Abstract:
An alarm clock with multiple weekly and independent daily schedule capability. Three types of alarms are available and selectable for each schedule: a built in AM/FM radio, a noise maker, such as a buzzer, and an under pillow vibrating pad. Each day of the week can be programmed independently so that the alarm need not be reset each day to accommodate a varying daily schedule. Two independent daily schedules are available, so that one device may be used for a couple. Different weekly schedules are available to accommodate rotating shift workers, or others that need to have different schedules from time to time. The alarm time can be changed just for the next day, without changing the normal alarm schedule. A built in or external telephone may be programmed with telephone off times so that sleep in not disturbed. A built in un-interruptible power supply allows the clock to continue to function during power outages.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to alarm clocks. More particularly, it relates to alarm clocks that can be programmed with wake up times that vary from day to day. It also relates to alarm clocks that have more than one wake up time per day.  
           [0003]    2. Prior Art  
           [0004]    There have been various proposals for programmable alarm clocks. Generally such devices do not meet the needs of busy people, and in particular, busy couples, who may both have schedules that vary from day to day, or in an unpredictable manner. Further each member of the couple may have a different schedule on the same day. It would be desirable for each member to be awakened at a different time without waking up the other.  
           [0005]    Another significant problem that many busy people face is the need to get an uninterrupted night of sleep without being awakened by telephone calls. As a matter of convenience, many people have telephones in their bedrooms. Often, people with demanding jobs seek to get a good, relatively long night of sleep. These individuals may turn in early, at a time well before even considerate people stop making telephone calls to their friends and relatives. While not normally socially objectionable, such late evening telephone calls will interrupt the sleep of those who go to sleep at an early hour.  
           [0006]    Still another problem with programmable alarm clocks is that they are generally not easy to program. A mistake in programming may cause someone to be late for or to miss an important meeting. If the alarm erroneously goes off at too early a time, such as on the weekend, a person may be deprived of the opportunity and pleasure of “sleeping in”, usually associated with not having to get up early to go to work.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is an object of this invention to provide an alarm clock that is easily programmable for schedules that vary from day to day or in an unpredictable manner.  
           [0008]    It is another object of the invention to provide an alarm clock that can be used to awaken one member of a sleeping couple without awakening the other.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an alarm clock that disables a telephone from ringing during a sleep time so that the user or users can have an uninterrupted period of sleep.  
           [0010]    These objects and others are achieved in accordance with the invention by an alarm clock which comprises a time keeping circuit; a display for displaying a time provided by the time keeping circuit; an alarm time memory including alarms for a first person and for a second person, the alarms for the first person and for the second person including a plurality of schedules, each schedule being separately programmable for a different time for each day of the week; a selector for selecting which of the schedules it to be an active alarm; and apparatus for making a person aware that an alarm time has been reached.  
           [0011]    The alarm clock may further comprise an input device or entering an alternate alarm time to replace a single time for a single day of the week. The alternate alarm time may be used only once before the alarm clock reverts to a preselected schedule. After the alternate alarm time is used, an alarm is generated on a preexisting schedule.  
           [0012]    The apparatus for making a person aware that an alarm time has been reached may include a pillow pad for at least one of the first person and the second person.  
           [0013]    The alarm clock may further comprising a sound generating system. The sound generating system may include at least one of a radio receiver, a tape player, a CD player and a MP3 file player.  
           [0014]    The alarm may further comprise a controller for controlling whether a telephone ringer is active between selected times of a day. The controller may render the telephone ringer active at the latest alarm time of alarm times selected by the selector.  
           [0015]    The display of the alarm clock may comprise a portion for displaying when the telephone ringer is rendered inactive and when the telephone ringer is rendered active, by the controller.  
           [0016]    The alarm clock may further comprise a telephone, and a controller for controlling whether a telephone ringer is active between selected times of a day. The display may comprise a portion for displaying when the telephone ringer is rendered inactive and when the telephone ringer is rendered active by the controller.  
           [0017]    The display of the alarm clock may comprise portions for displaying current time, an alarm time for the first person and an alarm for the second person. The display may comprise portions for displaying which of the plurality of schedules has been selected for at least one of the first person and the second person. The display may comprise portions for displaying a current day of the week.  
           [0018]    The invention is also directed to an alarm clock comprising a time keeping circuit; a display for displaying the time provided by the time keeping circuit; an alarm time memory for storing at least one first alarm time for a first person and at least one second alarm time for a second person; a first source of electrical energy being activated when the first alarm time is reached; a second source of electrical energy being activated when the second alarm time is reached; a first vibration source for placement in a first pillow responsive to set first source; and a second vibration source for placement in a second pillow responsive to the second source.  
           [0019]    The alarms for the first person and for the second person may include a plurality of schedules, each schedule being separately programmable for a different time for each day of the week.  
           [0020]    The invention also contemplates an alarm clock comprising a time keeping circuit; a display for displaying the time provided by the time keeping circuit; and a telephone sleep alarm, the telephone sleep alarm defining a start time and an end time, the alarm clock disabling a ringer on a telephone between the start time and the end time.  
           [0021]    The alarm clock may further comprise an alarm time memory including an alarm time for a first person and an alarm time for a second person, the end time on a given day being a later of the alarm time for the first person and the alarm time for the second person.  
           [0022]    The alarm clock may further comprise an alarm time memory including an alarm time for a first person and an alarm time for a second person, the end time on a given day being a predetermined default time if either of the alarm time for the first person and the alarm time for the second person is not selected.  
           [0023]    The alarm clock may further comprise an alarm time memory including alarms for a first person and for a second person, the alarms for the first person and for the second person including a plurality of schedules, each schedule being separately programmable for a different time for each day of the week.  
           [0024]    The alarm clock may further comprise a telephone interface, the telephone interface including a telephone disable and restore circuit for disabling the telephone during a selected time; a sense circuit for detecting whether the telephone is off hook; and a restore circuit responsive to the sense circuit for operating the disable and restore circuit to reconnect the telephone so that a dial tone is available, and telephone calls can be made.  
           [0025]    The alarm clock may further comprise a telephone, built into the alarm clock, and a disable circuit for disabling the ringer of the telephone between the start time and the end time.  
           [0026]    The invention is also directed to an alarm clock comprising a time keeping circuit; a display for displaying the time provided by the time keeping circuit; an alarm time memory for storing a plurality of alarm times; and an interface for receiving a plurality of alarm times to be stored in the alarm time memory.  
           [0027]    The interface may be configured to receive the alarm times from a digital device.  
           [0028]    The invention is further directed to the alarm clock in combination with the digital device. The digital device may be one of a computer, a personal digital assistant and a memory stick. The interface may communicate with the digital device by one of an infra-red link, a radio link and a direct electrical connection. The direct electrical connection comprises an RS-232 or USB link.  
           [0029]    The present invention is also directed to a method for operating an alarm clock, comprising programming a digital device with at least one schedule; and transferring the schedule to the alarm clock.  
           [0030]    The method may further comprise setting the alarm clock to provide alarms in accordance with the alarm schedule. At least one schedule may comprise alarms for a first person and for a second person, the alarms for the first person and for the second person including a plurality of schedules, each schedule being separately programmable for a different time for each day of the week. The at least one schedule may comprise times for rendering a telephone ringer operative and inoperative. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]    The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an alarm clock in accordance with the invention and a computer system that may be used with the alarm clock.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a telephone interface for an alarm clock in accordance with the invention having an internal telephone.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a telephone interface for an alarm clock in accordance with the invention having an external telephone.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4 is a representation of a screen displayed by software running on an external programming device that permits the alarm clock of FIG. 1 to be externally programmed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of an apparatus  10  incorporating features of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 1, an alarm clock radio  10  according to the invention includes a display  12  having the usual display functions associated with alarm clocks and several functions in accordance with the invention. Display  12  may be, for example, a back illuminated liquid crystal display of a type well known in the art. Digits  14  display the current time, in association with indicators  16  and  18  for AM and PM respectively. A series of indicators  20  provide information as to which is the current day of the week. Indicators  22  and  24  provide information as to the time a telephone sleep period is programmed to start and to end, respectively. An indicator  26  displays the wake up time for a single day for a first user designated as user A. An alternate schedule indicator  28  displays which of three different pre-stored schedules for user A has been selected, as described in more detail below. Indicators  30  and  32  are analogous to indicators  26  and  28 , but are for a second user, designated as user B. Indicator  34  displays a selected radio frequency that has been tuned to for normal listening. Indicator  36  displays the radio frequency that has been selected as an alarm or wake up frequency. In this manner, the wake up frequency may be tuned to a radio station that provides local weather and traffic information that is important to receive when awakening to travel to work. On the other hand, the frequency selected for listening and displayed on indicator  36  may be one that is commonly selected for listening pleasure, rather than for particular information content.  
         [0038]    Display  12  is controlled by a microprocessor or micro controller  40  (such as, for example, an ST62T40B by STM Electronics) via a display driver bus connected to a display driver port  44 . Microcontroller  40  also controls, in general, all functions of radio  10 . Microcontroller  40  is also connected to a keyboard  46  via a keyboard connection bus  48 , which is in turn connected to a keyboard interface of microcontroller  40 . A control bus  52  connects microcontroller  40  to an AM/FM tuner module  54 , (such as, for example a TEAS6846 by Phillips Electronics). An appropriate internal antenna  56  is connected to tuner module  54  to allow for reception of radio signals, on for example, the normal AM and FM bands. The audio output of module  54  is connected to an audio amplifier  58 , which is in turn connected to a speaker  60  to provide audio to listeners in proximity to clock radio  10 , as is well known in the art.  
         [0039]    Mircocontroller  40  includes two logic ports that are referred to herein as pillow ports  62 A and  62 B. Ports  62 A and  62 B provide logic signals to pillow drivers  64 A and  64 B, respectively. These drivers provide electrical signals to pillow pads  66 A and  66 B, for users A and B respectively. Thus a vibrational signal, or wake up tone of low amplitude, can be sent to pillow pads  66 A and  66 B at separate times to wake one of the sleeping couple, without waking the other.  
         [0040]    Mircocontroller  40  includes another logic port designated as a telephone port  70 , which provides a logic signal on a line  72 . The logic signal is used to enable and disable a telephone interface so that the telephone ringer is rendered inoperative during telephone sleep periods, as described above.  
         [0041]    Telephone interface  74  may operate with an optional internal telephone  76  associated with clock radio  10 , or may control an external telephone connected to a line  78 , which telephone provides telephone service by means of a conventional telephone line  80  connected to telephone interface  74 . It will be understood that conventional modular telephone connectors may be used, as is well know in the art. This is described in more detail with respect to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 below.  
         [0042]    Mircocontroller  40  is connected to a computer interface  82  via a bus  84 . As described below, clock radio  10  may be programmed via interface  82  with the various wake-up schedules described above.  
         [0043]    The various components of clock radio  10  described above are powered by a power supply  86  which is connected to the mains by a plug  88  and line cord  90 , in a manner well known in the art. A back-up battery  92  may be provided to power volatile memory, so that stored information is not lost in the case of a power outage. The combination of power supply  86  and back-up battery serves as a built in uninterruptible power supply which allows the device to continue to function during power outages.  
         [0044]    A computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA), collectively referred to herein as a programming system  94 , having a display  96 , may run software used to program clock radio  10  via computer or PDA interface  82 , as described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 4. Programming system  94  may communicate with interface  82  by any one of several means. An infrared, radio frequency or other wireless link may be provided. Alternatively, a memory stick may have appropriate information stored thereon and may be transferred from programming device  94  to interface  82 . As yet another alternative, a connection cable  98  (such as an RS-232 link) may be used, but this is generally convenient only when programming device  94  is portable.  
         [0045]    Clock radio  10  may be operated and programmed in the manner generally described above by using keyboard  46 , which is really a series of buttons, each operating a SPST switch which remains closed as long as its respective button is pushed. Detailed operational instructions are set forth below.  
         [0046]    The clock is set by pressing the “clock set” button  100 . This will start the large hours digits of indicator  14  blinking. The hours can then be incremented or decremented by pressing the “+” or increment button  102 , or “−” or decrement button  104 . Pressing the “clock set”button  100  again will increment the display so that the minutes digits of indicator  14  blink. The process is repeated for minutes. Pressing the “clock set” button  100  a third time will cause the AM  16  or PM  18  indicators to flash. Pressing “+” ( 102 ) or “−” ( 104 ) will change the blinking indicator. Pressing the “clock set” button  100  a fourth time will resume normal operation.  
         [0047]    Pressing the “alarm set” button  106  initiates programming of the alarm functions. The “A” alarm display indicator  26  will blink. Pressing “+” ( 102 ) or “−” ( 104 ) will cause the blinking indicator to change to the “B” alarm display indicator  30 . Pressing “alarm set” button  106  again will start the alternate schedule indicator  28  or  32  (shown as 1,2, or 3) blinking. Pressing “+” button ( 102 ) will allow selection of one of the alarm schedules. Pressing the “−” button ( 104 ) will change that to the alternate alarm. Pressing “alarm set” button  106  again will start all the days of the week of indicators  20  blinking. To set all the days the same, proceed to the next step, described below. To program just one day, press the “+” button  102  or “−” button  104  until the desired day is blinking. Pressing “alarm set” button  106  again will start the hours digits of indicators  26  or  30  blinking. The hours can then be incremented or decremented by pressing the “+” button  102  or “−” button  104 . Pressing the “alarm set” button  106  again will increment the display so that the minutes of indicators  26  or  30  blink. The process is repeated for minutes. Pressing the “alarm set” button  106  again will cause the AM or PM portion of indicators  26  or  30  to flash. Pressing “+” ( 102 ) or “−” ( 104 ) will change the blinking indicator. Pressing the “clock set” button  100  again will start the next day flashing. After programming all the days, pressing the “alarm set” button  106  will resume normal operation. This process is repeated again until all the alarms are programmed.  
         [0048]    Pressing the “snooze” button  108  will start a snooze cycle, of for example, ten minutes, as is well known in the art.  
         [0049]    Using the alternate alarm button  110  to set an alternate alarm will change any alarm schedule for one use. After that use occurs, the schedule will revert back to the normal schedule. The manner of setting the alternate alarm is similar to that described above, except that alternate alarm button  110  is used.  
         [0050]    Pressing alarm off button  112  will turn off any alarm that has sounded.  
         [0051]    Pressing the Alarm Disable A button  114  will disable the A alarm function and blank display  26  and  28  until it is pressed again. Pressing the Alarm Disable B button  116  will do the same for user B. This allows the alarm to be turned off for any extended period of time, without having to reprogram it later. Otherwise the alarm will normally continue to function, and need not be reset for the next alarm cycle.  
         [0052]    Pressing the Radio button  118  will turn on the radio and will turn on indicator  34 . Pressing it a second time will turn off the radio and indicator  34 . Pressing the AM/FM button  120  changes the radio band selected. Pressing the “+” button  102  or “−” button  104  will change the station up or down. The frequency selected is shown on the display by means of indicator  34 . Indicator  34  is on when the radio is enabled. It is blank otherwise.  
         [0053]    The optional telephone  76  will have its ringer disabled during the indicated “do not disturb” period. To set the period, press the “Tel Set” button  122 . The Start hours display portion of indicator  22  will blink. The hours can then be incremented or decremented by pressing the “+” button  102  or “−” button  104 . Pressing the “Tel Set” button  122  again will increment the display so that the minutes blink. The process is repeated for minutes. Pressing the “Tel Set” button  122  a third time will cause the AM or PM indicator to flash. Pressing “+” ( 102 ) or “−” ( 104 ) will change the blinking indicator. Pressing the “Tel Set” button  122  a fourth time will repeat the operation for the Stop time shown on indicator  24 .  
         [0054]    Another option is to have the telephone ringer on time controlled by the selected programs. The ringer can be rendered operative when the latest time for that day of the selected alarm time schedules has been reached, thus allowing the last person to be awakened to sleep without the interruption of an incoming telephone call. This first “default” time may be displayed as the stop telephone sleep time on display indicator  24  (FIG. 1). If the selected schedule for at least one of the first person and the second person does not have a wake up time programmed for a particular day, or it has been programmed as “OFF” (see description of FIG. 4 below), then the stop telephone sleep time may be a settable or preprogrammed second default time, such as for example, 1:00 PM. This is based on the assumption that the couple, even if sleeping late, may wish to receive phone calls after that time in the afternoon. However, as indicated, under certain circumstances, such as for example, night shift work, this second default may be set for a completely different time.  
         [0055]    Pressing the “Alarm Set” button  106 , followed by the “Radio” button  118 , will allow the selection of both the alarm radio station, displayed on  36 , and the alarm volume, using the normal radio controls. Pressing the “Alarm Set button again, will end the radio set mode.  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 2, a version of telephone interface  74  for use with a telephone  76  which is built in to clock radio  10  is illustrated. A logic signal in the form of the presence or absence of a voltage is provided from telephone port  70  of microcontroller  40  on line  72 , to the inverting input of a voltage comparator  130 . The non-inverting input of comparator  130  is connected to a reference voltage of approximately one half of the logic “on” level. The output of comparator  130  is connected to one side of the coil of a relay  132 . The other side of the coil of relay  132  is connected to supply voltage.  
         [0057]    Relay  132  is a single pole relay. The pole is connected in series with a line to a ringer  134  associated with telephone  76 . Telephone  76  is connected to a standard modular telephone connector  136 , which is connected to a conventional telephone line  80 . Thus, during telephone sleep periods, relay  132  serves to disconnect ringer  134  so that telephone  76  will not ring, and sleep will not be disturbed. However, telephone  76  will otherwise be fully operational because it is always connected to telephone line  80 , and can be used to make telephone calls at any time, whether in the telephone sleep mode or not.  
         [0058]    Referring to FIG. 3 an external telephone interface disconnects the telephone from the phone line during the sleep period. This prevents the phone from ringing. This is accomplished by the microcontroller  40  (FIG. 1) enabling relay K 1 . Comparator U 2  monitors the voltage developed across R 1 . When the voltage is low, the telephone is on hook. If the telephone is lifted off hook, the voltage rises, since the impedance of the telephone drops. When the off hook mode is detected by the micro controller  40 , it releases relay K 1  to reconnect the telephone to the line, so that an outgoing call can be made. When the telephone is replaced on hook, comparator U 1  will detect the increase in voltage across the line, due to the higher load impedance, and will signal the micro controller  40  that the telephone is back on hook. The microcontroller  40  will then activate K 1  again, disconnecting the telephone. At the end of the sleep period, the telephone will be connected to the line, by the microcontroller  40 .  
         [0059]    The operation for the built in phone is simpler. Here, the ringer is disabled during the sleep period by K 2 , and re-enabled at the end of the period. The telephone itself is always connected to the line, so outgoing calls can be made at any time.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 4 illustrates a typical screen that can be generated by the software in programming device  94  to be shown on display  96 , to allow programming of alarm clock radio  10 . The first person, designated as person A, can have three different schedules A 1 , A 2  and A 3 . The second person, designated as person B, can have three different schedules B 1 , B 2  and B 3 . Each schedule can have a different wake up time for every day of the week. These times may be programmed by entering a programming mode and moving the cursor on the display to the cell for that day (right or left) and schedule (up or down) and entering the desired time for the alarm to be activated. If no alarm is desired, such as when a person wishes to sleep until he or she wakes up, then the cell is left blank or the word OFF is entered. After all desired cells have been filled in, a save command is used to save the data. If a change is desired, then the programming mode is again entered, the cursor is moved to the cell in which a change is desired, and the previous entry is written over. After all desired changes have been made, the data is saved.  
         [0061]    When the programming has been accomplished, the data must be transferred from the programming device to alarm clock radio  10 . If the programming device is a PDA, interface  82  may be a simple infrared interface. The data is received by micro controller  40  on line  84 , as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1. If programming device  94  is a computer, it may be connected to an infrared interface, to transfer the data to interface  82 . Alternatively, hardware configurations for the programming device  94  and interface  82  may include a cable connection, a memory stick, a radio frequency link (such as for example the Bluetooth standard), or any other suitable information transfer technology.  
         [0062]    While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. For example, the radio may have provisions for other music sources, such as a tape player, a CD player, or a storage device for MP3 music files, which may be used as a source of music to be played, or may be routed to a pillow speaker. The display may include provision for showing the date, in addition to the day of the week.  
         [0063]    It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.