Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application relates generally to alarm clocks and, more specifically, to an alarm clock with charging ports. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Alarm clocks are familiar consumer products, however conventional alarm clocks do not meet all the needs of guests when the alarm clocks are used in hotel rooms. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm clock having a housing, one or more charging ports, an audio transducer, an alarm control device, a display, and a controller. The charging ports are mounted in a surface of the housing, are electrically coupled to a power supply, and provide power to an external device electrically coupled to the charging port. The controller is electrically coupled to the audio transducer, the alarm control device, and the display and receives input signals from the alarm control device and sends output signals to the audio transducer and the display. 
         [0004]    When the controller receives a first plurality of input signals from the alarm control device, it responds by displaying and setting a desired alarm time on the display, and by arming an alarm function. While the alarm function is armed, if a current time matches the desired alarm time the controller causes the audio transducer to emit an alarm sound. When the controller receives a second input signal from the alarm control device, it responds by taking the alarm time off the display, disarming the alarm function, and, if the alarm sound is being emitted, quieting the alarm sound. The alarm function remains disarmed until the controller receives a third input signal from the alarm control device, and in response rearms the alarm function. 
         [0005]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm clock having a housing, one or more charging ports mounted in an upper surface of the housing, one or more drain apertures formed in a lower surface of the housing, an alarm control device, a display, and a controller. The charging ports are electrically coupled to a power supply, and provide power to an external device that is electrically coupled to the charging port. The alarm control device includes first and second input devices. The controller is electrically coupled to the alarm control device and the display and receives input signals from the alarm control device and sends output signals to the display. The drain apertures allow liquid that enters the housing through the charging ports to drain away, so that the liquid does not form an electrical short-circuit between electrical connectors that are associated with the one or more charging ports. 
         [0006]    When the controller receives a first activation of the first input device, it enters an alarm-setting mode. In the alarm-setting mode, the controller displays a desired alarm time on the display and adjusts the desired alarm time in response to activation of the second input device. When the controller receives a second activation of the first input device, it arms an alarm mode. While the alarm function is armed, if a current time matches the desired alarm time the controller causes the audio transducer to emit an alarm sound. When the controller receives a third activation of the first input device, it responds by taking the alarm time off the display, disarming the alarm function, and, if the alarm sound is being emitted, quieting the alarm sound. The alarm function remains disarmed until the controller receives a subsequent activation of the first input device, and in response rearms the alarm function. 
         [0007]    In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm clock having a housing, one or more charging ports, a brightness switch, an audio transducer, an alarm control device, a display, and a controller. The charging ports are mounted in a surface of the housing, are electrically coupled to a power supply, and provide power to an external device electrically coupled to the charging port. The controller is electrically coupled to the audio transducer, the alarm control device, and the display and receives input signals from the alarm control device and sends output signals to the audio transducer and the display. When the controller receives input signals from the alarm control device, it sets a desired alarm time, arms an alarm function, or disarms the alarm function. The alarm function remains disarmed until the controller receives a subsequent input signal from the alarm control device, and in response rearms the alarm function. When the controller receives input signals from the brightness switch, it sets a brightness of the display, including turning off the display. While the alarm function is armed, if a current time matches the desired alarm time the controller causes the audio transducer to emit an alarm sound and, if the display is turned off, turn on the display. 
         [0008]    Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 
         [0009]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  presents a schematic block diagram of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  presents a procedure for date and time setting functionality of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a procedure for alarm functionality of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  presents a procedure for display brightness control of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A-6C  present top and cross-sectional views of spill-through power outlets of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure in use; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  presents an isometric view of an alarm clock with charging ports according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alarm control device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1 through 8 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus for an alarm clock with charging ports. 
         [0020]    The present disclosure relates to an alarm clock with charging ports, where, in various embodiments, the alarm function can be controlled from an alarm control device; the same alarm control device can be used to set the current date and time; a brightness switch can change brightness of the display, including turning the display off; and the alarm clock includes a Bluetooth-compatible speaker for use with an external audio source. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an alarm clock  100  with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The alarm clock  100  includes an upper body portion  102 . The upper body portion  102  includes a current time display  106  and an alarm time display  110 . The upper body portion  102  further includes a control knob  112  and a brightness switch  114 . The control knob  112  comprises a switch that responds to vertical or lateral pressure on the control knob  112  and a rotary position sensor that responds to rotation of the control knob  112 . The upper body portion  102  further includes an audio transducer (not shown) configured to emit an alarm sound. 
         [0022]    The control knob  112  is an alarm control device that controls the alarm functionality of the alarm clock  100  as well as other functions, as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0023]    The upper body portion  102  also includes USB charging ports  116 A and  116 B and line voltage charging ports  118 A and  118 B. The upper body portion  102  further includes a DST switch (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) to enable or disable automatic switching of the alarm clock  100  into and out of daylight savings time mode, based upon the current date. The upper body portion further includes a power cord and connector  120  to provide line voltage power to the alarm clock  100 . 
         [0024]    In various embodiments, the power cord and connector  120 , as well as the line voltage charging ports  118 A and  118 B, may be adapted to the voltage and connector configurations of any national or international line power standards. 
         [0025]    The alarm clock  100  may optionally also include a lower body portion  104 . The lower body portion  104  includes a speaker system adapted for wireless connectivity to a portable music source (not shown). The lower body portion  104  comprises a “pairing” button  122  and speakers  124 L and  124 R. Speaker  124 R is not visible in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    Operation of the brightness switch  114  and the control knob  112  are described below with reference to  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 . While the upper body portion  102  comprises two USB charging ports  116 A and  116 B, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the alarm clock  100  may include any number of USB charging ports, including no USB charging ports. Similarly, while the upper body portion  102  comprises two line voltage charging ports  118 A and  118 B, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the alarm clock  100  may include any number of line voltage charging ports, including no line voltage charging ports. While the lower body portion  104  includes speakers  124 L and  124 R, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the alarm clock  100  may include any number of speakers. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  presents a schematic block diagram of an alarm clock  200  with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The alarm clock  200  includes a controller  202 . The controller  202  may be any suitable processing device, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable gate array (PGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. The controller  202  includes memory comprising any suitable combination of volatile and/or non-volatile storage and retrieval device or devices. The memory of the controller  202  may store data and instructions adapted to be used by the controller  202  to control the various elements of the alarm clock  200 . 
         [0028]    The alarm clock  200  also includes outputs  204  and inputs  206 . The outputs  204  and the inputs  206  are communicatively coupled to the controller  202 . The outputs  204  may be configured using any suitable output technology and associated interface and driver circuits. In some embodiments, the displays  204  include the current time display  106 , the alarm time display  110 , and the audio transducer of the alarm clock  100  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In such embodiments, the controller  202  is configured to send output signals to the displays  106  and  110  to show desired information on the displays  106  and  110 , as well as to send output signals to the audio transducer to emit sounds such as an alarm sound. 
         [0029]    The inputs  206  may be configured using any suitable physical devices and input technology, along with associated interface and driver circuits. In some embodiments, the inputs  206  include physical devices and circuits associated with the control knob  112  and the brightness switch  114 . In such embodiments, the controller  202  is configured to receive signals indicating activation of the brightness switch  114 , closure of the switch associated with the control knob  112 , and changes in position detected by the rotary position sensor associated with the control knob  112 . 
         [0030]    The alarm clock  200  is powered by a power supply  208 , which is electrically coupled to, and adapted to provide one or more voltages to, circuits of the alarm clock  200 . The power supply  208  is electrically coupled to power outlets  212 . The power outlets  212  are any suitable connectors for providing charging or other operational power to external devices. In some embodiments, the power outlets  212  include one or both of the USB charging ports  116 A and  116 B and the line voltage charging ports  118 A and  118 B described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In such embodiments, the power supply is configured to provide low voltage (5V or five volt) DC power to the USB charging ports  116 A and  116 B and line voltage AC power to the line voltage charging ports  118 A and  118 B. 
         [0031]    The power supply  208  receives input power from a terminal  211  via a surge suppressor  210 . The terminal  211  may be electrically coupled to an input power connector such as connector  120  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The surge suppressor  210  is adapted to reduce or prevent the impact on the circuits of the alarm clock  200 , as well as external devices plugged into the power outlets  212 , of surges or other potentially harmful variations in the input power received via the terminal  211 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the alarm clock  200  further includes elements associated with a speaker system adapted for wireless connectivity to a music player or other external audio source, including elements associated with the lower body portion  104  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In such embodiments, the alarm clock  200  includes a Bluetooth-compatible receiver  214 , electrically coupled to an audio amplifier  216 , which is electrically coupled to one or more speakers  218 . The receiver  214  is further electrically coupled to a so-called “pairing” button  220 . The receiver  214  and the amplifier  216  are further electrically coupled to and receive power from the power supply  208 . 
         [0033]    When a user of the alarm clock  200  has a Bluetooth-compatible external audio source, the user may operate the external audio source to place it in a mode where it is available for pairing with other Bluetooth-compatible devices. If the user then activates the pairing button  220 , the receiver  214  is adapted to respond by performing a pairing procedure with the external audio source. Upon completion of the pairing procedure, the receiver  214  will be operable to receive audio signals transmitted via Bluetooth from the external audio source and play the received audio signals via the amplifier  216  and the speakers  218 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  presents a procedure  300  for date and time setting functionality of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Describing, as an example, operation of the alarm clock  100  described with reference to  FIG. 1 , from what might be termed ‘normal’ operation: e.g., displaying the current time, in step  302 , a user presses and holds brightness switch  114  for at least a predetermined amount of time: e.g., 6 seconds. If the brightness switch  114  is not held for the predetermined amount of time, further operation of the alarm clock  100  is described with reference to  FIG. 4 or 5 . 
         [0035]    If the brightness switch  114  is held for the predetermined amount of time, the alarm clock  100  enters a first phase of date-setting mode. In this first phase, in step  304 , the user may rotate the control knob  112  to set a desired year of the current date. Once the desired year has been set, the user presses the control knob  112  in step  306  to enter a second phase of the date-setting mode. In this second phase, in step  308 , the user may rotate the control knob  112  to set a desired month of the current date. Once the desired month has been set, the user presses the control knob  112  in step  310  to enter a third phase of the date-setting mode. In this third phase, in step  312 , the user may rotate the control knob  112  to set a desired day of the month of the current date. 
         [0036]    Once the desired day of the month has been set, the user presses the control knob  112  in step  314  to enter a first phase of a time-setting mode. In step  316 , the user may rotate the control knob  112  to set a desired current hour. Once the desired hour has been set, the user presses the control knob  112  in step  318  to enter a second phase of the time-setting mode. In step  320 , the user may rotate the control knob  112  to set a desired current minutes. In step  322 , the user presses the control knob  112  to return to normal operation. 
         [0037]    The current date is used in conjunction with the DST switch described with reference to  FIG. 1  to change the current time if the alarm clock  100  switches into or out of daylight savings time on the appropriate dates of the year. In some embodiments, the current date may be displayed in one or the other of the current time display  106  or the alarm time display  110 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates a procedure  400  for alarm functionality of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Using operation of the alarm clock  100  described with reference to  FIG. 1  again as an example, in step (or state)  402 , the alarm function of the alarm clock  100  is switched off. While the alarm function is switched off, the alarm time display  110  displays the word “OFF”. 
         [0039]    In step  404 , the user pushes the control knob  112  briefly to place the alarm clock  100  into an alarm-setting mode. In this mode, the current setting of the alarm time is displayed as flashing digits in the alarm time display  110 . In step  406 , the user may rotate the control knob  112  to set a desired alarm time. Once the desired alarm time is displayed in the alarm time display  110 , the procedure  400  may proceed to either step  407  or step  408 . 
         [0040]    In step  408 , the user presses the control knob  112  to set (or arm) the alarm function and fix the current alarm time. While the alarm function is armed, in state  410 , the current alarm time is displayed as steady (non-flashing) digits in the alarm time display  110 . In step  407 , the alarm clock  100  waits for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds) after the control knob  112  is rotated to set the desired alarm time, and then automatically arms the alarm function, fixes the current alarm time, and proceeds to state  410   
         [0041]    While the alarm function is armed, in state  410 , two events may occur that affect the alarm function. In the first event, in step  412 , the user pushes the control knob  112 , which switches the alarm function off, causes the alarm time display  110  to display the word “OFF”, and returns the procedure  400  to step  402 . In the second event, the current time reaches the current alarm time, the alarm function triggers, and the procedure  400  passes to step  416 , wherein the alarm clock  100  emits an alarm sound. 
         [0042]    Once the alarm has triggered and the alarm clock  100  is in step  416 , another two events may occur that affect the alarm function. In the first event, in step  418 , the user may push the control knob  112 , which switches the alarm function off, causes the alarm time display  110  to display the word “OFF”, turns off the alarm sound, and returns the procedure  400  to step  402 . In the second event, in step  420 , the user presses the brightness switch  114 , which turns off the alarm sound. The procedure  400  then passes to step  422 , wherein the alarm clock  100  waits for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., nine minutes) before returning to step  416 , wherein the alarm clock  100  again emits the alarm sound. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  presents a procedure  500  for display brightness control of an alarm clock with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The procedure  500  controls brightness of the current time display  106  and, if on, the alarm time display  110 . In step  502  the displays  106  and  110  are at full brightness setting. In step  504 , the user presses the brightness switch  114  and the procedure  500  passes to step  506 , wherein the displays  106  and  110  are at a medium brightness setting. In step  508 , the user presses the brightness switch  114  and the procedure  500  passes to step  510 , wherein the displays  106  and  110  are at a dim setting. 
         [0044]    In step  512 , the user presses the brightness switch  114  and the procedure  500  passes to step  514 , wherein the displays  106  and  110  are turned off. Once the displays  106  and  110  are turned off in step  514 , two events may occur that affect the display brightness. In a first event, in step  516 , the user presses the brightness switch  114  and the procedure returns to step  502 , wherein the displays  106  and  110  are at full brightness setting. In the second event, in step  518 , the alarm triggers (i.e., the procedure  400  described with reference to  FIG. 4  passes to step  416 ) and the procedure returns to step  502 , wherein the displays  106  and  110  are at full brightness setting. 
         [0045]    In other embodiments, the alarm clock  100  may have any number of brightness levels (other than off), more than or less than the three brightness levels described with reference to procedure  500 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 6A  present a top view of a portion of an alarm clock  600  with charging ports according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The alarm clock  600  includes a line voltage charging port  602 . A section “A-A” is indicated through one of the three connector apertures of the port  602 . The port  602  is referred to as a “spill-through” port, because liquids that are spilled or otherwise pass into one or more of the three apertures of the port  602  move past electrical connectors of the port  602 , through the interior of the alarm clock  600 , and out through drain apertures in the bottom of the alarm clock  600 , as will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 6B and 6C . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6B and 6C  present cross-sectional views along section “A-A” of the spill-through port  602  of the alarm clock  600 . A housing of the alarm clock  600  includes an upper surface  604  and a lower surface  606 . The lower surface  606  includes drain apertures  612 . While four drain apertures  612  are shown in the lower surface  606 , it will be understood that any number of drain apertures may be used in other embodiments. 
         [0048]    Stanchions  608  are mechanically coupled to the top  604  and support port connectors  606 , which are positioned to make electrical contact with a plug connector  622  of a plug  620  inserted into the port  602 . Conductors  610  are electrically coupled at a first end to the port connectors  606  and at a second end (not shown in  FIG. 6B or 6C ) to a power source such as power supply  208  described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0049]    Liquids entering the spill-through port  602  flow over and past the port connectors  606 , and into a lower region  614  of the housing of the alarm clock  600 . However, rather than collecting in the lower region  614 , the liquid passes out of the housing through the drain apertures  612 . It will be understood that feet of the alarm clock  600  (not shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C ) rest on a supporting surface, raising the lower surface  606  adequately that liquid flowing out through the drain apertures  612  can flow away under the lower surface  606  on the supporting surface. 
         [0050]    In this way, liquid entering the alarm clock  600  through the aperture  602  is prevented from rising to a level at which the liquid contacts connectors associated with one or more of the three connector apertures of the port  602 , causing an electrical short-circuit between the contacted connectors. Similarly, such liquid is prevented from rising to a level at which the liquid contacts circuitry of the clock  600 . 
         [0051]    Additionally, the stanchions  608  and other mounting structures for the port connectors  606  are preferably fabricated from non-conductive material. In this way, the likelihood of the liquid forming electrical short-circuits between the port connectors  606  as it flows over the port connectors  606  is reduced or eliminated. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  presents an isometric view of an alarm clock  700  with charging ports according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Most elements of the alarm clock  700  are similar to the alarm clock  100  described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6C . A particular difference between alarm clock  700  and alarm clock  100  is alarm control device  713 . The alarm control device  713  comprises a plurality of switches. Functions of the alarm clock  100  that are controlled by the control knob  112  are controlled in the alarm clock  700  by the plurality of switches of the alarm control device  713 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 8  illustrates the alarm control device  713  in greater detail. The alarm control device  713  comprises a first switch, labeled on/off, which provides the same control of the alarm clock  700  as the switch associated with the control knob  112  provides of the alarm clock  100 . The alarm control device  713  further comprises two other switches, labeled “+” and “−”, which provide the same control of the alarm clock  700  as the rotary position sensor associated with the control knob  112  provides of the alarm clock  100 , when the control knob  112  is rotated in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, respectively. 
         [0054]    Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: g