Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Combined with disparate device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-20
2004-01-13
Miska, Vit (Department: 2841)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Combined with disparate device
C368S012000, C368S013000, C368S073000, C379S110010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06678215
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to audio devices, and more particularly, to audio devices such as alarm clocks and radios.
Alarm clocks and clock radios are well known. Such devices allow users to set a wake-up time at which an alarm buzzer is triggered or the radio portion of the clock radio begins to play. However, the types of audio signals that are handled by such devices are limited.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved audio devices such as improved radios and improved clock radios.
It is another object of the present invention to provide audio devices that can handle audio signals other than traditional radio broadcasts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present invention by providing audio devices that handle audio signals other than traditional radio broadcasts. The audio devices may, for example, be alarm clocks, clock radios, radios, or the like. Audio signals may be provided to the audio devices over a communications network from a potentially distant location. The audio devices may handle audio such as prerecorded music, news, e-mail that is played using a voice-synthesizer, e-mail with voice attachments or other audio attachments, voice mail from a telephone, Internet radio (i.e., radio that is “broadcast” on the Internet and that may be a rebroadcast of a conventional radio station signal from a potentially distant location), or any other suitable audio content.
The audio may be provided in the form of a downloaded digital file (e.g., files in the MP-
3
format or any other suitable digital audio format). Such downloaded audio may be played when an alarm goes off to wake up the user of a clock. Because alarm clock radios are often used only briefly in the morning, alarm clock devices may only require a few minutes of play time from a downloaded file. If more play time is desired, more memory may be provided in the clock to accommodate larger downloads. Memory devices such as solid-state memory circuits, hard drives (e.g., miniature hard drives), or any other suitable storage arrangement may be used. An alarm clock radio may also automatically switch to an alternative audio source such as a live FM or AM broadcast if the stored audio runs out. If a downloaded file runs out during playback, the audio device may automatically switch to such a real-time audio source.
If desired, audio may also be provided in real time (e.g., from an Internet radio source or the like). Such streaming digital audio is essentially unlimited, and will not run out. Streaming audio that is received in real time may be buffered using local memory to improve its quality.
For clarity and brevity, the invention is often described in the context of a clock radio. However, the principles of the invention also apply to radios without clock radio functions, web appliances, and other such electronic audio devices.
The audio devices may receive digital audio using any suitable communications technology. As one example, a clock radio device may receive digital audio over telephone lines using modem circuitry. A clock radio of this type may include telephone capabilities if desired.
In general, the downloading of audio or the real time streaming of audio to an audio device requires that a communications path be established between the audio device and a desired audio source.
The audio device, the audio source, or other suitable equipment (e.g., a server on the Internet) may initiate the process of establishing the communications link. For example, if the audio device is a radio with a modem, the radio may automatically place a call to the audio source. If an audio file is being downloaded to an alarm clock device, this type of call may be placed early in the morning, well before the alarm is scheduled to go off. If audio is to be provided in real time, the alarm clock may establish the link just before wake-up time. The audio source may initiate the process of establishing the communications link by placing a call to the audio device at an appropriate time. In some arrangements (e.g., when the communications link is an Internet connection that is always on), the communications link may essentially have already been established.
Suitable communications technologies for providing audio to the audio device include technologies based on satellite systems, fiber optics, cable, wireless links, microwave links, free-space optical links, combinations of such technologies, etc. Communications between the audio device and the audio source may be unidirectional (from the audio source to the audio device) or may be bidirectional. Communications may involve digital or analog transitions. Signals may also involve paging or other messaging transmissions, e-mail transmissions, voice mail transmissions, cellular telephone transmissions, wireless Internet transmissions, packet-based transmissions, any other suitable type of data transmissions, or a combination of such transmissions.
The audio device may have appropriate communications hardware and software to support various communications functions. For example, the audio device may have FM and AM receivers, a receiver for a pager or other messaging service, a radio-frequency receiver, a modem, a telephone modem, a cellular modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a cable modem, or any other suitable communications circuitry. The audio device may be connected (wirelessly or with wire) to an in-home network that is connected to the Internet or other communications network by a computer or by a communications device. The choice of which of these arrangements to use may be based on economic and quality issues. For example, using higher bandwidth paths such as DSL paths may provide higher quality signals or faster download times, but may require more expensive hardware than using a lower bandwidth approach based, e.g., on a telephone line modem.
If the audio device is an alarm clock, the device may have a clock (time) set feature and an alarm set feature. The time may be set manually or may be set automatically by the clock. To automatically set the time, the clock may automatically call a predetermined number or otherwise establish a communications path that allows the clock to receive information on the current time. The alarm may be set to a desired wake-up time by the user.
The clock may have a snooze function that allows the user to press a dedicated button to postpone the wake-up alarm by a few minutes.
A band-select switch may be used to select between AM, FM, and Internet audio sources. The switch may be an analog mechanical switch or a digital switch.
E-mail messages may be sent to the audio device. The audio device (e.g., a clock) may have a unique e-mail address or may access the user's regular e-mail account. The audio device may retrieve e-mail by accessing a mail server to which the mail is directed. The mail server may be accessed at any convenient time, such as in the morning, just before an alarm awakens the user.
E-mail may be viewed on a display such as a liquid crystal display that is part of the audio device. If desired, voice synthesis circuitry may be used to vocalize the e-mail messages so that the user may listen to them. If an e-mail message has a voice attachment, the voice attachment may be played for the user. The audio device may have built-in telephone functions. If the telephone is not answered, the audio device may store messages like an answering machine. Voice mail messages may be handled by a server (e.g., a server in the telephone network or a server accessible through the Internet). This server may be accessed by the audio device when it is desired to retrieve and play the user's voice mail. Voice mail may also be stored on a local computer to which the audio device is connected over an in-home network.
Buttons may be provided on the audio device for playing, deleting, skipping, and reviewing messages, and performing any ot
Treyz G. Victor
Treyz Susan M.
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