With Variable Loudness Or Tone Patents (Class 368/245)
  • Patent number: 10963146
    Abstract: A user controllable sleep system is provided-for, including at least one biometric sensor, a processor, memory in communication with the processor, a display in communication with the processor, and a user interface. The user interface provides landscape graphics relating to a selected soundscape comprising one or more related sounds. The user interface also has health indicia indicating health information from the biometric sensor and environmental indicia indicating environmental information received by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Dolecki, Laura Ware, Jonathan Freed, Jack Read, Debra Reich, Leela Keshavan, Brian David Mulcahey
  • Patent number: 8908478
    Abstract: A tap sensitive alarm clock has a housing (20), a vibration sensor (22) mechanically coupled to the housing for receiving a shock due to a user tapping the housing, and a control circuit (24) coupled to the vibration sensor for controlling a function of the alarm clock. An audio unit (26) is coupled to an audio circuit (25) for generating sound, e.g. a loudspeaker in an alarm clock or a wake up light. To avoid interference of the sound and the vibration sensor, the alarm clock is provided with a filter (23) coupled to the vibration sensor and the control circuit. The filter has a filter curve matched to block frequencies occurring in the sound. Advantageously it is avoided that the sound frequencies trigger the function, while the sensor is sensitive to other frequencies up to the frequency range of the sound for reliably detecting the tapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Schelte Heeringa, Roelof Jan Wind, Frans Wiebe Rozeboom, Jacob Hendrik Botma, Hielke Simon Van Oostrum, Michiel Allan Aurelius Schallig, Robert Godlieb
  • Patent number: 8804467
    Abstract: The present invention provides an implementation method, implementation device for electronic alarm clock, and a mobile communication terminal thereof, the main content of which includes: determining a first time length capable of achieving the alert purpose by learning the time when a user inputs an instruction of stopping shaking and/or ringing during a plurality of shaking and/or ringing processes, and keeping, in a time period, the shaking and/or ringing intensity when the first time length is over, thus enabling the quick alert in the case which avoids frightening the user by abrupt shaking and/or ringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hisense Mobile Communications Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haiying Wang
  • Publication number: 20140050055
    Abstract: A wake up alarm providing device (10) is provided, comprising a sound producing unit (11) and a control unit (12), coupled to the sound producing unit (11). The sound producing unit (11) is arranged to provide an audible wake up signal during an alert period. The control unit (12) controls the wake up signal to comprise a diffuse sound during a first part of the alert period and to comprise a localized sound during a subsequent part of the alert period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Mahdi Triki
  • Publication number: 20120307604
    Abstract: The present invention provides an implementation method, implementation device for electronic alarm clock, and a mobile communication terminal thereof, the main content of which includes: determining a first time length capable of achieving the alert purpose by learning the time when a user inputs an instruction of stopping shaking and/or ringing during a plurality of shaking and/or ringing processes, and keeping, in a time period, the shaking and/or ringing intensity when the first time length is over, thus enabling the quick alert in the case which avoids frightening the user by abrupt shaking and/or ringing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HISENSE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haiying Wang
  • Patent number: 8326574
    Abstract: A method for issuing alert signals as a reminder to perform a recurring act. The method comprises providing a device with a programmable electronic circuit, an electrical power source, a control switch, and an alert body controlled by the electronic circuit, programming the device with a signaling pattern, determining a first alert time based at least in part on the signaling pattern, issuing a first signal from the alert body, issuing a second signal from the alert body at the first alert time, the second signal being different from the first signal, and determining a next alert time upon activation of the control switch, wherein the next alert time is based at least in part on the signaling pattern and the time elapsed between the first alert time and activation of the control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: IniVention B.V.
    Inventor: Bart Theodoor Hogebrink
  • Patent number: 8059494
    Abstract: The invention concerns a water resistant portable object such as a diving watch including a sound generator device (12) and a microprocessor (1), characterized in that it emits acoustic signals at two different frequencies (f1) and (f2) as a function of the medium, air or water, in which the wearer of the watch is situated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Jean-Bernard Veuthey, Stéphane Claude
  • Patent number: 7965584
    Abstract: A ringing mechanism includes: a power source (12), a speed regulator (14), a ringing device, and a gear (10) connecting the power source (12) to the regulator (14) on the one hand and to the device on the other hand. The mechanism further includes a speed adjustor (16) and control element interacting with the speed adjustor (16) in order to change the driving speed of the ringing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A., Sowind S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Papi, Pedro Nunes Marques, Frederic Challet
  • Patent number: 7912509
    Abstract: A method for automatically switching an incoming call signal output mode in a mobile communication terminal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining whether or not a present incoming call signal output mode is a vibration mode when receiving incoming call, driving a vibrator to output vibration if it is determined that the present incoming call signal output mode is set to the vibration mode, detecting an intensity of actual vibration of the terminal via a vibration detection sensor when the vibration is output, followed by calculating transfer energy using the intensity of the actual vibration on the terminal, and automatically switching the incoming call signal output mode from the vibration mode to a ringtone mode according to comparison of the calculated transfer energy with a reference value. With the method, a user can easily recognize the incoming call signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hun Soo Lee
  • Publication number: 20100265803
    Abstract: An aid device for enhancing sleeping and awakening includes an illuminant device and an audio device. A control unit is electrically connected to the illuminant device and the audio device. The control unit includes an illuminant gradual transformation module, an audio gradual transformation module, and a time setting module. The illuminant gradual transformation module is controlled the illuminant device. The audio gradual transformation module is controlled the audio device. The time setting module is controlled an active time of the illuminant device and an active time of the audio device. A control interface is electrically connected to the control unit. The control interface is provided for inputting a data to the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Wen-Sung LEE
  • Patent number: 7755976
    Abstract: A time control system and a method for a projector. The time control system comprises an input module, a processor, a timer, and at least one output module. The input module is used to input at least one time parameter that is set by the processor into the timer. The timer is used to generate at least one trigger signal by counting the at least one time parameter. Meanwhile, the output module is used to output a reminder signal relating to the at least one trigger signal. The time control system is applied for reminding users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Wei Lin, Ming-Li Lin, Yuan-Yuan Lin, Huei-Shiang Chien
  • Patent number: 7573784
    Abstract: In a method for setting a wake-up alarm of a mobile communication terminal, when a user presses a key of a mobile communication terminal to stop a wake-up alarm, it is determined whether the pressed key is a number key. If so, a snooze time is arithmetically set using a basic time, stored in the terminal, and the value of the number key pressed by the user, such as by addition or multiplication. Therefore, the user may immediately control the snooze time after an alarm. Also, the user may independently set a sound type and/or volume level associated with the wake-up alarm and any subsequent follow-up alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Won-Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 7558158
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and method for implementing an intelligent wake mode is provided. The method includes the steps of: tracking a system time of the electronic apparatus; entering into the wake mode when the tracked system time is equal to a predetermined time; increasing a current volume for every predetermined time interval; and keeping the current volume when the current volume is equal to or greater than a predetermined initial volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Che Wang, Xiao-Guang Li, Kuan-Hong Hsieh, Wen-Chuan Lian
  • Patent number: 7187624
    Abstract: Enhanced control buttons are provided for a digital timepiece, each button marked with an icon which identifies its function, one icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to turn a night light on/off, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from a real time setting mode, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from an alarm time setting mode, said alarm button being programmable to operate in response to momentary and relatively longer pressures to perform a variety of alarm time functions, including turning on and off a similar alarm icon in the timepiece's display, turning off the alarm sound after it becomes audible following a set alarm time, and thereafter turning on the alarm icon in the watch display for repetition of the sounding of the alarm 24 hours later at the same previously set alarm time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Equitime, Inc.
    Inventors: Berj A. Terzian, Robert Alfred Brodmann
  • Patent number: 6961288
    Abstract: A sound-scale generation device and time-announcing clock eliminating the unpleasantness when a sound of a dissonant interval or imperfect consonant interval is generated, provided with a clock circuit generating a sound generation instruction signal at a fixed time, a frequency divider serving as a sound generator able to generate at least a 12-sounds scale, an amplifier, a speaker, a sequential switching circuit linking the 12-sounds of the 12-sounds scale and times corresponding to the fixed time and controlling the sound generator so as to generate a basic sound of one sound of the 12-sounds scale, then generate scale-forming-sounds corresponding to a time every time receiving a sound generation instruction signal, and a harmonic-sound adder controlling the sound generator so as to generate a sound by superposing at least one of the harmonic-sound forming sounds able to form a harmonic-sound including the scale-forming-sound when the sequential switching circuit makes the sound generator generate at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignees: Rhythm Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Iijima
  • Patent number: 6888779
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a waking system that wakes an individual gradually over a period of time in order to promote the wellness of that individual. The user sets the system controller with a desired final wakeup time, which is the time that the user must be awake. When the actual time reaches a stimulus introduction time (i.e. some time prior to the desired final wakeup time), the system controller causes the introduction of stimulus. The system further comprises a detection system that measures a parameter correlated to the individual's sleep level (preferably motion). This measured parameter is then used in a feedback loop to control the level of stimulus experienced by the individual. In this manner, the user is woken gradually over a period of time between the stimulus introduction time and the desired final wakeup time, without introducing any sudden shocks to the user's physiological systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Pulsar Informatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Mollicone, Matthew Vit van Wollen
  • Patent number: 6838994
    Abstract: This invention provides an alarm system and method for adjusting the wake-up signals. The system includes a means for tracking the behavior of a person in a predetermined area under surveillance after the activation of an alarm clock, and a means for determining whether the person is motionless for a predetermined time period. Upon recognition that the observed behavior indicates the person is still sleeping, the wake-up signals are gradually increased. At the same time, the electrical power supplied to a plurality of electronic devices may be increased to assist the person to wake up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gutta, Miroslav Trajkovic, Antonio J Colmenarez
  • Patent number: 6724298
    Abstract: A remotely activated sensory stimulation device comprised of a case, a tactile stimulatory means, a receiving unit, a transmitting unit and a controller. The amplitude and frequency of the tactile stimulation is adjustable to provide different prompts or to alter the prompt. The device is further camouflaged with a second functionality to eliminate any social stigma. The device is useful for teaching individuals with a variety of learning disorders including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: J. Michelle Smith
  • Publication number: 20030142591
    Abstract: An interactive alarm clock and method are provided. Specifically, the alarm clock of the present invention is programmable by a user so that distinct alarm signals can be designated. In a typical embodiment, distinct alarm signals are designated based upon volume level, alarm type and/or alarm signal harmonics. For example, a first alarm signal could be produced at a first designated volume level. If the first alarm signal is snoozed, a second alarm signal would later be produced at a second (e.g., higher) designated volume level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Baljeet Singh Baweja, Kulvir Singh Bhogal, Nizamudeen Ishmael, Mandeep Singh Sidhu
  • Patent number: 6014345
    Abstract: An apparatus designed to damp external noises, allowing the user to sleep in noisy environments. More particularly, it relates to a pair of hearing-protecting ear covers that insulate the user's ears from external noises, ear covers that incorporate a headphone stereo for transmission of a time, smoke, fire and/or security alarms. The headphone stereo can also transmit music, peaceful sounds, or noise reducing frequencies. The sound producing circuitry is connect in parallel to the alarm system to allow alarm detection even when the user is listening to music or other sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Kevin Lee Schmadeka
  • Patent number: 5726626
    Abstract: The invention concerns an acoustic alarm safety device comprising a case (2), a vibrating element (20) associated to a membrane (22) so as to make it vibrate, electrical means for providing a control signal to said vibrating element, and means (18) for actuating the electrical means.This device is characterized in that it further comprises a pierced backcover (28) attached to said case (2) and arranged so as to protect it, and so as to allow a vibration of the set of the vibrating element-membrane (20, 22), said backcover being attached to said case in a manually removable manner, and a fitted ring (26) to which is attached said membrane (22), said ring (26) and said membrane (22) being associated to the case in such a way that the set ring-membrane (26, 22) ensures the waterproofness of the case (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: SMH Management Services AG
    Inventors: Saji Jabbour, Jacques Muller, Laurent Pantet
  • Patent number: 5666331
    Abstract: An alarm clock controls the supply of electrical power to a first outlet mounted on the clock housing and receiving a plug-in external electrical device to periodically change the state of the electrical device in response to an alarm time signal. A second controllable outlet is also mounted on the housing for receiving a second plug-in external electrical device. Selectible steady or pulse power is provided to the second outlet. A receiver detects power line carrier signals on the incoming electrical power lines generated by a remote device in response to the occurrence of a sound producing event or other signal. The receiver causes the clock to supply power to either or both outlets depending on the position of a function switch in response to a detected power line carrier signal. An audible sound generator provides an audible alarm tone in response to an alarm signal. Frequency and volume controls selectively vary the frequency and volume of the audible alarm tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: RHK Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam J. Kollin
  • Patent number: 5313523
    Abstract: The sound volume controlling apparatus comprises UP and DOWN keys (42, 43) depressed manually; a time period detecting circuit (39h, 39d) for detecting time period from when the duration of UP or DOWN key depression reaches a predetermined value (e.g. 0.5 sec) to when the continuous key depression ends; a sound volume value deciding circuit (39e, 39f, 37a) for changing the sound volume value during the time duration detected by the time period detecting circuit; and sound volume changing circuit (37b, 45) for changing the sound volume in accordance with the value decided by the sound volume value deciding circuit.Since the sound volume is changed only after the key is kept depressed for a predetermined time period (e.g. 0.5 sec), it is possible to prevent the sound volume from being changed erroneously due to a short time touch to the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Kawauchi
  • Patent number: 5243568
    Abstract: An electronic circuit, which, when inserted into a clock/radio, utilizes the time-setting mechanism and the audio system of the clock/radio, and which, in conjunction with a light sensor, causes both light and sound to start at low intensity and increase gradually together to full intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventors: Nancy Burch, Mark Parent
  • Patent number: 4964108
    Abstract: A sound reproducing apparatus is provided with an audio signal processing circuit for receiving an audio signal from a signal input circuit and applying the same to a speaker or sound producer through a variable resistor which is adjusted to vary its effective resistance value by an actuator operating in response to a drive signal so as to reproduce sound corresponding to the audio signal with a volume determined by the effective resistance value of the variable resistor, a time control for causing the audio signal processing circuit to commence operation automatically at a preset time, a duration setting arrangement operative in response to a duration setting signal to store in a memory data corresponding to a selected duration of operation of the actuator, and a controller programmed to be operative, when the time control causes the commencement of operation of the audio signal processing circuit at the preset time, to cause a signal generator to apply a drive signal to the actuator for the selected duratio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ohtsu, Tohru Kurita
  • Patent number: 4895393
    Abstract: In a clock-studying picture book, a picture book body illustrating respective picture patterns relating to various times of day is provided with a sound generator which, when a long hand or short hand, or both the long and short hands are controlled to point to a specific time, generates a sound making the specific time recognizable, so that the infant can study the clock and time while enjoying himself during play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Dainippon Kaiga Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 4879699
    Abstract: A timepiece includes an audio output device operable for announcing a plurality of different audio functions including stopwatch, timer, automatic time of day, alarm and user requested time of day. Selecting circuitry chooses among the group of audio functions based on a predetermined prioritized order. The device is operable for announcing one or more of the audio functions at different levels of sound volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yumi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 4681465
    Abstract: An alarm signalling electronic timepiece including an alarm signalling circuit which generates alarm signal at a preset hour, and a sound circuit which generates signalling sound by the alarm signal. This timepiece includes a timer counter which can memorize and subtract preset time and which can supply the alarm signal to the sound circuit after the set time elapses from the start of down count from a a time start circuit which holds the time memorized in said timer counter until the alarm signal from the alarm signalling circuit changes and which starts counting in said timer counter when the alarm signal changes, and external switches which externally switch over to work or cancel said time start circuit, whereby plural and different alarm signalling hours can be set with more simplicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Rhythm Watch Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Nakamura, Hideki Morishima, Yoshito Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4589780
    Abstract: A timepiece of the type including a time indicating circuit and an electronic alarm sound generating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Rhythm Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Takebe
  • Patent number: 4576484
    Abstract: The disclosed memory enhancing apparatus includes an oscillating section for generating a plurality of first signals. A counting section is coupled to the oscillating section for receiving the first signals and responsively generating a plurality of second signals having time intervals therebetween, each of the time intervals having a duration different from that of the immediately preceding interval. A dividing section is coupled to the counting section and includes means for varying the frequency of the first signals while an output section is coupled to the counting section for providing a reminding signal in response to each of the second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Inventor: Mark C. Grossmeyer
  • Patent number: 4491049
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having key input means selectively actuable to cause the production of sounds corresponding to respective notes of the musical scale, comprises a memory circuit for storing the respective notes, and a clear circuit actuated to partially amend at least one of the notes from the contents of the memory means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takemi Mizuta, Tomohiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 4481674
    Abstract: This invention is directed at a sleep switch volume control wherein the body portion of a clock radio timer knob has conductive and insulative portions which may be formed on two transverse, circumferential sections. The two sections are in abutting, parallel relation to each other. The conductive portions and insulative portions of the two sections are off-set from each other and are selectively electrically connected to an electrical circuit as the knob is rotated.A variation of the sleep switch volume control utilizes two transverse uninsulated sections which are electrically insulated from each other and which are located circumferentially on the body portion of the timer knob. The uninsulated sections are selectively electrically connected to an electrical circuit as the timer knob of the radio rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Wayne A. Silva
  • Patent number: 4386856
    Abstract: In a miniaturized electronic device having two time informing sound generating functions, namely time signaling and alarm sound generating functions, the volume of the sound produced is automatically controlled such that it is different at the time of the time signaling sound generation and at the time of the alarm sound generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hakata
  • Patent number: 4377345
    Abstract: An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece including a volume control circuit having a variable volume controller which can be externally adjusted and a fixed volume setting means which determines a constant volume, a change over switch which selectively changes the controller and the setting means, and a change over control circuit which has a time section for measuring an alarm signalling time and which supplies a change over control signal to the change over switch after a predetermined passage of time from the start of alarm signaling. The alarm signaling circuit performs the alarm signaling action at a certain volume established by the variable volume controller during a first alarm signaling period from a start of alarm signaling till the predetermined passage of time and further performs the alarm signaling action at a fixed alarm volume determined by the fixed volume setting means in a consecutive second alarm signaling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Assignee: Rhythm Watch Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shinji Yamada, Mitsuru Nagoya
  • Patent number: 4373821
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a display unit capable of displaying different times in two or more regions in the world, an alarm time setting circuit capable of setting alarm times in the respective regions, and a buzzer device for sounding, at alarm times, different alarm sounds associated with the respective regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morio Morishige
  • Patent number: 4370067
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece in which an operating state of a timepiece circuit is controlled by a control circuit composed of a counter responsive to clock pulses from the timepiece circuit, a digital/analog converter for converting a digital output signal from the counter to an analog output signal, a potentiometer adapted to generate an analog input signal, and a comparator for comparing the analog output signal and the analog input signal to generate an output signal which is applied to the counter to control the same by which a control signal is generated to control the operating state of the timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Ryoji Iwakura, Tatsuo Nitta, Kazutoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4293940
    Abstract: A time sound generating device which generates a time announcement sound by detecting a change of time from a portion of a display element driving signal supplied to a time display element of a digital electronic clock and by driving an audio sound signal source by the detected time signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Noguchi, Takaya Kitao
  • Patent number: 4271495
    Abstract: An electronic clock with a chime system has exclusively electronic processing for production of a variety of tone signal sequences consisting of known melodies or portions thereof and time-identifying sequences of strokes. The characteristic values of these tone signal sequences are loaded into a ROM memory and can be recalled, as required, by electronic control and release circuits at each quarter, half, three quarter or full hour. The amplitude of the audio output signals is automatically controlled in accordance with the time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Gebruder Junghans GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Scherzinger, Hans Flaig
  • Patent number: 4234944
    Abstract: An alarm electronic timepiece comprises an oscillating circuit for generating a high frequency reference signal which is frequency divided by a frequency dividing circuit into a lower frequency time signal. A display device displays information indicative of the present time in accordance with the time signal. An alarm counter is preset with the desired alarm time and a coincidence detecting circuit detects coincidence between the present time and the preset alarm time and accordingly provides an output signal which is fed to a buzzer for generating an alarm sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Shojiro Komaki, Noboru Kaneko
  • Patent number: 4233679
    Abstract: A watch includes a piezoelectric wafer mounted on a membrane held by its peripheral edge inside a watch caseback. A frequency adjustment device mounted in the caseback includes a rotatable arm contacting the membrane and movable to adjust the resonant frequency of the membrane and piezoelectric crystal vibrating assembly. The frequency of the piezoelectric transducer may be adjusted to match a desired frequency of an electrical or sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventor: Jack Schwarzschild
  • Patent number: 4228645
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece equipped with an alarm system in which a single external control member is used as both a snooze switch and an alarm stopping signal. The timepiece has a switching circuit means for generating a snooze signal when the external control member is actuated in a predetermined actuation mode and generating an alarm stopping signal when the external control member is actuated in another predetermined actuation mode. The timepiece includes a snooze control circuit responsive to the snooze signal to temporarily stop an alarm generated by an alarm device, and means for interrupting an alarm enabling signal from being applied to the alarm device to stop the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Yasushi Nomura
  • Patent number: 4216647
    Abstract: In an electronic alarm timepiece having an alarm accordance circuit for producing an alarm signal at a preset time in accordance with a time stored in a time memory circuit, an electromechanical acoustic transducer is provided having at least two mechanical resonant frequencies. One of the resonant frequencies is in the audible range and one of the resonant frequencies is in the ultrasonic range. The transducer is actuatable to produce an acoustic alarm in the audible range in response to the alarm signal and is selectively actuated to produce an acoustic output in the ultrasonic range for controlling devices external of the timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventor: Ichiro Hattori
  • Patent number: 4205519
    Abstract: Electronic timepiece delivering an acoustic signal to signalize to the user a particular state of working mode. The invention applies more particularly to timepieces with a digital display for indicating the time and the date, the same display being used to indicate the time of alarm. In such a timpiece, it is necessary to be able to make corrections of the time and the date in the watch correcting mode as well as corrections of the time of alarm in the alarm correcting mode. It is this alarm correcting mode which, in the described example, is signalized by an acoustical signal.The timepiece includes an oscillator, a frequency divider, at least one display unit, an alarm device, a memory and a comparator for the time of alarm, a control logic circuit and a first and a second control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Ebauches Electroniques S.A.
    Inventor: Nicole Deruns
  • Patent number: 4205517
    Abstract: An alarm electronic timepiece comprises a time circuit including a time standard signal oscillator for generating a time signal fed to a time display portion for displaying time. An alarm device is driven by an alarm driving circuit to produce an audible alarm sound. An alarm signal compound circuit develops a plurality of signals having different duty cycles and having a frequency in the audible frequency range, and serially arranges the plurality of signals in a predetermined pattern to form an alarm signal composed of the serially arranged signals of different duty cycles which is applied to the alarm driving circuit to produce an audible alarm sound having a predetermined sound pressure variation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Fumikazu Murakami, Takuro Fukuichi
  • Patent number: 4203279
    Abstract: A timepiece which permits freely adjusting the level of sounds produced therein and given out thereof. In this timepiece, the sounds produced in a mechanical unit contained in a timepiece body are conveyed to the outside of the timepiece via a sound level adjusting means by utilizing mechanical vibrations or vibrations of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Inventor: Minoru Kamiya
  • Patent number: 4203278
    Abstract: An alarm electronic timepiece comprising a timepiece circuit, a display for displaying time, an alarm for generating an alarm sound at an alarm time, a memory circuit for memorizing the alarm time and an alarm control circuit for controlling the tone quality and a sound volume of the alarm sound. The alarm control circuit includes externally operable switches of the timepiece which are operable for controlling the alarm sound and which are also operable for correcting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Kenichi Kondo, Shojiro Komaki