Patent Publication Number: US-7715282-B2

Title: Single day alarm clock

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a single day alarm clock. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single day alarm clock having the functionality of canceling alarm settings once an alarm has sounded and a method of using the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Alarm clocks and the like having various designs, structures and configurations have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,562 discloses a switch-off device for an electrically operated clock alarm and control thereof. An electrically operable alarm is provided for a clock and includes a clock operated switch for turning the alarm on at a selected time. A manual switch is provided which, when opened momentarily, will cause a bistable switching circuit to go to a second condition in which the alarm remains silent until the clock operated switch again closes the next day. The manual switch is adjustable for preventing the alarm from sounding when the clock operated switch closes. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design and configuration of a single day alarm clock of the present invention. 
     There are therefore situations in which it is undesirable for an alarm clock to go off every day at a previously set time. An example of such a situation is a hotel that provides alarm clocks in the rooms thereof for the use of hotel guests. When a hotel guest uses a hotel-provided alarm clock, the guest may not disarm the alarm before checking out of the hotel. Thus, unless a hotel employee or the next guest to stay in the room disarms the alarm, the alarm will sound the next day at the time set by the previous hotel guest. Therefore, a disadvantage of a conventional alarm clock is that a user, such as a new hotel guest, for example, may be undesirably awakened when the alarm sounds at a time set by a previous user. 
     Another disadvantage of conventional alarm clocks is the inability to effectively prevent altering settings thereof, such as the time, for example. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is therefore directed to a single day alarm clock and a method of using the same, which substantially overcome one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     In an effort to provide these and other features and advantages of the present invention, a single day alarm clock is provided that sounds an alarm at a preset alarm time, and that, after the alarm has sounded, automatically sets an alarm-off mode to prevent sounding of the alarm at the preset alarm time again the next day or thereafter until reset by the user. 
     Also provided is a single day alarm clock having lockable settings so that changing of the lockable settings is restricted. 
     A method for using a single day alarm clock that sounds an alarm at a preset alarm time, and that, after the alarm has sounded, automatically sets an alarm-off mode to prevent sounding of the alarm again the next day or thereafter until reset by the user is also provided. 
     Further, a method for using and/or programming a single day alarm clock having lockable settings so that changing of the lockable settings is restricted, is provided. 
     It is therefore a feature of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a single day alarm clock including means for activating an alarm to sound at a selected time and means for automatically deactivating the alarm after the alarm has sounded. 
     It is another feature of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a single day alarm clock including means for setting a current time of the single day alarm clock, means for setting an alarm mode of the single day alarm clock to one of an alarm-on mode and an alarm-off mode, means for setting an alarm time at which an alarm will sound when the alarm mode is set to the alarm-on mode, and means for automatically setting the alarm mode to the alarm-off mode upon sounding of the alarm in the alarm-on mode. 
     It is another feature of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a single day alarm clock including a plurality of buttons for setting a current time, an alarm time, and an alarm mode of the single day alarm clock, circuitry for causing an alarm to sound at the set alarm time when the set alarm mode is an alarm-on mode, circuitry that prevents the alarm from sounding when the set alarm mode is an alarm-off mode, and circuitry for automatically setting the alarm mode to the alarm-off mode once the alarm has sounded in the alarm-on mode. 
     It is yet another feature of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a programmable single day alarm clock including a plurality of buttons for programming settings of the single day alarm clock, the settings including a current time, which, when set, dynamically keeps time, an alarm time, which, when set, is constant, and an alarm mode, the alarm mode including at least an alarm-on mode and an alarm-off mode, wherein, when the programmed alarm mode setting is the alarm-on mode, an alarm sounds when the current time advances to the programmed alarm time setting, and means for automatically reprogramming the alarm mode setting to the alarm-off mode once the alarm has sounded in the alarm-on mode. 
     A single day alarm clock of the present invention may further include audio means, such as an MP3 player or radio receiver. For example, audio means, such as a radio receiver, receives AM and FM band radio broadcasts and comprises a band selector for selecting either the AM band or FM band, a tuner for selecting a particular radio station in the selected band, and a plurality of programmable radio preset buttons for being programmable to selected radio stations, and with the alarm-on mode setting being selectable between a radio mode and a buzzer mode to sound a selected radio station or a buzzer as the alarm, as desired. 
     A single day alarm clock of the embodiments of the present invention may further include a display, such as, for example, an LCD or LED, for displaying information including a current time, a time zone button for programming the single day alarm clock to display a current time of a selected time zone and means for automatically adjusting the displayed time to compensate for a change in time due to daylight savings time. 
     Further, a single day alarm clock of the embodiments of the present invention may include a calendar button for displaying a current date, calendar buttons for setting a year, month and day of the current date, leap year adjusting means for automatically adjusting the current date to compensate for leap year with the leap year adjusting means adding an additional day to a second month every four years. 
     It is a feature of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a locking switch for preventing changing lockable settings of the single day alarm clock. The lockable settings may include any of a current date, a current time, preset button settings and a time zone setting. The single day alarm clock of an embodiment of the present invention may include additional lockable settings. In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking switch and buttons specific to setting or programming the lockable settings of the single day alarm clock may be concealed by a removable cover. 
     It is yet another feature of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a method for programming settings of a single day alarm clock to sound a chosen alarm one time and then deactivating the alarm, the single day alarm clock comprising a locking switch for locking programmed settings thereof, audio means comprising a tuner for receiving a selected radio station and a plurality of programmable preset buttons being set with a selected radio station, a time zone switch allowing selection of a particular time zone and means for automatically deactivating the alarm after the alarm has sounded, the method comprising moving the locking switch to a setting-unlock position, selecting a time zone by the time zone switch, setting an alarm-sounding time, setting a type of alarm to sound at the set alarm-sounding time, and automatically deactivating the alarm after the alarm has sounded one time wherein, if the set type of alarm is a radio alarm, selecting a radio station as the alarm by pressing a radio preset button, and moving the locking switch to a setting-lock position. 
     By the various embodiments of the present invention, a single day alarm clock and a method for using the same are provided in which an alarm setting is automatically deactivated after the alarm has sounded, such that the alarm does not sound again the next day or thereafter until the alarm setting is set again. The embodiments of the present invention further provide a locking feature, whereby lockable settings of a single day alarm clock are prevented from being changed and a method for using the same. 
     In addition, a single day alarm clock of the present invention is easy to set and to use and may be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner so as to be readily affordable to a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing, in detail, exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of a single day alarm clock of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  and  2   d  illustrate steps for setting a time of the single day alarm clock of  FIG. 1  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a step for adjusting the daylight savings time (DST) of the single day alarm clock of  FIG. 1  and an exemplary condition of a display while performing the step; 
         FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  4   c  illustrates steps for programming preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 1  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps and  FIG. 4   d  illustrates the preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   d  illustrate steps for setting an alarm time of the single day alarm clock of  FIG. 1  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps and  FIG. 5   c  illustrates the preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  illustrate steps for selecting an alarm mode of the single day alarm clock of  FIG. 1  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps; 
         FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c  illustrate steps for stopping the alarm, operating a snooze bar and operating a clock dimmer/night light of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b  and  8   c  illustrate steps for turning on and tuning a radio of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 1  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps and  FIG. 8   d  illustrates the preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  illustrate a top and front perspective view of a single day alarm clock of another embodiment of the present invention, respectively; 
         FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b  and  10   c  illustrate steps for setting a time of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps; 
         FIGS. 11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d  and  11   e  and  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  illustrate steps for setting a date of the alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps; 
         FIGS. 13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  illustrate steps for programming radio preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps and  FIG. 13   d  illustrates the preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIGS. 14   a ,  14   b  and  14   d  illustrate steps for setting an alarm time of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps and  FIG. 14   c  illustrates the preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIGS. 15   a ,  15   b  and  15   c  illustrate steps for setting an alarm mode of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps; 
         FIGS. 16   a ,  16   b  and  16   c  illustrate steps for stopping an alarm, operating a snooze bar and operating a clock dimmer/night light in the alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b;    
         FIGS. 17   a ,  17   b  and  17   c  illustrate steps for turning on and tuning a radio of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps and  FIG. 17   d  illustrates the preset buttons of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIGS. 18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  and  18   d  illustrate steps for setting a time zone of the single day alarm clock shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  and exemplary conditions of a display while performing the steps; and 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a schematic block diagram of circuitry of a single day alarm clock of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  shows a single day alarm clock  10  of an embodiment of the present invention. The single day alarm clock  10  is interchangeably referred to hereinafter as “the unit  10 ,” “the clock  10 ” and the “single day alarm clock  10 .” 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the single day alarm clock  10  has a built in audio means (e.g., AM/FM radio (not shown)), an on/off button  12 , an AM/FM button  14 , a snooze bar  16 , a plurality of preset buttons  18 , alarm buttons  20  and  22 , up/down buttons  24  and  26 , and an enter button  28 . A locking switch  30 , a Daylight Savings Time (DST) switch  32  and a clock set switch  34  are provided on the back of the unit  10 , and a volume button  36  is provided on a side thereof. It should be noted that the locking switch  30 , DST switch  32 , and clock set switch  34  may be provided as switches, buttons or any other suitable means, and the volume button  36  may be a dial, for example, instead of a button. 
     The unit  10  is housed in a suitable material, such as molded plastic, steel, etc., and further includes a display  40 , such as, for example, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED), in the front portion of the housing. Simplified instructions for operating features of the single day alarm clock are provided on an instruction panel  38 . The instruction panel  38  may be a portion of the housing, an adhesive panel, or any other suitable material, and the instructions may be printed in a contrasting color (such as white letters on a black housing, for example), or they may be etched into the housing. 
     The locking switch  30  is used to prevent particular settings of the alarm clock from being changed. For example, when the locking switch  30  is in the “on” or “locked” position, access to the clock&#39;s time-set and preset button-programming functions are restricted. Thus, the current time and the preset button settings cannot be changed, accidentally or otherwise, when the locking switch  30  is locked. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking switch  30  is used to restrict access to additional clock functions, such as an alarm time, an alarm mode, display brightness, etc., so that these settings cannot be accidentally changed. 
       FIGS. 2   a - 2   d  illustrate steps for setting a time of the single day alarm clock of  FIG. 1 , along with exemplary conditions of the display  40  during performance of the time-setting steps. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   d , the time of the single day alarm clock  10  may be set by first unlocking the locking switch  30  by sliding the switch to the “off” or “unlocked” position. Unlocking the locking switch  30  allows unrestricted access to all of the clock&#39;s functions. When the locking switch  30  is in the “off” or “unlocked” position, an unlock icon  30   a  appears on the display  40 . When the locking switch  30  is unlocked, pressing the clock set button  34  causes the clock to enter a clock setting mode. Either a currently set time or a default time, e.g., 12:00 AM, flashes on the display  40  when the clock  10  is in the clock setting mode. As shown in  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c , the DST switch  32  may be toggled (pressed) at this time to turn on/off a Daylight Savings Time (DST) icon  32   a . The DST icon  32   a  is displayed when Daylight Savings Time (DST) is in effect. As shown in  FIG. 3 , adjustment can also be made of this DST feature outside of the clock setting operation. 
     Next, while the clock  10  is in the clock setting mode, pressing one of the up/down buttons  24  and  26  causes the displayed time to be reversed or advanced, respectively, by one minute. Holding down one of the up/down buttons  24  and  26  causes the displayed time to be reversed or advanced rapidly, at a rate of X minutes per second, where X is factory set. When the correct time is displayed on the display  40 , either of the enter button  28  or the clock set button  34  may be pressed to cause the currently displayed time to be programmed as the current clock time. When the enter button  28  or clock set button  34  is pressed, the clock  10  emits a confirmation tone, such as a beep or a series of beeps, to confirm that the clock  10  has been set to the new time. Alternately, once the time has been changed, if no button is pressed (e.g., the enter button  28 , the clock set button  34  or the up/down buttons  24  and  26 ) within a predetermined time interval, e.g., 10 seconds, the clock  10  may automatically accept the new time settings. The locking button  30  may be switched back to the “locked” or “on” position at this time so that the newly set time cannot be changed unless the locking button  30  is unlocked. 
     The single day alarm clock  10  displays a “PM” icon  34   a , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 5 , when the displayed time is PM. 
       FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  illustrate steps for programming the preset buttons  18  of the clock  10  and exemplary conditions of the display  40  during the programming operation. 
     The locking switch  30  should be moved to the unlock position to allow access to the preset button programming feature of the clock  10 . When the locking button  30  is unlocked, the unlock icon  30   a  appears on the display  40 . Pressing the radio on/off button  12  turns the radio on or off. With the radio on, the AM or FM band may be selected by toggling the AM/FM band button  14  until the desired band is chosen. An AM or FM icon  14   a  is displayed on the display  40  according to the selected band. Pressing the up/down buttons  24  and  26  decreases and increases the selected radio frequency, respectively. The currently selected radio frequency  12   a  is displayed on the display  40  next to the AM or FM icon  14   a . When a desired radio frequency (station) has been reached, pressing and holding a particular preset button  18  causes the selected frequency (station) to be assigned to the particular preset button  18 . The clock  10  emits a confirmation tone, such as a beep or a series of beeps, to confirm that a preset button  18  has been programmed with a selected radio station. The programming procedure described above may be repeated to program each of the preset buttons  18  with a desired radio station as shown in  FIG. 4   d . Sliding the locking switch  30  back to the “on” or “locked” position disables access to the clock&#39;s preset button programming feature so that the preset button programming cannot be changed. 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  illustrate steps for setting an alarm time of the single day alarm clock  10  of  FIG. 1  and a condition of the display  40  during the alarm-setting steps. The locking switch  30  may be in either the locked or unlocked position to access the alarm setting mode of the single day alarm clock  10 . Pressing the alarm set button  20 , shown in  FIG. 5   a , causes the single day alarm clock  10  to enter into the alarm setting mode. Since the single day alarm clock  10  of the present invention resets the alarm clock settings each time the alarm sounds, the alarm clock settings may automatically revert to default settings, and the alarm mode is switched to “alarm off.” Thus, upon entry of the clock  10  into the alarm setting mode, either a previously set alarm time, or a default alarm time of 6:00 AM, for example, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , flashes on the display  40  below a current time. For example as shown in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   d , the current time is 12:32 PM. 
     While the clock  10  is in the alarm setting mode, pressing the up/down buttons  24  and  26  causes the alarm time to decrease or increase, respectively, by one minute. Holding down the up/down buttons  24  and  26  causes the alarm time to decrease or increase rapidly, by X minutes per second. The changing alarm time is displayed on the display  40  below the current time, along with an AM or PM indicator  34   b . For example as shown in  FIG. 5   b , the flashing alarm time is 6:38 AM. Once a desired alarm time (or “wake-up time” or “set time”) has been reached, such as 6:38 AM as shown in  FIG. 5   b , pressing a preset button  18 , shown in  FIG. 5   c , sets an alarm mode to a radio mode and the radio station programmed to that preset button  18  will play functioning as the alarm set at the set alarm time. 
     Setting the alarm to sound at the selected alarm time, e.g., 6:38 AM, may be completed by pressing the enter button  28  or the alarm set button  20 , shown in  FIG. 5   d . Upon pressing the enter button  28  or the alarm set button  20 , a confirmation tone is sounded to confirm that the alarm time has been set to the selected time and the displayed alarm time ceases flashing. The set alarm time, e.g., 6:38 AM, is displayed on the display  40 . The AM or PM indicator  34   b  is also displayed on the display  40  to indicate whether the set alarm time is AM or PM. If no preset button  18  is pressed before pressing the enter button  28  or the alarm set button  20 , pressing the enter button  28  or the alarm set button  20  sets the alarm mode to a buzzer mode, and a buzzer sounds as the alarm at the set alarm time. 
       FIGS. 6   a - 6   c  illustrate alternate steps for selecting an alarm mode of the single day alarm clock  10  and exemplary conditions of the display  40  for different alarm modes. The alarm modes include at least an alarm-on mode and an alarm-off mode. The alarm-on modes comprises the radio mode and the buzzer mode, described above. In the alarm-off mode, an alarm does not sound. Pressing the alarm button  22  cycles through the alarm modes. For example, pressing the alarm button  22  once sets the radio mode, so that the radio plays at the set alarm time. Pressing the alarm button  22  twice sets the buzzer mode so that the buzzer sounds at the set alarm time. Pressing the alarm button  22  three times sets the alarm off mode so that no alarm sounds. An alarm mode icon  22   a  is displayed on the display  40  according to the selected alarm mode.  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c  show exemplary alarm mode icons  22   a  for the radio mode, buzzer mode and alarm-off mode, respectively. 
     At the set alarm time, by default, the alarm (e.g., radio or buzzer) will sound for a predetermined period of time, such as, for example, 90 minutes. The alarm, however, may be stopped or temporarily stopped prior to the end of the default time period. 
       FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c  illustrate steps for stopping the alarm and for accessing a snooze function and a clock dimmer/night light function of the clock  10  with the snooze bar  16 . 
     For example, once the alarm sounds, the alarm mode is automatically set to the alarm-off mode. However, the alarm continues to sound until it is stopped by pressing any of the snooze bar  16 , the radio on/off button  12  and the alarm button  22 . Pressing the snooze bar  16  of  FIG. 7   b  temporarily stops the alarm so that the alarm sounds again after a predetermined “snooze” period of time, such as 9 minutes, for example. Pressing either the radio on/off button  12  or the alarm button  22  shuts of the alarm until the alarm is set to sound again. In an embodiment, the alarm may be set to sound again at the previously set alarm time by selecting an alarm-on mode by using the alarm button  22 . Alternately, in another embodiment, the alarm time setting reverts to a default time when the alarm sounds and the alarm time may also be reset. In both embodiments, the alarm time may be reset at any time by following, for example, the alarm time setting steps above. 
     The snooze bar  16  of  FIG. 7   c  may function as a clock dimmer control for setting a brightness of a backlight of the display  40 . Pressing the snooze bar  16  when the alarm is not sounding and is not in “snooze mode” causes the display to toggle between different brightness settings. For example, the level of brightness of the display may be adjusted between three different levels, such as bright, brighter and brightest, by pressing the snooze bar  16  a corresponding number of times. There is also an optional night light setting for the snooze bar  16  with three brightness settings. 
       FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  illustrate two ways in which the radio of the single day alarm clock  10  of  FIG. 1  may be turned on and steps for tuning the radio. 
     The radio  10  may be turned on by pressing the radio on/off button  12 . In this case, the radio retains a previously tuned frequency (e.g., the radio frequency remains the same as the last time the radio was tuned). Alternately, the radio may be turned on by pressing a preset button  18 . If the radio is turned on by pressing a particular preset button  18  as shown in  FIG. 8   d , the radio is automatically tuned to the frequency assigned to that particular preset button  18  when the radio turns on. 
     By a single day alarm clock of an embodiment of the present invention, settings for sounding an alarm are automatically canceled once the alarm has sounded, so that the alarm does not sound at a previously set time the following day and thereafter as such occurs when using a conventional alarm clock. Thus, when the single day alarm clock of the present invention is used in a hotel room, for example, a new guest is not subjected to the alarm clock settings, and consequent sounding of an alarm, of a previous guest. 
     A method of using the single day alarm clock  10  of  FIG. 1  will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     For example, in a situation in which the single day alarm clock  10  of  FIG. 1  is used in a hotel room, a maintenance person of the hotel may preset and lock certain settings of the clock. For example, the maintenance person may preset the time and radio preset buttons  18  in the manner described above and lock these settings with the locking switch  30 . 
     The hotel may obtain in advance a list of preferred radio stations or music/news selections from a registered guest and set the radio preset buttons  18  to the preferred stations or stations broadcasting the preferred music/news selections prior to arrival of the registered guest, thus making the guest&#39;s stay at the hotel more enjoyable. 
     The preset buttons  18  may be labeled with the types of radio stations assigned thereto, such as jazz, country, news, etc., as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  8 , so that a person using the radio can easily tune into a desired type of radio station. The preset button labels may be changeable, so that different labels may be used when different types of radio stations are programmed to the preset buttons  18 . The preset labels may be adhesive. Alternately, the preset labels may be provided on a substrate such as paper, and the preset buttons  18  may include a removable clear cover for securing the preset labels thereunder. 
     A person using the single day alarm clock  10  may set the alarm in the manner described above and may select the brightness of the display  40  using the snooze button  16  as described with respect to  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c . By selecting the brightest setting for the display  40 , one may effectively be provided with a night light. This can be advantageous for children, or in a situation in which a person must move about a darkened room during the night or early morning, particularly when the room is occupied by more than one person who may be, for example, trying to sleep. 
     Once the alarm of single day alarm clock  10  has sounded, the alarm settings are automatically canceled, and the alarm mode is automatically set to the alarm-off mode. Thus for example, when used in a hotel room, a new guest is not subjected to a previously set alarm time. 
       FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  illustrate a single day alarm clock  100  of a second embodiment of the present invention. The single day alarm clock  100  is interchangeably referred to hereinafter as “the unit  100 ,” “the clock  100 ” and “the single day alarm clock  100 .” 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , the single day alarm clock  100  has a built in audio means (e.g., AM/FM radio (not shown)), a locking switch  102 , a time set button  104 , a calendar button  106 , a time zone button  108 , a plurality of preset buttons  110 , a snooze/dimmer bar  112 , an alarm-off button  114 , an alarm set button  116 , alarm time buttons  118  and  120 , an enter button  122 , a radio ON/OFF button  124 , an AM/FM band button  126 , radio tuner buttons  128  and  130 , volume control buttons  132  and  134  and a display  140 . 
     The locking switch  102 , time set button  104 , calendar button  106  and time zone button  108  may be provided as switches, buttons or any other suitable means. 
     The unit  100  is housed in a suitable material, such as molded plastic, steel, etc. The display  140  is provided in the front portion of the housing. Simplified instructions for operating features of the alarm are provided on an instruction panel  138 . The instruction panel  138  may be a portion of the housing, an adhesive panel, or any other suitable material, and the instructions may be printed in a contrasting color (such as white letters on a black housing, for example), or they may be etched into the housing. 
     The locking switch  102  is used to prevent particular settings of the alarm clock from being changed. For example, when the locking switch  102  is in the “on” or “locked” position, access to the clock&#39;s time-set and preset button-programming functions are restricted. Thus, the current time and the preset button settings cannot be changed, accidentally or otherwise, when the locking switch  102  is locked. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a removable cover  200  is provided on the top of the unit  100 . The removable cover  200  may be secured to the housing of the clock  100  with a screw or other suitable means. As previously described, in an embodiment of the present invention, lockable settings of the single day alarm clock, such as the current time, time zone, date, and/or settings of the radio preset buttons, may be changed only when the locking button is in the unlock position. In addition, changing such lockable settings, when the locking button  102  is in the unlock position, may require access to buttons specific to setting those features, such as the clock set button  116 , the time zone button  108 , and the calendar button  106 , for example. Therefore, the locking button  102  and buttons specific to setting any or all of the lockable settings of the single day alarm clock  100  may be concealed beneath the removable cover  200 . If the locking button  102  and other buttons specific to setting lockable settings of the single day alarm clock  100  are concealed beneath the removable cover  200 , the lockable settings are less likely to be changed, by accident or otherwise, than if such buttons are not concealed. 
     For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the locking button  102 , clock set button  116 , time zone button  108 , and calendar button  106  shown in  FIG. 9   a  are concealed beneath the removable cover  200 . Thus, if the locking button  102  is in the locked position, the current time, time zone, date, and preset radio stations cannot be changed without removing, with the use of a screwdriver, for example, the cover  200 , moving the locking button  102  to the unlocked position, and performing the remaining steps associated with programming each of the lockable settings described below. If the single day alarm clock  100  is used in a hotel room, for example, a guest of the hotel is not likely to disassemble the single day alarm clock  100  in order to change the locked settings thereof. If the time is correctly set, and the radio preset buttons are programmed with an acceptable variety of radio stations, a hotel guest should have no need to access the lockable settings of the single day alarm clock  100 , since access to the other features of the single day alarm clock  100  are not concealed. Even with concealed setting buttons, a hotel guest (or other user) can easily listen to the radio, change a current radio band and/or station, adjust the radio volume, adjust a brightness of the display, set the alarm to go off at a desired time and to a desired type of alarm (e.g., a buzzer or a particular type of radio station), and prevent the alarm from going off if, after setting the alarm, the user decides the alarm will not be needed. 
     In another embodiment, the locking switch  102  and/or removable cover  200  may be used to restrict access to additional clock functions, such as an alarm time, an alarm mode, display brightness, etc., so that these settings cannot be accidentally changed. 
     It should be noted that a similar provision for concealing particular setting buttons may also be provided for the single day alarm clock  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 . 
       FIGS. 10   a - 10   c  illustrate steps for setting a time of the single day alarm clock  100  of  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  along with exemplary conditions of the display  140  during performance of the time-setting steps. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10   a - 10   c , the time of the single day alarm clock  100  may be set by first unlocking the locking switch  102  by sliding the switch to the “off” or “unlocked” position. Unlocking the locking switch  102  allows unrestricted access to all of the clock&#39;s functions. When the locking switch  102  is in the “off” or “unlocked” position, an unlock icon  103  appears on the display  140 . When the locking switch  102  is unlocked, pressing the clock set button  116  causes the clock to enter a clock setting mode. Either a currently set time or a default time, e.g., 12:00 AM, flashes on the display  140  when the clock is in the clock setting mode. 
     Next, while the clock is in the clock setting mode, pressing one of the up/down buttons  118  and  120  causes the displayed time to be reversed or advanced by one-minute intervals, respectively. Holding down one of the up/down buttons  118  and  120  causes the displayed time to be reversed or advanced rapidly, at a rate of X minutes per second, where X is factory set. When the correct time is displayed on the display  140 , either of the enter button  122  or the clock set button  116  may be pressed to cause the currently displayed time to be programmed as the current clock time. When the enter button  122  or clock set button  116  is pressed, the clock emits a confirmation tone, such as a beep or a series of beeps, to confirm that the clock has been set to have the new time. 
     Alternately, once the time has been changed, if no button is pressed within a predetermined time interval, e.g., 10 seconds, the clock may automatically accept the new time settings. The locking button  102  may be switched back to the “locked” or “on” position at this time, so that the newly set time cannot be changed unless the locking button  102  is unlocked. The single day alarm clock  100  displays a “PM” icon  134   a , as shown in  FIG. 13 , when the displayed time is PM. 
     The single day alarm clock  100  further includes circuitry for automatically compensating for daylight savings time and leap year. The displayed clock time is automatically advanced one hour at the beginning of daylight savings time and set back one hour at the end of daylight savings time each year. A daylight savings time (DST) icon  131  is displayed on the display  140  when daylight savings time is in effect. The DST icon  131  is not displayed when daylight savings time is not in effect. Display of the DST icon  131  occurs automatically in accordance with the daylight savings time (DST) compensation circuitry. 
       FIGS. 11   a - 11   e  and  12   a  and  12   b  illustrate steps for programming a date of the single day alarm clock  100  using a calendar setting function.  FIGS. 11   a - 11   e  and  12   a  and  12   b  further illustrate exemplary conditions of the display  140  during the date-programming operation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11   a - 11   e , moving the locking switch  102  to the unlock position allows access to the calendar setting function of the clock  100 . When the locking button  102  is unlocked, the unlock icon  103  appears on the display  140 . Pressing the calendar button  106  causes the single day alarm clock  100  to enter into the calendar setting mode, and a year icon, along with a default or previously set two-digit year, flashes on the display  140 . In  FIG. 11   c  and  11   d , the two-digit year is “04.” While the year is flashing, pressing the up/down buttons  118  and  120  decreases or increases the displayed year, respectively. Once the desired year is displayed, pressing the calendar button  106  again causes a default or previously set month/day (e.g., 101, or 0101, for January 1st) to flash on the display  140 . While the month/day is flashing, pressing the up/down buttons  118  and  120  decreases or increases the displayed month/day, respectively. The single day alarm clock of the present invention automatically compensates for leap year. Thus, if the current year is programmed as previously described, a 29th day will be included in the month/day display of the second month if it is a leap year. Once the desired month/day is displayed, pressing the enter button  122  or calendar button  106  causes the selected year, month and day to be programmed to the clock  100 . A confirmation tone, e.g., a beep or a series of beeps, confirms setting of the calendar, and moving the locking switch  102  back to the locked position disables access to the calendar setting function so that the set date cannot be changed. The unlock icon  103  disappears from the display  140  when the locking switch  102  is locked. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates steps for programming the preset buttons  110  of the clock  100 , along with exemplary conditions of the display  140  during the programming operation. The locking switch  102  should be moved to the unlock position to allow access to the preset button programming feature of the clock  100 . When the locking button  102  is unlocked, the unlock icon  103  appears on the display  140 . Pressing the radio on/off button  124  turns the radio on or off. With the radio on, the AM or FM band may be selected by toggling the AM/FM band button  126  until the desired band is chosen. An AM or FM icon  126   a  is displayed on the display  140  according to the selected band. Pressing the up/down buttons  118  and  120  decreases and increases the selected radio frequency, respectively. The currently selected radio frequency, such as 87.9 FM,  1010  AM, or 98.9 FM, as shown in  FIG. 13 , is displayed on the display  140  next to the AM or FM icon  126   a . When a desired radio frequency (station) has been reached, pressing and holding a particular preset button  110  causes the selected frequency (station) to be assigned to the particular preset button  110 . The clock  100  emits a confirmation tone, such as a beep or a series of beeps, to confirm that a preset button  110  has been programmed with a selected radio station. The programming procedure described above may be repeated to program each of the preset buttons  110  with a desired radio station. Sliding the locking switch  102  back to the “on” or “locked” position disables access to the clock&#39;s preset button programming feature so that the preset button programming cannot be changed. 
       FIGS. 14   a - 14   d  illustrate steps for setting an alarm time of the single day alarm clock  100  and exemplary conditions of the display  140  during the alarm-setting steps. The locking switch  102  may be in either the locked or unlocked position to access the alarm setting mode of the single day alarm clock  100 . Pressing the alarm set button  116  causes the single day alarm clock  100  to enter into the alarm setting mode. Since the single day alarm clock  100  of the present invention resets the alarm clock settings each time the alarm sounds, the alarm clock settings may automatically revert to default settings, and a mode of the alarm (“alarm mode”) is switched to an alarm-off mode. Thus, upon entry of the clock  100  into the alarm setting mode, either a previously set alarm time, or a default alarm time of 6:00 AM, for example, as shown in  FIG. 14   a , flashes on the display  140  below a current time, such as 12:32 PM, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 14   a ,  14   b  and  14   d.    
     While the clock  100  is in the alarm setting mode, pressing the up/down buttons  118  and  120  causes the alarm time to decrease or increase, respectively, by one minute. Holding down the up/down buttons  118  and  120  causes the alarm time to decrease or increase rapidly, by X minutes per second. The changing alarm time is displayed on the display  140  below the current time, along with an AM or PM indicator  134   b . For example, in  FIG. 14   b , the flashing alarm time is 6:38 PM. Once a desired alarm time has been reached, such as 6:38 AM, as shown in  FIG. 14   d , pressing a preset button  110 , shown in  FIG. 14   c , sets the radio station programmed to that preset button  110  as the alarm type that will sound at the set alarm time. 
     Setting the alarm to sound at the selected wake-up time, e.g., 6:38 AM, may be completed by pressing the enter button  122  or the alarm set button  116 , as shown in  FIG. 14   d . Upon pressing the enter button  122  or the alarm set button  116 , a confirmation tone is sounded to confirm that the alarm time has been set to the selected time, and the displayed alarm time ceases flashing. The set alarm time, e.g., 6:38 AM, is displayed on the display  140 . The AM or PM indicator  134   b  is also displayed on the display  140 , to indicate whether the set alarm time is AM or PM. If no preset button  110  is pressed before pressing the enter button  122  or the alarm set button  116 , pressing the enter button  122  or the alarm set button  116  sets the alarm mode to a buzzer mode, and a buzzer sounds as the alarm at the set alarm time. 
       FIGS. 15   a - 15   c  illustrate alternate steps for selecting an alarm mode of the single day alarm clock  100 , and exemplary conditions of the display  140  for different alarm modes. The alarm modes include at least an alarm-on mode and an alarm-off mode. The alarm-on modes comprises the radio mode and the buzzer mode, described above. In the alarm-off mode, an alarm does not sound. Pressing the alarm button  114  cycles through the alarm modes. For example, pressing the alarm button  114  once sets the radio mode so that the radio sounds at the set alarm time. Pressing the alarm button  114  twice sets the buzzer mode so that the buzzer sounds at the set alarm time. Pressing the alarm button  114  three times sets the alarm-off mode so that no alarm sounds. An alarm mode icon  114   a  is displayed on the display  140  according to the selected alarm mode.  FIGS. 15   a - 15   c  show exemplary alarm mode icons  114   a  for the radio mode, buzzer mode and alarm-off mode, respectively. 
     At the set alarm time, by default, the alarm (e.g., radio or buzzer) will sound for a predetermined period of time, such as, for example, 90 minutes. The alarm, however, may be stopped or temporarily stopped prior to the end of the default time period. 
       FIGS. 16   a ,  16   b  and  16   c  illustrate steps for stopping the alarm and for accessing a snooze function and a clock dimmer/night light function of the clock  100  with the snooze bar  112 . 
     Once the alarm sounds, the alarm mode is automatically set to the alarm off mode. However, the alarm continues to sound until it is stopped by pressing any of the snooze bar  112 , the radio on/off button  124  and the alarm button  114 . Pressing the snooze bar  112  of  FIG. 16   b  temporarily stops the alarm, so that the alarm sounds again after a predetermined “snooze” period of time, such as 9 minutes, for example. Pressing either the radio on/off button  124  or the alarm button  114  shuts of the alarm until the alarm is set to sound again. In an embodiment, the alarm may be set to sound again at the previously set alarm time by selecting an alarm-on mode by using the alarm button  114 . Alternately, in another embodiment, the alarm time setting reverts to a default time when the alarm sounds, and the alarm time may also be reset. In both embodiments, the alarm time may be reset at any time by following the alarm time setting steps above. 
     The snooze bar  112  of  FIG. 16   c  may also function as a clock dimmer control for setting a brightness of a backlight of the display  140 . Pressing the snooze bar  112  when the alarm is not sounding and is not in “snooze mode” causes the display to toggle between different brightness settings. For example, the level of brightness of the display may be adjusted between three different levels, such as bright, brighter and brightest, by pressing the snooze bar  112  a corresponding number of times. There is also an optional night light setting for the snooze bar  16  with three brightness settings. 
       FIGS. 17   a ,  17   b  and  17   c  illustrates two ways in which the radio of the single day alarm clock  10  of  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  may be turned on and steps for tuning the radio. The radio  100  may be turned on by pressing the radio on/off button  124 . In this case, the radio retains a previously tuned frequency (e.g., the radio frequency remains the same as the last time the radio was tuned). Alternately, the radio may be turned on by pressing a preset button  110 . If the radio is turned on by pressing a particular preset button  110  as shown in  FIG. 17   d , the radio is automatically tuned to the frequency assigned to that particular preset button  110  when the radio turns on. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the clock  100  is preset, at the factory, and delivered, with the current time for each of the seven time zones. The seven time zones are: Atlantic Standard, Eastern Standard, Central Standard, Mountain Standard, Pacific Standard, Alaska Standard and Hawaii Standard. When the time is factory set, the time zone button shows the current time of the selected time zone. 
       FIGS. 18   a - 18   d  illustrate steps for selecting a time zone of the clock  100  and conditions of the display  140  when setting the time zone. When the time zone button  108  of  FIG. 18   b  is pressed, the clock  100  enters into a time zone select mode and a time zone icon  108   a  representing the currently programmed time zone flashes on the display  140 . While the time zone icon  108   a  is flashing and the clock  100  is in the time zone select mode, pressing the up/down buttons  118  and  120 , steps through the seven time zones, and, for each time zone, a time zone icon  108   a  representing that time zone, as well as the current time of that time zone, are displayed on the display  140 . 
     Time zone icons  108   a  for the respective time zones may be, for example, ATL for Atlantic Standard, EAS for Eastern Standard, CEN for Central Standard, MTN for Mountain Standard, PAC for Pacific Standard, ALS for Alaska Standard and HAI for Hawaii Standard. 
     Once the desired time zone is displayed, pressing the time zone button  108  or the enter button  122  sets the clock  100  to that time zone, a confirmation tone is sounded and the time zone icon disappears from the display  140 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an electrical schematic block diagram  500  showing circuitry of the single day alarm clock  100  in which circuit boards  200 ,  220 ,  230  and  250  and the display  140  are connected to a software and logic pc board  210 . The circuit boards  220 ,  230  and  250  include multiple switches  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  234 ,  235 ,  236 ,  237 ,  238 ,  239 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242  and  243  for setting the time of the clock and the alarm time, selecting a radio band, adjusting the display brightness, turning the radio on and off, setting the radio preset buttons and adjusting other settings of the single day alarm clock described herein. The circuit boards  220 ,  230  and  250  are electrically connected to the software and logic pc board  210  for controlling functions of switches  231  to  243 . 
     The software in the software and logic pc board  210  controls the alarm so that after the alarm has sounded, the switch  242  is opened, thereby automatically changing the alarm mode to the alarm-off mode, so that the alarm is disarmed. Accordingly, the alarm does not sound the following day at the previously set alarm time, as normally occurs when using a conventional alarm clock. Thus, a person using the single day alarm clock is not subjected to the alarm settings of a previous user and/or the previous day. 
     A method of using the single day alarm clock  100  will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 9   a - 19 . 
     In the alarm clock  100  of the present invention, settings such as the time and date may be preset at a factory prior to shipping the alarm clock. Thus, when the alarm clock  100  is used in a hotel, for example, a hotel employee and a hotel guest may set the remaining settings according to, for example, a time zone in which the hotel is located, and musical preferences of a guest. 
     An employee of the hotel may preset and lock certain settings of the clock  100 . For example, the employee may preset the radio preset buttons  110  and time zone in the manner described above with respect to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , and lock these settings with the locking switch  102  and the removable cover  200 , if the clock is provided with the removable cover  200  shown in  FIG. 9   a.    
     The hotel may obtain in advance a list of preferred radio stations or music/news selections from a registered guest and set the radio preset buttons  110  to the preferred stations or stations broadcasting the preferred music/news selections prior to arrival of the guest, thus making the guest&#39;s stay at the hotel more enjoyable. 
     The preset buttons  110  may be labeled with the types of radio stations assigned thereto, such as jazz, country, news, etc., as shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  13   d , so that a person using the radio can easily tune into a desired type of radio station. The preset button labels may be changeable, so that different labels may be used when different types of radio stations are programmed to the preset buttons  110 . The preset labels may be adhesive. Alternately, the preset labels may be provided on a substrate such as paper, and the preset buttons  110  may include a removable clear cover for securing the preset labels thereunder. 
     A person using the single day alarm clock  100  may set the alarm in the manner described above with respect to  FIGS. 14   a - 15   c , and may select the brightness of the display  140  using the snooze button  112  as described with respect to  FIG. 16 . By selecting the brightest setting for the display  140 , one may effectively be provided with a night light. This can be advantageous for children, or in a situation in which a person must move about a darkened room during the night or early morning, particularly when the room is occupied by more than one person who may be, for example, trying to sleep. 
     By a single day alarm clock of an embodiment of the present invention, settings for sounding an alarm are automatically canceled once the alarm has sounded, so that the alarm does not sound at a previously set time the following day, as occurs when using a conventional alarm clock. Thus, when the single day alarm clock of the present invention is used in a hotel room, for example, a new guest is not subjected to the alarm clock settings, and consequent sounding of the alarm, of a previous guest. 
     Other advantages of the present invention are that it provides for a single day alarm clock that can be mass produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by a user, and it is easy to use. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein and, although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.