Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Combined with disparate device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-01
2001-05-22
Miska, Vit (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Combined with disparate device
C368S072000, C368S079000, C368S256000, C362S253000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236622
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lamp having soothing audio sounds selected from natural environments being integrated with a conventional alarm clock-radio. More particularly, the lamp provides a plurality of soothing sounds selected from nature or natural environments which the user can choose from, such that the soothing sound gradually increases or decreases in volume over a preset period of time. Additionally, the lamp also simulates a natural sunrise or sunset, where the light source slowly increases or decreases its illumination over a preset period of time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The human body is very sensitive and responsive to external environmental conditions of surrounding sounds, light, temperature and room smell (odors) during the process of waking up or falling asleep in one's home. Various products have been developed to provide stress free and relaxing methods of waking up and falling asleep by using soft music, gentle sounds and changing the brightness of a light source.
There are several companies today that provide devices that produce soothing background sounds, where the user can choose between sounds selections, and also vary the listening level.
Additionally, some of these devices also allow the user to program these sounds to wake them up at a certain time and also gradually fade the sounds out over a certain period of time.
Additionally, there are also manufacturers that are offering lighting fixtures that will simulate a sunrise to wake up the user using the light intensity that starts at low brightness and gradually increases light intensity until it reaches full brightness. The fixture will also decrease in brightness.
There is no single product that provides a natural environment lamp having sunrise and sunset features, sound features and alarm and fade features, as shown in the present invention. There remains a need for a lamp having a plurality of soothing audio sounds selected from nature or natural environments, such as the ocean surf, the wind blowing chimes, or birds singing, being integrated with a standard alarm clock or a standard alarm clock-radio. The lamp would also include the plurality of soothing sounds which will gradually increase or decrease in volume over a period of time. Additionally, the lamp simulates a natural sunrise or sunset, where the light source will slowly increase or decrease its illumination over a preset period of time. The lamp also provides a standard beeping alarm and clock-radio, allowing the user to choose any combination of soothing sound, increasing or decreasing light and/or beeping alarm in order to assist the user in waking up or falling asleep.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Alarm clock/radio devices, alarm systems in conjunction with lighting sources (lamps), timing control devices, and the like having various designs, structure, configurations and functions have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,889 to CHADWICK discloses a light and alarm system, for operation with a timer mechanism, whereby a lamp will increase in brilliance with the passage of time until full illumination is reached to simulate a natural sunrise. A clock dial is aligned with a programmer cylinder, and light from a bulb passes through a notch to contact a light sensitive resistor, thereby activating a circuit, which sends a signal to an exterior bulb. As the amount of light passing through the slot or notch increases, the electrical signal to the bulb becomes stronger. The bulb thus gradually increases in illumination thereby simulating a natural sunrise.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,568 to BURCH discloses a clock/radio, which contains an electronic circuit, that works in conjunction with the time-setting mechanism and the audio system of the clock/radio. This device is designed to awaken a sleeping person in a natural, gradual, and pleasant manner. The circuitry causes the lamp to come on at low intensity before the actual time that the sleeper wants to awaken. The light intensity increases gradually and this light is sensed by a light sensor which is embedded in the case of the clock/radio and is connected to the sound system. The light sensor then causes the sound of the radio to be activated and to increase gradually in volume. This combination of gradually increasing light plus gradually increasing sound volume will awaken a sleeper gently. This avoids the problem of sudden shocks of light or sound to one who is sleeping.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,865 to SHAFFER is also directed to a light source with gradually changing intensity which is driven by a time-setting mechanism in a clock/radio. The user can manually select the time interval over which the light intensity increases, but it will usually be in the range of 30 minutes to an hour.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,672 to LOISCH et al discloses a timing control apparatus for actuating one or more remote devices, including a lamp. The timer is separate from the remote devices, which can include a radio. A plurality of clock pulses gradually increasing over time causes an electrical current to increase, thereby gradually increasing light, sound, or even smell from the remote devices. This in turn gently awakens the user.
None of the prior art patents disclose or teach a lamp that provides the use of preselected soothing sounds to gradually awaken the user while sleeping, in combination with a light source which simulates a natural sunrise, where the lamp will slowly increase illumination over a preset period of time. Additionally, none of the prior art patents disclose or teach a lamp integrated with a conventional alarm and/or clock-radio which has preselected soothing sounds selected from nature so the user can choose any combination of soothing sound, increasing or decreasing light, beeping alarm and/or radio music in order to assist the user in waking up or falling asleep.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a table lamp having soothing audio sounds selected from natural environments, and increasing and decreasing lighting to simulate sunset and sunrise, being integrated with a conventional alarm clock-radio.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a table lamp having a plurality of preselected soothing audio sounds from natural environments selected from the group consisting of the ocean surf breaking on the beach, water falls, a babbling brook, trees rustling in the wind, rain drops splattering on a surface, the wind blowing chimes, church bells, birds singing, wolves howling, crickets chirping, rhythmic chanting, heart beats and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a table lamp that simulates a natural sunrise or sunset, where the light source slowly increases or decreases its illumination over a preset period of time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a table lamp that combines the sunrise and sunset lighting features with the sound rising and sound setting audio features, along with other special alarm and fade features in giving the user a stress free method of waking up and falling asleep with the use of gently changing light and sound.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a table lamp that has reduced glare for better reading; and an easy-to-use control panel having a built-in digital clock display that provides the time of day and also allows the user to precisely set the alarm features.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reduced glare table lamp having the capability of emitting different background sounds that also includes a standard beeping alarm and clock-radio which allows the user to choose any combination of soothing sound, increasing or decreasing light, beeping alarm, or radio music in order to assist in waking up the user or helping the user fall asleep.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a table lamp having an alarm clock-radio with gradually increasing light and/or sounds that can be mass produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by
Miska Vit
St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC
Verilux, Inc.
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