Abstract:
The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods of alerting a user at a predetermined time. This may be accomplished with a personal alarm device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Such personal alarm device includes an alarm clock that is coupled to an adhesive material. The adhesive material is adapted to allow the alarm clock to be affixed to the skin of the user. The adhesive material also allows the user to remove the personal alarm device from the skin of the user. The alarm clock is a self-contained unit that is operable to display a time, allow the user to set a predetermined time, and alert the user at the predetermined time. The self-contained unit may perform all of these functions without communicating with an external device, but may also function in connection with an external device or system.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to alarm clocks, and more particularly to personal alert systems that adhere to the skin of the user. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Personal clocks are common in the art. Some include an alarm feature and others do not. Examples of personal clocks not including an alarm feature include U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,324,410 (“Ziv”); 3,998,045 (“Lester”); and 4,444,515 (“Clark”). Clocks including an alarm feature include 6,817,192 (“Ector, Jr.”) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/039,972 (Pub. No. U.S. 2009/0052283 A1) (“Puzia”). However, none of these references appear to disclose a personal alarm clock that adheres to the skin of the user. 
         [0003]    Other examples of personal alarm clocks are inserted in or cover the ear of user. Examples of these devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,821,247 (“Grooms”); 6,067,006 (“O&#39;Brien”); 7,571,006 (“Gordon”); and 7,512,247 (“Odinak”). Still other personal alarm clocks communicate with an external device to function. Examples of these devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,686,882 (“Giani”); 7,173,881 (“Freudenberg, Jr.”); 7,266,047 (“Chan”); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/030,047 (Pub. No. U.S. 2006/0153007 A1) (“Chester”). U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,455 (“Sikes”) is an example of a personal alarm system that is inserted in the ear and communicates with an external device to function. 
         [0004]    Thus, there exists a need for a personal alarm clock that is a single unit that does not require communication with an external device and that adheres to the skin of a user in a location such that an audible alarm will only alert the user and not others in close proximity. A need also exists for a personal alarm clock that operates while not being inserted into, attached to, or covering the ear. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide systems and methods of alerting a user at a predetermined time. This may be accomplished with a personal alarm device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Such personal alarm device includes an alarm clock that is coupled to an adhesive material. The adhesive material is adapted to allow the alarm clock to be affixed to the skin of the user. The adhesive material also allows the user to remove the personal alarm device from the skin of the user. The alarm clock is a self-contained unit that is operable to display a time, allow the user to set a predetermined time, and alert the user at the predetermined time. The self-contained unit may perform all of these functions without communicating with an external device, but may also function in connection with an external device or system. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure could allow a user to affix the personal alarm device to the skin near the ear of the user, thus allowing an audible or vibrating alarm to only alert the user without disturbing others in close proximity. This may be particularly beneficial if two people sleeping in the same bed need to wake up at different times. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure could allow a user to be awoken by an alarm clock that is located in close proximity to his or her ear, but is not inserted in or does not cover the ear. Thus, using the device in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure will continue to allow a user to comfortably wear the device and continue to be able to hear a fire alarm, door bell, child crying, and the like. 
         [0008]    Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view of a personal alarm device affixed to a user according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of the personal alarm device of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is illustrates a view of the back of the personal alarm device of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view with portions cut away to reveal some of the inner workings of the personal alarm device of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of an alternate embodiment of a personal alarm device including a vibration mode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view with portions cut away to reveal some of the inner workings of the personal alarm device of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of the personal alarm device of FIG.  3 A showing the personal alarm device secured in a carrying case according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the carrying case shown in  FIG. 4A  and a personal alarm device with portions cut away to reveal some of the inner workings of the personal alarm device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods of a personal alarm device that may be affixed directly to the skin of the user. In this fashion, an audible or vibrational signal emitting from the personal alarm clock is likely only to be detected by the user, thus leaving others in close proximity undisturbed. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a personal alarm device  10   a  in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the personal alarm systems shown in  FIGS. 1-4B  are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of the illustrated personal alarm systems according to the present disclosure. 
         [0020]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates the personal alarm device  10   a  shown affixed to a wearer or user  16 . The personal alarm device may be sized to fit comfortably on a top portion of the neck of the user  16  adjacent the ear of the user  16 . In this location, the personal alarm device  10   a  may audibly (or vibrationally) alert the user  16  with a soft audible sound even though there is no part of the personal alarm device that is internal to the ear of the user  16 . The personal alarm device includes an alarm clock  12  and an external envelope  14   a.    
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of the personal alarm device  10   a . In certain embodiments, the alarm clock  12  of the personal alarm device  10   a  may be similar to a conventional digital watch. It may include a display  18  and function buttons  20 . In certain embodiments, the display  18  may be a digital display. A battery that is well known in the art may provide power for the personal alarm device  10   a . In an alternate embodiment, the alarm clock  12  may be replaced with a wireless receiver. In this embodiment, the receiver may receive a transmission from an emitter. According to the teachings of the present disclosure, reception of this transmission may activate an audible or vibrational alarm to alert the wearer to take a certain action. 
         [0023]    Function buttons  20  may be small relative to the face of alarm clock  12  and may be depressed with the tip of a pen or other slender object. Using the function buttons  20 , the user may set the current time and set a predetermined time that he desires to be alerted by the alarm. When the alarm is sounding or vibrating, the function buttons  20  may also allow the user  16  to initiate a sleep function or to disable the alarm altogether. In certain embodiments, the user  16  may operate the personal alarm device  10   a  in a countdown mode, which counts down from a predetermined time. This may allow the user to quickly set the alarm to alert him in twenty minutes if the user  16  desires to take a quick nap in a location such as a library or the like. In this mode, the alarm clock  12  counts down from twenty minutes and alerts the user when it reaches zero. 
         [0024]    The external envelope  14   a  may serve several functions. For example, the external envelope  14   a  may define a circular opening  15  extending from its center causing the bottom surface of the external envelope  14   a  to be generally annular. This opening  15  may allow the audible alarm to pass more directly to the user  16 . The external envelope  14   a  may be made of a soft material, for example silicone. This soft material of the external envelope  14   a  may increase the comfort for the user  16 . It may also protect the alarm clock  12  from any damage that may occur if it is dropped or casually handled when carrying in a travel bag, purse, brief case, and the like. In some embodiments, the external envelope  14   a  may also be made of a rigid material. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2B  shows the back of personal alarm device  10   a . Also, on a back surface of either the alarm clock  12  or the external envelope  14   a , or both may be affixed an adhesive material  22 . The adhesive material  22  may allow the personal alarm device  10   a  to temporarily adhere to the skin of the user  16 . The adhesive material  22  may be made of a hypoallergenic material. In certain embodiments, the adhesive material  22  may have adhesive properties on a front surface and a back surface of the adhesive material  22 , making it double-sided adhesive material  22 . The adhesive material  22  may lose some of its adhesive properties, that is, after being attached and removed a number of times it may no longer adequately adhere to the skin of the user  16 . Therefore, in certain embodiments, adhesive material  22  may be easily removed from the personal alarm device  10   a , disposed of, and then replaced with a new adhesive material  22 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2C  illustrates the personal alarm device  10   a  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2C  shows the personal alarm device from a side view with portions cut away so that some of the inner workings of personal alarm device are visible. From this illustration, it can also be seen that the external envelope  14   a  encases the alarm clock  12 . It can also be seen that the personal alarm device  10   a  includes an audio transducer  24  connected to the alarm clock  12  by electrical connections  26 . When the alarm clock  12  reaches the predetermined time it may cause the electrical connections  26  to activate the audio transducer  24 . With the audio transducer activated, the personal alarm device  10   a  may emit an audible alarm. This audible alarm may be soft such that it is detectible by the user, but not others in close proximity. In an alternate embodiment, the audio transducer may be internal to the alarm clock  12 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3A  illustrates a personal alarm device with vibration mode  10   b . This is similar in many respects to the personal alarm device  10   a , except it includes a vibrating module  28 . The alarm clock  12  may activate the vibrating module  28  in lieu of or in addition to the audible alarm to alert the user  16  that the predetermined time has been reached. The vibrating module  28  may be an electro-mechanical vibrator as is known in the art. In this embodiment, function buttons  20  may allow the user to control whether a vibration mode is activated. Also, in this embodiment, a vibrating model external envelope  14   b  is similar to the external envelope  14   a , but it is shaped to enclose the vibrating module  28 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the personal alarm device with vibration mode  10   b  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3B  shows a side view with portions cut away so some of the inner workings are visible. It can be seen that electrical connections from the alarm clock  12  are connected to the vibrating module. The particular embodiment pictured in  FIG. 3B  shows the audio transducer  24  in addition to vibrating module  28 . In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the personal alarm device with vibration mode may only include the vibrating module  28  and not the audio transducer  26 . It should also be noted that the personal alarm device may be attached to a variety of places on the user, and may further include an input to adjust the level of an audible or vibrant only alarm. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an embodiment where a personal alarm device in accordance with the present disclosure is secured in a carrying device  30 . The carrying device  20  may partially enclose either personal alarm device  10   a  (as shown in  FIG. 4B ) or personal alarm device with vibration mode  10   b  as shown (as shown in  FIG. 4A ). The carrying device  30  may be made of metal or a firm plastic to allow it to flex in order to receive and secure the personal alarm device  10   a  or  10   b . The carrying device  30  may also include a protrusion having an aperture  32  for receiving a clasp  34 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . The clasp  34  may allow a user to carry the personal alarm device  10   a  or  10   b  on a key chain or the like. 
         [0030]    While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.