A personal alarm clock is designed to fit within or behind the ear for alerting the user to a preset time without disturbing others in close proximity.

An ornamental display apparatus suited for the Christmas season having a concealable figurine that is movable from a concealed position to a display position. While the figurine is in the display position, seasonal music is broadcasted. The ornamental display apparatus generally comprises a base, a botanical model, a housing, a figurine, a motorized drive assembly and a music broadcasting means. The botanical model is disposed on the base, and the housing is enclosed within the botanical model. The botanical model is movable between an open and closed position. The figurine resides atop the base and is movable between a concealed position within the housing and an exposed position external to the botanical model. The motorized drive assembly moves the figurine between the concealed and exposed position, as well as the botanical model between the open and closed position. Since the ornamental display apparatus is designed especially to be exhibited during the Christmas season, the preferred embodiment would include a Santa Claus replica for the figurine, a Christmas tree for the botanical model and the broadcast of Christmas music.

An electronic timekeeping and broadcasting device for use near a user's ear while resting includes a cover portion with a speaker inside the cover, a digital voice synthesizer connected to the speaker, and an electronic clock connected to the synthesizer, and a switch connected to the synthesizer, and includes a power supply. Upon turning on the switch and activating the synthesizer, the time is broadcast from the speaker. The device enables a resting user to learn the time with the least possible effort, not even having to move his or her head or open his or her eyes.

A voice recognition interface apparatus and method for interacting with a programmable timekeeping device is disclosed. The voice recognition interface includes a display for displaying time, alarm, calendar, and other information, and also includes a microphone and a speaker for facilitating verbal communication between a user and the programmable timekeeping device. A number of illuminatable annunciators are provided on the display for visually communicating prompts to the user. Programming, querying, and other interactive operations are facilitated through use of the voice recognition interface generally by producing a visual prompt to invoke a particular verbal input from the user, receiving the verbal input by use of the microphone, validating the verbal input against a pre-established recognition word library, verbally confirming the verbal input by broadcasting over a speaker pre-synthesized words and phrases retrieved from a message word library, and displaying or otherwise broadcasting information associated with the particular programming, querying, or other interactive operation. The voice recognition interface includes a logic controller that controls and cooperates with a memory, a voice recognition device, a display, and a clock circuit to provide an intuitive voice-driven programming and querying interface for interacting with a programmable timekeeping device. Manually actuatable control switches are also provided for enhancing programming and querying operations. Advanced features include a personal message recording and playback capability, multiple programmable alarms for activating personalized alarm messages, and user-modifiable verbal prompts for personalizing the voice recognition interface dialogue.