Alarm clock with charging ports

An alarm clock is provided that has a housing, one or more charging ports, an audio transducer, an alarm control device, a display, and a controller. The charging ports are mounted in a surface of the housing and provide power from a power supply to an external device. The controller receives input signals from the alarm control device and sends output signals to the audio transducer and the display. When the controller receives input signals from the alarm control device, it responds by displaying and setting a desired alarm time on the display, and by arming an alarm function. While the alarm function is armed, if a current time matches the alarm time, the controller causes the audio transducer to emit an alarm sound. When the controller receives another input signal from the alarm control device, it responds by taking the alarm time off the display, disarming the alarm function, and, if the alarm sound is being emitted, quieting the alarm sound. The alarm function remains disarmed until the controller receives yet another input signal from the alarm control device, and in response rearms the alarm function.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to alarm clocks and, more specifically, to an alarm clock with charging ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alarm clocks are familiar consumer products, however conventional alarm clocks do not meet all the needs of guests when the alarm clocks are used in hotel rooms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm clock having a housing, one or more charging ports, an audio transducer, an alarm control device, a display, and a controller. The charging ports are mounted in a surface of the housing, are electrically coupled to a power supply, and provide power to an external device electrically coupled to the charging port. The controller is electrically coupled to the audio transducer, the alarm control device, and the display and receives input signals from the alarm control device and sends output signals to the audio transducer and the display.

When the controller receives a first plurality of input signals from the alarm control device, it responds by displaying and setting a desired alarm time on the display, and by arming an alarm function. While the alarm function is armed, if a current time matches the desired alarm time the controller causes the audio transducer to emit an alarm sound. When the controller receives a second input signal from the alarm control device, it responds by taking the alarm time off the display, disarming the alarm function, and, if the alarm sound is being emitted, quieting the alarm sound. The alarm function remains disarmed until the controller receives a third input signal from the alarm control device, and in response rearms the alarm function.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm clock having a housing, one or more charging ports mounted in an upper surface of the housing, one or more drain apertures formed in a lower surface of the housing, an alarm control device, a display, and a controller. The charging ports are electrically coupled to a power supply, and provide power to an external device that is electrically coupled to the charging port. The alarm control device includes first and second input devices. The controller is electrically coupled to the alarm control device and the display and receives input signals from the alarm control device and sends output signals to the display. The drain apertures allow liquid that enters the housing through the charging ports to drain away, so that the liquid does not form an electrical short-circuit between electrical connectors that are associated with the one or more charging ports.

When the controller receives a first activation of the first input device, it enters an alarm-setting mode. In the alarm-setting mode, the controller displays a desired alarm time on the display and adjusts the desired alarm time in response to activation of the second input device. When the controller receives a second activation of the first input device, it arms an alarm mode. While the alarm function is armed, if a current time matches the desired alarm time the controller causes the audio transducer to emit an alarm sound. When the controller receives a third activation of the first input device, it responds by taking the alarm time off the display, disarming the alarm function, and, if the alarm sound is being emitted, quieting the alarm sound. The alarm function remains disarmed until the controller receives a subsequent activation of the first input device, and in response rearms the alarm function.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm clock having a housing, one or more charging ports, a brightness switch, an audio transducer, an alarm control device, a display, and a controller. The charging ports are mounted in a surface of the housing, are electrically coupled to a power supply, and provide power to an external device electrically coupled to the charging port. The controller is electrically coupled to the audio transducer, the alarm control device, and the display and receives input signals from the alarm control device and sends output signals to the audio transducer and the display. When the controller receives input signals from the alarm control device, it sets a desired alarm time, arms an alarm function, or disarms the alarm function. The alarm function remains disarmed until the controller receives a subsequent input signal from the alarm control device, and in response rearms the alarm function. When the controller receives input signals from the brightness switch, it sets a brightness of the display, including turning off the display. While the alarm function is armed, if a current time matches the desired alarm time the controller causes the audio transducer to emit an alarm sound and, if the display is turned off, turn on the display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an alarm clock with charging ports, where, in various embodiments, the alarm function can be controlled from an alarm control device; the same alarm control device can be used to set the current date and time; a brightness switch can change brightness of the display, including turning the display off; and the alarm clock includes a Bluetooth-compatible speaker for use with an external audio source.

FIG. 1presents an isometric view of an alarm clock100with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The alarm clock100includes an upper body portion102. The upper body portion102includes a current time display106and an alarm time display110. The upper body portion102further includes a control knob112and a brightness switch114. The control knob112comprises a switch that responds to vertical or lateral pressure on the control knob112and a rotary position sensor that responds to rotation of the control knob112. The upper body portion102further includes an audio transducer (not shown) configured to emit an alarm sound.

The control knob112is an alarm control device that controls the alarm functionality of the alarm clock100as well as other functions, as will be described in more detail below.

The upper body portion102also includes USB charging ports116A and116B and line voltage charging ports118A and118B. The upper body portion102further includes a DST switch (not shown inFIG. 1) to enable or disable automatic switching of the alarm clock100into and out of daylight savings time mode, based upon the current date. The upper body portion further includes a power cord and connector120to provide line voltage power to the alarm clock100.

In various embodiments, the power cord and connector120, as well as the line voltage charging ports118A and118B, may be adapted to the voltage and connector configurations of any national or international line power standards.

The alarm clock100may optionally also include a lower body portion104. The lower body portion104includes a speaker system adapted for wireless connectivity to a portable music source (not shown). The lower body portion104comprises a “pairing” button122and speakers124L and124R. Speaker124R is not visible inFIG. 1.

Operation of the brightness switch114and the control knob112are described below with reference toFIGS. 3, 4, and 5. While the upper body portion102comprises two USB charging ports116A and116B, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the alarm clock100may include any number of USB charging ports, including no USB charging ports. Similarly, while the upper body portion102comprises two line voltage charging ports118A and118B, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the alarm clock100may include any number of line voltage charging ports, including no line voltage charging ports. While the lower body portion104includes speakers124L and124R, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the alarm clock100may include any number of speakers.

FIG. 2presents a schematic block diagram of an alarm clock200with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The alarm clock200includes a controller202. The controller202may be any suitable processing device, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable gate array (PGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. The controller202includes memory comprising any suitable combination of volatile and/or non-volatile storage and retrieval device or devices. The memory of the controller202may store data and instructions adapted to be used by the controller202to control the various elements of the alarm clock200.

The alarm clock200also includes outputs204and inputs206. The outputs204and the inputs206are communicatively coupled to the controller202. The outputs204may be configured using any suitable output technology and associated interface and driver circuits. In some embodiments, the displays204include the current time display106, the alarm time display110, and the audio transducer of the alarm clock100described with reference toFIG. 1. In such embodiments, the controller202is configured to send output signals to the displays106and110to show desired information on the displays106and110, as well as to send output signals to the audio transducer to emit sounds such as an alarm sound.

The inputs206may be configured using any suitable physical devices and input technology, along with associated interface and driver circuits. In some embodiments, the inputs206include physical devices and circuits associated with the control knob112and the brightness switch114. In such embodiments, the controller202is configured to receive signals indicating activation of the brightness switch114, closure of the switch associated with the control knob112, and changes in position detected by the rotary position sensor associated with the control knob112.

The alarm clock200is powered by a power supply208, which is electrically coupled to, and adapted to provide one or more voltages to, circuits of the alarm clock200. The power supply208is electrically coupled to power outlets212. The power outlets212are any suitable connectors for providing charging or other operational power to external devices. In some embodiments, the power outlets212include one or both of the USB charging ports116A and116B and the line voltage charging ports118A and118B described with reference toFIG. 1. In such embodiments, the power supply is configured to provide low voltage (5V or five volt) DC power to the USB charging ports116A and116B and line voltage AC power to the line voltage charging ports118A and118B.

The power supply208receives input power from a terminal211via a surge suppressor210. The terminal211may be electrically coupled to an input power connector such as connector120described with reference toFIG. 1. The surge suppressor210is adapted to reduce or prevent the impact on the circuits of the alarm clock200, as well as external devices plugged into the power outlets212, of surges or other potentially harmful variations in the input power received via the terminal211.

In some embodiments, the alarm clock200further includes elements associated with a speaker system adapted for wireless connectivity to a music player or other external audio source, including elements associated with the lower body portion104described with reference toFIG. 1. In such embodiments, the alarm clock200includes a Bluetooth-compatible receiver214, electrically coupled to an audio amplifier216, which is electrically coupled to one or more speakers218. The receiver214is further electrically coupled to a so-called “pairing” button220. The receiver214and the amplifier216are further electrically coupled to and receive power from the power supply208.

When a user of the alarm clock200has a Bluetooth-compatible external audio source, the user may operate the external audio source to place it in a mode where it is available for pairing with other Bluetooth-compatible devices. If the user then activates the pairing button220, the receiver214is adapted to respond by performing a pairing procedure with the external audio source. Upon completion of the pairing procedure, the receiver214will be operable to receive audio signals transmitted via Bluetooth from the external audio source and play the received audio signals via the amplifier216and the speakers218.

FIG. 3presents a procedure300for date and time setting functionality of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Describing, as an example, operation of the alarm clock100described with reference toFIG. 1, from what might be termed ‘normal’ operation: e.g., displaying the current time, in step302, a user presses and holds brightness switch114for at least a predetermined amount of time: e.g., 6 seconds. If the brightness switch114is not held for the predetermined amount of time, further operation of the alarm clock100is described with reference toFIG. 4 or 5.

If the brightness switch114is held for the predetermined amount of time, the alarm clock100enters a first phase of date-setting mode. In this first phase, in step304, the user may rotate the control knob112to set a desired year of the current date. Once the desired year has been set, the user presses the control knob112in step306to enter a second phase of the date-setting mode. In this second phase, in step308, the user may rotate the control knob112to set a desired month of the current date. Once the desired month has been set, the user presses the control knob112in step310to enter a third phase of the date-setting mode. In this third phase, in step312, the user may rotate the control knob112to set a desired day of the month of the current date.

Once the desired day of the month has been set, the user presses the control knob112in step314to enter a first phase of a time-setting mode. In step316, the user may rotate the control knob112to set a desired current hour. Once the desired hour has been set, the user presses the control knob112in step318to enter a second phase of the time-setting mode. In step320, the user may rotate the control knob112to set a desired current minutes. In step322, the user presses the control knob112to return to normal operation.

The current date is used in conjunction with the DST switch described with reference toFIG. 1to change the current time if the alarm clock100switches into or out of daylight savings time on the appropriate dates of the year. In some embodiments, the current date may be displayed in one or the other of the current time display106or the alarm time display110.

FIG. 4illustrates a procedure400for alarm functionality of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Using operation of the alarm clock100described with reference toFIG. 1again as an example, in step (or state)402, the alarm function of the alarm clock100is switched off. While the alarm function is switched off, the alarm time display110displays the word “OFF”.

In step404, the user pushes the control knob112briefly to place the alarm clock100into an alarm-setting mode. In this mode, the current setting of the alarm time is displayed as flashing digits in the alarm time display110. In step406, the user may rotate the control knob112to set a desired alarm time. Once the desired alarm time is displayed in the alarm time display110, the procedure400may proceed to either step407or step408.

In step408, the user presses the control knob112to set (or arm) the alarm function and fix the current alarm time. While the alarm function is armed, in state410, the current alarm time is displayed as steady (non-flashing) digits in the alarm time display110. In step407, the alarm clock100waits for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds) after the control knob112is rotated to set the desired alarm time, and then automatically arms the alarm function, fixes the current alarm time, and proceeds to state410

While the alarm function is armed, in state410, two events may occur that affect the alarm function. In the first event, in step412, the user pushes the control knob112, which switches the alarm function off, causes the alarm time display110to display the word “OFF”, and returns the procedure400to step402. In the second event, the current time reaches the current alarm time, the alarm function triggers, and the procedure400passes to step416, wherein the alarm clock100emits an alarm sound.

Once the alarm has triggered and the alarm clock100is in step416, another two events may occur that affect the alarm function. In the first event, in step418, the user may push the control knob112, which switches the alarm function off, causes the alarm time display110to display the word “OFF”, turns off the alarm sound, and returns the procedure400to step402. In the second event, in step420, the user presses the brightness switch114, which turns off the alarm sound. The procedure400then passes to step422, wherein the alarm clock100waits for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., nine minutes) before returning to step416, wherein the alarm clock100again emits the alarm sound.

FIG. 5presents a procedure500for display brightness control of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The procedure500controls brightness of the current time display106and, if on, the alarm time display110. In step502the displays106and110are at full brightness setting. In step504, the user presses the brightness switch114and the procedure500passes to step506, wherein the displays106and110are at a medium brightness setting. In step508, the user presses the brightness switch114and the procedure500passes to step510, wherein the displays106and110are at a dim setting.

In step512, the user presses the brightness switch114and the procedure500passes to step514, wherein the displays106and110are turned off. Once the displays106and110are turned off in step514, two events may occur that affect the display brightness. In a first event, in step516, the user presses the brightness switch114and the procedure returns to step502, wherein the displays106and110are at full brightness setting. In the second event, in step518, the alarm triggers (i.e., the procedure400described with reference toFIG. 4passes to step416) and the procedure returns to step502, wherein the displays106and110are at full brightness setting.

In other embodiments, the alarm clock100may have any number of brightness levels (other than off), more than or less than the three brightness levels described with reference to procedure500.

FIG. 6Apresent a top view of a portion of an alarm clock600with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The alarm clock600includes a line voltage charging port602. A section “A-A” is indicated through one of the three connector apertures of the port602. The port602is referred to as a “spill-through” port, because liquids that are spilled or otherwise pass into one or more of the three apertures of the port602move past electrical connectors of the port602, through the interior of the alarm clock600, and out through drain apertures in the bottom of the alarm clock600, as will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 6B and 6C.

FIGS. 6B and 6Cpresent cross-sectional views along section “A-A” of the spill-through port602of the alarm clock600. A housing of the alarm clock600includes an upper surface604and a lower surface606. The lower surface606includes drain apertures612. While four drain apertures612are shown in the lower surface606, it will be understood that any number of drain apertures may be used in other embodiments.

Stanchions608are mechanically coupled to the top604and support port connectors606, which are positioned to make electrical contact with a plug connector622of a plug620inserted into the port602. Conductors610are electrically coupled at a first end to the port connectors606and at a second end (not shown inFIG. 6B or 6C) to a power source such as power supply208described with reference toFIG. 2.

Liquids entering the spill-through port602flow over and past the port connectors606, and into a lower region614of the housing of the alarm clock600. However, rather than collecting in the lower region614, the liquid passes out of the housing through the drain apertures612. It will be understood that feet of the alarm clock600(not shown inFIGS. 6A-6C) rest on a supporting surface, raising the lower surface606adequately that liquid flowing out through the drain apertures612can flow away under the lower surface606on the supporting surface.

In this way, liquid entering the alarm clock600through the aperture602is prevented from rising to a level at which the liquid contacts connectors associated with one or more of the three connector apertures of the port602, causing an electrical short-circuit between the contacted connectors. Similarly, such liquid is prevented from rising to a level at which the liquid contacts circuitry of the clock600.

Additionally, the stanchions608and other mounting structures for the port connectors606are preferably fabricated from non-conductive material. In this way, the likelihood of the liquid forming electrical short-circuits between the port connectors606as it flows over the port connectors606is reduced or eliminated.

FIG. 7presents an isometric view of an alarm clock700with charging ports according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Most elements of the alarm clock700are similar to the alarm clock100described with reference toFIGS. 1-6C. A particular difference between alarm clock700and alarm clock100is alarm control device713. The alarm control device713comprises a plurality of switches. Functions of the alarm clock100that are controlled by the control knob112are controlled in the alarm clock700by the plurality of switches of the alarm control device713.

FIG. 8illustrates the alarm control device713in greater detail. The alarm control device713comprises a first switch, labeled on/off, which provides the same control of the alarm clock700as the switch associated with the control knob112provides of the alarm clock100. The alarm control device713further comprises two other switches, labeled “+” and “−”, which provide the same control of the alarm clock700as the rotary position sensor associated with the control knob112provides of the alarm clock100, when the control knob112is rotated in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, respectively.