JPH07120573A - Alarm clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an alarm clock for awaking a user surely at an alarm time or before by a constitution wherein the hands are moved to the alarm time a desired time before the alarm time. CONSTITUTION:Upon setting an alarm switch 13, a random number generating circuit 9 is actuated to generate a random number DELTAt which is then subtracted from an alarm time data stored in the memory of a control circuit 10 and the difference is stored in the memory 2 of the control circuit 10. When the current time reaches the time stored in the memory 2, the control circuit 10 moves an hour hand 3, a minute hand 4 and a second hand 5 to an alarm time and emits an alarm sound through a speaker 8. Upon elapse of 20 sec after stopping the alarm sound by means of an alarm set switch 13, the hands 3, 4, 5 are returned to the positions indicating current time. The alarm sound is emitted again when a human body is detected at the alarm time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alarm clock.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when using an alarm clock,
By setting the alarm time at the scheduled wake-up time and setting the alarm before turning off the light, the alarm is notified at the scheduled wake-up time.

In this case, if the alarm sound is stopped when the consciousness is not clear yet, the problem of falling asleep again occurs. Therefore, an alarm clock or the like having a snooze function has been developed today.

Further, for example, the alarm time is AM7:
When 00 is set, 10 minutes before that, for example, at 6:50 AM, by falsely notifying the user with “7:00”, the user is awakened a little before the alarm time, and then, Alarm time again (in this case AM
There is also a system in which an alarm is issued at 7:00) to surely wake up the user at the scheduled wake-up time.

[0005]

However, since the snooze function operates after the alarm sound starts to sound at the alarm time, the user actually sets an earlier alarm time in actual use. Therefore, the user knew the time from the alarm start time to the scheduled wake-up time, and thought that there was still time until the scheduled wake-up time even if the alarm sound was heard, and there was no effect of promoting the awakening.

Further, in the case of false alarm notification of the alarm time before the desired time before the alarm time and notification of the alarm sound again at the alarm time, since the current time is displayed on the display unit, a false alarm notification is given. Even if you listen to it, you can immediately recognize the current time by looking at the display, and you only need to wake up for a short time while the alarm is being issued, so you may fall asleep again, and you have the inconvenience that you cannot wake up at the scheduled time. It was

An object of the present invention is to provide an alarm timepiece that surely awakens the user at or before the alarm time.

[0008]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a clocking means for clocking the current time, a pointer for displaying the time, an alarm time storage means for storing the alarm time, an alerting means for alerting the alarm, and an alarm set state. In the above, a control means for notifying an alarm at a time before the alarm time and moving the pointer to the alarm time, returning the pointer to the current time after the alarm notification is stopped, and notifying the alarm at the alarm time. By providing it, the above-mentioned object is achieved.

And, a clock means for clocking the current time,
An indicator for displaying the time, an alarm time storing means for storing the alarm time, an alarm notifying means, a human body detecting means for detecting a human body, an alarm set state, and an alarm at a time before a desired time before the alarm time. By providing a control means for informing and moving the pointer at the alarm time, returning the pointer to the current time after the alarm notification is stopped, and providing an alarm when the human body is detected at the alarm time, You have achieved your purpose.

Furthermore, it is desirable to change the desired time each time an alarm is issued.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a time counting circuit which constitutes a time measuring means, which is composed of a RAM or the like and measures the present time. Two
Is a display, and includes an hour hand 3, a minute hand 4, a second hand 5 and a drive circuit,
A clock circuit 1 including a motor (both not shown) and the like.
The motor moves the 1-minute minute hand 3, the minute hand 4, and the second hand 5 every time the second clocks 1 second to display the time. The hour hand 3,
The minute hand 4 and the second hand 5 form a pointer. Reference numeral 6 denotes an alarm time storage circuit that constitutes an alarm time storage means, which is composed of a RAM or the like and stores the alarm time. A sound generation circuit 7 operates the speaker 8. The speaker 8 constitutes a notification means. Reference numeral 9 is a random number generation circuit, and 1 min ≤ Δt ≤
Output a random number (Δt) in the range of 20 min. Reference numeral 10 is a control circuit which constitutes a control means, and is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like, and the time in which the random number Δt generated by the random number generation circuit 9 is subtracted from the alarm time stored in the alarm time storage circuit 6 is stored in the RAM. It has a memory function as well as a memory, and controls various operations. Reference numeral 11 is a comparison circuit, which is the current time data measured by the timing circuit 1 and the control circuit 1.
The time data stored in the RAM in 0 is compared. 12
Is an input unit, which comprises an up-down switch and the like, for inputting alarm time and the like. Reference numeral 13 is an alarm set switch. Reference numeral 14 is a human body detection circuit that constitutes human body detection means.
It has a human body sensor such as an infrared sensor and detects the presence of a human body in a range corresponding to the bed of the user. A drive circuit 15 closes the alarm set switch 13 by operating the movable part 16 in the direction of arrow AB.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.

Now, in the input section 12, the alarm time is A
M6: 30 is input and AM is stored in the alarm time storage circuit 6.
It is assumed that 6:30 is stored.

When the alarm set switch 13 is set (step 2a), the control circuit 10 reads the alarm time data stored in the alarm time storage circuit 6 and stores it in the area of the memory 1 provided in the RAM. Store (step 2b).

Then, the random number generation circuit 9 is operated to generate a random number, and this value is set as Δt, and RA in the control circuit 10 is set.
Store in M (step 2c).

The control circuit 10 subtracts this Δt from the alarm time data stored in the memory 1 and stores this value in the memory 2 provided in the RAM of the control circuit 10 as a temporary alarm time (step 2d). That is, the time data Δt minutes before the alarm time is stored in the memory 2.

When the comparison circuit 11 detects a match between the time data stored in the memory 2 and the time data measured by the time counting circuit 1, and outputs an output to the control circuit 10 (step 2).
e) That is, when the time Δt precedes the alarm time, the control circuit 10 causes the time data stored in the memory 1 to be displayed on the hour hand 3, the minute hand 4 and the second hand 5 (step 2f), and the sound generation circuit 7 is turned on. The speaker 8 is operated to generate an alarm sound (step 2g). In other words, an alarm sound is generated at a time that is Δt earlier than the alarm time, and the display time at that time is set as the preset alarm time.

Whether the alarm set switch 13 is operated to stop the alarm (step 2)
h), or after a certain time (for example, 10 minutes) has passed without being stopped after the alarm started to sound, the control circuit 10
Stops the operation of the sound generation circuit 7 to stop the alarm sound (step 2i) and starts time measurement (step 2j).

When 20 seconds have passed after the sound was stopped (step 2k), the control circuit 10 stops the time counting operation (step 2m), and the control circuit 10 causes the hour hand 3, the minute hand 4, and the second hand 5 to operate.
Is moved to the position of the current time measured by the timing circuit 1 (step 2n).

Therefore, since the alarm time is displayed when the user wakes up by the alarm sound, the user wakes up as if he / she woke up at the alarm time, but wakes up at a time Δt earlier than the actual time. I am able to work with a margin for that time.

Furthermore, in order for the user to know the current time, the user has to wait 20 seconds after turning off the alarm sound, so the user must stay awake during this period.
This can surely wake up.

Further, since Δt is a variable time instead of a constant time, it is necessary to confirm the current time when the alarm sound is turned off, so that the user can always wake up.

When the time measured by the time measuring circuit 1 coincides with the time stored in the memory 1 in the control circuit 10 (step 2p), that is, at the regular alarm time AM6: 30, the human body detection circuit 14 detects the human body. When detecting (steps 2q and 2r), the control circuit 10 operates the drive circuit 15 to close the alarm set switch 13 by the movable portion 16 and informs of an alarm sound (step 2s).

In other words, even if the alarm is notified at a time before the alarm time, the alarm sound is notified again at the alarm time only when the user is still in bed, so that the user is surely awakened at the alarm time. be able to.

Thereafter, the alarm notification is stopped by opening the alarm set switch 13 (steps 2t, 2u).

When the human body is not detected at the alarm time (step 2r), it is judged that the user has woken up and no alarm is issued.

As described above, when the user wakes up with the first alarm sound, the alarm sound is not emitted and the alarm sound is emitted when the user is in the bed even at the alarm time, so that an unnecessary alarm notification is given. It can be solved and the current consumption can be reduced.

Since the alarm sound must be woken up at the alarm time, the volume of the alarm sound may be increased by Δt before the alarm time.

Further, in the above, the range of Δt generated by the random number generating circuit 9 is set to 1 min ≦ Δt ≦ 20 min, but the range is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed.

Further, the present time is displayed 20 seconds after the alarm sound at the time Δt minutes before the alarm time is stopped, but this is not limited to 20 seconds and can be changed appropriately. is there.

Although the infrared sensor is used as the human body detecting sensor, the sensor is not limited to this, and a weight sensor or the like may be used. When the weight sensor is actually used, it is desirable to place the weight sensor under the bed.

In the above example, Δt is the random number generation circuit 9
However, a ROM in which Δt in the range of 1 min ≦ Δt ≦ 20 min is randomly stored in advance in the order of addresses may be provided, and Δt may be read from the ROM in the order of addresses when an alarm is set.

In the above example, the alarm sound is emitted only when the human body is detected at the alarm time. However, the alarm sound may be emitted at the alarm time without detecting the human body.

In the above example, the time is displayed using the hands, but the time may be digitally displayed using an LCD (liquid crystal panel) or the like.

[0036]

According to the present invention, in the alarm set state, since the pointer is moved to give an alarm at the alarm time before the alarm time by a desired time, the user who wakes up by the alarm sound can display the alarm time by displaying the pointer. You can wake up thinking that it has become, and wake up a desired time before the actual time. Therefore, it is possible to allow a desired time when waking up. Further, since the hands are returned to the current time after the alarm notification is stopped, it takes time from the time of waking up to the confirmation of the current time, and since it is necessary to be awake during this time, the user is surely awakened. Then, since the alarm is notified again at the alarm time, even if the user sleeps again after the previous alarm is stopped, the user can certainly wake up by hearing the alarm notification in a light sleep state.

Further, the alarm notification of the alarm time is
By performing the operation only when the human body is detected, unnecessary alarm notification can be eliminated and useless current consumption can be eliminated in addition to the above effects.

Furthermore, by changing the time interval between the alarm notification time before the alarm time and the alarm time for each alarm notification, in addition to the above-mentioned effect, the user can obtain the initial number of minutes before the alarm time. Since it is not known whether the alarm notification will be executed, it is necessary to surely confirm the current time with the first alarm notification, and it is possible to wake up more reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Timekeeping means 3 Pointer 4 Pointer 5 Pointer 6 Alarm time storage means 8 Notification means 10 Control means 14 Human body detection means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A clocking means for clocking the current time, a display section for displaying the time, an alarm time storage means for storing the alarm time, an alarm means for informing an alarm sound, and the alarm time in the alarm set state. And a control means for making an alarm notification at a time earlier than a desired time, changing the display on the display unit to the alarm time, returning the display to the current time after the alarm notification is stopped, and making an alarm notification at the alarm time. An alarm clock that is characterized. 2. A time measuring means for measuring the current time, a display section for displaying the time, an alarm time storing means for storing the alarm time, a notifying means for notifying an alarm sound, and a human body detecting means for detecting the human body. In the alarm set state, the alarm is notified at a time before the alarm time by a desired time, the display on the display section is changed to the alarm time, the display is returned to the current time after the alarm notification is stopped, and the alarm time is changed to the alarm time. An alarm clock, comprising: a control unit that notifies an alarm when a human body is detected. 3. The alarm clock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the desired time is changed each time an alarm is issued.