Patent Publication Number: US-6665233-B2

Title: Electronic timekeeping and broadcasting device and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to electronic timekeepers, and more particularly to a small device attachable to bedding that broadcasts the time upon the user signaling the device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Electronic timekeeping devices such as alarm clocks or other wake up devices are well known. Generally, these devices display the time in a visual format, and include alarms to alert the user when a certain time of day is reached. Such alarms may be audible, for example a buzzer, bell or the like, or even turning on of a radio. Snooze features that turn off the alarm and reset it to come on again in approximately ten minutes are very popular. 
     There are certain problems with such conventional alarm clocks, however. Oftentimes users want to know the time, which requires considerable effort of having to move one&#39;s body or head, open one&#39;s eyes, and focus on a lighted alarm clock display. In some situations it would be preferable if the user could simply touch a device in a known place, in close proximity to him or her, and have the time conveyed in a non-visual manner. 
     Talking wall clocks or timepieces have also been known. Heretofore such devices were generally limited to educating children in an entertaining way as to telling time, or aiding persons with vision losses unable to read conventional clocks or wrist watches. Most persons prefer not to wear a wristwatch to bed, however, nor have a wall clock located near them while sleeping. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An electronic timekeeping and broadcasting device for use near a user&#39;s ear while resting includes a cover portion with a speaker inside the cover, a digital voice synthesizer connected to the speaker, an electronic clock connected to the synthesizer, and a switch connected to the synthesizer, and includes a power supply. Upon turning on the switch and activating the synthesizer, the time is broadcast from the speaker. The device enables a resting user to learn the time with the least possible effort. 
     As required, an amplifier may be added in electrical connection with the digital voice synthesizer and the speaker, as well as a volume control circuit. By way of examples, the switch may include a pressure or touch sensor or other types of sensors, or a simple conventional mechanical switch. 
     The cover is preferably padded, and attachable to the bedding of the user. The cover preferably includes an opening to gain access to the device. The power source is preferably a conventional battery located inside the cover. Optionally, the device may be powered by alternating current from a nearby electrical outlet. 
     Inside the electronic clock preferably includes a controller for changing the time. The voice synthesizer is preferably capable of producing a plurality of different voices, and includes a controller for changing between the different voices. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a device enabling the time to be requested and audibly conveyed with the minimum amount of effort required by a resting user. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electronic timepiece that upon command conveys the time to the user though non-visual means. 
     It is a further object of the invention that the electronic timepiece broadcast the time by voice upon a sensor receiving the user&#39;s desire for the information. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the components of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the structure and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent structures and steps may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     An electronic timekeeping and broadcasting device  10  includes a power source  12 , preferably direct current conventional batteries. Optionally, the power source  12  may be alternating current from a nearby electrical outlet, or in some other manner. Electrically connected to the power source  12  is a conventional digital electronic clock  14  that keeps track of the time of day, in hours (a.m. or p.m.) and minutes. The electronic clock  14  preferably includes a timer control  16  should it be necessary to adjust the time of the electronic clock  14 . 
     The electronic clock  14  is electrically connected to a conventional digital voice synthesizer  18 , that is electrically connected to a switch  20 . The synthesizer  18  receives digital signals from the electronic clock  14  and converts the same into an analog signal. Electrically connected to the synthesizer  18  is a conventional small speaker  22 . An amplifier  24  between the synthesizer  18  and speaker  22  is likely required to increase the amplitude of the analog signal. A conventional volume control circuit  26  is preferably included as well. The synthesizer  18  could also optionally include multiple voices including a whisper, and a controller (not shown) to select among the same. 
     The switch  20  for the synthesizer  18  is preferably responsive to pressure on the device  10 , i.e. by pressing on either side of the device  10  the switch  20  is activated. Alternatively, the switch  20  may be touch activated, e.g. by movement of a human finger along a control surface. Optionally, the switch  20  could include a controller (not shown) to adjust the sensitivity of the switch  20  to the external input. Obviously, but less advantageously, a simple conventional mechanical on-off switch  20  would suffice as well. 
     The electronic device  10  is enclosed in a cover  28 . The cover  28  is preferably fabricated of a padded insulated material, with an opening  30  to gain access inside. The opening  30  preferably includes corresponding Velcro® fastening strips (not shown). The cover  28  is preferably attachable to bedding of a user, e.g. to the user&#39;s pillowcase. The attachablity is preferably accomplished by a soft, clothespin-like structure (not shown). Alternatively, there are numerous other ways the cover could be attached, e.g. with a safety-pin-like structure, corresponding strips of Velcro®, or the like. 
     Operation of the device  10  is as follows. The cover  28  would be opened and conventional batteries  12  would be loaded into the device  10 . The electronic clock  14  would be set to the correct time using the timer controller  16 . Upon applying pressure or otherwise activating the switch  20 , the voice synthesizer  18  would be turned on and receive the digital signal from the electronic clock  14  and convert the same into an analog signal. The analog signal would pass through the amplifier  24 , subject to the volume control  26 . The correct time would be broadcast through the speaker  22 . 
     While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.