Alarm Type Patents (Class 368/72)
  • Patent number: 10799785
    Abstract: An electronic whistle system pertains to an electronically activated handheld whistle with a transmitter and receiver modules, for use at various sports games, is disclosed. The transmitter module is configured to send a serialized pulse signal to the receiver module for regulating the start and stop of the game clock. The transmitter module comprises an optical sensor on the opposite side of a vane, which occludes an optical sensor beam when the whistle is blown. A microcontroller sends a serialized pulse signal from the transmitter module to the receiver module. The receiver module intercepts the received signal on the detection of correct serial number, the receiver module will send a STOP pulse to the game clock via a cable. The electronic whistle system is designed to dramatically reduce the errors in the timing aspect of various games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Earle Eugene Baillie
  • Patent number: 10514660
    Abstract: Timepiece movement with a carillon striking mechanism, striking the hours and quarter-hours with different melodies, the striking mechanism including a quarter surprise-piece coaxial to and superposed on the quarter-snail, in a limited angular travel with respect to the quarter-snail, arranged to ensure the sequential playing of the melodies of the four quarter-hours on the full hour, in the first minute of the new hour, and further including, in the plane of the quarter surprise-piece, a quarter surprise-piece jumper, arranged to drive and/or to lock this quarter surprise-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Blancpain SA
    Inventors: Julien Behra, Mehdi Denden, Julien Peter
  • Patent number: 9055164
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile terminal device capable of performing, when a user moves the mobile terminal device as if the user operated an hourglass, a screen display and a time measurement accordingly. The mobile phone device 10 comprises a display unit 13, an inclination sensor 20, an hourglass function control unit 31 for measuring a set time and displaying the image of the hourglass on the display unit 13, and an inclination deciding unit 32 for controlling the time measured by the hourglass function control unit 31, on the basis of measured data from the inclination sensor 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Limited (Hong Kong)
    Inventor: Motoyoshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9049277
    Abstract: Provided is an event notification device capable of notifying an event with excellent immediacy without giving a shock or a sense of discomfort to a user. The event notification device 10 of the present invention includes: a notification event detection unit 11 that detects an event to be notified to a user and outputs notification data a; a stimulus control unit 12 that outputs stimulus presentation data b for providing control for presenting a stimulus to the user until the stimulus control unit receives the notification data a, and outputs stimulus removal data c for providing control for removing the presented stimulus after the stimulus control unit receives the notification data a; a stimulus presentation unit 13 that presents the stimulus upon receipt of the stimulus presentation data b and removes the presented stimulus upon receipt of the stimulus removal data c; and a transmission unit 14 that transmits presentation and removal of the stimulus to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shin Norieda
  • Patent number: 8963894
    Abstract: An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature that includes an improved alarm clock function and a BEDTIME mode that is initiated by execution of a BEDTIME mode routine. The alarm clock function enables an alarm to be edited very easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Gerhard Dietrich Klassen, Kalu Onuka Kalu
  • 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: 8873347
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a movement, a main striking mechanism, a secondary strike release mechanism, and a mode selecting mechanism. The main striking mechanism is controlled by a main strike control mechanism, arranged to release strikes, at times programmed by the movement, or on demand, and a sequence of each strike is determined by information gathered by feeler spindles on snails or time references driven by the movement. A coupling mechanism of the secondary strike release mechanism actuates a control rod linkage of an isolating mechanism arranged to isolate various different release mechanisms for different strikes using the main striking mechanism to play strikes. The isolating mechanism includes at least a first isolator which, in a first winding position, takes a stop position preventing the spindles from gathering information from the snails, and, in a second let down position, allows the spindles to pass to come into contact with the snails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Publication number: 20130329530
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes disclosure of a timepiece, comprising a main mechanism operable to indicate time, the main mechanism positioned upon or within a face of the timepiece, a first counter comprising a first operation mechanism, the first counter appearing upon or within the face, a second counter comprising a second operation mechanism, the second counter appearing upon or within the face, and a third counter comprising a third operation mechanism, the third counter appearing upon or within the face, wherein when the timepiece is in operation, the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and the third operation mechanism each have an operation status differing from one another, and wherein when the timepiece is in operation, the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and the third operation mechanism maintain a continuous time loop prior to resetting one or more of the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and/or the third operation mechan
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Stefan Johansson
  • Patent number: 8536987
    Abstract: A patient-portable medication event monitor is disclosed which is capable of detecting the dispensing of doses of a particular medication from the monitor, comparing the dispensing detected with information concerning the desired dosing regimen for the certain medication and displaying graphically to the patient at least one feedback indication of the patient's degree of compliance or deviation with the desired regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Metry, Pierre-Alain Gaillard, John Urquhart, Bernard Vrijens
  • Publication number: 20130135973
    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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS 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: 8374057
    Abstract: The escapement racks for the hour (11), for the quarter-hour (10) and for the minutes (9) on the minute-repeater are mounted such that the same pivot about a common axis (14), with the escapement racks for the hour and the quarter-hour on one side, and the racks for the quarter-hour and for the minutes on the other side connected by a unidirectional drive connection having a ratchet (15, 17), a toothed pawl (10a, 9a) engaging with the ratchet, a banking pin (10b, 9b) and a cam (16b, 18b) to enable selective engagement of the ratchet with the pawl teeth. The end of the motor spring is kinetically secured to the two separate sets of activating pawl teeth (13a, 13b) for the first chime lift (21), with the first set of teeth (13a) for the hour chime, and the second set of teeth (13b) for chiming quarter-hours and minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Journe S.A.
    Inventor: Francois-Paul Journe
  • 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: 20120230156
    Abstract: Isolating mechanism (800) for a timepiece (1000) including, on the one hand, a timepiece movement (200) and on the other hand, at least one striking mechanism including feeler spindles for gathering time information from time references driven by said timepiece movement (200). The mechanism includes at least a first isolator (142), arranged to cooperate with a control mechanism comprised in said timepiece (1000), in order, in a first winding position, to take a stop position preventing said time gathering feeler spindles from searching for time information on said time references, and, in a second let down position, to allow said feeler spindles to pass and come into contact with said time references.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric GOELLER
  • Patent number: 8149096
    Abstract: A patient-portable medication event monitor is disclosed which is capable of detecting the dispensing of doses of a particular medication from the monitor, comparing the dispensing detected with information concerning the desired dosing regimen for the certain medication and displaying graphically to the patient at least one feedback indication of the patient's degree of compliance or deviation with the desired regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aardex Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Metry, Pierre-Alain Gaillard, John Urquhart, Bernard Vrijens
  • Patent number: 8023361
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to set up an alarm method which is rich in variation, a mobile phone is configured so that a plurality of alarm times are related to the same group, the group to which a plurality of alarm times are related is set to activation or cancellation, and when there comes any one of a plurality of alarm times which are related to the group being set to activation, an alarm is raised. Since setting to raise an alarm at a plurality of alarm times, or cancellation of the setting can be made, an alarm method rich in variation can be configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Mineto Kokuryu
  • Publication number: 20110032803
    Abstract: The escapement racks for the hour (11), for the quarter-hour (10) and for the minutes (9) on the minute-repeater are mounted such that the same pivot about a common axis (14), with the escapement racks for the hour and the quarter-hour on one side, and the racks for the quarter-hour and for the minutes on the other side connected by a unidirectional drive connection having a ratchet (15, 17), a toothed pawl (10a, 9a) engaging with the ratchet, a banking pin (10b, 9b) and a cam (16b, 18b) to enable selective engagement of the ratchet with the pawl teeth. The end of the motor spring is kinetically secured to the two separate sets of activating pawl teeth (13a, 13b) for the first chime lift (21), with the first set of teeth (13a) for the hour chime, and the second set of teeth (13b) for chiming quarter-hours and minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: MONTRES JOURNE S.A.
    Inventor: Francois-Paul Journe
  • Patent number: 7881161
    Abstract: A timepiece equipped with an alarm mechanism having a striking device and a minute repeater mechanism provided with a striking device. The two striking devices share at least one gong and one hammer. A power source can be locked when the mechanism is at rest and unlocked when the mechanism is in operation. An adjustment system can be used to program the alarm time. A trigger system includes a control member which controls the unlocking of the power source and a cam which is kinematically connected to the movement and performs one revolution every 24 hours. A first striking mechanism is equipped with at least one hammer arranged to strike at least one gong, and a supplemental striking mechanism is equipped with at least one hammer arranged to strike at least one non-resonant object, wherein the power source drives one or the other of these striking mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
    Inventors: Yves Corthesy, Jean-Pierre Charpier
  • Patent number: 7742362
    Abstract: A timepiece with an alarm mechanism having: a power source (24) which is locked when the mechanism is at rest and unlocked when the mechanism is in operation; an adjustment system which can be used to program the alarm time; and a trigger system that includes a control member (16) which controls the unlocking of the power source and a cam (10) which is kinematically connected to the movement and performs one revolution every 24 hours. The alarm mechanism also has a first striking train mechanism equipped with at least one hammer (54) arranged to strike at least one gong (56), and a second striking train mechanism equipped with at least one hammer (70) arranged to strike at least one non-resonant object (72), wherein the power source (24) drives one or the other of the striking train mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
    Inventors: Yves Corthesy, Jean-Pierre Charpier
  • Patent number: 7722212
    Abstract: A nightlight provides therapeutic effects on the body and mind including promoting relaxation, sleep and wakefulness. The nightlight includes a light source, a central processor, one or more controls, and a power supply. The light source produces at least three illumination modes including a sleep readiness mode, a sleep help mode and a wake-up mode. The sleep readiness mode produces monochromatic light of various selectable colors at about 40 lumens which may undulate in luminosity. Meanwhile, the wake-up mode produces substantially full spectrum light at higher luminosity. The controls allow a person to control the various light modes including selecting colors, time periods for activation, and transitions between colors during the sleep help mode. Moreover, the nightlight may include biological sensors for measuring physiological activity of the body. The nightlight may be incorporated into a bedside alarm clock which includes numerous features found in a traditional alarm clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert L. Searfoss
  • Patent number: 7715281
    Abstract: The alarm watch includes a mechanical movement, which drives a time display mechanism including at least a first hour hand (17) and a first minute hand (13) mounted above a first dial. The alarm watch also includes an alarm mechanism able to release an alarm at a predetermined alarm time, manually determined every twenty-four hours, and a mechanism for displaying the predetermined alarm time. The alarm time display mechanism includes at least a second hour hand (33) provided for displaying the alarm time in twelve hours, and an indicator (52) with two positions provided for specifying whether the alarm time is situated between midnight and midday (AM) or situated between midday and midnight (PM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Publication number: 20100085840
    Abstract: An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature that includes a BEDTIME mode that is initiated by execution of a BEDTIME mode routine. The BEDTIME mode comprises a number of features that are conducive to sleep by performing operations that minimize distractions to a user, and all such operations are initiated by execution of the BEDTIME mode routine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Mihal Lazaridis, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen, Neil Patrick Adams
  • Publication number: 20100002546
    Abstract: In a timepiece with a striking mechanism, for example a minute repeater watch, in order to prevent the control stem (9) inadvertently setting the time during operation of the striking work and causing damage, an uncoupling device is inserted in the time-setting train (17), and is controlled via a mobile part of the striking mechanism. The uncoupling device includes an intermediate motion wheel (19) that can be moved, for example axially, from a rest position in which it is meshed with the castle wheel (16). Said mobile part of the striking mechanism is preferably the strike barrel arbour (46), carrying a rotating cam (56) with a spiral profile. At the start of actuation of the striking mechanism, the cam pushes a lifting lever (60), which raises a strip (25) controlling the vertical movement of the intermediate motion wheel (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: BLANCPAIN S.A.
    Inventors: Marco Rochat, Edmond Capt, Cédric Reymond
  • Publication number: 20090279392
    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: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Sherryl Lee Lorraine Scott, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen, Michael Stephen Brown, Raymond Paul Vander Veen
  • Patent number: 7613077
    Abstract: An alarm control mechanism, which is of reduced size widthways and can trigger the striking mechanism with precision. The mechanism includes a group of coaxial wheels (1) including: an hour cam (3), which makes one revolution in 24 hours; a trigger wheel (4) provided with a pinion (6) and an external circular toothing (5), which cooperates with a striking mechanism trigger (30); a programming wheel (7) carrying a cam follower lever (8) and angularly positioned by means (25) for setting the alarm time; a retaining disc, which is called a surprise-piece (11) and is provided with a return spring (12); and a minute cam (14) that makes one revolution per hour. The lever (8) includes a pin (40), which can press against the cams (3, 14) and the surprise-piece (11), and a rack engaged on the pinion (6), such that a radial movement of the lever (8) pivots the trigger wheel (4) in relation to the programming wheel (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Patent number: 7522031
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling an alarm using motion recognition in a portable terminal. In the method, motion input of the portable terminal is sensed in an alarm mode. It is checked whether the motion is a predetermined motion in a motion database. If the motion is the predetermined motion, a re-alarm time corresponding to the motion is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Seok-Hun Lim
  • Patent number: 7420885
    Abstract: A watch with a clockwork comprising a ringer whose actuation is controlled from outside the watch by means of a control unit, a dial plate comprising an opening, a shutter (10) movable between a first position covering the opening and a second position leaving the opening free. The control unit (12) is arranged in such a way that it enables the shutter to be moved from the first position to the second position when the ringer is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Christophe Claret S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Claret, Jan Dubois, Alain Schiesser, Fawaz Gruosi
  • Publication number: 20080129654
    Abstract: A multi-signal desktop digital displayer that can selectively display digital signals created from digital utilities such as a clock, timer, alarm, or thermometer by rotating a large artistically designed disc. The multi-signal displayer has a housing to encase electric circuitry, a disc rotatably mounted on the front face of the housing and a display screen. The disc is configured to selectively activate different digital utilities one by one as it rotates by a preset degrees of an angle to display the digital signal generated therefrom one by one. In the preferred embodiment, the displayer is also configured to reverse the shades of display, for each digital signal, as the disk rotates, that is, from bright background to dark background and from dark image to bright image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Dilip Bhavnani
  • Publication number: 20080130423
    Abstract: A watch with a clockwork comprising a ringer whose actuation is controlled from outside the watch by means of a control unit, a dial plate comprising an opening, a shutter (10) movable between a first position covering the opening and a second position leaving the opening free. The control unit (12) is arranged in such a way that it enables the shutter to be moved from the first position to the second position when the ringer is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Christophe Claret, Jan Dubois, Alain Schiesser, Fawaz Gruosi
  • Publication number: 20080112272
    Abstract: The alarm watch includes a mechanical movement which drives time display means including at least a first hour hand (17) and a first minute hand (13) mounted above a first dial. The alarm watch also includes an alarm mechanism able to release an alarm at a predetermined alarm time, manually determined every twenty-four hours, and means for displaying the predetermined alarm time. The alarm time display means include at least a second hour hand (33) provided for displaying the alarm time in twelve hours, and an indicator (52) with two positions provided for specifying whether the alarm time is comprised between midnight and midday (AM) or comprised between midday and midnight (PM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Patent number: 7355928
    Abstract: A mobile wake-up device responds to a snooze-button in an alarm clock. The mobile wakeup device includes a mechanism for making the device mobile, a controller for directing the movement of the device and responding to input, and an alarm off input. When the alarm clock's alarm goes off and an individual activates the snooze button, the mobile wake-up device moves forward, drops from a table to the floor, and moves to a remote location. While moving, the device may use sensors to avoid objects in its path. After the mobile wake-up device has reached the remote location, the alarm signals again. To turn off the alarm, the individual must get out of bed and locate the mobile wake-up device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Gauri Nanda
  • Patent number: 7065005
    Abstract: Timepiece such as a wristwatch fitted with an alarm mechanism including a member able to produce an alarm signal at a predetermined moment, as well as a control device for providing visual information indicating whether the alarm mechanism is switched on or off, and simultaneously locking or releasing the alarm generator member, characterised in that the control device is activated by means of a push-button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Frédéric Piguet S.A.
    Inventor: Marco Rochat
  • Patent number: 7050360
    Abstract: To provide a wrist watch with a vibration function which can more enhance the vibration effect so that even when the user is, for example, sleeping deeply, the vibration function can effectively act on the user. The wrist watch with a vibration function comprises a watch case, a box part formed at an under surface of the watch case, at least one vibration motor received in the box such that a part of the vibration motor projects from the box part, a cover formed of a flexible material and adapted to cover for positioning the vibration motor, a bottom case serving as a lower surface and having a window formed in a part of the bottom case, and a vibration source received in the case and projecting from the window in a loosely fitted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki-Kaisya Tokyo Shinya
    Inventor: Masaru Saito
  • Patent number: 6961286
    Abstract: A combination noise blocking headset and alarm clock, having a pair of padded earpieces for blocking out ambient noise so that a commuter can sleep or read on a subway or train without distractions, and having an alarm clock unit within one of the earpieces for waking up or alerting the user at a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Mary Alagia
  • Patent number: 6934521
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an automatic time-setting system for a portable object having an horological function. The present invention also concerns a portable object having an horological function capable of being automatically set to the right time, such as an electronic timepiece. According to the present invention, the portable object (100) includes means (11) for receiving an acoustic time-setting signal (50) and means (12, 13) for deriving time-setting indications (ho, mo) from this acoustic time-setting signal (50) allowing said time indication of the portable object (100) to be corrected. According to the present invention, the portable object may advantageously be set to the right time via an acoustic time-setting signal (50) transmitted for example by the loud speaker of a personal computer, a television, a radio or a telephone receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventors: Emmanuel Fleury, Fabien Blondeau, David Barras, Pierre-André Meister
  • Patent number: 6934220
    Abstract: A portable programmable medical alert device can be used to program multiple events, each of which will be signaled by an audible and a visual alarm. The user can program and reprogram medication schedules using only the portable alert device. The device, including a battery powered microcontroller, can be programmed by manipulation of two input switches, a push button switch and a two position to prevent inadvertent programming. Each programmed event will be signaled at the same time of day at which the alarm was originally set. When the alarms are transmitted to a user, the alert or reminder can be acknowledged by pressing the push button switch. The user can also activate the device prior to the next scheduled alarm without affecting subsequent alarms or alerts. Outputs can be audible and/or visible outputs, including an LCD. Inputs can be alternatively programmed by computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: ALR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Cruitt, Sidney Chan, Jaroslav V. Tichy
  • Patent number: 6798720
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel design for a projection alarm clock for displaying various values by means of projection, using a projector with one optical unit and one optoelectrical unit for producing the images of the data to be projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Rolf Wilhelm Haupt, Fritz Schäffel
  • Publication number: 20040090870
    Abstract: The mechanism (9) for triggering a striking work, is disposed between a timer (11), which is used to countdown and to display a pre-determined time interval on a dial, and a strike train (14) in order to make said striking work heard when the timer has counted down completely. The mechanism essentially comprises a lever (1) which is fitted with a leaf spring (3) and a locking stone (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Schmiedchen, Mathias Schneider, Patrick Streubel
  • Publication number: 20040090869
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a timepiece including a clockwork movement for measuring the time, and a striking work (22) actuated by a barrel (20) with a motor spring (44) independent of the clockwork movement, this timepiece also including mechanical control means capable of being actuated manually to trigger the striking work (22), characterised in that the barrel (20) is wound by means of a winding bar (34) that ends, at its free end, in a toothed sector or rack (32) and is kinematically connected to a winding push-button (24) on the one hand, and to the motor spring (44) of said striking work (22) on the other hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Christian Schmiedchen
  • Publication number: 20040042348
    Abstract: Timepiece such as a wristwatch fitted with an alarm mechanism including a member able to produce an alarm signal at a predetermined moment, as well as a control device for providing visual information indicating whether the alarm mechanism is switched on or off, and simultaneously locking or releasing the alarm generator member, characterised in that the control device is activated by means of a push-button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Frederic Piguet S.A
    Inventor: Marco Rochat
  • Publication number: 20040003061
    Abstract: A method of alarm scheduling of an alarm clock over a local area network includes the steps of providing an alarm clock having a modem, the modem permitting communication with the alarm clock over a local area network; and receiving by the alarm clock an alarm scheduling information over the network, the alarm scheduling information including an alarm setting for the alarm clock for a particular time and day. A computer readable medium for providing information to a general purpose computer that schedules alarm settings on an alarm clock with a modem over a local area network includes displaying a calendar for an alarm clock with a modem connected to a local area network, providing a calendar interface by which an alarm setting on said alarm clock can be scheduled according to different days on the calendar, and sending over the network alarm information to the alarm clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Louis Robert Litwin, Kumar Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 6639874
    Abstract: A pointer electronic timepiece (1) has a plurality of step motors, a plurality of pointers (11 to 18), and a plurality of external operation members of a winding crown (5) and buttons (6, 7). The pointer to be adjusted is selected from the plurality of pointers (15 to 18) by operating one of the buttons (6) while drawing out the winding crown (5) to a second stage and the other button (7) is operated to adjust the position of the selected pointer. Since the position of the pointers (15 to 18) driven by three step motors can be adjusted by the two buttons (6, 7), the number of the external operation member is not necessary to be increased even when the pointers (15 to 18), i.e. the step motors, are increased, so that the size and thickness of a movement-holder and cost thereof can be reduced and operability during adjustment can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eisaku Shimizu, Akihiko Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6483782
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for automatically playing a recorded message, from a uniquely formatted encrypted CD, correlated to a specific date and a time of day as an option on a CD clock radio or the like. Disclosed are means for distinguishing the unique CD format and thereafter following a prescribed process for decrypting and playing. Otherwise all device functions and options operate in their conventional modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Scott Bowman Steinbach
  • Patent number: 6236622
    Abstract: A lighting fixture having a lamp and alarm clock with a wake-up cycle and sleep cycle with gradually increasing and decreasing light and sounds. The lighting fixture includes at least one lamp for emitting light in the wake-up cycle and in the sleep cycle. The lighting fixture also includes at least one speaker for emitting sound in the wake-up cycle and in the sleep cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Verilux, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen E. Blackman
  • Patent number: 6122227
    Abstract: A timer is made up of a base unit and an operation unit. The base unit is composed of a support body, a disk, and a core located between the support body and the disk. The disk is provided with a retaining ring having an indentation, and a timing scale. The core has a rotary shaft extending toward the disk. The operation unit consists of a lower housing, an upper housing, an action member, and an elastic member. The upper housing has a cylindrical portion provided with a sliding portion and a shaft fastening portion. The shaft fastening portion is provided with an axial hole in which the rotary shaft of the core of the base unit is retained. The upper housing is disposed on the lower housing and provided with a pointer corresponding in location to the scale of the disk of the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Chu-Rong Kuo
  • Patent number: 6034591
    Abstract: The present invention is an alarm clock device which programmably and automatically coordinates the movement of one or more electric toy trains, or the like. The present invention alarm clock preferably triggers the movement of an electric toy train when a pre-set alarm time is reached. The alarm clock device comprises at least one base that defines an elongated substantially non-linear track for regulating the movement of a toy train. The traveling speed of the train is preferably regulated by a voltage varying device, such as a transformer, that is attached to the track and also coupled to a manually adjustable speed controlling member within the alarm clock. The movement of the train is preferably accompanied by applicable audible sounds that correspond therewith. The duration of movement may be programmed manually and may be adjusted in any variety of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex P. Glynn, Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5966346
    Abstract: An alarm clock includes a time indicator, a first alarm for sounding a first alarm at a preset time, a manual rotary bezel provided rotatable relative to the time indicator outside same for setting a time elapsing from the alarm time, and a second alarm for sounding a second alarm when the time set by the rotary bezel has elapsed since the preset time. After the first alarm is sounded at the alarm time, and after the time set by the rotary bezel has elapsed, the second alarm is sounded. The time interval after which the second alarm is sounded is set by a simple operation and two-staged sounding ensures proper awakening of the sleeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 5867452
    Abstract: A watch case for a digital or analog watch assembly. The watch case includes a body, a time display element, an electronic speaker unit for generating musical or other acoustical sounds, and an aperture formed in the body which communicates with the speaker. Significantly, the aperture is sized so that the quality sound (e.g., music and voices) emitted therethrough from said speaker unit is clearer and more understandable than has been available heretofore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: E. Gluck Corp.
    Inventors: Rafael Braun, Hung Fat Lee
  • Patent number: 5757732
    Abstract: An alarm clock comprises a housing seat, an upper body and a side body. The housing seat is provided therein with an alarm clock main body, a gear box, and a circuit member. The upper body is joined with the housing seat such that a pull rod of the upper body is engaged with a retaining hook contained in the gear box. The retaining hook is urged by a cam driven by a motor of the gear box. The side body is fastened pivotally at one end thereof with the upper body and is provided at another end thereof with a retainer urging a positive piece located in the housing seat. After the buzzing effect of the alarm clock is brough about, the retaining hook is actuated by the cam to move away from the pull rod, thereby enabling the retrieving force of a compression spring, which is fitted over the pull rod, to cause the ejection of the upper body and the side body so as to bring about the dynamic effect of the alarm clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Chu-Rong Kuo
  • Patent number: 5708627
    Abstract: An electronic device that stores audio messages entered by the user onto digital chips. Each recorded message is addressed with a chronological code that enables a microprocessor to access the memos according to specific times. When the code used to record the memo matches the current time and day or date, the memo is downloaded into an immediate access file. A proximity detector provides a signal to the microprocessor when a presence is detected, activating playback of the memos in the immediate access file, unless modified by suppression programming. The apparatus may further include a light sensor to activate a given message when ambient lights are turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Stuart G. Gormley
  • Patent number: RE38528
    Abstract: The present invention is an alarm clock device which programmably and automatically coordinates the movement of one or more electric toy trains, or the like. The present invention alarm clock preferably triggers the movement of an electric toy train when a pre-set alarm time is reached. The alarm clock device comprises at least one base that defines an elongated substantially non-linear track for regulating the movement of a toy train. The traveling speed of the train is preferably regulated by a voltage varying device, such as a transformer, that is attached to the track and also coupled to a manually adjustable speed controlling member within the alarm clock. The movement of the train is preferably accompanied by applicable audible sounds that correspond therewith. The duration of movement may be programmed manually and may be adjusted in any variety of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: E. Mishan & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex P. Glynn, Kenneth P. Glynn