Time Condition Responsive (i.e., Alarm) Patents (Class 368/244)
  • Patent number: 11669235
    Abstract: A computer system displays a respective user interface corresponding to a restricted state. Displaying a first user interface that corresponds to the restricted state when a current time is outside a first preset time period, and displaying a second user interface that corresponds to the restricted state when the current time is within the first preset time period. While displaying the respective user interface, detecting a first input. In response to detecting the first input that meets first criteria, directed to the first user interface, replacing display of the first user interface with a third user interface different from the first and second user interfaces. In response to detecting the first input that meets second criteria different from the first criteria, directed to the second user interface, replacing display of the second user interface with display of the first user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Crowley, Pablo F. Caro, Charmian B. Naguit, Eamon F. Gilravi, Christopher P. Foss
  • Patent number: 11648373
    Abstract: A processing system includes methods to promote sleep. The system may include a monitor such as a non-contact motion sensor from which sleep information may be determined. User sleep information, such as sleep stages, hypnograms, sleep scores, mind recharge scores and body scores, may be recorded, evaluated and/or displayed for a user. The system may further monitor ambient and/or environmental conditions corresponding to sleep sessions. Sleep advice may be generated based on the sleep information, user queries and/or environmental conditions from one or more sleep sessions. Communicated sleep advice may include content to promote good sleep habits and/or detect risky sleep conditions. In some versions of the system, any one or more of a bedside unit 3000 sensor module, a smart processing device, such as a smart phone or smart device 3002, and network servers may be implemented to perform the methodologies of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Redmond Shouldice, Colin John Lawlor, Matthew Norton, David Mulligan, Stephen McMahon, Paul Phillips, Damien O'Rourke, Luke Gahan, Marc Lavelle, Conor Heneghan, Alberto Zaffaroni, Gareth McDarby
  • Patent number: 11589805
    Abstract: In some implementations, a mobile device can adjust an alarm setting based on the sleep onset latency duration detected for a user of the mobile device. For example, sleep onset latency can be the amount of time it takes for the user to fall asleep after the user attempts to go to sleep (e.g., goes to bed). The mobile device can determine when the user intends or attempts to go to sleep based on detected sleep ritual activities. Sleep ritual activities can include those activities a user performs in preparation for sleep. The mobile device can determine when the user is asleep based on detected sleep signals (e.g., biometric data, sounds, etc.). In some implementations, the mobile device can determine recurring patterns of long or short sleep onset latency and present suggestions that might help the user sleep better or feel more rested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Roy J. Raymann, Wren N. Dougherty, Divya Nag, Deborah M. Lambert, Stephanie Greer, Thomas R. Gruber
  • Patent number: 11423899
    Abstract: Dynamically controlling output from a device, such as an automated assistant device. Control of the output can be based on, for example, a condition and/or physiological attribute(s) of a user of the device. Various implementations dynamically control the output to improve sleep quality for the user and/or mitigate waste of computational and/or network resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Tiruvilwamalai Raman
  • Patent number: 11194291
    Abstract: A timepiece display mechanism includes a rotating display member for displaying a magnitude other than the current time of day, or a position in a cycle. The rotating display member is integral in rotation with a snail cooperating with the beak of a striking rack included in a striking mechanism integrated in or juxtaposed with this display mechanism, to strike a numerical value characteristic of this magnitude, or respectively of this position. The display mechanism is more particularly a chronograph mechanism including a seconds snail integral with a main chronograph wheel, for counting the seconds and cooperating with a seconds rack, and a minute snail integral with a minute counter wheel for counting the minutes and cooperating with a minute rack, in order, after timing a duration, to strike the minutes and seconds of the timed duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: OMEGA SA
    Inventors: Gregory Kissling, Julien Feyer
  • Patent number: 10031482
    Abstract: Chiming timepiece comprising a movement and an acoustic indication mechanism with a control mechanism controlling the performance of a chime or tune by setting control lifts in motion that each actuate a hammer arranged to strike a gong, and each control lift is releasable between a released position, in which it is decoupled from the control mechanism, and a resting position, in which it is able to be driven for actuation of the hammer by the control mechanism that is set in motion by the movement, or by a manual actuator, and tune selection devices for the selection of at least one particular chime or tune are controlled by this movement or by a manual selector and control the passage of each control lift from its released position to its resting position or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Blancpain SA
    Inventor: Julien Behra
  • Patent number: 9292004
    Abstract: A gong for a striking-work device of a timepiece. The gong includes a spring blade forming a main body of the gong and is adapted to act as a vibrating member so as to produce a sound following an actuation. The spring blade includes at least one opening formed in its main body. The invention also includes a timepiece, such as a mechanical watch, comprising such a gong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Société anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie
    Inventors: Lucas Raggi, Jean-Daniel Lüthi
  • Patent number: 9207645
    Abstract: The acoustic radiating membrane is provided to equip a musical watch or a striking watch. The dome-shaped membrane comprises an active central portion, a lateral wall and a peripheral edge portion for holding the membrane in a watch case. The central portion includes a central base connected by connecting elements to a peripheral ring, the central base, the connecting elements and the peripheral ring being of dimensions determined to amplify a first vibration mode of one or more notes in a frequency range from 500 Hz to 3.5 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Polychronis Nakis Karapatis, Younes Kadmiri, Davide Sarchi
  • Patent number: 9007877
    Abstract: An illumination device with wake-up and/or fall-asleep functionality is disclosed. The illumination devices comprises at least one controllable light source; a control device for controlling the light source, wherein in a STEADY mode, color and intensity of the output light are maintained constant at a steady colour value and a steady intensity value and in and a WAKE-UP mode, the intensity of the output light is gradually increased from zero to the steady intensity value and in a FALL-ASLEEP mode, the intensity of the output light is gradually decreased from the steady intensity value to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Godlieb
  • Patent number: 8867318
    Abstract: An alarm clock including a rectangular base, a housing mounted on the base, an opaque portion on the front of the housing, a translucent portion on the front of the housing, a time display located on the front of the housing, and a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted inside the housing behind the translucent portion, wherein a first time prior to a set time for an alarm a first number of the plurality of light emitting diodes are lit, wherein on successive times prior to the set time for the alarm successive numbers of the plurality of light emitting diodes are lit, and wherein at the set time for the alarm the entire plurality of light emitting diodes are lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Chi Ming Suen
  • Patent number: 8836488
    Abstract: An alarm turning off method and a mobile device adapted to the method are provided. The method includes reproducing a preset alarm audio sound and outputting a preset beat at a preset alarm time, determining whether the mobile device receives an input beat, when the mobile device has received the input beat, muting the reproduced alarm audio sound, determining whether the preset beat is identical to the input beat in a state where the alarm audio sound is muted, and turning off the alarm when the number of occurrences where the preset beat matches the input beat is a preset number in a state where the alarm audio sound is muted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Ho You
  • Publication number: 20140185419
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring a time of day, activating an alarm function when the time of day is equal to a predetermined time of day, and making an alarm sound audible, wherein the alarm sound is selected from a set of alarm sounds based at least in part on at least one of the predetermined time of day, a difference in time between a current time of day and the predetermined time of day, or a calendar date.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l
    Inventors: Christian Kraft, Peter D. Nielsen, Kalle Ojala
  • Patent number: 8760976
    Abstract: An alarm clock having a body alarm system and a satellite device is provided. The body alarm system includes a main control unit, a satellite connector, and a power supply, and the satellite device includes a satellite device satellite control unit, a body connector, an alarm signal unit, and a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: jwin Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Justin Chiwon Kim
  • Patent number: 8717851
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an alert announcer system with and without a remote unit which alerts a person at medicine dosing times. The system comprises a primary unit; one or more medication modules, wherein each medication module has a plurality of medicine compartments; one alert device is attached to each medicine container monitored by the system; and optionally a remote unit. Medicine containers each have an alert device attached which executes a dosing schedule appropriate to the medicine in the container and produces an alert at medicine dosing times according to each individual dosing schedule. Medicine containers with attached alert devices are placed in or on the medication modules in predetermined physical locations. Medication modules detect alerts pertaining to each medicine container and transmit those alerts to the primary unit where an amplified sensible alert is generated to alert the user that it is time to take a dose of medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Lloyd Cleveland Nurse, Darien Okinza Nurse
  • Patent number: 8625394
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide in an exemplary aspect thereof a method that includes storing data descriptive of a plurality of alarm sounds received from at least one source of alarm sounds, the stored data forming a set of alarm sounds; selecting an alarm sound from the set of alarm sounds; and playing the selected alarm sound at a predetermined time, where the selected alarm sound is one corresponding to data that was most recently stored. In another exemplary aspect of the invention a method includes, in response to a user input, enabling an alarm function and recording a current time of day; monitoring the time of day and activating the alarm function when the time of day is equal to a predetermined time of day; and making an alarm sound audible, where the alarm sound is selected from a set of alarm sounds based at least in part on a difference in time between the recorded time of day and the predetermined time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Christian Kraft, Peter D. Nielsen, Kalle Ojala
  • Patent number: 8599651
    Abstract: Timepiece including a main strike control mechanism for releasing strikes at programmed times or on demand, and a mechanism for releasing, at a particular time, a secondary strike control mechanism including a coupling mechanism allowing the exclusive operation, at a given time, of one or the other. The timepiece includes a device for selecting the secondary strike or main strike mode, by winding, in the secondary strike mode, the coupling mechanism to uncouple the main striking mechanism and to couple the secondary striking mechanism. In the main striking mechanism mode, the coupling mechanism uncouples the secondary striking mechanism using the main striking mechanism, either not to play the secondary strike, or to play the secondary strike by a mechanism other than the main striking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Patent number: 8570841
    Abstract: Timing wheel set for a timepiece mechanism, for limiting the duration of operation of a function after the start thereof, arranged to cooperate with a release element, the start of motion of which initiates the release of the function, and further arranged to cooperate with a device for coupling the function. It includes a timing hook arranged to be operated by the coupling device in order to be placed in cooperation with a ratchet or to be released from the ratchet, the ratchet being pivotally mounted on an arbour coaxially to a timing wheel towards which it is pivoted back by return mechanism, the timing wheel being arranged to cooperate, directly or indirectly, with the release element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Publication number: 20130250736
    Abstract: A timepiece, comprising first and second arms connected at one end at an acute angle, and a bar locking system located in a wedge area of the timepiece where the arms are connected at the acute angle, wherein the first and second arms are hollow such that they can house electrical components, and wherein the bar locking system is employed to attach the timepiece to a leash plug of a surfboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: ERIC YANG, MEGHAN YANG
  • Patent number: 8531922
    Abstract: The striking watch (1) includes at least one gong (3) fixed to a gong-carrier (2) and at least one hammer (4) for striking the gong. The watch further includes a magnetic gong insulator arrangement (20) for preventing any inadvertent contact between the gong and a neighboring part (5, 6) of the watch. This magnetic insulator arrangement (20) includes at least one moving permanent magnet (21) arranged on one part of the gong (3) at a distance from the gong-carrier (2) and at least one fixed permanent magnet (22, 23) arranged on a watch part (5, 6) close to the gong. This fixed permanent magnet is capable of generating a magnetic field of opposite polarity to the magnetic field of the moving permanent magnet facing the fixed permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventors: Jerome Favre, Nakis Karapatis
  • Patent number: 8500324
    Abstract: Timepiece movement 1 including an energy source 36 coupled to an oscillating weight 2 by a first kinematic chain 3 for automatically winding the movement 1, the timepiece movement 1 being characterized in that the energy source 36 is also coupled to an actuation device 41 and a vibrating element 42 via a second kinematic chain 4 to form a vibrating alarm mechanism that can be released at a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Cédric Nicolas
  • Patent number: 8498181
    Abstract: An alarm clock application for a device having a touch screen, in which time entry consists of progressively entering data into each of three singularly functional groups of keys, comprises: a) a 4 digit time display portion; and, b) a keypad portion consisting of three separated, functional groups of keys: i) a first functional group of keys which provides only a choice between a clock time set function key and an alarm time set function key; ii) a second functional group of keys for time entry, which provides only a ten numeric key group numbered 0-9 for entering numbers; and, iii) a third group of keys which provides only a choice of AM-PM function keys, to finalize any time setting sequence. After time entry consisting of progressively using each of the three singularly functional groups of keys, all entries can, at any time, be reviewed with a glance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Eugene R. Bath
  • Publication number: 20130170329
    Abstract: A wrist watch-type silent alarm and exam notification timer device includes a vibrator adapted to create a silent vibrating sensation on the skin of the user/wearer, and control circuitry for repeatedly generating silent alarm signals at user-defined time intervals for a user-defined number of times in a programmable manner. The vibrator is disposed inside the timer housing directly on an area of the bottom panel of the housing, and oriented to generate a silent vibration in that area in a direction perpendicular to the bottom panel. The timer device is useful during exam taking to allow the user to keep track of his progress through the exam. Displays are provided to display a total elapsed time of the exam, a lapsed time of the current exam problem, and the number for the current exam problem. Control keys are provided for the user to program the timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Jorge L. Estrada, Henry K. Chen, Ever Gustavo Ynsfran
  • Patent number: 8462591
    Abstract: A system and method is proposed that provides a scheduling device and system for notifying a user of Islamic prayer times, aiding the user in preparing to pray, and presents the user with data related to fitness. The system and method may comprise a portable electronic device and a notification system. The system may include a database storing information comprising a list of prayer times and Rakha numbers, the prayer times and the Rakha numbers being associated with a location and date. The portable electronic device may include a display, an electronic compass, a memory, an alarm, a pedometer, a location module, and a processor. The processor may be programmed to execute a program comprising the notification system, wherein the notification system comprises a scheduling function and an exercise function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Sanaa Marhaben
  • Patent number: 8456288
    Abstract: A communication device locks input of the communication device and executes an alarm if a current time reaches a set alarm time. When the alarm is executed, an unlock input set is generated for unlocking the input and an alarm disable button set is generated for disabling the alarm. If an unlock input set is the same as the generated unlock keypad set, the locked input is unlocking. If the alarm disable button set input by the user is the same as the generated alarm disable button set, the communication device disables the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yao-Yu Yang
  • Patent number: 8411533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for assembly of a crystal and a bezel for use of the crystal as vibrating and radiating element, according to which unconnected junction zones are determined and form the only mechanical link for transmission of vibrations of the bezel to the crystal, on which zones the crystal is secured on the bezel to transmit to the crystal any vibration communicated to the bezel. Outside these zones the crystal is held without direct contact with the bezel. The invention also relates to a crystal-bezel assembly unit for a timepiece comprising junction zones that form the only mechanical link for transmission of vibrations from the bezel to the crystal to cause the crystal to resonate under the action of the vibrations, and outside said junction zones the crystal has no direct contact with the bezel. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Mieville, Jérôme Favre, Sylvain Marechal, Simon Lauper
  • Patent number: 8406817
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, an input device carried by the portable housing, a display carried by the portable housing, and a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the wireless transceiver, the input device, and the display. The processor may perform a time alarm function having a time alarm value settable via the input device, and generate an alarm indication upon reaching the time alarm value. The processor also may generate a first time alarm function GUI on the display including a first selectable menu list for the time alarm function, and generate a second time alarm function GUI including a second selectable menu list on the display different from the first selectable menu list when a current time is within a threshold time of the time alarm value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Ltd
    Inventors: Adrian Michael Logan, Rohit Rocky Jain, Steve Kin Ping Chung
  • Patent number: 8406088
    Abstract: The invention concerns a torque measuring device (10) for stopping the strike of a striking mechanism. The torque measuring device (10) includes a torque measuring lever (1), whose trajectory interferes with that of a strike wheel (11) and which is arranged to be pivoted by the strike wheel, and the torque measuring lever (1) is subject to a resistant force of determined value against a drive force exerted by the strike wheel (11) during the rotation thereof, and the torque measuring lever (1) blocks the rotation of the strike wheel if the drive force is less than the resistant force, and if the torque measuring lever does not allow the strike wheel to rotate. The invention also concerns a striking mechanism including a torque measuring device (10) of this type. The invention further concerns a timepiece incorporating a striking mechanism of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Pesenti
  • Patent number: 8358203
    Abstract: A toothbrush alarm consists of an alarm box located in the bedroom. It has an alarm such as a noisemaker, radio, light and/or voice chip saying “please brush your teeth.” In intermittent periods it is controlled ON and OFF by a battery powered alarm clock circuit built into a toothbrush. A wireless transmitter in the toothbrush sends the ON or OFF command to the alarm box. The alarm box will repeatedly remind the child to brush their teeth until it is turned off from the toothbrush. Thus, a child sets his alarm time on his toothbrush in the bathroom and leaves the toothbrush there. At wakeup time (or brushing time) the child must go to the bathroom, pick up the toothbrush, turn off the alarm, and (hopefully) brush his/her teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Shannon M. Perry
  • Patent number: 8289817
    Abstract: A touch lock guarantees reliable alarm activation comprises: a) an upright front display screen; b) a keypad, haying three separated groups of keys: a choice of alarm-time set function keys; a ten numeric key group positioned centrally on the keypad; and a AM-PM/Set function key. The clock can be fully operated by a single finger, using a maximum of six touches, providing assurance of entry of each touch, without the need to hold or grasp the clock, and without the need for a user to reorient himself from a position facing the clock, or to reorient the clock from its operable, optimally viewed orientation. After a user has easily and quickly set an alarm time by utilizing each of the three groups of keys, he then can at any time review his entries with a glance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Eugene R. Bath
  • Publication number: 20120250470
    Abstract: An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature having an alarm clock function that advantageously provides an indication to a user that the alarm is set, i.e., is in an ON condition, by outputting the alarm time itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Sherryl Lee Lorraine Scott, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen, Michael Stephen Brown, Raymond Paul Vander Veen
  • Publication number: 20120230162
    Abstract: Timepiece (1000) including a main strike control mechanism (10) for releasing strikes at programmed times or on demand, and a mechanism (1) for releasing, at a particular time, a secondary strike control mechanism (400) including a coupling mechanism (600) allowing the exclusive operation, at a given time, of one or the other. The timepiece includes a means (500) of selecting the secondary strike or main strike mode, by winding, in the secondary strike mode, the coupling mechanism (600) to uncouple the main striking mechanism and to couple the secondary striking mechanism. In the main striking mechanism mode, the coupling mechanism (600) uncouples the secondary striking mechanism using the main striking mechanism, either not to play the secondary strike, or to play the secondary strike by a mechanism other than the main striking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric GOELLER
  • Publication number: 20120230161
    Abstract: Timing wheel set (130) for a timepiece mechanism, for limiting the duration of operation of a function after the start thereof, arranged to cooperate with a release element, the start of motion of which initiates the release of said function, and further arranged to cooperate with a means (600) of coupling said function. It includes a timing hook (141) arranged to be operated by said coupling means (600) in order to be placed in cooperation with a ratchet (133) or to be released from said ratchet (133), said ratchet (133) being pivotally mounted on an arbour coaxially to a timing wheel (132) towards which it is pivoted back by return means (135), said timing wheel (132) being arranged to cooperate, directly or indirectly, with said release element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric GOELLER
  • Patent number: 8218403
    Abstract: An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature having an alarm clock function that advantageously provides an indication to a user that the alarm is set, i.e., is in an ON condition, by outputting the alarm time itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Sherryl Lee Lorraine Scott, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen, Michael Stephen Brown, Raymond Paul Vander Veen
  • Patent number: 8138939
    Abstract: A display for use on medical dispensing equipment, and the resulting medical device and its method of display. In particular, provided are a number of specific embodiments of such a display on a medical device, including a film display for use on pill bottles and pill dispensers that utilize colored images as a dosage reminder for the user, a conformable bistable reflective display for use on drug delivery devices, and a conformable bistable reflective display for use on blood glucose meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Manning Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: William Manning, Sarah Kwon, Albert Green, Joel Domino, Asad Khan, J. William Doane
  • Patent number: 8139444
    Abstract: A routine clock for visually and audibly identifying time periods and events is disclosed. The routine clock may have indicators placed on the routine clock that may be variable in size corresponding to variable time periods. Within the time periods, unique events may be identified and when the time for a specific event has been reached, an audio announcement or visual indication or both may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Guido Schnabel
  • Patent number: 8130597
    Abstract: The gong for the striking work or alarm of a watch is configured to produce a sound within the audible frequency range when it is struck by at least one hammer. This gong is made of a material, wherein the square root of the ratio between the elasticity module of the material divided by the volumic mass of the selected material is less than 3300 m/s, so as to allow the gong to produce a rich sound, comprising a large number of partials, within the audible frequency range. The selected material may be, for example, gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jérome Favre, Nakis Karapatis
  • Patent number: 8059493
    Abstract: An alarm system and method for an electronic device that includes an alarm unit and a setting unit. The alarm system provides alarm management for the electronic device to prevent users from oversleeping. The setting unit is operable to set an alarm mode and an alarm time of the electronic device. The alarm mode includes a normal mode and a non-normal mode. If the electronic device is in the non-normal mode, the alarm unit is activated to ring for a default period at the alarm time and a stop option is disabled, where the stop option is operable to stop the alarm unit from ringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Li
  • Patent number: 8054174
    Abstract: A referee's wireless horn indicator system having sensory alerts for aiding a referee in accurately officiating a sports event. The system includes a controller and a sensory receiver. The controller includes an official time clock for the sports event, a control circuit coupled to the official time clock, and a radio transmitter activated by a control circuit for sending a radio signal including time information to the sensory receiver. The sensory receiver is worn by the referee, for instance, on the wrist and includes a radio receiver and a sensory alerting device, such as a piezoelectronic speaker and a vibrator, where such sensory receiver is battery powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy S. Uehran
  • Patent number: 8050149
    Abstract: The gong for the striking work or alarm of a watch is configured to produce a sound within the audible frequency range when it is struck by at least one hammer. This gong is made of a material, wherein the square root of the ratio of the elasticity module of the material divided by the volumic mass of the selected material is less than 3300 m/s, so as to allow the gong to produce a rich sound, comprising a large number of partials, within the audible frequency range. The selected material may be, for example, a material having an amorphous structure, such as a metallic glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Nakis Karapatis, Jérôme Favre
  • Patent number: 8036067
    Abstract: An alarm clock includes a processor and a plurality of stored audio message files in data communication with the processor. The processor is in data communication with an audio source, a speaker, a display, a user input, and a clock. The alarm clock includes a case containing these components. The processor includes programming to actuate the display to visually present time data from the clock, actuate the speaker to audibly present a first audio message file at a first alarm time, actuate the speaker to audibly present audio from the audio source after the speaker audibly presents the first audio message file, and actuate the speaker to audibly present a second audio message file at a second alarm time, actuate the speaker to audibly present audio from the audio source after the speaker audibly presents the second audio message file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: James Prescott Stuart
  • Patent number: 8036068
    Abstract: A user can select an alarm sound source from a list including, e.g., radio and Internet, and at the user-defined alarm time, audio received from the source is automatically displayed on a speaker to awaken the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Rui Yamagami
  • Patent number: 8031560
    Abstract: The open eyes alarm clock consists of a sleeping mask that wraps around an end user's head, which includes speakers located in the general vicinity of an end user's ears as well as light emitting means affixed along interior surfaces covering the eyes. The open eyes alarm clock is designed to emit an audio and/or visual alarm in order to awake persons that have either a hearing impairment or that are deep sleepers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth Washington
  • Publication number: 20110228648
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for assembly of a crystal and a bezel for use of said crystal as vibrating and radiating element, according to which unconnected junction zones are determined and formed that together form the only mechanical link for the transmission of vibrations of said bezel to said crystal, on which zones said crystal is secured on said bezel in order to transmit to said crystal any vibration communicated to said bezel, and outside these zones said crystal is held without direct contact with said bezel. The invention also relates to a crystal-bezel assembly unit (1) for a timepiece comprising junction zones (4) that together form the only mechanical link for the transmission of vibrations from said bezel (3) to said crystal (2) to cause said crystal (2) to resonate under the action of the vibrations, and outside said junction zones (4) said crystal (2) has no direct contact with said bezel (3). The invention also relates to a timepiece (100) comprising such a unit (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Mieville, Jérôme Favre, Sylvain Marechal, Simon Lauper
  • Publication number: 20110228647
    Abstract: The striking watch (1) includes a watch case, which is formed of a middle part (4) and a back cover (5) removably secured to the middle part, and a crystal (2) that closes the case in a sealed manner. A watch movement (20) is held inside the watch case on a plate (14). The watch movement is provided with a striking mechanism able to be actuated at determined times to produce a sound. At least one acoustic membrane (10) is arranged between the back cover (5) which includes at least one lateral aperture (6) and the plate (14) of the watch movement. This acoustic membrane is made of amorphous metal or metallic glass to radiate the sound produced by the striking mechanism towards the exterior of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SA
    Inventors: Nakis KARAPATIS, Jérôme FAVRE, Lucien GERMOND
  • Publication number: 20110216633
    Abstract: The invention concerns a torque measuring device (10) for stopping the strike of a striking mechanism. It is characterized in that it includes a torque measuring lever (1), whose trajectory interferes with that of a strike wheel (11) and which is arranged to be pivoted by said strike wheel, said torque measuring lever (1) being subject to a resistant force of determined value against a drive force exerted by said strike wheel (11) during the rotation thereof, and blocking the rotation of said strike wheel if said drive force is less than said resistant force, and if not allowing said strike wheel to rotate. The invention concerns a striking mechanism including a torque measuring device (10) of this type. The invention concerns a timepiece incorporating a striking mechanism of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Pesenti
  • Publication number: 20110194381
    Abstract: A routine clock for visually and audibly identifying time periods and events is disclosed. The routine clock may have indicators placed on the routine clock that may be variable in size corresponding to variable time periods. Within the time periods, unique events may be identified and when the time for a specific event has been reached, an audio announcement or visual indication or both may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Guido Schnabel
  • Patent number: 7993055
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for assisting a person in the correct administration of medicine and methods for beneficially using such a device. The apparatus comprises an electronic timing mechanism which executes a dosing schedule, the dosing schedule being comprised of at least one dosing time interval. One or more annunciators are activated at the end of at least one dosing interval thereby alerting a person that it is time to take a dose of medicine. Included are attachment means, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, for attachment to a medicine container. Construction is with materials and structures that confer to the device the flexibility required to physically conform to curved objects such as typically encountered in prescribed medications. Alerts from the device may be visible, audible, vibratory, or any combination thereof. No human readable time is displayed. At least one switch is provided for human interaction with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Lloyd Cleveland Nurse, Darien Okinza Nurse
  • Patent number: 7986221
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus system and a control method of an information processing apparatus are provided. The information processing apparatus includes a network unit which receives user recognition information having time data from an external device; and a processor which outputs a user recognition signal corresponding to the time data if a current time reaches a time corresponding to the time data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eun-seop Cho
  • Patent number: 7982587
    Abstract: Alarms are often required on various vehicles and equipment such as fork lifts, dump trucks, bulldozers, etc. An alarm is disclosed controlled by a microprocessor, which is an integral part of the basic circuit. The microprocessor is relied upon for adjusting alarm output based on source voltage, time of day, ambient noise, ambient frequencies, and ambient temperature. Additional features include sensing the alarm's own output to adjust alarm output in a feedback control loop, alarm self diagnosis using a current sensor, and using the microprocessor to operate a digital radio, such as Bluetooth, for intelligent alarm communication into a monitoring system for vehicle alarm status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Longwood Corporation
    Inventors: Albert S. Thanhauser, Russell W. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 7924656
    Abstract: An information communication terminal with a report function for use in the alarm includes the report function for awakening. However, since an operation required to stop the report function is performed in an operation unit, there is a risk that the user who is not in wakefulness makes an operation error. Using the information communication terminal including a sensor capable of detecting that the information communication terminal is shaken, a notification operation at a set time in the report function is controlled. Also, a control unit of the information communication terminal performs various kinds of control for the notification operation by partitioning vibration information detected by this sensor according to various patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiko Yoshino