GB2296346A

GB2296346A - Alarm clock

Info

Publication number: GB2296346A
Application number: GB9425645A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Christopher Hewitt Hewitt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-12-20
Filing date: 1994-12-20
Publication date: 1996-06-26
Also published as: GB9425645D0

Abstract

A clock includes an alarm 12 that provides an actuating signal at a predetermined time to audio control 13. An IC audio memory 15 stores audio signals eg messages to be replayed at speaker 14. On receipt of an actuating signal by the control 13 the message is replayed. More than one message may be stored and replayed at different times. The clock may function as both a conventional alarm clock and a message storing/replaying device. <IMAGE>

Description

Alarm Clock This invention relates to alarm clocks and in particular to clocks or other timing mechanisms which are capable of being timed to actuate an alarm or other message by programming of the clock.

Electronic alarm clocks have been proposed which provide a facility for programming the clock to give an alarm call or alarm calls at a programmed time or times, the alarm taking the form of an alarm signal the nature of which is determined when the clocks manufactured.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved timing mechanism with greater flexibility and which can be used for alarm purposes or for any other occasion when the user requires.

According to the invention alarm clock means comprises timing means, programming means for setting the timing means to operate at a predetermined time or times to generate an actuating, recording means for recording audio signals, loudspeaker means for reproducing the recorded audio signals, and control means whereby at the pre-programmed time or times the audio signals are emitted from the loudspeaker means on receipt of said actuating signal.

By this arrangement the user can record any selected audio signal, such as a speech signal with a message, which can then be delivered to the user through the loudspeaker means at a prearranged time. The audio signal may be any signal the user selects but more usually a spoken message which has been prerecorded on the recording means.

There may be facility for recording one or more audio signals to be reproduced at different selected times. In addition the clock may be arranged to emit a conventional alarm signal.

Other known features may be incorporated such as a delayed repeat signal, sometimes known as a "snooze" feature.

Alternatively this repeat signal may be a different signal.

The recording means may be of any convenient kind but is preferably in the form of circuitry incorporated in an integrated circuit such as a ADPM speech record/playback IC or speech chip. Alternatively the recording means may be in the form of a magnetic tape system.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of examples only and with reference to the drawing which is a schematic block diagram of the circuit of a timing mechanism or alarm clock.

The mechanism includes an electronic clock 10 incorporating a time display 11. Connected to the clock is an alarm control circuit 12 which includes programming means 12A having the following functions; an alarm set function, an alarm cancel function, and a "snooze" function. The set function allows the user to select through further programming means 12B which kind of alarm signal is to be utilized at the set time, and the signal may be selected from "alarm only", or one or more pre-recorded audio signals or messages. This "alarm only" signal is usually an alarm signal built into the mechanism circuitry.

Also included in the mechanism is an audio control system 13.

The audio control system includes the facility for recording an audio signal which may be a spoken message or other sounds.

The audio control system also includes the facility for playing the message on a loudspeaker 14, the message being relayed at the timing selected by the alarm control circuit 12.

The message recorded is retained in a speech memory 15 from wnich the stored message is relayed through the audio control unit 13 and the loudspeaker 14. The speech memory 15 may be any convenient recording system but is preferably a serial speech register compatible with a ADPCM speech record/playback integrated circuit which is available for recording audio signals from which the signals can be retrieved.

Alternatively the speech memory 15 may be in the form of a magnetic tape recordal system. In the case of the integrated circuit this may be of the kind available from OKI, Slough, Berkshire under the designation MSM 6388-6389.

It will be seen that the invention provides means whereby the user can decide upon the message to be relayed as well as deciding the time at which that message is to be produced.

Hence the mechanism can be utilized to provide an alarm function, for example a wake-up function. It can also be used to provide a reminder function in, for example, a personal organiser. It can also be incorporated into appliances so that at a pre-determined time a message is relayed which may be a verbal message identifying the next step to be taken in a sequence of operations. Due to the recording function the message can be changed quickly and simply depending on the user's requirements.

If required a selection of messages may be stored each being arranged to be played at a pre-determined designated time, selected by the user. There may also be the facility, using the "snooze" facility, to repeat a message or to issue a second message at a pre-determined interval after a first message. As well as the recorded message a pre-determined signal can be emitted, such as an alarm signal built into the mechanism. Messages can be cancelled, the timing changed and other facilities can be incorporated in accordance with existing practice with alarm systems.

Claims

1. Alarm clock means which comprises timing means, programming means for setting the timing means to operate at a predetermined time or times to generate an actuating signal, recording means for recording audio signals, loud speaker means for reproducing the recorded audio signals and control means whereby at the predetermined time or times the audio signals are emitted from the loud speaker means on receipt of said actuating signal.

2. Alarm clock means according to claim 1 wherein the recording means is in the form of an integrated circuit device capable of receiving, recording and playing back audio signals through the loud speaker means.

3. Alarm clocks means according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the timing means and the recording means are arranged to record audio signals to be emitted at two or more different times through the speaker means.

4. Alarm clock means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the user selects the audio signals to be recorded on the recording means, and selects the time at which said signals are to be emitted by use of the timing means.

5. Alarm clock means according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a predetermined alarm signal, the timing means selecting the time at which said signal is emitted.

6. Alarm clock means substantially as described with reference to the drawing.