time setting unit for setting an alarm time for calling an alarm. Alarm setting means having an alarm type setting section for setting the type and an alarm on / off setting section for setting the alarm on / off, an alarm signal data memory storing alarm signal data used for calling, an alarm time and an alarm Alarm data storage means in the form of a semiconductor memory having an alarm control data memory for storing alarm control data with signals; an alarm time determination unit for determining an alarm call time based on calendar data and alarm control data; To decode the alarm signal data to be called based on the Alarm control means having an alarm data decoding section and an alarm control section for performing alarm call control at a predetermined time; alarm data selection means for selectively outputting alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means; Alarm signal generation means having an alarm signal selection unit for selecting an alarm signal generation means based on the obtained alarm signal data, a signal generation means for generating an alarm signal, and a signal generation control unit for controlling the operation of the signal generation means An alarm signal output unit having an audio signal output unit for outputting an alarm signal as an audio signal, and a connection terminal for downloading and inputting alarm signal data stored in an external alarm data server via a communication line, And a download I / F means stored and input to the alarm data storage means. .

[0007] The FM signal generating means for generating an audio alarm signal by the FM means is provided to the signal generating means of the alarm signal generating means.
MIDI in which a sound source section is additionally installed, and a PCM sound source section for generating an audio alarm signal by PCM means is additionally installed.
PCM in which a sound source unit is additionally installed, and a WAVE demodulation unit for demodulating audio data in a WAVE file format is additionally installed.
An additional PCM demodulator for demodulating data, an additional voice synthesizer for synthesizing and outputting audio data based on text data, or an additional image data demodulator for demodulating image signal data from alarm signal data I do.

[0008] A detachable semiconductor disk or semiconductor card is additionally installed in the alarm data storage means, or an HDD is additionally installed.

[0009] A USB terminal for performing USB standard serial data transmission is additionally provided as a connection terminal of the download I / F means, or an RS-232C terminal for performing RS-232C standard serial data transmission is additionally provided.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of an alarm clock device according to the present invention will be schematically described with reference to the schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the alarm clock device with a download function according to the present invention shown in FIG. The alarm clock device according to the embodiment includes a clock unit 1 having a calendar data generation function, an alarm setting unit 3 for setting an alarm time for calling an alarm, a type of alarm to be called, and the like, and generating an alarm at a predetermined time. Alarm control means 2 having a control function for calling, alarm data storage means 6 for storing alarm data such as alarm signal data and alarm time used for calling, and alarm signal data stored in the alarm data storage means are selected. Alarm data selecting means 7 for outputting, alarm signal generating means 4 for generating an alarm signal based on the selected and output alarm signal data, alarm signal outputting means 5 for outputting the alarm signal as a sound or image, and external. Via the communication line 10 from the alarm data server 9 storing the alarm signal data It is the standard configuration with a download I / F unit 8 for downloading enter alarm signal data.

Next, a method for downloading alarm signal data and calling out alarm data using the alarm clock device of the embodiment will be described. The external alarm data server 9 collectively expresses a paid service site (homepage), a free site, a personally owned data server, and the like. The alarm data server 9 includes musical instrument sounds, striking sounds, alarm sounds, music data, melody data, PCM voice data such as performances and Anaus, etc. used for calling an alarm.
Various alarm signal data such as image data including moving images are stored.

[0012] The user can download I
The alarm signal data stored in the external alarm data server 9 is downloaded and input via the communication line 10 from the / F means 8. The alarm signal data input by download is stored in the alarm data storage means 6. A plurality of types of alarm signal data are already stored and registered in the alarm data storage means 6, and the alarm signal data input by download is additionally registered.

The alarm setting unit 3 sets alarm data such as an alarm time (t 1) at which an alarm is issued, and designated data (m 1) of combined alarm signal data, and stores the alarm data in the alarm data storage unit 6. In addition, the on / off setting of the alarm mode is also performed. This corresponds to the operation setting function of a general alarm clock.

The alarm control unit 2 monitors the alarm time stored and registered in the alarm data storage unit 6 based on the time data of the clock unit 1. When a preset alarm time t1 is reached, a command to select and output the specified data m1 stored and registered is issued. The alarm data selection means 7 selectively outputs the alarm signal data corresponding to the designated data m1 based on the selection output command, and inputs it to the alarm signal generation means 4. The alarm signal generation means 4 selects and uses the signal generation source held based on the alarm signal data, and generates an alarm signal while calling out an alarm from the alarm signal output means 5.

The above-mentioned download I / F means 8
I / F means for communication connection to communication line via TA of SDN, CATV modem for communication connection to CATV line network, L
LAN adapter for communication connection to AN, I / F means for mobile phone having packet communication function, wireless packet communication means for communication connection with telephone line network or data communication network by wireless means, PC-I / F for communication connection with personal computer An F means, a digital broadcast I / F means for communication connection with a digital broadcast receiver, or an I / F means with a package medium such as a semiconductor card or an FD can be selectively adopted according to the use environment of the alarm clock. is there. Personal computers and package media are hesitant to be called communication lines,
It is one of the options for the download input function, and I dared to write it.

The configuration and operation of the alarm clock device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the main part block diagram of the second embodiment of the alarm clock device with a download function according to the present invention shown in FIG. The alarm clock device according to the second embodiment includes a clock unit 1 having a calendar data generating function, a time setting unit 3a for setting a current time, and an alarm time setting unit 3b for setting an alarm time for calling an alarm. An alarm setting means 3 having an alarm type setting part 3c for setting the type of alarm to be performed, an alarm on / off setting part 3d for setting the on / off of the alarm, and an alarm data requesting part 3e for setting the download request of the alarm signal data; An alarm data storage means 6 in the form of a semiconductor memory having an alarm signal data memory 6a for storing alarm signal data used for calling and an alarm control data memory 6b for storing alarm control data of an alarm time and an alarm signal; Determines the alarm call time based on calendar data and alarm control data Alarm data decoding unit 2b that decodes the type of alarm signal data call based on the alarm time determination unit 2a and the alarm control data
Alarm control means 2 having an alarm control section 2c for performing alarm call control at a predetermined time; alarm data selection means 7 for selectively outputting alarm signal data stored in an alarm data storage means 6; A signal generation unit 4b for generating a signal, an alarm signal selection unit 4a for selecting an alarm signal generation unit 4b based on the selectively output alarm signal data, and a signal generation control unit 4c for controlling the operation of the signal generation unit 4b. Alarm signal generating means 4 having an audio signal output section 5a for outputting an alarm signal as an audio signal.
And connection terminals 8a and 8b for downloading and inputting alarm signal data stored in an external alarm data server 9 via the communication line 10, and a download I / F means 8 for storing and inputting the alarm signal data to the alarm data storage means 6. , And so on.

Further, the signal generator 4 b of the alarm signal generator 4 includes an FM tone generator 41 for generating an audio alarm signal by the FM module, a PCM tone generator 42 for generating an audio alarm signal by the PCM module, and a MIDI tone generator 4.
3. WA for demodulating music data in WAVE file format
A VE demodulator 44, a PCM demodulator 45 for demodulating PCM data, a voice synthesizer 46 for synthesizing and outputting voice data based on text data, and an image data demodulator 47 for demodulating image signal data from alarm signal data. It has been additionally installed.

The alarm data storage means 6 is additionally provided with a detachable semiconductor disk or semiconductor card, not shown, or an HDD.

The download I / F unit 8 includes a communication control unit 8 b for controlling communication with the communication line 10, a dial unit 8 c for dial connection to a predetermined site, and a bookmark memory 8 d for storing a site address. A receiving unit 8e for storing and inputting the downloaded alarm signal data to the alarm data storage unit 6 is provided as standard. Further, as a connection terminal of the download I / F means 8, a USB terminal for performing serial data transmission of USB standard or an RS-232C terminal for performing serial data transmission of RS-232C standard is additionally provided.

Next, a method of setting alarm signal data by the download function will be described. The setting method of the alarm signal data by the download function is to set various alarm signal data stored in the external alarm data server 9 by means of download input via the communication line 10 or the package media system. As the communication line means, an ISDN line, a wireless packet communication line such as a mobile phone or a mobile terminal, a LAN installed on the premises, a wireless link means with a communication terminal of a public communication network, and a computer connected to the public communication network. Ir
-Various kinds of means such as infrared communication means of DA standard can be selected.

The download operation is set by the alarm data request unit 3e. First bookmark memory 8
The address of the connection destination of d is read. At this time, if a dial operation is necessary, the dial section 8c operates first to make a dial connection to the access point, and then makes a communication connection to a predetermined address. The communication control unit 8b controls communication connection and data transmission / reception. The receiving unit 8 e adds the designated data of the alarm signal to the received alarm signal data and stores the data in the alarm data storage unit 6.

Although not included in the claims of the present application, the automatic receiving unit 8f automatically receives alarm signal data, alarm time data, and the like as mail data from an external communication terminal, and stores the mail data in the alarm data storage unit. . With this function, the alarm clock can be set by remote control.

Further, a method of generating an alarm signal will be described. The alarm call includes sound or voice means such as PCM voice and narration such as instrument sound, tapping sound, alarm sound, music performance, melody performance, performance and song, and image means such as flash light and image image. Since alarm signal data by sound or voice means has a huge amount of data with analog data, sound source control data and MIDI
Score data such as data, text data for speech synthesis, and compressed speech data such as speech PCM data and speech WAVE data.

The FM sound source unit 41 is a sound source that performs data control of a fundamental frequency, a timbre, a tempo, a volume, and the like by modulation control of an FM modulator. The PCM sound source section 42 is a sound source that performs data control of a fundamental frequency, a timbre, a tempo, a volume, and the like by modulation control of a PCM modulator. MIDI tone generator 43
Performs an automatic performance according to the musical score data by an electronic musical instrument function combined with various electronic musical instrument units not shown.

The WAVE demodulation unit 44 demodulates WAVE file format audio data used in a computer. The PCM demodulation unit 45 demodulates PCM format digital audio data. Voice synthesis unit 4
Numeral 6 is for converting and synthesizing a speech signal from textual Anaus data using a speech synthesis tool.

The alarm signal selection unit 4a selects the above-described alarm signal generation unit 4b based on the alarm type data decoded by the alarm data decoding unit 2b, and inputs the alarm signal data. On the other hand, the signal generation source control section 4c controls the operation of the signal generation means based on the alarm signal data, and inputs the audio data and the image data to each alarm output means 5 together with the control.

The audio data is D / A (Digital)
After being converted into an analog audio signal by a to-analog converter 5b, the audio signal is amplified by an audio output unit 5a and output from a speaker 5c.

The image data is D / A (Digital)
After being converted to an analog display signal by a to analog converter (5e) 5e, a synchronization signal or the like is added by a display output unit 5d, and is displayed and output on a display unit 5fc.

[0029]

The present invention is embodied in the manner described above, and has the following effects. The download I / F means downloads and inputs the alarm signal data stored in the external alarm data server via a communication line,
The downloaded alarm signal data is additionally stored in the alarm data storage means, and the alarm control means issues a command to selectively output the set alarm data when a preset alarm time comes based on the time data of the clock means. The alarm data selection means selects and outputs the corresponding alarm signal data based on the selection output command and inputs the selected alarm signal data to the alarm signal generation means. The alarm signal generation means selects and uses the signal generation source held based on the alarm signal data. As a result, an alarm setting method for an alarm clock that generates an alarm signal and a proposal of an alarm clock device with a download function could be made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of an alarm clock device with a download function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part block diagram of a second embodiment of the alarm clock device with a download function according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Clock means 2 Alarm control means 2a Alarm time judgment part 2b Alarm data decoding part 2c Alarm control part 3 Alarm setting means 3a Time setting part 3b Alarm time setting part 3c Alarm type setting part 3d Alarm on / off setting part 3e Alarm data request part Reference Signs List 4 alarm signal generating means 4a alarm signal selecting part 4b signal generating means 41 FM sound source part 42 PCM sound source part 43 MIDI sound source part 44 WAVE demodulation part 45 PCM demodulation part 46 voice synthesis part 47 image data demodulation part 4c signal generation source control part 5 Alarm signal output unit 5a Audio output unit 5b, 5e D / A 5d Display output unit 6 Alarm data storage unit 6a Alarm signal data memory 6b Alarm control data memory 7 Alarm data selection unit 8 Download I / F unit 8a I / F terminal unit 8b Communication control unit 8c Dial unit 8d Bookmark memory 8e Receiving unit 8f Automatic receiving unit 9 Alarm data server 10 Communication line

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. An alarm setting method for setting an alarm such as an audible sound or a time signal of an alarm clock, a clock means having a calendar data generation function, and an alarm setting for setting an alarm time and an alarm type for calling an alarm. Means, alarm control means having a control function of calling an alarm at a predetermined time, alarm data storage means for storing alarm signal data used for calling and alarm data such as the alarm time, and the alarm data storage means Alarm data selecting means for selecting and outputting the alarm signal data stored in the memory, alarm signal generating means for generating an alarm signal based on the selected and output alarm signal data, and outputting the alarm signal by voice or image An alarm signal output means for downloading the alarm signal data; Download I / F to input code
(Interface) means, and the download I / F means downloads and inputs the alarm signal data stored in the external alarm data server via a communication line, and receives the download input. The alarm signal data is additionally stored and input to the alarm data storage means, and the alarm control means issues a selection output command of the set alarm signal data when a preset alarm time comes based on the time data of the clock means, The alarm data selection means selects and outputs the corresponding alarm signal data based on the selection output command and inputs the data to the alarm signal generation means, and the alarm signal generation means selects a signal generation source to be held based on the alarm signal data. Uses to generate an alarm signal Alarm how to set the alarm clock. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said download I / F means is ISD
N (Integrated Services Dig)
ital Network) TA (Terminal)
2. The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the interface is an I / F unit that is communicatively connected to the communication line via an adapter. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the download I / F means is a CAT.
CATV for communication connection to V (Cable TV) network
The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the alarm clock is a modem. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the download I / F means is a LAN.
2. The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the LAN adapter is a LAN adapter for communication connection with a local area network (Local Area Network). 5. The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein said download I / F means is an I / F means with a mobile phone having a packet communication function. 6. The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein said download I / F means is a wireless packet communication means for communicating and connecting with a telephone line network or a data communication network by wireless means. . 7. The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein said download I / F means is a PC-I / F means for communication connection with a personal computer. 8. The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein said download I / F means is digital broadcast I / F means for communication connection with a digital broadcast receiver. 9. The alarm setting method for an alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein said download I / F means is an I / F means for a package medium such as a semiconductor card or an FD (Floppy Disc). . 10. Clock means having a function of generating calendar data, a time setting section for setting a current time, an alarm time setting section for setting an alarm time for calling an alarm, and an alarm for setting the type of alarm to be called. Alarm setting means having a type setting section and an alarm on / off setting section for setting an alarm on / off; an alarm signal data memory storing alarm signal data used for calling; and an alarm between the alarm time and the alarm signal An alarm data storage unit in the form of a semiconductor memory having an alarm control data memory for storing control data; an alarm time determination unit for determining an alarm call time based on the calendar data and the alarm control data; Alarm data decoding section for decoding alarm signal data to be sent An alarm control unit having an alarm control unit for performing alarm call control at every moment; an alarm data selection unit for selectively outputting the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage unit; and an alarm data selection unit for selectively outputting the alarm data. An alarm signal generation unit including an alarm signal selection unit that selects an alarm signal generation unit based on the alarm signal, a signal generation unit that generates the alarm signal, and a signal generation control unit that controls the operation of the signal generation unit; An alarm signal output unit having an audio signal output unit for outputting the alarm data as an audio signal, and a connection terminal for downloading and inputting the alarm signal data stored in an external alarm data server via a communication line, Download I / F (Inter Face) means for storing and inputting to the storage means; And an alarm clock device with a download function. 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the signal generation means of the alarm signal generation means includes a frequency modulation (FM).
11. The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein an FM sound source unit for generating an audio alarm signal by an on) means is additionally installed. 12. A PCM (Pulse Code Modula) is provided to the signal generation means of the alarm signal generation means.
PC that generates an audio alarm signal by means of
The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, further comprising an M sound source unit. 13. A MIDI (Musical Instrument) signal generating means of the alarm signal generating means.
The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein a sound source unit is additionally provided. nt Digital Interface). 14. The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein a WAVE demodulation unit for demodulating audio data in a WAVE file format is additionally provided in the signal generation unit of the alarm signal generation unit. 15. The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein a PCM demodulation unit for demodulating PCM data is additionally provided in the signal generation unit of the alarm signal generation unit. 16. The alarm clock with a download function according to claim 10, wherein a voice synthesizing unit for synthesizing and outputting voice data based on text data is additionally installed in the signal generating means of the alarm signal generating means. apparatus. 17. The alarm clock with a download function according to claim 10, wherein an image data demodulation unit for demodulating image signal data from the alarm signal data is additionally provided in the signal generation unit of the alarm signal generation unit. apparatus. 18. The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein a detachable semiconductor disk or semiconductor card is additionally installed in said alarm data storage means. 19. An alarm data storage means, comprising:
The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein a D (Hard Disc Drive) is additionally installed. 20. The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein an infrared communication terminal of Ir-DA standard is additionally provided at a connection terminal of said download I / F means. 21. The alarm clock device with a download function according to claim 10, wherein a USB terminal for performing USB standard serial data transmission is additionally provided at a connection terminal of said download I / F means. 22. The alarm clock with a download function according to claim 10, wherein an RS-232C terminal for performing RS-232C standard serial data transmission is additionally provided at a connection terminal of said download I / F means. apparatus.