GB2162342A

GB2162342A - Alarm time-pieces

Info

Publication number: GB2162342A
Application number: GB8418901A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Loughran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-07-25
Filing date: 1984-07-25
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: GB8418901D0; GB2162342B

Abstract

A digital alarm time-piece 50 comprises a soft compliant body 10, in the form of an ear plug, in which are embedded electronic circuit components (12-22, 38) constituting a digital, electronic, time-keeping device having a display module (20), and an alarm circuit which produces alarm signals of only a very low strength, sufficient only to alert and stimulate the wearer of the ear plug. Such alarm signals may be produced by (a) an electro-acoustic transducer (22) which supplies acoustic signals for stimulating the human ear mechanism by air conduction means, (b) an electro-mechanical transducer (68) for supplying mechanical vibrations for stimulating that ear mechanism by bone conduction means, or (c) an electrical transducer for supplying small stimulating electric currents to the human skin via an electrode arrangement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Alarm time-pieces This invention relates to time-pieces (i.e. time measuring and indicating devices) having means for giving audible warnings at predetermined time instants. Such time-pieces will be referred to hereafter for simplicity's sake as 'alarm time-pieces'.

For many years analogue clocks driven by mechanical or electrical power have been provided with an alarm mechanism which could be preset so as to be triggered into action at desired future time instants. Likewise, pocket and wrist watches of the analogue kind and driven by mechanical or electrical power have also been provided with such alarm mechanisms.

Still more recently, electrically powered 'electronic' time-pieces of the digital kind and likewise fitted with alarm devices have been introduced and have become commonplace.

Such electronic time-pieces are intended to, and do produce shrill audible alarm tones, often repeatedly, for the purpose of giving a warning to the possessor or wearer of the time-piece, which warning tones are intended to be heard with certainty by the person wishing to be alerted by them. Unfortunately, such warning tones are audible to other persons in the vicinity of the time-piece, and can cause discomfort or annoyance to such other people, and embarrassment to the person wishing to be alerted by the warning tones.

With the continued further development of the electronic circuitry of such digital timepieces, the physical size and volume of such time-pieces is being progressively reduced, so that currently digital time-pieces of very small size have considerable time indicating and warning capabilities. Nevertheless, those modern time-pieces still have considerable tone emitting power for warning the wearer or possessor, with the consequence that the alarm tones reach the ears of other persons, even when some distance away.

The present invention seeks to provide an alarm time-piece that does not suffer this disadvantage.

According to the present invention, there is provided a digital alarm time-piece comprising: (a) a body member shaped and arranged for mounting in position in or adjacent the outer ear parts of a person (referred to hereafter as the 'wearer'); (b) electronic circuit means mounted or embedded in said body member and including (i) means constituting an electronic digital time-keeping circuit; (ii) means constituting a pre-settable electronic alarm signal generating circuit for generating alarm signals of very low strength at present alarm times, said signal generating means being connected to and controlled by said time-keeping circuit; (iii) means constituting an adjustment circuit for adjusting selectively the time of day represented by the condition of the time-keeping circuit, or the or each preset alarm time;; (iv) selection means operable manually externally of said body member for selecting the time function of which the setting is to be adjusted; (v) adjustment means operable manually externally of said body member for operating said adjustment circuit whereby to effect adjustment of the selected time function; and (vi) a source of electric power for supplying said means (i) to (v) above; and (c) alarm signal transmitting means for transmitting said alarm signals to a signalsensitive part of the head of the wearer so as to alert and stimulate the wearer; said low strength of said alarm signals being sufficient to alert and stimulate the wearer without alerting other persons, and said body member being provided with means for maintaining the body member in the operative position on the wearer.

Preferably, said signal generating means comprises an electro-acoustic transducer for producing acoustic alarm signals, and said signal transmitting means comprises a hollow tubular member shaped and arranged for transmitting said acoustic alarm signals from said transducer directly to one outer ear canal of the wearer.

Alternatively said signal generating means may comprise an electro-mechanical transducer for inducing mechanical vibrations in an output member of the transducer, in which case said signal transmitting means may comprise means for transmitting those mechanical vibrations to a suitably sensitive part of the wearer's ear or head.

As a further alternative, said signal generating means may comprise a means for producing electrical alarm signals, in which case said signal transmitting means may comprise an electrode arrangement for applying said electrical alarm signals to a suitably sensitive part of the wearer's ear or head.

Said body member may be shaped and arranged for mounting at the rear side of the outer ear parts (the auricle) and adjacent the head of the wearer. Alternatively, the said body member may be shaped and arranged for mounting at the front side of the outer ear parts, in a hollow defined by those ear parts adjacent the entrance to the outer ear canal (external auditory meatus).

Other features of the present invention will appear from the description that follows hereafter and from the claims appended at the end of that description.

Various digital alarm time-pieces constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: the groups of Figs. 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6; and 7 to 9 depict respectively four such alarm time-pieces, the Figs. 1, 3 and 5 showing pictorially the respective devices per se, and the associated Figs. 2, 4 and 6 showing pictorially the respective devices positioned on the ear of a wearer. The Figs. 7 and 8 show respectively inside and outside elevations of the fourth time-piece, the device being shown in the Fig. 8 positioned on the ear of a wearer, and the Fig. 9 shows a crosssection taken on the line IX-IX of. Fig. 7.

Referring now to the alarm time-piece depicted in the Figs. 1 and 2, that device comprises a body member 10 of a soft, compliant, moulded synthetic plastics material in which are mounted or embedded various electronic components, which components are interconnected by electrical connecting means (for example as shown at reference 1 2) to form in effect an alarm timepiece capable of operating in known manner to display the time of day or alternatively a stored alarm time setting, and to provide at each stored time setting appropriate alarm signals. The displayed time of day and the displayed alarm settings are adjustable in known manner.

The said electronic components include: (a) an electric power source (an electric battery) 14 secured in a battery compartment which is closed by a removable panel 16; (b) an integrated circuit module 1 8 which incorporates an electronic time-keeping circuit (not shown), a storage circuit for storing alarm time settings (not shown), an alarm driving circuit (not shown), and an adjustment circuit (not shown) for enabling the time of day indicated by the condition of the time-keeping circuit and the stored alarm time settings to be adjusted; (c) a liquid crystal digital display module 20 for displaying in numerical form, as selected, alternatively the time of day as determined by said time-keeping circuit, or one of the stored alarm time settings;; (d) an output electro-acoustic transducer 22 for receiving electrical energisation via said alarm driving circuit at the stored alarm time settings and producing in response to such energisation acoustic alarm signals of relatively low strength; and (e) four manually operable push buttons 24-one for illuminating the numerical display panel so as to enable the display to be seen and the times displayed to be adjusted in the absence of adequate external lighting; one for selecting the time function to be displayed and adjusted; one for selecting the part of a displayed time function to be adjusted; and one for adjusting that part of the displayed time function.

The acoustic output of the transducer 22 is transmitted from the body member 10 via a small, sound-conducting, plastics tube 26 which is secured at one end to the output part of the transducer, has the shape indicated in the Figures, and carries at its free end an ear plug 28, likewise of a suitable soft, compliant, synthetic plastics material, and shaped in a manner suitable for insertion in the entrance of one outer ear canal (external auditory meatus) of the wearer. The ear plug has formed within it a vent duct 30 for enabling equalisation of the ambient pressures at the two ends of the plug when it is installed in the ear of a wearer.

Fig. 2 shows the manner in which the timepiece is worn by the wearer, the ear plug 28 being lodged in a hollow defined by the outer ear parts (the auricle) 32 and having its inner end protruding into the outer ear canal (external auditory meatus) 34 which extends to the ear drum (tympanum) 36, and the body member 10 fitting closely behind the upper portion of the auricle and being supported there by virtue of the hook-shaped, sound-transmitting tube 26 and/or other support means (not shown) which engages the auricle.

The acoustic alarm signals produced by the transducer are of a low strength, sufficient only to awaken the wearer when asleep. The strength of the transducer's acoustic output signals can be adjusted by means of a volume control wheel 38, whose knurled edge projects from the body member just above the display panel 20, to allow weaker acoustic signals to be generated and transmitted to the outer ear canal when the wearer is awake.

The choice of materials used in the various parts of the time-piece, and the construction and disposition of those parts are all intended to maximise the comfort of the wearer when wearing the device, so that the device may be comfortably worn for long periods, particularly when the wearer is asleep, and particularly when the device is disposed between the wearer's head and a pillow supporting the head.

In the second time-piece 50 depicted in the Figs. 3 and 4, an assembly 52 of interconnected electronic components equivalent to that embedded in the body member 10 of the Figs. 1 and 2 and of somewhat reduced physical size has been embedded instead in a soft, compliant, plastics ear plug 54 which constitutes an enlarged version of the ear plug 28 of the Figs. 1 and 2.

Thus, the whole of the alarm time-piece 50 is constructed so as to sit comfortably and securely in the hollow defined by the outer ear parts 32, and to have its sound-transmitting and vented extension 56 protruding into the outer ear canal 34. If desirable or necessary, additional support means may be provided to more securely hold the time-piece in the ear of the wearer.

Here again, the materials, the construction and disposition of the ear plug 54 and its constituent extension 56 are chosen so as to maximise the comfort of the wearer in wearing the device for long periods, particularly when in bed.

Turning now to the alarm time-piece 60 depicted in the Figs. 5 and 6, the device there shown is generally similar to that shown in and described with reference to the Figs. 1 and 2, with the principal exception that the electro-acoustic transducer 22 has been replaced by an electro-mechanical transducer 62 placed so as to transmit mechanical vibrations to the bone structure (skull) of the head disposed behind the outer ear parts (auricle) of one ear of the wearer. By this means the alarm signals of the device are transmitted to the associated inner ear parts by conduction through the bone structure in which the inner ear parts are disposed. Thus, whereas the device of the Figs. 1 and 2 relies on air conduction of the alarm signals, the device of the Figs. 5 and 6 relies on bone conduction of such signals.

The device of Figs. 5 and 6 is provided with hook-shaped extensions 64 and 66 which extend from the body member 10 and are shaped so as to securely hold the device in position with the body member 10 disposed behind the auricle 32 and adjacent the bone structure of the head.

If desired, the device of Figs. 1 and 2 could be provided, in addition, with a bone conduction transducer 68 similar to that (62) of the Figs. 5 and 6, connected for energisation simultaneously with the air conduction transducer 22, so that alarm signals are transmitted to the wearer by both the air and bone conduction modes together. If desired, manually-operable switch means may be provided for rendering only one of the two transducers operative at a time.

Moreover, if desired, hook-shaped extensions of the body member, such as 64 and 66 in the Figs. 5 and 6, may be added to the body member 10 of the device of Figs. 1 and 2, to aid in securing the body member on the wearer.

Referring now to the alarm time-piece 70 shown in the Figs. 7 to 9, the said body member of the device is constituted by a flanged, ear-shaped cap 72 which is arranged to fit over the outer ear parts 32 of the wearer, with the turned-in flange 74 gripping the peripheral portion of those ear parts. The cap is likewise made of a soft, compliant or resilient, synthetic plastics material, and has embedded in a central part thereof on the inner side (i.e. the side facing the outer ear canal of the wearer) an assembly 76 of interconnected electronic components generally similar to that embedded in the body member of the device of Figs. 1 and 2.The sound emitted by the electro-acoustic transducer 22 is again of low strength since the wearer's ear is totally enclosed by the cap 72; hence all of the emitted alarm signal noise is directed into the outer ear canal, via an aperture 78 inside the cap.

If desired, the cap 72 may be provided with a small vent hole 80 to allow equalisation of the ambient pressures present on opposite sides of the cap when in position on the wearer's ear.

Again, as in the case of the devices depicted in the earlier groups of Figs. (3 and 4, and 5 and 6), parts shown in the Figs. 7 to 9 which correspond with the same or similar parts in the Figs. 1 and 2 and bear the references assigned to them in the Figs. 1 and 2. Whereas in the above described embodiments the alarm signals have comprised acoustic vibrations or mechanical vibrations transmitted in a manner such as to stimulate the normal hearing mechanism of the wearer's ear, the transducers for producing those vibrations may be replaced if desired by transducers arranged to electrically stimulate via a skin-contacting electrode system some suitably sensitive part of the wearer's skin of, or lying adjacent, the outer ear parts of the wearer. Thus, the alarm or warning signals would be constituted by suitably small electric currents passing through those sensitive skin parts.

Although four specific forms of ear-worn or -mounted alarm time-pieces have been described and illustrated, other forms of such time-pieces may be devised. However, the basic concept is common to all those various forms, namely that a low power and purely personal alarm time-piece is provided in a suitable form of body member made of a soft, compliant material, such that the time-piece may be worn with comfort for long periods by the wearer, particularly when asleep in bed.

The strength of the alarm signals is no more than that required for providing an adequate stimulus to the wearer sufficient to attract his attention at the desired, preset alarm times.

Where in this Specification the context so permits, the term 'head' shall be construed as extending to include the ear and the parts thereof.

Whereas in the embodiment of the Figs. 7 to 9 the alarm signal generating means is constituted by an electroacoustic transducer 22, that transducer may be replaced or even supplemented, if desired, by an electro-mechanical transducer (such as 62 or 68) arranged to transmit mechanical vibrations directly to a suitable sensitive portion of the wearer's outer ear parts, or to the cap 72 itself; or by an electrical transducer arranged to pass small electric currents through a part of the wearer's skin via a skin-contacting electrode system embodied in the cap 72.

Alarm time-pieces according to the present invention may be used with advantage to remind a wearer, for example, of the need to take prescribed medicines at the prescribed times.

If desired, an alarm time-piece according to the present invention may include electronic circuitry for providing a presettable elapsed time function (known per se) whereby the wearer may be given alarm signals after the elapse of one or more preset time periods; for example, an athlete wearing such a device may be advised of the elapse of preset time periods following the start of a race.

Furthermore, if desired, an alarm time-piece according to the present invention may be provided with the necessary electronic circuitry for (i) emitting, in addition, small inaudible, radio warning signals for the purpose of remotely stimulating some piece of equipment at a preset alarm time, e.g. causing a bed-side tea-making apparatus or radio to be switched on following the giving of an early morning call to the wearer; (ii) enabling the alarm time-piece to respond to small, locally generated radio signals so as to automatically switch off the wearer-audible alarm signals, such radio signals being generated by a nearby (e.g. bed-side) small radio signal emitter which needs to be set in operation by the wearer of the alarm time-piece in response to an alarm signal thereof, for example, for terminating an early morning call; and/or (iii) enabling the alarm time-piece to receive small radio signals from a nearby (e.g. bedside) radio signal emitter controlled by the wearer of the alarm time-piece for the purpose of initiating the count-down of a preset elapsed time period, e.g. in the case of an athlete, for starting the preset count-down at the start of a race.

Claims

1. A digital alarm time-piece comprising: (a) a body member shaped and arranged for mounting in position in or adjacent the outer ear parts of a person (referred to hereafter as the 'wearer'); (b) electronic circuit mean mounted or embedded in said body member and including (i) means constituting an electronic digital time-keeping circuit; (ii) means constituting a pre-settable electronic alarm signal generating circuit for generating alarm signals of very low strength at preset alarm times, said signal generating means being connected to and controlled by said time-keeping circuit; (iii) means constituting an adjustment circuit for adjusting selectively the time of day represented by the condition of the time-keeping circuit, or the or each preset alarm time;; (iv) selection means operable manually externally of said body member for selecting the time function of which the time setting is to be adjusted; (v) adjustment means operable manually externally of said body member for operating said adjustment circuit whereby to effect adjustment of the selected time function; and (vi) a source of electric power for supplying said means (i) to (v) above; and (c) alarm signal transmitting means for transmitting said alarm signals to a signalsensitive part of the head of the wearer so as to alert and stimulate the wearer; said low strength of said alarm signals being sufficient to alert and stimulate the wearer without alerting other persons, and said body member being provided with means for maintaining the body member in the operative position on the wearer,

2.A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit means includes an electronic display module for displaying in numeric form selectively the said time of day or a said alarm time setting, the display module being accordingly selectively controlled by said time-keeping circuit or by said alarm signal generating circuit.

3. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said alarm signal generating means comprises an electro-acoustic transducer for producing acoustic alarm signals, and said signal transmitting means comprises a hollow tubular member shaped and arranged for transmitting said acoustic alarm signals from said transducer directly to one outer ear canal of the wearer.

4. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 3, wherein said hollow tubular member carries at its free end a soft compliant ear plug arranged to fit closely in the said outer ear canal.

5. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 4, wherein said ear plug is provided with a vent duct for equalising the ambient air pressures present at opposite ends of the ear plug when installed in position closing a said outer ear canal.

6. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said alarm signal generating means comprises an electro-mechanical transducer for inducing mechanical vibrations in an output member of the transducer, and said signal transmitting means comprises means for transmitting those mechanical vibrations to a suitably sensitive part of the head of the wearer.

7. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said alarm signal generating means comprises means for producing electrical alarm signals, and said signal transmitting means comprises an electrode arrangement for applying said electrical alarm signals to a suitably sensitive part of the head of the wearer.

8. A digital alarm time-piece according to any one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein said body member is shaped and arranged for mounting at the rear side of the said outer ear parts adjacent the head of the wearer, and said signal transmitting tubular member constitutes a means for securing the body member in its operative position.

9. A digital alarm time-piece according to any one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein said body member is shaped and arranged for mounting at the front side of said outer ear parts, in a hollow defined by those outer ear parts adjacent the entrance to the associated outer ear canal, and said signal transmitting member is constituted as an integral extension of the body member, which extension is shaped and arranged for insertion in the said outer ear canal.

10. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said body member is shaped and arranged for mOunting at the rear side of said outer ear parts adjacent the head of the wearer, and is provided at its respective ends with hook-shaped supporting parts for engaging around the respective extremities of said outer ear parts whereby to secure said body member in position.

11. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said body member is shaped and arranged for mounting at the front side of said outer ear parts, in a hollow defined by those outer ear parts adjacent the entrance to the associated outer ear canal, and said body member is provided with an integral extension arranged for insertion in the said outer ear canal.

1 2. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said body member is shaped and arranged to fit as a cap over said outer ear parts, enclosing a space leading to the associated outer ear canal.

1 3. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 12, wherein said cap is provided with a peripheral flange for engaging and gripping corresponding peripheral portions of said outer ear parts.

14. A digital alarm time-piece according to claim 1 2 or claim 13, wherein said alarm signal generating means comprises an electroacoustic transducer for producing acoustic alarm signals, and said signal transmitting means comprises an aperture in said body member, which aperture opens into said space enclosed by said cap and enables said acoustic alarm signals to be transmitted directly into said outer ear canal.

1 5. A digital alarm time-piece according to any preceding claim, wherein said body member is made from a soft, compliant or resilient, synthetic plastics material.

16. A digital alarm time-piece according to any preceding claim, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by any single figure or group of associated figures of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.