Patent Publication Number: US-2013246070-A1

Title: Verbal warning systems and other audible warning systems for use with various types of devices, containers, products and other things

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/845,454, filed Sep. 18, 2006, and incorporated herein in it is entirety by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The following disclosure relates generally to verbal warning labels and other audible warning systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Warning labels attached to various objects have been used for many years in an attempt to alert users to potential hazards associated with use of the objects. Warning labels can be found on virtually any type of product, container, packaging and/or supplemental materials included with a product. For example, a bottle containing a cleaning material can include one or more written warning labels regarding potential dangers associated with the use of the product, instructions in the case of an accident, etc. 
     One challenge associated with warning labels is the tendency of users to ignore them. Conventional warning labels frequently include a vast amount of information in a relatively small space. Accordingly, the text on the warnings can be printed in a relatively small font that may be difficult for some users to read. A further challenge associated with written warning labels is that they fail to accommodate illiterate or visually impaired users. Moreover, in the United States, these warnings are typically written in English, thus failing to accommodate non-English literate persons. 
     One approach to overcoming the foregoing challenges is to include bright colors and graphical symbols on the warning label. Although bright colors and symbols may help direct attention to a warning label, there are often multiple warning labels for virtually every product in use. As such, users can experience warning label fatigue and remain unaware of the warning labels or disregard them. Moreover, warning labels are frequently removed by users or visually obscured during use or after installation. For these reasons, warning labels may not be performing their intended functions. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following summary is provided for the benefit of the reader only, and is not intended to limit the invention as set forth by the claims in any way. 
     The present disclosure is directed generally to verbal warning labels and other audible warning systems associated with various objects and devices, such as products, packaging, user-operable devices and appliances, electronic devices, etc. An audible warning system configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention announces a verbal warning relating to an object associated with the audible warning system. The verbal warning includes standardized information (e.g., a standardized safety warning) that is supplied and/or prerecorded by a manufacturer, supplier, distributor, retail vendor etc. of the object. As such, in certain embodiments an end user of the object cannot change or alter the content of the verbal warning. The verbal warning that is announced or otherwise audibly output by the system is a pre-event warning such that the verbal warning precedes a use of the object or other event involving the object, including accidental events and events with undesirable or unintended consequences. The verbal warning can include safety or cautionary information associated with the object for anyone coming into contact with or using the object. The audible warning system accordingly alerts, informs or otherwise warns users of potential dangers associated with the object. In certain embodiments, the audible warning system is carried by or included with a standardized warning label associated (e.g., attached) with the object. The verbal warning system can therefore supplement the warning label, or in some embodiments it can replace the warning label. Moreover, in certain embodiments the audible warning system is configured such that it can be silenced or otherwise disabled. The verbal warning system can be powered by any suitable power source, including for example, a battery, AC line power, solar power, fuel cells and/or other power sources. 
     A verbal warning system configured in accordance with another aspect of the invention includes a device having a standardized textual warning associated therewith. The system further includes a sound playback device operably coupled to the device and configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to the textual warning. The verbal warning is provided by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the device, or other interested party. The verbal warning can supplement or replace the standardized textual warning. In certain embodiments the standardized textual warning is displayed on the device. In other embodiments, however, the standardized textual warning may not be displayed on the device. 
     A product container configured in accordance with another aspect of the invention includes a body having an opening associated with an interior portion, and a cover positioned proximate to the opening. The cover is movable between a first position in which the interior portion is inaccessible via the opening and a second position in which the interior portion is accessible via the opening. The container also includes a product disposed within the interior portion and an audible warning system operably coupled to at least one of the body and the cover. In this aspect of the invention, the audible warning system is configured to announce a verbal warning relating to use of the product. In one embodiment, the audible warning system announces the verbal warning in response to movement of the cover from the first position to the second position. 
     A user-operable appliance configured in accordance with another aspect of the invention includes an on-off control for activating and deactivating the user-operable appliance. The appliance also includes an audible warning system having a processor operably coupled to the on-off control and a data storage medium operably coupled to the processor. In one aspect of this embodiment, the data storage medium contains a spoken warning relating to use of the appliance. The audible warning system also includes a speaker operably coupled to the processor. In one embodiment, the processor causes the speaker to audibly output the spoken warning in response to receiving a signal from the on-off control associated with activation of the appliance. 
     A multimedia electronic device configured in accordance with a further aspect of the invention includes a body and an on-off control attached to the body. The device also includes a controller and a memory contained within the body. The controller is operably coupled to the on-off control and the memory is operably coupled to the controller. In one aspect of this embodiment, the memory contains video content and/or audio content. The audio content can include a verbal warning relating to use of the device. The device further includes a display attached to the body and operably coupled to the controller. In one embodiment the controller causes the display to present at least a portion of the video content in response to a signal from the on-off control associated with activation of the device. The device further includes a speaker operably coupled to the controller. In one aspect of this embodiment, the controller causes the speaker to broadcast the verbal warning in response to the signal from the on-off control before broadcasting other audio content on the memory. 
     A consumer electronic device configured in accordance with another aspect of the invention includes a computer readable medium containing instructions that cause the device to play audio content. The instructions further cause the device to play a standardized verbal warning prior to playing the audio content. In certain embodiments, the verbal warning is supplied by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the device, or other interested party. 
     A warning label configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention includes a body having a display area for presenting standardized safety information. The standardized safety information includes at least one of textual or graphical content. The standardized safety information can be supplied by one or more of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the label, or other interested party. The warning label also includes an audible warning system carried by the body. The audible warning system is configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to at least a portion of the standardized safety information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic isometric view of a container including an audible warning system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system associated with the container of  FIG. 1A , configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic isometric view of a container including an audible warning system configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic isometric view of a container including an audible warning system configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic isometric view of first and second containers including audible warning systems configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method of providing audio content to a user according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a user-operable device including an audible warning system configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system of  FIG. 6A , configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic side view of a user-operable appliance including an audible warning system configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system of  FIG. 7A , configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method of providing audio content to a user according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic isometric view of an electronic device including an audible warning system configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system of  FIG. 9A , configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic isometric view of a communication apparatus including an audible warning system configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method of providing audio content to a user according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic front view of a warning label including an audible warning system configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure describes audible warning systems associated with various types of containers, appliances, electronic devices, and other objects. In one embodiment, for example, a container includes an audible warning system to supplement or replace a printed warning label displayed on the container. Certain details are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1A-12  to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. Other details describing well-known structures and systems often associated with warning labels, audio systems, and associated components, however, have not been set forth in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the invention. 
     Many of the details and features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details and features without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments can be practiced without several of the details described below. Moreover, in the embodiments described herein and illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 1A-12  the containers, products, devices, appliances etc. and various components are shown schematically for the purpose of illustration. Accordingly, and as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various embodiments can include other structures and/or configurations than those illustrated in the Figures and are expressly not limited to the structures shown in the Figures. 
     In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical, or at least generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refer to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element  110  is first introduced and discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1A  is a schematic isometric view of a product container  100  having an audible warning system  120  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system  120  of  FIG. 1A . Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  together, the audible warning system  120  is carried by a container body  102 . The body  102  includes an opening  104  (indicated by a broken line) that provides access to an interior portion  106 . An enclosure member or cover  108  is removably positioned proximate to the opening  104 . The cover  108  is moveable between a closed position (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ), and an open position to provide access to the interior portion  106  via the opening  104 . As described in more detail below, the audible warning system  120  can audibly output a warning relating to use of a product  112  disposed in the interior portion  106  of the body  102 . In some embodiments, the audible warning system  120  can announce or broadcast a verbal or spoken warning. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the container  100  is a bottle and the product  112  can be a liquid. In other embodiments, however, the container  100  and/or the product  112  can include other shapes, structures and/or configurations. For example, the product  112  can include a consumer product, commercial product, edible product, and/or be in a liquid, solid and/or gaseous state. In various embodiments, the container  100  can include a bottle, box, carton, packaging container, tube, tub, bag, luggage etc. made of various different materials. Moreover, the container  100  can include containers and/or packaging for consumer products, such as bleach, cleanser, paint, stain, paint thinner; for gasoline or other volatile liquids; and for food products and supplements, including alcohol, tobacco products, etc. The container  100  can also include containers and packaging materials for medical and pharmaceutical products, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicine, personal hygiene products, soaps, lotions, makeup, personal care products etc. 
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the audible warning system  120  includes a processor  122  (e.g., a controller, microchip, integrated circuit chip or sound playback device, or any other component that can control a sound playback function) operably coupled to a sensor  124  (e.g., a detector, switch, etc.), a data storage medium  126  (e.g., memory, recording media, etc.), a speaker  128 , and a power source  130  (e.g., battery, solar cell, AC line power, electronic connector, fuel cell etc.). The processor  122  can be operably coupled to the sensor  124 , the data storage medium  126 , the speaker  128  and the power source  130  with wireless, wired, fiber optic and/or other links to control operation of the audible warning system  120 . Although the audible warning system  120  illustrated in  FIG. 1B  shows the components of the system operably coupled to each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that some or all of the components of the audible warning system  120  may be combined or included in a single component. For example, a sound playback device can include a sound chip that includes a data storage medium incorporated on the sound chip. The audible warning system  120  can be affixed to the container  100  by various methods, including, but not limited to, attaching it to the body  102  with adhesives, fasteners, etc., or embedding it within the body  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor  122  can cause the speaker  128  to announce the verbal warning in response to a signal (e.g., an indication, notification, etc.) from the sensor  124 . More specifically, the sensor  124  is carried by the container  100  and operably coupled to at least one of the body  102  and cover  108  to detect movement of the cover  108  from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, the sensor  124  can be a switch or contact including an electrical circuit path having electrical continuity when the cover  108  is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the switch can be activated (initiating input to the processor) by interrupting the electrical circuit path and switching from continuity to non-continuity when the cover  108  is moved to the open position. In other embodiments, and as described below, the sensor  124  can include other devices that implement other methods of activation. For example, the sensor  124  can be a light sensor, a touch sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, etc. Furthermore, the audible warning system  120  can include multiple sensors  124  of the same or different types positioned at different locations on the container  100 . 
     The verbal warning can be a standardized safety message that is recorded on the data storage medium  126  by one or more of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the container  100  and/or the product  112 , or any other interested party. The verbal warning can audibly warn a user of a potential hazard before it occurs, and/or supply other information to the user. In some embodiments the verbal warning is unalterable and the audible warning system  120  is not configured to allow a user to change or reprogram the verbal warning. Rather, the verbal warning can include prerecorded safety information, such as a standardized warning, related to use of the product  112 . For example, if the product  112  is a liquid that should be used in a well-ventilated area, the speaker  128  can broadcast a verbal warning stating: “Warning! This product should be used in a well-ventilated area. Do not use in enclosed areas!” In some embodiments, the verbal warning can also include a simple vocabulary and/or an exaggerated voice to grab the attention of children. For example, the verbal warning can state: “This is really yuuuuuuucky. Don&#39;t play with it or you could get really sick.” In further embodiments, the data storage medium  126  can include other warnings and/or multiple warnings. In these and other embodiments, the audible warning system  120  is not required to broadcast the same verbal warning each time the container  100  is opened, thus avoiding repetition of a warning. The data storage medium  126  can include multiple verbal warnings, including for example, as many warnings as a manufacturer chooses to record or program into the system. As such, the multiple warnings could be announced sequentially, randomly, or in any other order so that the audible warning system  120  can avoid repeating the verbal warning upon activation. Moreover, the data storage medium  126  can contain a verbal warning in two or more different languages. For example, the audible warning system  120  can broadcast a first verbal warning in English followed by a second verbal warning in Spanish or some other language. 
     In another aspect of the foregoing embodiments, the data storage medium  126  can include other warning sounds, such as beeps, tones, chirps, buzzes or other alerting noises to supplement the verbal warning. As such, the speaker  128  can broadcast one or more alerting sounds before, during and/or after announcing the verbal warning. The processor  122  can also cause the speaker  128  to broadcast the verbal warning a total predetermined number of times and/or a predetermined number of repetitions in a specific time period. For example, the audible warning system  120  can announce the verbal warning no more than five times a day or not more than one time each hour. The audible warning system  120  can also be configured to broadcast the verbal warning in response to an indication from the sensor  124  detecting the possibility of harmful action and alert the user before the action occurs. For example, if the audible warning system  120  is associated with a container such as a pill bottle, and the user attempts to open the pill bottle more frequently than the prescribed interval between doses, the system can alert the user, for example, by stating: “Caution! Do not take more than two pills every four hours.” 
     In further embodiments, the audible warning system  120  can be a “smart” warning system such that the processor  122  includes logic or other programming to enable additional features associated with the audible warning system  120 . For example, different types of input from various sensors can be used to influence the audible warning system  120 . In embodiments using a proximity sensor, for example, the audible warning system  120  can adjust the volume level of the verbal warning or other sounds output by the system based on the proximity of a user to the object carrying the audible warning system  120 . If the sensor  124  is a temperature sensor, for example, it can activate the audible warning system  120  if it detects a temperature that is outside a predetermined range. For example, if a container includes a product that should not be stored above a certain storage temperature, the audible warning system  120  can alert a user if the temperature of the container exceeds the storage temperature. 
     In other embodiments, the “smart” audible warning system  120  can be configured to allow a user to select the language in which the verbal warning is broadcast. For example, the audible warning system  120  can include a switch or other input that allows a user to select a language to broadcast the verbal warning. In other embodiments, the audible warning system  120  can include a microphone and speech recognition capability to allow a user to select a language to broadcast the verbal warning. For example, a user can say “Español” and the audible warning system  120  will announce the verbal warning in Spanish. The audible warning system  120  and others disclosed herein can also include an activation feature that would have to be activated or enabled (e.g., pressing a button or removing a tab) before the audible warning system  120  will function. The audible warning systems  120  can also include a test feature such that a user could activate the audible warning system  120  with the test feature (e.g., by pressing a button) without actually using the object associated with the audible warning system  120 . For example, a user may test the audible warning system  120  carried on a container without opening the container to determine if the audible warning system  120  is working. 
     In a further aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the audible warning system  120 , and other warning systems disclosed herein, can be configured with additional features. For example, in certain embodiments the audible warning system  120  can have a user disable feature to disable the system after the verbal warning has been broadcast one or more times. The user disable feature can be configured such that the audible warning system can announce a warning different from the standardized warning to alert the user to the danger of disabling the audible warning system  120 . For example, the audible warning system  120  can alert a user that using the disable feature will silence the audible or verbal warning at the user&#39;s own risk. In other embodiments, the audible warning system  120  can also be include a biometric sensor to detect when a different user is using the object associated with the audible warning system  120 . The audible warning system  120  can accordingly be configured to announce the verbal warning for different users detected by the biometric sensor. In still further embodiments, the audible warning system  120  can include a motion sensor (e.g., a gyroscope) to detect movement of the audible warning system  120  and announce the verbal warning if an object carrying the audible warning system  120  is moving above a predetermined speed. 
     The embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide several advantages over conventional warning labels displayed on products or product containers. For example, the audible warning system  120  can convey a heightened sense of urgency regarding a warning of the use of the product. In some embodiments, for example, the verbal warning can convey emotion and vary the tempo of the delivery of the message to catch the user&#39;s attention. This is unlike existing warning labels attached to containers or products because users must see and read them and they are often ignored or are difficult to read. Moreover, the audible warning system  120  can also accommodate a wide variety of users, including for example, children, users that are illiterate or that have impaired sight, as well as users who speak languages other than English. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic isometric view of a container  200  having an audible warning system  220  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the container  200  is a box. In other embodiments, however, the container  200  can have other structures or forms, and be composed of a variety of different materials. As such, the container  200  is not limited to the illustrated rectilinear configuration. The audible warning system  220  is carried by a container body  202 . Closing members  208  (identified individually as first and second closing members  208   a,    208   b ) are pivotally attached to the body  202  to provide access to an interior portion containing a product (the interior portion of the body  202  and the product are not shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     In one aspect of this embodiment, the audible warning system  220  is generally similar in structure and function to the audible warning system  120  described above. For example, the audible warning system  220  includes a processor  222  operably coupled to a data storage medium  226 , a speaker  228 , and a power source  230 . In this embodiment, however, the processor  222  is operably coupled to a first sensor  224  and a second sensor  225 . The first sensor  224  can be generally similar to the sensor  124  described above, to detect movement of the closing members  208 . In one aspect of the embodiment, the second sensor  225  can be a proximity sensor to detect the presence of an object (e.g., a user) within a predetermined distance of the sensor  225 . For example, if a user comes within a specified distance (e.g., one foot) of the container  200 , the second sensor  225  can initiate input to the processor  222  to announce the verbal warning. 
     Although  FIG. 2  illustrates a first sensor  224  and a second sensor  225 , the container  200  can include multiple sensors, for example, on different surfaces of the container  200  or covering specified portions of the container  200 . Moreover, these sensors can include light sensors, touch sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, biometric sensors and/or other suitable types of sensors. 
     The container  200  of  FIG. 2  also includes a warning label  240  attached to the body  202 . The warning label  240  can include textual information  242  and graphical information  244  regarding use of the container  200  and/or product. In an aspect of this embodiment, the textual information  242  can contain a safety message and the graphical information  244  can correspond to the textual information  242 . For example, if the product in the container  200  is a poisonous material, the textual information  242  can state “Warning! Contents are poisonous. Avoid contact with this product. Call poison control immediately if you contact this product. If contact occurs, thoroughly wash areas affected areas . . . [etc.]” To supplement the textual information  242 , the graphical information  244  can include, for example, a skull and crossbones, which are frequently used to indicate the presence of a poisonous material. 
     In one aspect of this embodiment, the verbal warning contained on the data storage medium  226  can include and recite at least a portion of the textual information  242 . For example, the speaker  228  can announce “Warning! Contents are poisonous.” without reciting the rest of textual information  242  on the warning label  240 . In other embodiments, however, the verbal warning can recite at least a portion of the textual information  242  in conjunction with other safety information not displayed on the warning label  240 . For example, the verbal warning can include “Warning! Contents are poisonous. Please read warning label in case of an accident.” In some embodiments, the verbal warning can also include language corresponding to the graphical information  244 , such as a message describing what the graphical information  244  displays. As such, the audible warning system  220  can announce a standardized and prerecorded verbal warning corresponding to the textual and graphical information  242 ,  244  displayed on the warning label  240 . 
     One advantage of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2  is that the audible warning system  220  can supplement or highlight aspects of the safety information contained on the warning label  240 . In addition, the audible warning system  220  can also draw the user&#39;s attention towards the warning label  240 . For example, for warning labels may display a relatively large amount of textual and/or graphical information that is important for safe use of a corresponding product. A Large amount of information on a warning label  240 , however, can be difficult to read and/or understand. As such, the audible warning system  220  can emphasize and summarize key aspects of the warning label  240 . The verbal warning can also alert a user in the event that the warning label  240  is damaged, covered up, removed or otherwise impaired. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic isometric view of a container  300  having an audible warning system  320  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the container  300  is a cylindrical spray can (e.g., an aerosol can) including a product  312  (e.g., a pressurized liquid or gas shown in broken lines) within an interior portion  306  of a body  302 . The container  300  also includes a spray button or actuator  308  to allow the product  312  to exit the interior portion  306 . The actuator  308  is moveable between a first position to retain the product  312  in the interior portion  306  and a depressed position to allow the product  312  to discharge from the interior portion  306 . 
     In this embodiment, the audible warning system  320  is carried by the body  302  and can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the audible warning system  320  includes a processor  322  operably coupled to a first sensor  324 , a data storage medium  326 , a speaker  328  and a power source  330 . In an aspect of this embodiment, the first sensor  324  is operably coupled to at least one of the body  302  and the actuator  308  to sense the position of the actuator  308 . When the actuator  308  moves to the depressed position, for example, the sensor can notify the processor  322  to audibly output a verbal warning. 
     The audible warning system  320  of  FIG. 3  also includes a touch sensor  325  operably coupled to the processor  322 . The touch sensor  325  can detect contact with an object (e.g., a user&#39;s hand). In some embodiments, the touch sensor  325  can be attached to an exterior surface of the body  302  in a location where a user would likely contact the container  302 , such as for example, to pick it up. The processor  322  can therefore cause the speaker  328  to announce the verbal warning in response to a notification from the touch sensor  325  associated with contact with the body  302 . 
     The audible warning system  320  can further include a silencing control device  332  operably coupled to the processor  322 . The silencing control device can function generally similar to the user disable feature described above. In some embodiments, the silencing control device  332  can be attached to the body  302  and configured to enable a user to silence or otherwise disable the audible warning system  320 . The silencing control device  332  can receive an input from a user (e.g., depressing the silencing control device  332 ) to disable the audible warning system  320  for a specified period of time and/or number of triggering events. For example, the silencing control device  332  can disable the audible warning system  320  for a specified number of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and/or years. In addition, the silencing control device  332  can disable the audible warning system  320  after a predetermined number of uses of the actuator  308  or contacts with the touch sensor  325 . For example, after depressing the actuator  308  three times, the audible warning system  320  can be disabled or silenced. As such, the audible warning system  320  of  FIG. 3  can enable a user to discontinue the broadcasting of the verbal warnings. 
     In certain embodiments, the silencing control device  332  of the illustrated embodiment, or other embodiments disclosed herein, can disable or silence the audible warning system  320  until a first use of the object that the audible warning system  320  is associated with. The audible warning system  320  can also be configured to be disabled or silenced until a first activation of the audible warning system  320 . First activation of the audible warning system  320  can be achieved in many different ways, including for example, enabling a user, salesperson or other person to manually activate the system, removal of an object associated with the system  320  from a container, opening of a container associated with the system  320 , activating a powered object for the first time, the object being associated with the system  320 , etc. Subsequent to activation of the audible warning system  320 , the ability to silence the system  320  and methods used to silence the system  320  can be determined by a manufacturer, distributor, retail vendor etc. In certain embodiments, the system  320  can be silenced based on recognition of a specific user. For example, different methods of user identification (e.g., voice recognition, touch recognition, user specific radio frequency identification, and other methods of biometric recognition) can be used to disable or silence the system  320  after a predetermined number of uses of the object by a specific user. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic isometric view of a first container  401  having a first audible warning system  420   a,  and a second container  451  having a second audible warning system  420   b,  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the first container  401  is a shipping carton and the second container  451  is a bottle enclosed within an interior portion  406  of the first container  401 . As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the first and second containers  401 ,  451  can include other types of containers and/or structures. The illustrated first container  401  includes a body  402  having closing members  408  (identified individually as first and second closing members  408   a,    408   b ). The body  402  carries the first audible warning system  420   a.  The first audible warning system  420   a  can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the first audible warning system  420   a  includes a processor  422   a  operably coupled to a sensor  424   a,  a data storage medium  426   a,  a speaker  428   a  and a power source  430   a.  The sensor  424   a  is coupled to at least one of the body  402  and the closing members  408 , and the first audible warning system  420   a  can announce the verbal warning in a manner generally similar to that described above. 
     The second container  451  illustrated in  FIG. 4  includes a body  452  with a consumable substance  462  (e.g., pills, food, etc.) disposed within an interior portion  456 . In other embodiments, however, the substance  462  is not required to be consumable. A cover  458  encloses the product  462  within the interior portion  456 . The second container  451  also includes a second audible warning system  420   b  carried on the body  452 . The second audible warning system  420   b  can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the second audible warning system can include a processor  422   b  operably coupled to a sensor  424   b,  a data storage medium  426   b,  a speaker  428   b  and a power source  430   b.  The sensor  424   b  can be operably coupled to at least one of the body  452  and cover  458 . 
     One advantage of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  is that the first audible warning system  420   a  can broadcast a first verbal warning different from a second verbal warning broadcast by the second audible warning system  420   b.  For example, the first audible warning system  420   a  can broadcast a verbal warning concerning the packaging of the second container  451  within the first container  401  (e.g., “Caution, contents may have shifted during shipment.”). The second audible warning system  420   b  can announce a verbal warning relating to the dosage of a medical product  462  within the second container  451  (e.g., “Warning. Do not take more than two pills in four hours.”). 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic flow diagram of a process  500  for providing audio content to a user of a product container. In this embodiment, the process  500  includes receiving an input with a sensor operably coupled to a cover of the container (block  502 ). The cover can be associated with an opening in the container. The container can have an interior portion that is accessible through the opening, and the container can also have a product disposed within the interior portion. In some embodiments, receiving the input can include detecting movement of the cover from a closed position to an opening position, the open position providing access to the product. The process  500  further includes alerting a user in response to the input (block  504 ). Alerting a user can include broadcasting an audible warning with an audible warning system that is coupled to the container. In some embodiments, the audible warning can include a spoken safety message relating to use of the product. 
     In the embodiments described above, the audible warning systems are described as being used with various types of products and product containers. According to further embodiments of the invention, audible warning systems having many of the benefits explained above can also be used with different types of objects, such as user-operable devices, tools, appliances etc. For example,  FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a user-operable appliance or device  600  having an audible warning system  620  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system  620  of  FIG. 6A . Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  together, the device  600  is a ladder including a body  602  having a plurality of legs  603  (identified individually as first, second, third and fourth legs  603   a - 603   d ) pivotally attached to a top portion  606 . The audible warning system  620  (shown schematically) is carried by the body  602 , and a plurality of steps  604  extend between corresponding legs  603 . The body  602  also includes a warning label  640  displayed on the first leg  603   a.  In some embodiments, the warning label can include textual information (e.g., “Danger! Do not climb above the top step!”) and graphical information (e.g., a schematic figure of a person falling from the top portion  606 ) relating to use of the device  600 . In some embodiments, the verbal warning audibly output by the audible warning system  620  can recite at least a portion of the textual information and/or correspond to the graphical information. 
     The audible warning system  620  (shown as a single unit in  FIG. 6A ) can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the audible warning system  620  can include a processor  622  operably coupled to a sensor  624 , a data storage medium  626 , a speaker  628  and a power source  630 . The data storage medium  626  can include sound content including a prerecorded verbal warning including safety information related to use of the device  600 . 
     In some embodiments, the audible warning system  620  can include multiple sensors  624  (identified individually as first sensors  624   a  and a second sensor  624   b ) at different locations on the device  600 . In one aspect of this embodiment, the first sensors  624   a  can be touch sensors that are located on different steps  604 . For example, touch sensors  604   a  can be positioned on the lower step  604  to generally warn the user with a safety message about the device  600  when the user contacts the first step  604 . The first sensors  624   a  can also be positioned on the last step  604 , as well as at the top portion  606 , to provide a spoken warning to the user (e.g., that those steps are not intended to be used as a step). As the user climbs the device  600 , the first sensors  624   a  can provide an indication to the processor  622  to audibly output one or more verbal warnings through the speaker  628 . 
     In another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the second sensor  624   b  can be a proximity sensor including a light beam  625 , or other detection means, projected between the first and second legs  603   a,    603   b.  As a user climbs the steps  604 , the user&#39;s foot can trigger the second sensor  624   b  and the audible warning system  620  can announce a verbal warning (e.g., “Caution! Do not climb above this step.”). 
     In some embodiments, the audible warning system  620  can announce multiple verbal warnings in one or more languages. The system  620  can also include any number of the sensors, data storage media and power sources described above. Furthermore, although the device  600  of  FIG. 6A  is a ladder, the audible warning system  620  can be included with numerous different types of user-operable devices, apparatuses, equipment, objects and the like, including non-powered and powered devices. Moreover, although the sensors  624  are shown at specific locations on the device  600 , one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the sensors  624  can be positioned at other locations. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate certain features of a powered (e.g., electrically powered) user-operable device or appliance configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7A , more specifically, is a schematic side view of a user-operable appliance  700  having an audible warning system  720  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system  720  of  FIG. 7A . Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B  together, the appliance  700  is a drill having a body  702  carrying the audible warning system  720 . The appliance  700  also includes an electric motor  734  within the body  702 , and an on-off control  724  (e.g., activation switch, trigger, power button, etc.) for activating and deactivating the appliance  700 . The appliance  700  also includes a power source  730 , shown alternatively in broken lines as a battery  730   a  or a power connector  730   b.  In other embodiments, the appliance  700  can be operably coupled to other suitable power sources. For example, the audible warning system  720  can be associated with a gas powered appliance. 
     The audible warning system  720  can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the audible warning system  720  can include a processor  722  operably coupled to a data storage medium  726 , and a speaker  728 . The data storage medium  726  can contain sound content including a prerecorded verbal or spoken warning associated with use of the device, and/or other verbal and non-verbal sounds. In this embodiment, however, the processor is operably coupled to the power source  730  of the appliance  700 . As such, the audible warning system  720  can be powered by the appliance  700  without requiring a separate power source. In other embodiments, however, the audible warning system  720  can include a power source separate from the appliance  700 . 
     In the audible warning system  720  of this embodiment, the processor  722  can be operably coupled to the on-off control  724 . In certain embodiments, the processor  722  can be configured to enable the on-off control  724  to activate the motor  734  after the verbal warning is audibly output by the audible warning system. The processor  722  can also be operably coupled to a time delay mechanism  732  and to the motor  734 . In certain embodiments, the motor  734  is not activated until after the audible warning system announces the verbal warning. For example, the processor  722  can cause the speaker  728  to audibly output the verbal warning in response to a signal from the on-off control  724  associated with activating the appliance  700 . The time delay mechanism  732  can activate the motor  734  after a predetermined amount of time from when the on-off control  724  was actuated. In one embodiment, for example, the time delay mechanism  732  can delay activating the appliance  700  for ten seconds while the audible warning system  720  is audibly outputting the verbal warning. 
     Similar to some of the embodiments described above, the appliance  700  can also display a warning label  740  on the body  702 . The warning label  700  can include textual information  742  and graphical information  744  relating to safety and use of the appliance. The verbal warning audibly output by the audible warning system  720  can incorporate at least a portion of the textual and/or graphical information  742 ,  744 . For example, the verbal warning can recite at least a portion of the textual information  742  and/or generally describe the graphical information  742 . 
     In some embodiments, the audible warning system  720  can announce the verbal warning in response to a predetermined number of actuations of the on-off control  724 . For example, after turning on the appliance  720  a predetermined number of times (e.g., twenty), the audible warning system  720  can be configured to no longer announce the verbal warning. In other embodiments, the audible warning system  720  can announce the verbal warning a predetermined number of times in a predetermined amount of time. For example, in one embodiment, the audible warning system  720  can announce the verbal warning no more than three times in one hour. In still further embodiments, the audible warning system  720  can be configured to allow a user to silence or otherwise disable the verbal warning. 
     Similar to the embodiments described above, the audible warning system  720  can be a “smart” system such that the processor  722  is configured to include logic or other programming features. Audible warning systems can accordingly be activated based on various types of use of an object that would appear to be contrary to the intended use of the object. The audible warning systems disclosed herein can accordingly detect the possibility of a harmful action and alert the user before the action occurs. For example, an audible warning system associated with a saw can detect a potentially dangerous hand placement prior to or during cutting with the saw. If the audible warning system senses a user&#39;s hand in a potentially dangerous placement, the audible warning system can momentarily stop the saw and warn the user about their hand placement. For example, the system can announce: “Caution! Do not hold items on the right side of the blade with your left hand. Injury may occur.” In another embodiment, an audible warning system having a biometric sensor associated with a laser pointer can be configured to deliver the verbal warning no more than once every three hours (in a specific embodiment), unless the biometric sensor detects that a different person may have picked up the laser pointer. 
     Although  FIGS. 6A and 7A  illustrate specific embodiments of a user-operable device or appliance, the present disclosure is not limited to audible warning systems associated with only the illustrated embodiments. Rather, the audible warning systems and associated verbal warnings described herein can be used with numerous different types of objects, devices, apparatuses, equipment, assemblies, appliances and the like, including both non-powered and powered objects. For example, these systems can be used with, but are not limited to, home and personal appliances (e.g., kitchen appliances, heating appliances, cookware, coffee makers, toasters, cutting and food processing appliances, mixing appliances, vacuums, polishing and cleaning equipment, refrigerators, freezers, disposals, cook-tops, ranges, stoves, ovens, microwave ovens, water heaters, trash compactors, dishwashers, sewing machines, massage equipment, toothbrushes, razors, shaving equipment, battery chargers for cordless appliances, etc.); heating and ventilation equipment (e.g., portable and stationary heaters, fans, air conditioners, central heating and air conditioning systems, etc.); industrial and process equipment (e.g., machine tools, milling machines, conveyors, processing equipment, air compressors, valves, welding equipment, turbines, pumps, motors, engines, generators, etc.); outdoor appliances (e.g., barbeques, grills, radiant heaters, lawnmowers, blowers, trimmers, clippers, edgers and other lawn and garden equipment, etc.); outdoor equipment (e.g., camping, hiking, backpacking and survival equipment, hang gliders, parachutes, playhouses, swings, swing sets, children&#39;s outdoor gyms, climbers, slides, trampolines, hot tubs, whirlpools, fountains, wading pools, slip-n-slides, swimming pools, etc.) manual and power tools (e.g., table saws, circular saws, miter saws, drills, routers, sanders, joiners, planers, painting equipment and sprayers, nail guns, staple guns, riveters, screwdrivers, welding equipment, torches, soldering equipment, polishers, heat guns, glue guns, etc.); household and commercial furnishings and fixtures (e.g., plumbing and electrical systems, electrical products, lighting, lamps, furniture, etc.); baby, infant and toddler care products (e.g., strollers, cribs, walkers, jumpers, swings, mobiles, car seats, infant seats, diapers, lotions, powders, etc.); office products and equipment (e.g., paper shredders, copy machines, computers, printers, paper cutters, etc.); exercise equipment and sporting goods (e.g., guns, knives, hatchets, axes, archery equipment, treadmills, cross trainers, stair climbing machines, stationary and non-stationary bicycles, resistance training machines, free weights, stretching equipment, scales, etc.); alternative transportation (e.g., all terrain vehicles, motorcycles, boats, personal watercraft, scooters, skateboards, etc.); and automobiles (e.g., cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, motor homes etc.). The above identified examples are intended to be merely illustrative and in no way exhaustive of the types of devices and apparatuses that would benefit from the audible warning systems disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic flow diagram of a process  800  for providing audio content to a user of an electrical appliance. In this embodiment, the process  800  includes receiving an input from an activation switch operably coupled to the appliance (block  802 ). The activation switch can have a first position for activating the appliance and a second position for deactivating the appliance. The input can correspond to moving the activation switch from the second position to the first position. In response to the input, the process  800  further includes alerting a user of the appliance with a spoken safety warning (block  804 ). Alerting the user can include announcing the spoken warning with an audible warning system carried by the appliance and operably coupled to the activation switch. The process  800  further includes activating the appliance after announcing the spoken safety warning (block  806 ). 
       FIGS. 9A-10  illustrate audible warning systems incorporated into devices having pre-existing sound playback capabilities. Accordingly, the software and/or processing components of such devices can be configured to audibly output a verbal warning when satisfying one or more predetermined criteria (e.g., turning on the device or listening to the device at or above a certain sound level).  FIG. 9A , more specifically, is a schematic isometric view of an electronic device  900  having an audible warning system  920  configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 9B  is a schematic diagram of the audible warning system  920  of  FIG. 9A . Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B  together, the illustrated device  900  is a portable media player (e.g., music and/or video player) including a body  902  carrying the audible warning system  920 . The device  900  also includes various user input buttons  904  for controlling the device and a display  940  for presenting video content. The device  900  further includes a speaker  928  (identified individually as first and second speakers  928   a,    928   b ). The illustrated first and second speakers  928   a,    928   b  are earphones, however in other embodiments the device  900  can include a speaker permanently attached to the body  902 . 
     The audible warning system  920  of  FIGS. 9A and 9B  can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the audible warning system  920  can include a processor  922  operably coupled to each of an on-off control  924 , a data storage medium  926 , a speaker  928  and a power source  930 . The data storage medium  926  can contain video content and/or audio content, and include a verbal warning relating to use of the device  900 . For example, when a user turns on the device  900 , the audible warning system  920  can announce the verbal warning. Although not shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the audible warning system  920  can also include a time delay mechanism, similar to that described above with reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , to audibly output the verbal warning before the device  900  functions. 
     In some embodiments, the video content (e.g., safety information) in the data storage medium  926  can include textual information  942  and/or graphical information  944  relating to use of the device and corresponding to the verbal warning. For example, when the device  900  is activated, the display  940  can present the textual and/or graphical safety information  942 ,  940  to a user, in conjunction with the verbal warning announced by the audible warning system  920 . The verbal warning can recite at least a portion of the textual information  942  and/or correspond at least in part to the graphical information  944 . 
     In another aspect of this embodiment, the audible warning system  920  can include a volume control  938  operably coupled to the processor  922 . The volume control  938  can increase or decrease the volume of sound output by the speakers  928   a,    928   b.  In certain embodiments, the audible warning system  920  can announce a verbal warning corresponding to a specific sound level. For example, if a user adjusts the volume to a predetermined sound level, the speaker  928  can announce a spoken warning corresponding to that sound level (e.g., “Warning! Prolonged listening at this volume level may cause hearing damage.”). The verbal warning can also include safety information relating to different uses of the device  900 . 
     One benefit of this embodiment is that some of the components of the audible warning system  920  can be components that are already incorporated into the functionality of the device  900 . This differs from at least some of the embodiments described above in that the audible warning system  920  can be incorporated into devices having pre-existing audible output capabilities without requiring additional components. For example, the data storage medium  924  can include the verbal or spoken warning in addition to the sound and video content associated with the device  900 . Moreover, the first and second speakers  928   a,    928   b  can be used to announce the verbal warning in addition to outputting music or other sounds to a user. In addition, the power source  930  can include a rechargeable battery to provide power to the device  900  such that the audible warning system  920  does not require a separate power source. Accordingly, in certain embodiments the software and/or programming of the electronic device  900  can include instructions to audibly output the verbal warning using the pre-existing hardware and/or other sound playback capabilities of the device  900 . For example, the device  900  or others described herein may include a computer readable medium containing instructions causing the device to play the verbal warning as well as other audio and/or video content associated with the device  900 . 
     Another benefit of this embodiment and other embodiments described herein is that the audible warning system  920  can audibly output a verbal warning to a user where no warning label may be originally associated with an object. Cell phones, portable music players, and many other objects may be too small to display a warning label. Warning labels may also be undesirable on these types of objects for aesthetic reasons. Accordingly, the audible warning systems disclosed herein can provide safety information associated with an object that is not displayed on the object. For example, in certain embodiments the audible warning system can include information that is included in a user&#39;s manual associated with the object. Accordingly, the audible warning system can alert a user to information included in a user manual or other supplemental text that a user may not read or even be aware of. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic isometric view of a communication apparatus  1000  having an audible warning system  1020  configured in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. The illustrated communication apparatus  1000  is a cell phone. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the communication apparatus  1000  can include other apparatuses, devices, structures, etc. The apparatus  1000  includes a body  1002  carrying the audible warning system  1020 . The apparatus  1000  can also include input area  1004  to receive input from a user, an antenna  1032  to receive an audio and/or video signal, and a display  1040  to present video content to a user. 
     The audible warning system  1020  can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the audible warning system  1020  can include a processor  1022  operably coupled to each of an on-off control  1024 , a data storage medium  1026 , a speaker  1028  and a power source  1030 . The audible warning system  1020  can audibly output a verbal warning including safety information associated with use of the apparatus  1000 . In some embodiments, the audible warning system  1020  can announce more than one verbal warning, warnings in more than one language, and/or warnings corresponding to video or graphical content presented on the display  1040 . The verbal warning can also be a standardized safety message that is unalterable by the user. 
     In addition to the embodiments described above, the processor  1022  can be configured to include “smart” features including logic or other programming features thus enabling the audible warning system to activate based on various types of potentially dangerous uses of an electronic device. For example, in some embodiments, the audible warning system can include a motion sensor to detect when the device is being used above a predetermined speed. As such, and in a specific embodiment, the audible warning system associated with a cell phone can alert a user that they should be using a headset while driving and talking on the cell phone. In other embodiments, the audible warning system can be activated based on different types of input. 
     Although  FIGS. 9A and 10  illustrate specific embodiments of an electronic device and communication apparatus, respectively, the present disclosure is not limited to audible warning systems  920 ,  1020  combined only with the illustrated embodiments. The audible warning systems and associated verbal warnings described herein can be used with various types of electronic devices and apparatuses having pre-existing sound output capabilities, including, for example, consumer and commercial electronics, cordless phones, portable multimedia devices, global positioning and/or navigation units and systems, televisions, video recorders, video playback devices, optical and viewing enhancement equipment, PDA&#39;s, computers and computing devices, magnification and enlargement devices, game playing devices, toys, radar and laser speed detectors, projectors, laser pointers, stereos, home theater equipment, and the like. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic flow diagram of a process  1100  for providing audio content to a user of an electronic device. The process  1100  includes receiving a request from a user for audio and/or video content contained on a data storage medium of an electronic device (block  1102 ). The process  1100  further includes audibly outputting a verbal warning in response to the request (block  1104 ). In some embodiments, the verbal warning can include a safety message relating to use of the electronic device. The process  1100  further includes providing the audio and/or video content after audibly outputting the verbal warning. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic front view of a verbal/audible warning label  1200  configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. The illustrated warning label  1200  includes a body  1202  operably coupled to an audible warning system  1220 . The body  1202  can be composed of a variety of materials (e.g., laminated paper material, etc.) suitable for warning labels that are attached to various types of devices, containers, products and other things. The warning label  1200  also includes a display area  1240  for presenting standardized safety information including at least one of textual content  1242  and graphical content  1244 . The textual content and/or graphical content  2142 ,  1244  can be supplied by one or more of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor, retail vendor or other interested party. For example, the textual and graphical content  1242 ,  1244  can include cautionary or safety information related to an object that the warning label  1200  is carried by. The audible warning system  1220  can be generally similar in form and function to the audible warning systems described above. For example, the audible warning system  1220  includes a processor  1222  operably coupled to a sensor  1224 , a data storage medium  1226 , a speaker  1228  and a power source  1230 . As such, the audible warning system  1220  can audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to the information presented on the warning label  1200 . 
     In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the audible warning system  1220  is carried by and included with the warning label  1200 . For example, the audible warning system  1220  can be embedded in the body  1202  or attached to an interior or exterior surface of the body  1202 . The warning label  1200  itself accordingly includes the verbal warning output capability. As such, an object (not shown) carrying the warning label  1200  does not have to be modified to include the components of the audible warning system  1220 . Rather, these components are included with and carried by the warning label  1200 . 
     The audible warning system  1220  can include many of the features described above, such as, for example, different types of sensors to activate the audible warning system  1220 . In certain embodiments, the verbal warning can correspond at least in part to the textual and/or graphical content  1242 ,  1244 . For example, the verbal warning can recite at least a portion of the textual content  1242  and describe at least a portion of the graphical content  1244 . In other embodiments, the verbal warning can announce information that is not displayed on the warning label  1200 . 
     The verbal/audible warning label  1200  can be attached to an object using various adhesives, fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts, etc.) or other suitable fastening means as is known in the art. In certain embodiments, the warning label  1200  is not required to include both of the textual and graphical information  1242 ,  1244 . Moreover, the verbal warning can also include information that is not presented by the warning label  1200 . Although the illustrated warning label  1200  presents information related to a cutting blade, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the warning label  1200  is merely illustrative of one type of warning label and that it may include other formats and content regarding any type of warning information. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. For example, verbal warning labels and/or audible warning systems having various types of sensors can be activated based upon any possible use of an object associated with the audible warning system that would appear to be contrary to the intended use of the object. Further, while various advantages and features associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages and/or features, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages and/or features to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.