Alarm clock - Patent Review 5666331

What is claimed is:

1. An alarm clock connectible to electrical A.C. power lines, the alarm clock comprising:

a housing;

display means, mounted in the housing, for displaying time of day and preset alarm time information;

clock means, mounted in the housing, for generating and supplying time of day information to the display means, and for generating an alarm signal when the time of day corresponds to a preset alarm time;

means, mounted on the housing and input to the clock means, for setting time of day and alarm time information and for de-energizing the alarm signal;

a first electrical outlet, mounted in the housing, for supplying electrical power to a first external electrically operated device electrically connectible to the first outlet;

receiver means, mounted in the housing, for receiving and detecting power line carrier signals transmitted on the electrical A.C. power lines to the alarm clock from a to more device in response to the occurrence of an input stimuli detected by the remote device; and

means, responsive to the clock means and the receiver means, for applying electrical power to the first outlet at one alternatingly on and off frequency in response to the generation of the alarm signal and at another distinct on and off sequence in response to the detection of the power line carrier signals by the receiver means.

2. The alarm clock of claim 1 further comprising:

audible sound generator means, mounted in the housing, for generating an audible sound in response to the alarm signal.

3. The alarm clock of claim 2 further comprising:

means for varying the frequency of the audible sound generated by the audible sound generating means.

4. The alarm clock of claim 2 further comprising:

means for varying the volume of the audible sound generated by the audible sound generating means.

5. The alarm clock of claim 1 further comprising:

a second electrical outlet mounted on the housing for supplying electrical power to a second external electrically operated device electrically connectible to the second outlet;

the means for applying electrical power also applying electrical power to the second outlet in response to any of the alarm signal and the power line carrier signals.

6. The alarm clock of claim 5 further comprising:

second switch means, coupled to the means for applying electrical power and to the second outlet, for switching the electrical power applied to the second outlet between a constant supply of power and a varying supply of electrical power at the one frequency of the alarm signal or the distinct on and off sequence of the power line carrier signals.

7. The alarm clock of claim 5 wherein:

the means for applying electrical power to the second outlet applies D.C. electrical power to the second outlet.

8. The alarm clock of claim 5 wherein:

the second electrical device electrically connectible to the second outlet is a vibrator.

9. The alarm clock of claim 5 further comprising:

test means, mounted on the housing and connected to the means for applying electrical power to the first outlet and to the second outlet, for activating the electrical power applying means to apply electric power in an alternating on and off sequence to the first outlet and to the second outlet independently from the alarm signal and the detection of power line carrier signals by the receiver means.

10. The alarm clock of claim 1 further comprising:

means, mounted on the housing, for deactivating the receiver means.

11. The alarm clock of claim 1 wherein the first external electrically operated device connectible to the first outlet is an illuminatable light.

12. The alarm clock of claim 1 further comprising:

test means, mounted on the housing and connected to the means, for applying electrical power to the first outlet, for activating the electrical power applying means to supply electric power to the first outlet independently from the alarm signal and the detection of power line carrier signals by the receiver means.

13. An alarm clock connectible to electrical A.C. power lines, the alarm clock comprising:

a housing;

display means, mounted in the housing, for displaying time of day and preset alarm time information;

clock means, mounted in the housing, for generating and supplying time of day information to the display means, and for generating an alarm signal when the time of day corresponds to a preset alarm time;

means, mounted on the housing and input to the clock means, for setting time of day and alarm time information and for de-energizing the alarm signal;

a first electrical outlet, mounted in the housing, for supplying electrical power to a first external electrically operated device connectible to the first outlet;

a second electrical outlet, mounted on the housing, for supplying electrical power to a second external electrically operated device electrically connectible to the second outlet;

receiver means, mounted in the housing, for receiving and detecting power line carrier signals transmitted on the electrical A.C. power lines connected to the alarm clock, from a remote device in response to the occurrence of an input stimuli detected by the remote device;

means, for applying electrical power to the first and the second outlets at one alternatingly on and off frequency in response to the generation of the alarm signal and at another distinct on and off sequence in response to the detection of the power line carrier signals by the receiver means;

first switch means, connected to the means for applying electrical power, for selectively switching electrical power to at least one of the first and second outlets; and

audible sound generator means, mounted in the housing, for generating an audible sound in response to the alarm signal.

14. The alarm clock of claim 13 further comprising:

means for varying at least one of the frequency and volume of the audible sound generated by the audible sound generating means.

15. The alarm clock of claim 13 further comprising:

test means, mounted on the housing and connected to the audible sound generating means and to the means for applying electrical power to the first outlet and to the second outlet, for activating the electrical power applying means to apply electric power to the first and second outlets independently from the alarm signal and the detection of power line carrier signals by the receiver means and to activate the audible generating means to enable adjustments thereto.

16. An alarm clock connectible connectible to electrical A.C. power lines, the alarm clock comprising:

a housing;

display means, mounted in the housing, for displaying time of day and preset alarm time information;

clock means, mounted in the housing, for generating and supplying time of day information to the display means, and for generating an alarm signal when the time of day corresponds to a preset alarm time;

means, mounted on the housing and input to the clock means, for setting time of day and alarm time information and for de-energizing the alarm signal;

a first electrical output, disposed in the housing, for supplying electrical power to a first electrically operated device electrically connectible to the first output;

receiver means, mounted in the housing, for receiving and detecting power line carrier signals transmitted on the electrical A.C. power lines to the alarm clock from a remote device in response to the occurrence of an output stimuli detected by the remote device; and

means, responsive to the clock means and the receiver means, for applying electrical power to the first output at one alternatingly on and off frequency in response to the generation of the alarm signal and at another distinct on and off sequence in response to the detection of the power line carrier signals by the receiver means.

17. The alarm clock of claim 16 further comprising:

audible sound generator means, mounted in the housing, for generating an audible tone in response to the alarm signal; and

means, mounted on the housing, for manually varying a frequency of the audible sound generated by the audible sound generating means.

18. The alarm clock of claim 17 further comprising:

test means, mounted on the housing and connected to the audible sound generating means, for activating the electrical power applying means to supply electric power to the audible sound generating means independently from the alarm signal to permit adjustment of the frequency of the audible sound generating means.

19. The alarm clock of claim 18 wherein:

the audible sound generating means includes independently manual adjustable means for varying the frequency of the sound generated by the audible sound generating means, and independently manual adjustable means for varying the volume of the sound generated by the audible sound generating means.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to alarm clocks and, more specifically, to alarm clocks for the deaf, hearing impaired or heavy sleepers.

2. Description of the Art

Alarm clocks are widely used to awaken individuals at a user set time. However, deaf people, people having varying degrees of hearing impairment, and even heavy sleepers are not usually able to hear an alarm clock which typically generates an audible sound when the time of day coincides with the preset alarm time.

In order to overcome this problem and to provide alarm clocks which are usable by the deaf, hearing impaired and heavy sleepers, wrist watches and standard alarm clocks have been devised to provide a visual output, such as a flashing light, or a tactile output, such as vibrations, which can be easily detected. Such alarm clocks have also been provided with a remotely useable vibrator which is attachable to the alarm clock and activated when the time of day coincides with the preset alarm time to provide detectible vibrations to a pillow or directly to the person sleeping in a bed.

Other alarm clocks have been devised with variable volume and different preset tones for use by people suffering from only minimal degree of hearing impairment or who have difficulty waking up to conventional alarm tone or buzzer.

Various other hearing impaired devices have also been devised to aid the hearing impaired in detecting the occurrence of certain events, typically events which create an audible sound, such as a doorbell, telephone, baby monitor, smoke detector, etc. U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,238, issued to the Applicant, discloses a visual signaling device in which sound sensors, in response to the occurrence of a nearby sound producing event, such as a doorbell or telephone ring, a sound from a baby or child, or the activation of a smoke detector, generate a unique radio frequency signal which is transmitted to a central receiver. The receiver central is connected to a building or home electrical power line distribution network to transmit coded line carrier signals over the building power lines to remote units which are typically plugged into various outlets in the building or home. The remote units control the supply of electrical power to an electrical device, such as a lamp, plugged into each remote unit. The remote units flash the lamp on and off at a predetermined sequence in accordance with the sound producing event detected by a particular sound sensor. This provides the deaf or hearing impaired with a visual indication of the occurrence of a particular sound producing event due to the sequence of on and off changes of the lamp.

However, prior to the Applicant's present invention, an alarm clock has not been devised which combines the features of visual, or a tactile outputs with a power line carrier system to provide an indication to a deaf or hearing impaired person and/or heavy sleeper of the occurrence of a remote sound producing event or other signal that can trigger a remote transmitter. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an alarm clock which provides these features in a simple, expedient manner. It would also be desirable to provide an alarm clock having these features which is simple in construction and use. It would also be desirable to provide an alarm clock having these features which provides either or both of a selected visible light or vibratory output. It would also be desirable to provide an alarm clock having these features which also includes a conventional audible tone or sound generator, with the provision of variable volume and frequency or tone controls for use by persons suffering from varying degrees of hearing impairment who can still hear high volume sounds or certain sound frequencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an alarm clock which is particularly devised for the deaf, hearing impaired or heavy sleepers.

The alarm clock, which is connectible to A.C. electrical power lines, includes a housing and a display mounted on the housing for displaying time of day and alarm time information. A clock means or circuit is mounted in the housing for generating time of day information to the display. The clock means generates an alarm signal when the time of day corresponds to the preset alarm time. Switch means are input to the clock means for setting time of day and alarm time information and for deactivating the alarm signal after it is activated. A first electrical outlet is mounted in the housing for supplying electrical power to an external electrically operated device which is plugged into the first outlet. A receiver means is mounted in the housing for receiving and detecting line carrier signals transmitted over the electrical power lines from a remote transmitter in response to the occurrence of an audible sound producing event or other input signal or stimulus detected by the remote transmitter. Finally, a first switch means is provided for switching the electrical power to the first outlet in response to any of the generation of the alarm signal and the detection of power line carrier signals by the receiver means.

An audible sound generator means is also mounted in the housing for generating an audible sound in response to the alarm signal. Means are provided for varying at least one and preferably both of the frequency and the volume of the audible sound generated by the audible sound generator means.

A second outlet is optionally mounted on the housing for supplying electrical power to a second external electrically operated device which can be plugged into the second outlet. The first switch means also switches electrical power to the second outlet in response to either or both of the generation of the alarm signal and the detection of the power line carrier signals by the receiver means. Preferably, the first switch means periodically varies the electrical power supplied to the second outlet so as to sequence the second external electrical device connected to the second outlet in either a repetitious pulse or continuous steady mode of operation.

Preferably, the first switch means also includes means for periodically supplying electrical power to the first outlet at a time varying periodic rate corresponding to the cyclic rate of the power line carrier signals.

A test switch means is mounted on the housing and connected to the first switch means for testing the proper operation and setting of the tone and volume controls of the audio sound generator means and the supply of power to the first and second outlets. A remote receiver enable/disable switch may be mounted on the housing for selectively enabling or disabling the remote power line carrier signal receiver means.

The alarm clock of the present invention uniquely controls the supply of electrical power to one or more controllable outlets which receive plug-in electrically operated devices, such as a lamp or vibrator, to flash or pulse such devices upon generation of an alarm time signal. The present alarm clock also uniquely supplies electrical power to the outlets in response to the receipt of a line carrier signal from a remote device which transmits the carrier line signal on the building electrical power lines to which the alarm clock is connected in response to a sound producing event or other input signal or stimulus remote from the location of the alarm clock. The receiver means in the alarm clock pulses the electrical power supplied to the outlets at the periodic rate of the power line carrier signals, which may be different for each remote transmitter. This enables the present alarm clock to activate the device or devices connected to the outlet(s) in response to the occurrence of a remote sound producing event or other input signal or stimulus, which capability has heretofore not been available in an alarm clock devised for the deaf, hearing impaired or even heavy sleepers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary construction of an alarm clock of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the alarm clock shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the alarm clock shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the circuitry employed in the alarm clock shown in FIGS. 1-3; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of the circuitry shown generally in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, and to FIGS. 1-5B in particular, there is depicted an alarm clock 10 which is particularly devised for use by the deaf, hearing impaired or heavy sleepers.

The alarm clock 10 includes a housing 12 which may have any suitable form. By way of example only, the housing 12 includes an angularly disposed top wall 14, opposed side walls 16 and 18, a front wall 20, a rear or back wall 22 and a bottom wall 24.

A display 26 is mounted in a housing part 28 which is pivotally mounted in a recess formed between one end of the front wall 14 and the upper edge of the back wall 22. This enables the housing past 28 to be pivoted from a lower position generally in line with the angled front face 14 of the housing 12 to a raised position, shown in FIG. 1, for easy visibility of