CA2095239C - Reminder clock - Google Patents
Reminder clock Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2095239C CA2095239C CA002095239A CA2095239A CA2095239C CA 2095239 C CA2095239 C CA 2095239C CA 002095239 A CA002095239 A CA 002095239A CA 2095239 A CA2095239 A CA 2095239A CA 2095239 C CA2095239 C CA 2095239C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- clock
- reminder
- recall
- display means
- display
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 18
- NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N novaluron Chemical compound C1=C(Cl)C(OC(F)(F)C(OC(F)(F)F)F)=CC=C1NC(=O)NC(=O)C1=C(F)C=CC=C1F NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013479 data entry Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- AYFVYJQAPQTCCC-GBXIJSLDSA-N L-threonine Chemical compound C[C@@H](O)[C@H](N)C(O)=O AYFVYJQAPQTCCC-GBXIJSLDSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000006040 Prunus persica var persica Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000006413 Prunus persica var. persica Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000886952 Sapria ram Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012163 sequencing technique Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
- G04G11/00—Producing optical signals at preselected times
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C19/00—Producing optical time signals at prefixed times by electric means
- G04C19/02—Producing optical time signals at prefixed times by electric means by electric lamps
Abstract
A programmable clock (60) includes a memory for storing times, dates and messages for subsequent read-out and display in providing a reminder of a birthday, anniversary, doctor's appointment, meeting, etc. The clock pro-vides a user with a visual display of stored reminder messages, as well as an indication of the content of the reminder message. The reminder clock also includes a speaker and an audio recorder for providing a reminder message in the user's own voice, as well as a printer for providing more extensive rem-inder messages as well as a list of all stored reminder messages. The remin-der clock makes use of any one of several analog and combined analog and digital time displays (86, 72, 73) which are easily read and understood, in-cluding a display presenting an analog representation of hours (80) and a di-gital display of minutes (82). Various audio and/or video alarms are pro-vided to indicate the read-out and display of a reminder message. An elec-tronic pendulum is provided to indicate proper operation of the reminder clock as is a calendar (22) indicating the days and times when stored remin-der messages are to be recalled from memory and displayed.
Description
- ;39 I~EMINDEIt C?~OCR
Field of the Inveni~ion This invention relates generally to clocks and is particularly directed to a clock having a programmable ' memory as well as various visual and audio indicating means for providing a visual or aural indication of a message stored in the memory for subsequent read-out and display at a designated time.
Ba ground gf the.Inven , Electronic clocks and watches have become increasingly sophisticated with thre recent significant advances in solid state technology. In addition to indicating the time ahd providing an alarm functions these clocks and watches now function as a time scheduler and event indicator. For example, clocka and watches are now available which provide advanced as welt as a current warning of a designated date and time having an associated event such as an appointment or meeting. Clocks of this - type are generally of the digital t!/pe having an .enclosed housing containing the clock, memory and user selection electronics and adapted for positioning on a.support surface such as a desk or table. As such, these tykes of clocks are not as prominently displayed as a wall-mounted clack and provide only limited capability for advanced notification of future events.
Analog time presentations are generally more aesthetically pleasing and are adapted for greater variety in presentation than digital displays. However, heretofore such analog time displays have been. severely limited in the amount of information which could be presented and are thus of only limited utility in current .electronic diaries and time schedulers.
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned limitations of the prior art by providing a reminder clock adapted for mounting to a wall or other support structure in a prominent manner which provides WO 93/05451 . PGTlUS92/07441 ~2~9 a current time as well as advanced notS:ce of events. stored in a memory for subsequent recall and 1=he time of recall and which employs an~attraative analog tame display presenting various information.
Ob~iect~ and Summary of thy nvention Accordingly, it is an object of t~,e present invention to provide a clock nrounte:d to a wall or other support structure for not only indicating the time, but also for alerting a user to stored message. at designated ×
Another object of the present invention is to provide a programmable clock having a memory for storing times, dates and messages for subsequent recall and display in providing a reminder of birithdays, anniversaries, app~oi.ntments x meetings, etc. . .
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clock for not only reminding one of the time of a previously stoged entry, but .als;o the content of the stored entry, i_e.r whether a birthday reminder, an appointment reminder', etc.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a clock with an improved combination analog and digital display which is easily read and understood.
A still. further obj ect off: the present invention is to provide a clock fvr simultaneously displaying current time as well as'. future stored times at which various previously stored reminder messages are to be displayed together with associated visual -a3ndror audio reminder alarms.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a color codedr Gornbins:d analog and digital display for use in an integrated clock and alarm reminder . .
device which is-. easily -read anct interpreted and is attractive. -It i.s another obj ect of the present invention to provide a reminder device for provid:lng a visual., audio., or print-out indication of a previously entered message in a ~~?39 clock, where the audio indication. may be a pre-recorded message in the voice of the user of t;he reminder device.
These objects of the present invention are achieved and the disadvantages o:E the prior art are eliminated by a reminder clock maunt~ed to a wall or similar support structure for entering and storing reminder messages of events and appointments for subsequent recall, the reminder clock comprising: a clock adapted for attachment to and suspension from a wall or similar support structure, the clock including a plurality of first analog and first digital display elements for displaying current time in hours and minutes, respectively, andl .a plurality of second analog and second digital display e=lements for displaying the time in hours and minutes, respectively, of the time of recall of each of the reminder messages, wherein each analog display element represents an hour position on the clock and each digital display element comprises a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of the ana7Log display element; a keyboard disposed on the clock for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall o:~' each of the reminder messages; a controller coupled to the clock and to the key-board for processing the reminder messages and recall times associated therewith; a memory couplE~d to the controller for storing the reminder messages fox' subsequent recall at the recall times by the controller; and an alphanumeric display disposed on the clock and coupled to the controller for dis-playing the reminder messages read from the memory by the controller at a respective one of the recall trines.
WO 93/05451 . . PGT/US9Z/07441
Field of the Inveni~ion This invention relates generally to clocks and is particularly directed to a clock having a programmable ' memory as well as various visual and audio indicating means for providing a visual or aural indication of a message stored in the memory for subsequent read-out and display at a designated time.
Ba ground gf the.Inven , Electronic clocks and watches have become increasingly sophisticated with thre recent significant advances in solid state technology. In addition to indicating the time ahd providing an alarm functions these clocks and watches now function as a time scheduler and event indicator. For example, clocka and watches are now available which provide advanced as welt as a current warning of a designated date and time having an associated event such as an appointment or meeting. Clocks of this - type are generally of the digital t!/pe having an .enclosed housing containing the clock, memory and user selection electronics and adapted for positioning on a.support surface such as a desk or table. As such, these tykes of clocks are not as prominently displayed as a wall-mounted clack and provide only limited capability for advanced notification of future events.
Analog time presentations are generally more aesthetically pleasing and are adapted for greater variety in presentation than digital displays. However, heretofore such analog time displays have been. severely limited in the amount of information which could be presented and are thus of only limited utility in current .electronic diaries and time schedulers.
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned limitations of the prior art by providing a reminder clock adapted for mounting to a wall or other support structure in a prominent manner which provides WO 93/05451 . PGTlUS92/07441 ~2~9 a current time as well as advanced notS:ce of events. stored in a memory for subsequent recall and 1=he time of recall and which employs an~attraative analog tame display presenting various information.
Ob~iect~ and Summary of thy nvention Accordingly, it is an object of t~,e present invention to provide a clock nrounte:d to a wall or other support structure for not only indicating the time, but also for alerting a user to stored message. at designated ×
Another object of the present invention is to provide a programmable clock having a memory for storing times, dates and messages for subsequent recall and display in providing a reminder of birithdays, anniversaries, app~oi.ntments x meetings, etc. . .
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clock for not only reminding one of the time of a previously stoged entry, but .als;o the content of the stored entry, i_e.r whether a birthday reminder, an appointment reminder', etc.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a clock with an improved combination analog and digital display which is easily read and understood.
A still. further obj ect off: the present invention is to provide a clock fvr simultaneously displaying current time as well as'. future stored times at which various previously stored reminder messages are to be displayed together with associated visual -a3ndror audio reminder alarms.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a color codedr Gornbins:d analog and digital display for use in an integrated clock and alarm reminder . .
device which is-. easily -read anct interpreted and is attractive. -It i.s another obj ect of the present invention to provide a reminder device for provid:lng a visual., audio., or print-out indication of a previously entered message in a ~~?39 clock, where the audio indication. may be a pre-recorded message in the voice of the user of t;he reminder device.
These objects of the present invention are achieved and the disadvantages o:E the prior art are eliminated by a reminder clock maunt~ed to a wall or similar support structure for entering and storing reminder messages of events and appointments for subsequent recall, the reminder clock comprising: a clock adapted for attachment to and suspension from a wall or similar support structure, the clock including a plurality of first analog and first digital display elements for displaying current time in hours and minutes, respectively, andl .a plurality of second analog and second digital display e=lements for displaying the time in hours and minutes, respectively, of the time of recall of each of the reminder messages, wherein each analog display element represents an hour position on the clock and each digital display element comprises a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of the ana7Log display element; a keyboard disposed on the clock for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall o:~' each of the reminder messages; a controller coupled to the clock and to the key-board for processing the reminder messages and recall times associated therewith; a memory couplE~d to the controller for storing the reminder messages fox' subsequent recall at the recall times by the controller; and an alphanumeric display disposed on the clock and coupled to the controller for dis-playing the reminder messages read from the memory by the controller at a respective one of the recall trines.
WO 93/05451 . . PGT/US9Z/07441
2~~~
Brief Description of the Drawincrs The appended claims set forth those novel features which characterize the inmention. However, the invention itself, as. we3:l as further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed desariptior~ of a: preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference characters identify like elements throughout the various figures~ in which:
FIG. 1 is. a- simplified block - diagram of a reminder clock in accordance with ithe principles of the present invention;
fIG. 2 is an elevation 'v:i.ew of a time dxspl.ay,.
alphanumeric message display, a calendar, and keyboard data entry arrangement for use in one embodiment of the present invention; -FIG. 3 illustrates an analog time display for use in another embodiment of the present invention.;
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a combined analog and digital time display fo:~ use in the present invention; - - -FIG. 5 illustrates another analog display for use i:n the reminder clock of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates yet another combined analog.
axed digital time display, alphanumeric message display, calendar, and keyboard data entry arrangement for use in the reminder clock of the present invention; -FIG. 7 is a -simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment of a reminder clock in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a side view of the reminder clock shown in FIG. 7.
CVO 93/OS4S1 - ' PGT/US92/07441 Detailed Des~rint~ ayof~the Preferred Embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a reminder clock lU i.n accordance with the present invention. The reminder clock l0 includes a microprocessor controller 12 coup~.ed to various peripherals for receiving control inputs from these peripherals and providing control outputs to the per:i.pherals in carrying out the various clock display and mes:~age reminder functions described in detail below.
Microprocessor controller 12 may .be conventional in design and includes a read only memory (RO.M) 40, a controller 42, a clock 44, an arithmetic and logic unit {ALU) 46, and an accumulator~48. Microprocessor controller 12 stores instructions and data, p~eriodical~.y updates the stored data, compares both stored and real-time data, and makes decisions based upon these comparisons by means of logic instructions in providing for control of the reminder clock 10. ROM 40 is nonvolatile, factory produced memory matrix which includes a plurality of memory locations or ''bytes", preferably of 8 bits each.
An oscillator circuit 50 external to the integrated circuit {IC) microprocessor controller 12 provides timing signals to clock 44 for controlling the timing of the operations carried out by the microprocessor.
Program instructions and data are stored in ROM 40. When power is applied to microprocessor controller 12., the microprocessor program stored in RoM 3o causes binary signals representing a first instrucaion stored in the ROM
to be provided to the contro~~.ler 42 for proper initialization of the microprocessor controller. ALU 46 receives binary control signals ~:rom c.ontroll,er 42 and performs the required arithmetic or logic operation.
User entries are made to the microprocessor con-troller 12 by means of a user operats:d alphanumeric keyboard 24. Keyboard 24 is continually scanned by the microprocessor controller 12 for the detection of entries thereon. Entries provided to the microprocessor controller 12 via keyboard 24 map include such .information as the date and time of a message for subsequs:nt presentation on an alphanumeric message display 2E coupled to the microprocessor controller I2.: The content of the message to be subsequently displayed i.s also entered via keyboard 24.
Time and date information as well as information relating to a specific time and date entered via keyboard 24 and provided to microprocessor controlleir 3.2 are stored in a random access memory (RAM) 14. Microprocessor controller T2 thus writes data into RAM 14 for storage-therein and reads, or recalls, stored data from the FtAM in controlling the operatiax~ of the reminder clock 10. RAM 14 may be provided with a battery-backup 36 to prevent loss of data stored in the RAM in the event of a power failure or removal of power from the reminder clock 10. Reminder clock l0 may be powered either by.a conventional AC Iine or may be battery powered~and include a battery-backup 36 to prevent :Loss of data s ored in RAM 14..
Reminder clock 10 .further includes a calendar 22 indicating the year, month, day of the week,. and date in a conventional: matrix format. Each block representing a given day and date ~ of a month includes a respective light element such as a light emitting diode (LEL)) or a liquid crystal diode (LCD) providing the date as well as the time on that given date a message stored in RAM 14 is to lae automatically read from the RAM by the microprocessor controller 1f and provided to the clock 16 and alphanumeric message display 26 for presentation thereon.
The operating program for' controlling the microprocessor controller i2. is stoz-ed in its ROM 4Ø A
program counter (not shot~m) monitors program instruction execution and ensures proper sequencing of instructions output from ROM 4a. The program stored in ROM~40 writes to or reads from the data memory RAM 14e for transferring data ta/from the RAM for carrying out the program instructions WO 93/05451 I , - . PGT/US92/0744.1 selected in ROM, or program memory, 40. A timer/event counter (also not shown) receives program operating information from the microprocessor contro7,ler's -internal bus arid provides tiriiing information to conditional branch logic circuitry to permit the operating program to make decisions and control its operation in response to the instructions read from ROM 40. ISO ports couple the microprocessor controller's internal bus to various lines of the microprocessor controller 12 any! serve as a buffer for the signals provided from and to the microprocessor controller via its lines. 'The configuration of microprocessor controller 12 as used in the present invention is conventional in design, does not form a part of the present invention, and will not therefore be described further herein.
The microprocessor controller 12 outputs digital signals, a digital-to-analog converts:r i8 couples the micro-processor controller to the clock 16 for driving the analog time display portion of the clock. Digital information may also be provided directly to clock 16 for driving the digital minutes displays described below.
Various embodiments of the present invention include a combined analog and digiltal time display. For example, in one embodiment described below analog time information is presented by sequentially illuminating each of a plurality of LEDs positioned about the face of clock 16 and representing each hour on the clock face. The time in minutes. after each hour is disp~Iayed digitall~r on a respective one of a plurality of L~:D clock displays: Re-minder clock 10 further includes an ~~ED message selector and display 28 for providing stored message information for recall over the next several days. Each selector LED 28 represents a given day including the present day as well as the next six days and indicates on which of those days a message will be read from memory and displayed on the reminder clock 10. Each selector ;LED 28 may be manually WO 93/05451 - PG'f/US92/07441 engaged by a user for displaying on the alphanumeric display 26 all reminder messages. which have been stored for the selected day.
Reminder clock l0 further includes a printer 30 also coupled to and driven by microp~'ocessor controller 12 for providing a haxd copy of -stored messages for a given day or other selected time period. An. audio recorder 32 in cambination with a .speaker 34 both coupled to the.
micYOprocessor controller 12- allow:~ for recording of- a message in one's-. own voice ,for subsequent playback at a selected time on a given day. Hy directly coupling audio speaker 34 to microprocessor controller ~12v other~forms of audio a7:erts can be provided by the reminder clock to such as a bell, beep, music, or- other. alarm indication of a reminder message. An electronic pendulum 54 may be coupled to and driven ~bg the microprocessor controller 12 for providing a visual indication of ops:ration of the reminder clock 10. The electronic pendulum 52 is described in greater detail belofnr. Finally, various interface devices couple the microprocessor controller 12 to the various peripherals described above. For ~exampl,e, a printer interface circuit would typically couple the microprocessor controller 12 to printer .30, whilE: a keyboard interface circuit would typically be provided for coupl~.ng the microprocessor controller to the alphanumeric keyboard 24.
Such interface circuits are well known to those skilled in the relevant arts and have not been included iri the ffigures and are not discussed further herein :for simplicity.
with reference to FIG. 1. as well as to FIG. 2 which i~ an elevation view of a: ,control and display arrangement 60 for the rem~.nder clock: 10, additional details of the reminder chock will now be described. Control and display arrangement 60 includes an analog and digital clock .
display 16 as well as an .alphanumer~.c day and date display 20. Reminder clock 10 is' adapted for attachment to and suspension from a support structure :>uch as a wall by_ means WO 93/05451 ~ pGTlU592/07441 of a support wire 62 located on the back of reminder cloak and shown in the figure in dotaed-line foam. The alphanumeric day and date display 20 provides current day and date information.
Disposed about the clock 16 in a generally circular array are twelve analog ha~ur displays 66. Each analog hour display 66 represents an hour indicator on the clock 16 and is generally in the form of an elongated, linear bar which may be comprised of an LED ar LCD.
Disposed adjacent an inner end of each of the analog hour displays 66 is a respective AM/PM indicator 6-8. With the illumination of an analog hour display 66 representing the Current hour, illumination of an associated AM/PM indicator 68 represents that the current time is PM. Non-illumination of an AM/PM indicator 68 associated with an illuminated analog hour display 66 indicates that: the indicated hour is AM. AM/PM indicator 68 may also be provided with a first color (such as green) to indicate AM and a second color (such as blue) to indicate PM. As time passes, each analog hour display 66 illuminates in sequence providing an analog indication of the current hour. Disposed adjacent to and outside of the generally circular array of analog hour displays 66 are a plurality of d3git:al minute displays 64.
Each digital minute display 64 includes two-digit. display for displaying the minutes after the displayed hour. For example, referring to the one o' clocl~: position on the clock 16, illumination of analog hour. display 74 with the number "11" displayed in its associated digital minutes display 73 provides an indication of the current time. With AM/PM
indicator 76 illuminated, the time indicated by analog hour display 74 and digital minutes display 73 is 1:11 PM.
To provide an added capability far clock 16, the analog hour display representing current time may be provided with one color, while other analog hour displays may be provided with another color for providing a visual indication of reminder times stored i:n RAM 14 for .subsequent WO 93/0545i ~ PGT/LJS92/07441.
recall by the microprocessor contral:ler 12. - For example, analog hour display 74 representing i:he current hour may be displayed in the color yellow, while second and third analog hour d~.splays 80: and 86 may be displayed in red for representing the time of stored reminder messages in RAM 14 for later display on the clock 16. Also, the ENTER key 38 can be pressed to view appointments cxf the day appearing on the clock 16-in their sequence with display of information in the alphanumeric display 26. In addition, AM/PM
indicator '~8 associated with analog .hQUr display 80 is illuminated and digital minutes di:~play ~2 displays the number "23" to indicate that a remrinder .message will be presented on the control and display arrangement 60 at 4:23 PM. Similarly, the mon-illumination cf AM/PM indicator 88 and the presentation of the number "45"' in digital mainutes display 72 associated with illuminated analog hour display 8& indicates that another reminder :message and associated alarm will be presented on the. control and display arrangement 60 at 10 ~. 45 AM. Disposed. in the center of the clock 16 is a visual alarm display Ft4 which ~iay be ~ in the form of an LCD, an LED; or other conventional light source for providing a visual indication of the presentation of a reminder message in the alphanumeric message display 26 or that a reminder message will ba . diap3:ayed within a selected time period, .i.e., within the next five (5) minutes. A
visual alarm via disp~Iay - 84 may also include flashing of an illuminating frame 27 which may be comprised of LEDs disposed about the alphanumeric message display 26. A
visual alarm of a reminder message ma:y also be provided via alternating flashing of the analog hour.display 74 and its associated digital minutes display. _ Disposed about each d~.gital minutes display are a plurality of spaced LED second indicators 54, which are , only shown disposed about the 5::00 o~clock digital minutes display 56 for simplicity. . In a prefE:rred _ embodiment, there are sixty (60) such LED second indicaaors 54 disposed about WO 93/05451 PCf/US92/07441 ~~!39 m each digital minutes display. The LED second indicators 54 illuminate sequentially with the passage of each second for each minute presented on the digital minutes display.. Thus, with a change in minutes all LED sE:cond indicators 54 for that particular digital minutes display are turned off, followed by sequential illumination of each- LED second indicator in succession for the next minute. The LED second indicators 54 may be provided with virtually any colar. The LED second indicators 54 also prov~:de. a viewer with a visual indication that the clock 16 is operating.
Also disposed on the control and display arrangement 6o are a plurality of LED message displays 28 arranged in a generally linear array and each having a respective color associated therewiith. Each LED message display 28 represents a particular clay, with the left-most message display representing the current day, the next rightward message display representing tomorrow, etc., with the message display on the right representing six days from the current day. Illumination of one of the LED message displays 28 indicates reminder message information stored in memory for recall and display on the control and display arrangement 60 for that particular day. For example, illumination of the LED message display ow left indicates that the reminder message information displayed on clock 16 is for the current day. Each LED message display 28 may be color-coded for a particular day of the week. Thus, blue may designate Monday, yellow may .designate Tuesday, etc.
Microprocessor controller 12 is programmed so as to be responsive to user initiated .entries on keyboard 24 for selecting and displaying reminder message information for a given day including the current day and up to six days in the future. Disposed above keyboard 24 is a mufti-line alphanumeric message display 26. Message display 26 provides a visual indication of reminder message information when entered via keyboard 24 and also provides for the display of this information upon subsequent recall of the WO 93/05451 ~ PCT/FJS92/07441 reminder message from RAM 14 by the microprocessor controller 12. Virtually any type of reminder message may be entexed via keyboard 2:4 and displayed on the alphanumeric message display 26, with various alpr~anumeric characters and other symbols available on the keyboard. Once entered via -keyboard 24 and displayed on the alphanumeric message dis-play 26,, the reminder message as~wel7: as its associated day, date and time of recall may be s~torect in RAM 14 by a conven-tional step such as. selecting the ErJTER key 38. on keyboard f.4 .
Disposed below keyboard 24 on the control and display arrangement 60 is a calendar 22. Calendar 22 includes locations for displaying the: current month and year as recalled from data stored ~an the microprocessor controller's ROM 40. Calendar 2;2 further includes a plurality of spaced blacks, each containing a~ respective date associated with a given day of the week.. Each block has associated therewith a pair of hEDs to allow the date of a given day to: change with each montrt. Also associated with each date block is an LED t~:me dis~rlay which is shown for the dates of August 2 and August ~I7. The time display for a given date is illuminated to represent the time on that date for which a reminder message has bes:n stored in RAM 14 for subsequent recall. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, a .reminder message has been stored i,n RAM 14 for recall at 3:00 PM on August 2, 1991, as wall as at 7:00 AM on August 17, 1991.
If more than one message is stored for a given date, the times these messages are to be recall~.ed on that date will be displayed on the appropriate date indicator on calendar 22 in a sequential manner. ~ calendar 22 thus prouides a user with a display of the date and day of the week for each day .
of the month as well as. a display of the day, date. and time associated with any reminder messages. stored in RAM 14 for recall and display during that month. If mare than one appointment is recorded, other subsequent appointments will be changing hours- in sequence on that day.. Calendar 22. is WO 93/05451 ~ PGT/xJS92/~7441 e~239 preferably of the perpetual type which repeats and updates itself each year to eliminate the need to enter selected dates such as birthdays. each year. 'the contents of calendar 22 are stored in and read from RAM 14, The day and date indicators are illuminated for each dlay of the month.
Deferring to FIG. 3, there is shown another control and display arrangement 90 which includes another embodiment of. a clock 92 for use in the reminder Clock of the present invention. Clock 92 provides an entirely analog presentation of the current time and includes a pluralit y of spaced hour LEDs 94. The hour LED~s 94 are arranged in a generally circular array as in a conventional clack and all LEDs are continuously illuminated. Disposed between adjacent hour LEDs 94 are a plurality of smaller, segmented LEDs 96a-96h which may be provided with a color different than that of the hour LEDs. For example, the hour LEDs 94 may be blue in color, while the segmented LEDs 96a~96h may be green. The passage of time causes successive adjacent segments of the minute LEDs to become illuminated. FQr example, at 1:00-the entire length of: segmented LED 96a will be illuminated. The time shown on clock 92 is 7:40 because of the partial illumination of segmented 96h. Illumination of LED 112 in the center of clock 92 indicates that the hour indicated is FM. The segmented LEDs 96a-96h may be selected to show the time in as small as one (1) minute intervals or as long as fifteen (15) minute interval s. ~1 plurality of reminder indicators 97 are .disposed about clock 92. When a reminder occurs, or a predetermined time before the occurrence of a reminder, an appropriate reminder indicator flashes to provide a visual indication of a reminder as shown for the ease of reminder indicator 97a. While the analog minutes indicator is disclosed as segmented LEDs, it is not limited to this type of component, but may also be a mechanical-type indicator such as a r~~tating disk.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown another clock display 100 for use in the reminder clock 107 of the ~~39 present invention. Clock .display 100 includes a plurality of- numerical hour indicators arranged in a generally circular array as is conventional. , E;ach of the twelve hour digits is adapted for illumination for a given hour of time.
thus, the digit "1" trill be illuminatE:d from 1:0.0- AM to 2:00 AM -and for the period of 1:00 PM i~o 2:00 PM. Disposed adjacent each of the hour digits is~ a respective digital '' minutes indicator 102. Each Of the digital minutes indicators 1Q2 includes a pair of digital read-outs for providing an indication of the time in minutes after a given hour. For example, r~rith hour indicator "3n illuminated and the number "20" presented ilz digital minutes indicator 1.04 as shown iz~ FIG. 4, the current time is 3::20. Illumination.
of an AM/P1~I indicator 105 in the center of clock display 100 indicates that the current time is 3:20 PM.
Disposed on a lower portion of reminder clock 107 is an electronic pendulum 106.. Electronic pendulum 106:
includes a plurality of LEDs 108 disposed~along an arcuate display member. Each of the IrEDs 108 is turned on in sequence to provide a pendulum effect wherein the timing element is displaced in a reciprocating manner in the direction of the arrows in the figure. Sequential illumination of the LED's 108 gives the. appearance of a mechanical pendulum°typ.e device and provides a viewer with a visual~indication that clock 107 is operating. A plurality of reminder indicators 1OT are_ disposed about clock 100, with the reminder indicator closest i;n time to the reminder time illuminating when a reminder time is reached.
Referring to FIG. 5., th~~ere is shown another clock display 110. for use in a~ reminder clock 111 in accordance with the present invention. Clock display 110 includes rotating hours hand 114 sand minutes hand 116 disposed within a circular array of hour-indicating digits.
Disposed adjacent and outside each hour digit is a light indicator 112. Each hour digit therefore has an associated light indicator 112 disposed adjacent thereto. Illumination ~~~~9 of a light indicator 112 indicates that an appointment time has been reached. For example, illumination of light indicator 118 with the hour and second hands 114, 116 displaying a time of 1:12 as shown 3:n FIG. 5 indicates that an appointment time has been reached. The numbers of the digital display may be illuminated at an appointment time with flashing. Also, the hour and minute hands 114 and 116 may be illuminated when a<n appointment time is reached.
This embodiment of a reminder clock 111 in. accordance with the present invention also includes an electronic pendulum 112 including a plurality of adjacent, sequentially illuminated LEDs 122 which provide a moving pendulum appearance when the reminder clock 111 is in operation.
Reminder clock 111 further includE~s a digital countdown indicator 117 providing a visual indication of the number of days remaining before the occurrence of a selected reminder time. Also provided is s manual sei.ector 119.for providing a visual indication on an alphanumeric display 121 of the nature of the reminder message.
Referring to FIG. 6~, t:here is shown another format for a reminder clock 126 in accordance with the principles of the present inventior,~. Reminder clock 126 includes a clock 128 having a plurality of spaced hour indicators 132, a plurality of spaced AM/PM indicators 134, and a plurality of spaced digital minutes indicators 136.
Illumination of an hour indicator 132 indicates the current hour, while the digits displayed in a digital minutes indicator 136 represents the minutE:s after the indicated hour. Illumination of an AM/PM indicator 134 associated with a pair of hour and minute indicators 132, 136 indicates that the current time is PM. Each a~~sociated combination of hour, AM/PM, and minutes indicators. 132, 134 and 136 is sequentially illuminated about the generally circular array of indicators in a clockwise direct:ion. Also included in the clock display 128 is a day/date display 130.
~~~3~
Clock display 128 further- includes a plurality of digital seconds displays 124 each disposed adjacent a respective one of the hour indicators 132 and digital minute indicators 136.. With a~given hour indicator 132 illuminated and its associated digital minute indicator 13G displaying the current minute, the seconds will be displayed digitally in the associated seconds. display L24~ The seconds display cydes through 1-60 for each minute.
Reminder clock 126 further includes. an alphanumeric message . display l3Fr for. providing a presentation of the message stored in and read from the reminder clock's RAM. Keyboard 140. is provided for permitting an operator to enter reminder message and day,.
date and time information relating to the reminder message.
A calendar 142 displays 'the .dates of each day of the: month as c,~ell as an indication of those days on which a reminder message will be presented on the reminder clock 126 and the time the reminder message will be displayedr Also included in the reminder clock 126 is a printer 144 for providing a hard copy listing of reminder message information stored in the reminder cTock'.s .RAM for subsequent recall and display.
Finally, reminder clock 126 includes a~ tape recorder 146 for storing an audio message associated ',rith a stared reminder message for later play back at thE: time of recall and disp3ay of the reminder message. xhcs audio message allows the user of the reminder clock T.26 to record .and later hear an audio message associated with a stored reminder message in his or her own voice.
Referring to FIG. 7, ~ there: is shown a simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment of a reminder clock 152 in accordance With the princ3.ples of the present .
invention. A side elevation view of the reminder c~:ock 152 is shown in FIG. 8. Reminder clock 152 includes a clock ,.
display 154 coupled to. a control and dli.splay arrangement 160 by means of an electrical lead, or connection, 158.
Disposed intermediate clock 154 and tlhe control and display WO 93!05451 PG'f/US92/07441 (~~~'39 arrangement 160 and also coupled to 'the control and display arrangement by means of electrical :Lead 158 is a pendulum 156. Clock 154 and pendulum 1,56 are adapted for mounting to a wall 174, or other similar support structure. pendulum 156 may be either mechanical, ~electro-mechanical, or electronic. one embodiment of pendulum 156 may -include a plurality of spaced members extending downward from clock 154 with a space provided between peach downward extending member . A moving member disposed afi~ of the fixed downward extending members is displaced in a pendulum-like manner as it traverses the spaces intermediate the. downward extending members to provide a discontinuous moving pendulum effect.
A similar effect may be achieved by the seduential illumination of light emitting elements in a timed manner.
Both approaches are well known to those skilled in the relevant arts and are thus not further described herein.
As in the previous emboda:ments, the control .and display arrangement 160 includes an alphanumeric message display 162, a letter keyboard 164, a:nd a numerical keyboard 166 which allows a user to enter message and time information in the control and di.aplay arrangemexat 160.
Numerical keyboard 166 may also function as a calculator using the alphanumeric message display 162. The control and display arrangement 160 further includes a calendar 268 with illuminating day and date indicators, a tape recorder 170, and a printer 172.
Electrical lead 158 extends downward from clock 154 and pendulum 156 which are securely mounted to wall 174.
Disposed below clock 154 and pendulum 156 and also mounted to wall 174 is a- support pedestal 176. Support pedestal 176 is adapted for receiving and supporting control and display arrangement 160. The arrangement of reminder clock 152 facilitates viewing of clock 154 and pendulum 156 and user operation of the control and display arrangement 160. By positioning the control and display arrangement 160 on. a readily accessible support pedestal 176 below the clack 154 WD 93105451 . ~ . PGT/US92/074di - ~2~9 and pendulum 156,. user control over and operation of the reminder clock 152 is facilitated while retaining high visibility for the clock 154 and pendulum 156. The alphanumeric display 162 and calendar 168 are also affixed to wall 174 above the support. pedestal 176 for improved visibility. The support pedestal 176 may include a collapsible bracket 178 to: allow thE~ support pedestal and control and display arrangement 16.0 to be folded in close proximity to wall 174 and thus out of the way when not in use.
There has thus been shown a programmable remindex clock including a memory for storing times, dates and messages for subsequent read-out and display in providing a reminder of a birthday, anniversary, dactor'.s appointment, meeting, etc. The reminder clock is particularly adapted for prominent display _by mounting to a wall or other support structure a:nd includes a unique combined analog and digital time display which is easily read and understood and provides not only_an indication of current time,. but also the times any reminder messages wi~,s be read from memory and prominently d9iaplayed for alerting a user of the reminder clock. _ While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown. and described, it will be obv~.ous..
to those skilled in the .art that. changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of: the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way o.f illustration only and not as a li~ctitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
Brief Description of the Drawincrs The appended claims set forth those novel features which characterize the inmention. However, the invention itself, as. we3:l as further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed desariptior~ of a: preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference characters identify like elements throughout the various figures~ in which:
FIG. 1 is. a- simplified block - diagram of a reminder clock in accordance with ithe principles of the present invention;
fIG. 2 is an elevation 'v:i.ew of a time dxspl.ay,.
alphanumeric message display, a calendar, and keyboard data entry arrangement for use in one embodiment of the present invention; -FIG. 3 illustrates an analog time display for use in another embodiment of the present invention.;
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a combined analog and digital time display fo:~ use in the present invention; - - -FIG. 5 illustrates another analog display for use i:n the reminder clock of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates yet another combined analog.
axed digital time display, alphanumeric message display, calendar, and keyboard data entry arrangement for use in the reminder clock of the present invention; -FIG. 7 is a -simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment of a reminder clock in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a side view of the reminder clock shown in FIG. 7.
CVO 93/OS4S1 - ' PGT/US92/07441 Detailed Des~rint~ ayof~the Preferred Embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a reminder clock lU i.n accordance with the present invention. The reminder clock l0 includes a microprocessor controller 12 coup~.ed to various peripherals for receiving control inputs from these peripherals and providing control outputs to the per:i.pherals in carrying out the various clock display and mes:~age reminder functions described in detail below.
Microprocessor controller 12 may .be conventional in design and includes a read only memory (RO.M) 40, a controller 42, a clock 44, an arithmetic and logic unit {ALU) 46, and an accumulator~48. Microprocessor controller 12 stores instructions and data, p~eriodical~.y updates the stored data, compares both stored and real-time data, and makes decisions based upon these comparisons by means of logic instructions in providing for control of the reminder clock 10. ROM 40 is nonvolatile, factory produced memory matrix which includes a plurality of memory locations or ''bytes", preferably of 8 bits each.
An oscillator circuit 50 external to the integrated circuit {IC) microprocessor controller 12 provides timing signals to clock 44 for controlling the timing of the operations carried out by the microprocessor.
Program instructions and data are stored in ROM 40. When power is applied to microprocessor controller 12., the microprocessor program stored in RoM 3o causes binary signals representing a first instrucaion stored in the ROM
to be provided to the contro~~.ler 42 for proper initialization of the microprocessor controller. ALU 46 receives binary control signals ~:rom c.ontroll,er 42 and performs the required arithmetic or logic operation.
User entries are made to the microprocessor con-troller 12 by means of a user operats:d alphanumeric keyboard 24. Keyboard 24 is continually scanned by the microprocessor controller 12 for the detection of entries thereon. Entries provided to the microprocessor controller 12 via keyboard 24 map include such .information as the date and time of a message for subsequs:nt presentation on an alphanumeric message display 2E coupled to the microprocessor controller I2.: The content of the message to be subsequently displayed i.s also entered via keyboard 24.
Time and date information as well as information relating to a specific time and date entered via keyboard 24 and provided to microprocessor controlleir 3.2 are stored in a random access memory (RAM) 14. Microprocessor controller T2 thus writes data into RAM 14 for storage-therein and reads, or recalls, stored data from the FtAM in controlling the operatiax~ of the reminder clock 10. RAM 14 may be provided with a battery-backup 36 to prevent loss of data stored in the RAM in the event of a power failure or removal of power from the reminder clock 10. Reminder clock l0 may be powered either by.a conventional AC Iine or may be battery powered~and include a battery-backup 36 to prevent :Loss of data s ored in RAM 14..
Reminder clock 10 .further includes a calendar 22 indicating the year, month, day of the week,. and date in a conventional: matrix format. Each block representing a given day and date ~ of a month includes a respective light element such as a light emitting diode (LEL)) or a liquid crystal diode (LCD) providing the date as well as the time on that given date a message stored in RAM 14 is to lae automatically read from the RAM by the microprocessor controller 1f and provided to the clock 16 and alphanumeric message display 26 for presentation thereon.
The operating program for' controlling the microprocessor controller i2. is stoz-ed in its ROM 4Ø A
program counter (not shot~m) monitors program instruction execution and ensures proper sequencing of instructions output from ROM 4a. The program stored in ROM~40 writes to or reads from the data memory RAM 14e for transferring data ta/from the RAM for carrying out the program instructions WO 93/05451 I , - . PGT/US92/0744.1 selected in ROM, or program memory, 40. A timer/event counter (also not shown) receives program operating information from the microprocessor contro7,ler's -internal bus arid provides tiriiing information to conditional branch logic circuitry to permit the operating program to make decisions and control its operation in response to the instructions read from ROM 40. ISO ports couple the microprocessor controller's internal bus to various lines of the microprocessor controller 12 any! serve as a buffer for the signals provided from and to the microprocessor controller via its lines. 'The configuration of microprocessor controller 12 as used in the present invention is conventional in design, does not form a part of the present invention, and will not therefore be described further herein.
The microprocessor controller 12 outputs digital signals, a digital-to-analog converts:r i8 couples the micro-processor controller to the clock 16 for driving the analog time display portion of the clock. Digital information may also be provided directly to clock 16 for driving the digital minutes displays described below.
Various embodiments of the present invention include a combined analog and digiltal time display. For example, in one embodiment described below analog time information is presented by sequentially illuminating each of a plurality of LEDs positioned about the face of clock 16 and representing each hour on the clock face. The time in minutes. after each hour is disp~Iayed digitall~r on a respective one of a plurality of L~:D clock displays: Re-minder clock 10 further includes an ~~ED message selector and display 28 for providing stored message information for recall over the next several days. Each selector LED 28 represents a given day including the present day as well as the next six days and indicates on which of those days a message will be read from memory and displayed on the reminder clock 10. Each selector ;LED 28 may be manually WO 93/05451 - PG'f/US92/07441 engaged by a user for displaying on the alphanumeric display 26 all reminder messages. which have been stored for the selected day.
Reminder clock l0 further includes a printer 30 also coupled to and driven by microp~'ocessor controller 12 for providing a haxd copy of -stored messages for a given day or other selected time period. An. audio recorder 32 in cambination with a .speaker 34 both coupled to the.
micYOprocessor controller 12- allow:~ for recording of- a message in one's-. own voice ,for subsequent playback at a selected time on a given day. Hy directly coupling audio speaker 34 to microprocessor controller ~12v other~forms of audio a7:erts can be provided by the reminder clock to such as a bell, beep, music, or- other. alarm indication of a reminder message. An electronic pendulum 54 may be coupled to and driven ~bg the microprocessor controller 12 for providing a visual indication of ops:ration of the reminder clock 10. The electronic pendulum 52 is described in greater detail belofnr. Finally, various interface devices couple the microprocessor controller 12 to the various peripherals described above. For ~exampl,e, a printer interface circuit would typically couple the microprocessor controller 12 to printer .30, whilE: a keyboard interface circuit would typically be provided for coupl~.ng the microprocessor controller to the alphanumeric keyboard 24.
Such interface circuits are well known to those skilled in the relevant arts and have not been included iri the ffigures and are not discussed further herein :for simplicity.
with reference to FIG. 1. as well as to FIG. 2 which i~ an elevation view of a: ,control and display arrangement 60 for the rem~.nder clock: 10, additional details of the reminder chock will now be described. Control and display arrangement 60 includes an analog and digital clock .
display 16 as well as an .alphanumer~.c day and date display 20. Reminder clock 10 is' adapted for attachment to and suspension from a support structure :>uch as a wall by_ means WO 93/05451 ~ pGTlU592/07441 of a support wire 62 located on the back of reminder cloak and shown in the figure in dotaed-line foam. The alphanumeric day and date display 20 provides current day and date information.
Disposed about the clock 16 in a generally circular array are twelve analog ha~ur displays 66. Each analog hour display 66 represents an hour indicator on the clock 16 and is generally in the form of an elongated, linear bar which may be comprised of an LED ar LCD.
Disposed adjacent an inner end of each of the analog hour displays 66 is a respective AM/PM indicator 6-8. With the illumination of an analog hour display 66 representing the Current hour, illumination of an associated AM/PM indicator 68 represents that the current time is PM. Non-illumination of an AM/PM indicator 68 associated with an illuminated analog hour display 66 indicates that: the indicated hour is AM. AM/PM indicator 68 may also be provided with a first color (such as green) to indicate AM and a second color (such as blue) to indicate PM. As time passes, each analog hour display 66 illuminates in sequence providing an analog indication of the current hour. Disposed adjacent to and outside of the generally circular array of analog hour displays 66 are a plurality of d3git:al minute displays 64.
Each digital minute display 64 includes two-digit. display for displaying the minutes after the displayed hour. For example, referring to the one o' clocl~: position on the clock 16, illumination of analog hour. display 74 with the number "11" displayed in its associated digital minutes display 73 provides an indication of the current time. With AM/PM
indicator 76 illuminated, the time indicated by analog hour display 74 and digital minutes display 73 is 1:11 PM.
To provide an added capability far clock 16, the analog hour display representing current time may be provided with one color, while other analog hour displays may be provided with another color for providing a visual indication of reminder times stored i:n RAM 14 for .subsequent WO 93/0545i ~ PGT/LJS92/07441.
recall by the microprocessor contral:ler 12. - For example, analog hour display 74 representing i:he current hour may be displayed in the color yellow, while second and third analog hour d~.splays 80: and 86 may be displayed in red for representing the time of stored reminder messages in RAM 14 for later display on the clock 16. Also, the ENTER key 38 can be pressed to view appointments cxf the day appearing on the clock 16-in their sequence with display of information in the alphanumeric display 26. In addition, AM/PM
indicator '~8 associated with analog .hQUr display 80 is illuminated and digital minutes di:~play ~2 displays the number "23" to indicate that a remrinder .message will be presented on the control and display arrangement 60 at 4:23 PM. Similarly, the mon-illumination cf AM/PM indicator 88 and the presentation of the number "45"' in digital mainutes display 72 associated with illuminated analog hour display 8& indicates that another reminder :message and associated alarm will be presented on the. control and display arrangement 60 at 10 ~. 45 AM. Disposed. in the center of the clock 16 is a visual alarm display Ft4 which ~iay be ~ in the form of an LCD, an LED; or other conventional light source for providing a visual indication of the presentation of a reminder message in the alphanumeric message display 26 or that a reminder message will ba . diap3:ayed within a selected time period, .i.e., within the next five (5) minutes. A
visual alarm via disp~Iay - 84 may also include flashing of an illuminating frame 27 which may be comprised of LEDs disposed about the alphanumeric message display 26. A
visual alarm of a reminder message ma:y also be provided via alternating flashing of the analog hour.display 74 and its associated digital minutes display. _ Disposed about each d~.gital minutes display are a plurality of spaced LED second indicators 54, which are , only shown disposed about the 5::00 o~clock digital minutes display 56 for simplicity. . In a prefE:rred _ embodiment, there are sixty (60) such LED second indicaaors 54 disposed about WO 93/05451 PCf/US92/07441 ~~!39 m each digital minutes display. The LED second indicators 54 illuminate sequentially with the passage of each second for each minute presented on the digital minutes display.. Thus, with a change in minutes all LED sE:cond indicators 54 for that particular digital minutes display are turned off, followed by sequential illumination of each- LED second indicator in succession for the next minute. The LED second indicators 54 may be provided with virtually any colar. The LED second indicators 54 also prov~:de. a viewer with a visual indication that the clock 16 is operating.
Also disposed on the control and display arrangement 6o are a plurality of LED message displays 28 arranged in a generally linear array and each having a respective color associated therewiith. Each LED message display 28 represents a particular clay, with the left-most message display representing the current day, the next rightward message display representing tomorrow, etc., with the message display on the right representing six days from the current day. Illumination of one of the LED message displays 28 indicates reminder message information stored in memory for recall and display on the control and display arrangement 60 for that particular day. For example, illumination of the LED message display ow left indicates that the reminder message information displayed on clock 16 is for the current day. Each LED message display 28 may be color-coded for a particular day of the week. Thus, blue may designate Monday, yellow may .designate Tuesday, etc.
Microprocessor controller 12 is programmed so as to be responsive to user initiated .entries on keyboard 24 for selecting and displaying reminder message information for a given day including the current day and up to six days in the future. Disposed above keyboard 24 is a mufti-line alphanumeric message display 26. Message display 26 provides a visual indication of reminder message information when entered via keyboard 24 and also provides for the display of this information upon subsequent recall of the WO 93/05451 ~ PCT/FJS92/07441 reminder message from RAM 14 by the microprocessor controller 12. Virtually any type of reminder message may be entexed via keyboard 2:4 and displayed on the alphanumeric message display 26, with various alpr~anumeric characters and other symbols available on the keyboard. Once entered via -keyboard 24 and displayed on the alphanumeric message dis-play 26,, the reminder message as~wel7: as its associated day, date and time of recall may be s~torect in RAM 14 by a conven-tional step such as. selecting the ErJTER key 38. on keyboard f.4 .
Disposed below keyboard 24 on the control and display arrangement 60 is a calendar 22. Calendar 22 includes locations for displaying the: current month and year as recalled from data stored ~an the microprocessor controller's ROM 40. Calendar 2;2 further includes a plurality of spaced blacks, each containing a~ respective date associated with a given day of the week.. Each block has associated therewith a pair of hEDs to allow the date of a given day to: change with each montrt. Also associated with each date block is an LED t~:me dis~rlay which is shown for the dates of August 2 and August ~I7. The time display for a given date is illuminated to represent the time on that date for which a reminder message has bes:n stored in RAM 14 for subsequent recall. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, a .reminder message has been stored i,n RAM 14 for recall at 3:00 PM on August 2, 1991, as wall as at 7:00 AM on August 17, 1991.
If more than one message is stored for a given date, the times these messages are to be recall~.ed on that date will be displayed on the appropriate date indicator on calendar 22 in a sequential manner. ~ calendar 22 thus prouides a user with a display of the date and day of the week for each day .
of the month as well as. a display of the day, date. and time associated with any reminder messages. stored in RAM 14 for recall and display during that month. If mare than one appointment is recorded, other subsequent appointments will be changing hours- in sequence on that day.. Calendar 22. is WO 93/05451 ~ PGT/xJS92/~7441 e~239 preferably of the perpetual type which repeats and updates itself each year to eliminate the need to enter selected dates such as birthdays. each year. 'the contents of calendar 22 are stored in and read from RAM 14, The day and date indicators are illuminated for each dlay of the month.
Deferring to FIG. 3, there is shown another control and display arrangement 90 which includes another embodiment of. a clock 92 for use in the reminder Clock of the present invention. Clock 92 provides an entirely analog presentation of the current time and includes a pluralit y of spaced hour LEDs 94. The hour LED~s 94 are arranged in a generally circular array as in a conventional clack and all LEDs are continuously illuminated. Disposed between adjacent hour LEDs 94 are a plurality of smaller, segmented LEDs 96a-96h which may be provided with a color different than that of the hour LEDs. For example, the hour LEDs 94 may be blue in color, while the segmented LEDs 96a~96h may be green. The passage of time causes successive adjacent segments of the minute LEDs to become illuminated. FQr example, at 1:00-the entire length of: segmented LED 96a will be illuminated. The time shown on clock 92 is 7:40 because of the partial illumination of segmented 96h. Illumination of LED 112 in the center of clock 92 indicates that the hour indicated is FM. The segmented LEDs 96a-96h may be selected to show the time in as small as one (1) minute intervals or as long as fifteen (15) minute interval s. ~1 plurality of reminder indicators 97 are .disposed about clock 92. When a reminder occurs, or a predetermined time before the occurrence of a reminder, an appropriate reminder indicator flashes to provide a visual indication of a reminder as shown for the ease of reminder indicator 97a. While the analog minutes indicator is disclosed as segmented LEDs, it is not limited to this type of component, but may also be a mechanical-type indicator such as a r~~tating disk.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown another clock display 100 for use in the reminder clock 107 of the ~~39 present invention. Clock .display 100 includes a plurality of- numerical hour indicators arranged in a generally circular array as is conventional. , E;ach of the twelve hour digits is adapted for illumination for a given hour of time.
thus, the digit "1" trill be illuminatE:d from 1:0.0- AM to 2:00 AM -and for the period of 1:00 PM i~o 2:00 PM. Disposed adjacent each of the hour digits is~ a respective digital '' minutes indicator 102. Each Of the digital minutes indicators 1Q2 includes a pair of digital read-outs for providing an indication of the time in minutes after a given hour. For example, r~rith hour indicator "3n illuminated and the number "20" presented ilz digital minutes indicator 1.04 as shown iz~ FIG. 4, the current time is 3::20. Illumination.
of an AM/P1~I indicator 105 in the center of clock display 100 indicates that the current time is 3:20 PM.
Disposed on a lower portion of reminder clock 107 is an electronic pendulum 106.. Electronic pendulum 106:
includes a plurality of LEDs 108 disposed~along an arcuate display member. Each of the IrEDs 108 is turned on in sequence to provide a pendulum effect wherein the timing element is displaced in a reciprocating manner in the direction of the arrows in the figure. Sequential illumination of the LED's 108 gives the. appearance of a mechanical pendulum°typ.e device and provides a viewer with a visual~indication that clock 107 is operating. A plurality of reminder indicators 1OT are_ disposed about clock 100, with the reminder indicator closest i;n time to the reminder time illuminating when a reminder time is reached.
Referring to FIG. 5., th~~ere is shown another clock display 110. for use in a~ reminder clock 111 in accordance with the present invention. Clock display 110 includes rotating hours hand 114 sand minutes hand 116 disposed within a circular array of hour-indicating digits.
Disposed adjacent and outside each hour digit is a light indicator 112. Each hour digit therefore has an associated light indicator 112 disposed adjacent thereto. Illumination ~~~~9 of a light indicator 112 indicates that an appointment time has been reached. For example, illumination of light indicator 118 with the hour and second hands 114, 116 displaying a time of 1:12 as shown 3:n FIG. 5 indicates that an appointment time has been reached. The numbers of the digital display may be illuminated at an appointment time with flashing. Also, the hour and minute hands 114 and 116 may be illuminated when a<n appointment time is reached.
This embodiment of a reminder clock 111 in. accordance with the present invention also includes an electronic pendulum 112 including a plurality of adjacent, sequentially illuminated LEDs 122 which provide a moving pendulum appearance when the reminder clock 111 is in operation.
Reminder clock 111 further includE~s a digital countdown indicator 117 providing a visual indication of the number of days remaining before the occurrence of a selected reminder time. Also provided is s manual sei.ector 119.for providing a visual indication on an alphanumeric display 121 of the nature of the reminder message.
Referring to FIG. 6~, t:here is shown another format for a reminder clock 126 in accordance with the principles of the present inventior,~. Reminder clock 126 includes a clock 128 having a plurality of spaced hour indicators 132, a plurality of spaced AM/PM indicators 134, and a plurality of spaced digital minutes indicators 136.
Illumination of an hour indicator 132 indicates the current hour, while the digits displayed in a digital minutes indicator 136 represents the minutE:s after the indicated hour. Illumination of an AM/PM indicator 134 associated with a pair of hour and minute indicators 132, 136 indicates that the current time is PM. Each a~~sociated combination of hour, AM/PM, and minutes indicators. 132, 134 and 136 is sequentially illuminated about the generally circular array of indicators in a clockwise direct:ion. Also included in the clock display 128 is a day/date display 130.
~~~3~
Clock display 128 further- includes a plurality of digital seconds displays 124 each disposed adjacent a respective one of the hour indicators 132 and digital minute indicators 136.. With a~given hour indicator 132 illuminated and its associated digital minute indicator 13G displaying the current minute, the seconds will be displayed digitally in the associated seconds. display L24~ The seconds display cydes through 1-60 for each minute.
Reminder clock 126 further includes. an alphanumeric message . display l3Fr for. providing a presentation of the message stored in and read from the reminder clock's RAM. Keyboard 140. is provided for permitting an operator to enter reminder message and day,.
date and time information relating to the reminder message.
A calendar 142 displays 'the .dates of each day of the: month as c,~ell as an indication of those days on which a reminder message will be presented on the reminder clock 126 and the time the reminder message will be displayedr Also included in the reminder clock 126 is a printer 144 for providing a hard copy listing of reminder message information stored in the reminder cTock'.s .RAM for subsequent recall and display.
Finally, reminder clock 126 includes a~ tape recorder 146 for storing an audio message associated ',rith a stared reminder message for later play back at thE: time of recall and disp3ay of the reminder message. xhcs audio message allows the user of the reminder clock T.26 to record .and later hear an audio message associated with a stored reminder message in his or her own voice.
Referring to FIG. 7, ~ there: is shown a simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment of a reminder clock 152 in accordance With the princ3.ples of the present .
invention. A side elevation view of the reminder c~:ock 152 is shown in FIG. 8. Reminder clock 152 includes a clock ,.
display 154 coupled to. a control and dli.splay arrangement 160 by means of an electrical lead, or connection, 158.
Disposed intermediate clock 154 and tlhe control and display WO 93!05451 PG'f/US92/07441 (~~~'39 arrangement 160 and also coupled to 'the control and display arrangement by means of electrical :Lead 158 is a pendulum 156. Clock 154 and pendulum 1,56 are adapted for mounting to a wall 174, or other similar support structure. pendulum 156 may be either mechanical, ~electro-mechanical, or electronic. one embodiment of pendulum 156 may -include a plurality of spaced members extending downward from clock 154 with a space provided between peach downward extending member . A moving member disposed afi~ of the fixed downward extending members is displaced in a pendulum-like manner as it traverses the spaces intermediate the. downward extending members to provide a discontinuous moving pendulum effect.
A similar effect may be achieved by the seduential illumination of light emitting elements in a timed manner.
Both approaches are well known to those skilled in the relevant arts and are thus not further described herein.
As in the previous emboda:ments, the control .and display arrangement 160 includes an alphanumeric message display 162, a letter keyboard 164, a:nd a numerical keyboard 166 which allows a user to enter message and time information in the control and di.aplay arrangemexat 160.
Numerical keyboard 166 may also function as a calculator using the alphanumeric message display 162. The control and display arrangement 160 further includes a calendar 268 with illuminating day and date indicators, a tape recorder 170, and a printer 172.
Electrical lead 158 extends downward from clock 154 and pendulum 156 which are securely mounted to wall 174.
Disposed below clock 154 and pendulum 156 and also mounted to wall 174 is a- support pedestal 176. Support pedestal 176 is adapted for receiving and supporting control and display arrangement 160. The arrangement of reminder clock 152 facilitates viewing of clock 154 and pendulum 156 and user operation of the control and display arrangement 160. By positioning the control and display arrangement 160 on. a readily accessible support pedestal 176 below the clack 154 WD 93105451 . ~ . PGT/US92/074di - ~2~9 and pendulum 156,. user control over and operation of the reminder clock 152 is facilitated while retaining high visibility for the clock 154 and pendulum 156. The alphanumeric display 162 and calendar 168 are also affixed to wall 174 above the support. pedestal 176 for improved visibility. The support pedestal 176 may include a collapsible bracket 178 to: allow thE~ support pedestal and control and display arrangement 16.0 to be folded in close proximity to wall 174 and thus out of the way when not in use.
There has thus been shown a programmable remindex clock including a memory for storing times, dates and messages for subsequent read-out and display in providing a reminder of a birthday, anniversary, dactor'.s appointment, meeting, etc. The reminder clock is particularly adapted for prominent display _by mounting to a wall or other support structure a:nd includes a unique combined analog and digital time display which is easily read and understood and provides not only_an indication of current time,. but also the times any reminder messages wi~,s be read from memory and prominently d9iaplayed for alerting a user of the reminder clock. _ While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown. and described, it will be obv~.ous..
to those skilled in the .art that. changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of: the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way o.f illustration only and not as a li~ctitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
Claims (18)
1. A reminder clock mounted to a wall or similar support structure for entering and storing reminder messages of events and appointments for subsequent recall, said reminder clock comprising:
clock means adapted for attachment to and suspension from a wall or similar support structure, said clock means including a plurality of first analog and first digital display means for displaying current time in hours and minutes, respectively, and a plurality of second analog and second digital display means for displaying the time in hours and minutes, respectively, of the time of recall of each of said reminder messages, wherein each analog display means represents an hour position on said clock means and each digital display means comprises a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of said analog display means;
keyboard means disposed on said clock means for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall of each of said reminder messages;
controller means coupled to said clock means and to said keyboard means for processing said reminder messages and recall times associated therewith and for providing said recall times to said clock means;
memory means coupled to said controller means for storing said reminder messages for subsequent recall at said recall times by said controller means; and alphanumeric display means disposed on said clock means and coupled to said controller means for displaying said reminder messages read from said memory means by said controller means at a respective one of said recall times.
clock means adapted for attachment to and suspension from a wall or similar support structure, said clock means including a plurality of first analog and first digital display means for displaying current time in hours and minutes, respectively, and a plurality of second analog and second digital display means for displaying the time in hours and minutes, respectively, of the time of recall of each of said reminder messages, wherein each analog display means represents an hour position on said clock means and each digital display means comprises a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of said analog display means;
keyboard means disposed on said clock means for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall of each of said reminder messages;
controller means coupled to said clock means and to said keyboard means for processing said reminder messages and recall times associated therewith and for providing said recall times to said clock means;
memory means coupled to said controller means for storing said reminder messages for subsequent recall at said recall times by said controller means; and alphanumeric display means disposed on said clock means and coupled to said controller means for displaying said reminder messages read from said memory means by said controller means at a respective one of said recall times.
2. The reminder clock of claim 1 wherein said first and second analog display means are color coded with said first analog display means having a first color and said second analog display means having a second color.
3. The reminder clock of claim 1 further comprising AM/PM indicating means disposed on said clock means adjacent to each of said plurality of first and second analog display means.
4. The reminder clock of claim 1 wherein said first and second analog display means comprise a common set of first display elements disposed in a generally circular manner on said clock means, and wherein said first and second analog display means are color coded to represent the current time in hours or the hour of recall of a reminder message.
5. The reminder clock of claim 4 wherein said first and second digital display means comprise a common set of second numeric display elements each disposed adjacent a respective one of said first display elements for indicating either the current time in minutes or the recall time of a reminder message in minutes.
6. The reminder clock of claim 5 wherein each of said first display elements is disposed adjacent a respective hour indicating position on said clock means.
7. The reminder clock of claim 6 wherein each of said first display elements is a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal diode (LCD), or other source of color coded light.
8. The reminder clock of claim 1 wherein said controller means is adapted for reading from said memory means reminder messages associated with a date other than the current date entered via said keyboard means for recalling said reminder messages from said memory means and displaying said reminder messages on said alphanumeric display means and the times associated therewith on said clock means.
9. The reminder clock of claim 8 further comprising day display means for providing a visual display of the selected day for which said reminder messages are displayed.
10. The reminder clock of claim 9 wherein said day display means comprises a plurality of LEDs or LCDs, each representing a given day including the current day and a selected number of next consecutive days.
11. The reminder clock of claim 1 further comprising a perpetual calendar for displaying the day and date of a current month, said calendar further including stored message display means for displaying the recall time of reminder messages for each day of a given month.
12. The reminder clock of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of second analog display means for displaying current time in seconds.
13. The reminder clock of claim 12 wherein each of said plurality of second analog display means includes a plurality of LEDs disposed about an associated digital minutes display means, with each LED illuminating with the passage of each second.
14. The reminder clock of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of second digital display means for displaying current time in seconds,
15. The reminder clock of claim 14 wherein each second digital display means is disposed adjacent an associated pair of first analog and first digital display means.
16. A reminder clock for storing reminder messages of events and appointments for subsequent recall, said reminder clock comprising:
support means for attaching said reminder clock to a wall or similar support structure;
clock means including a plurality of analog and digital display means for displaying current time as well as the time of recall of a reminder message in hours and minutes, respectively, wherein an analog display means displaying current time is a first color, and an analog display means displaying the time of recall of a reminder message is a second color, with each analog display means representing an hour position on said clock means and each digital display means comprising a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of said analog display means such that each digital display means presents the minutes after its associated displayed analog display means;
keyboard means disposed on said clock means for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall of each of said reminder messages;
controller means coupled to said clock means and to said keyboard means for processing said reminder messages and recall times associated therewith and for providing said recall times to said clock means;
memory means coupled to said controller means for storing said reminder messages for subsequent recall at said recall times by said controller means;
alphanumeric display means disposed on said clock means and coupled to said controller means for displaying said reminder messages read from said memory means by said controller means at a respective one of said recall times; and a perpetual calendar for displaying the day and date of a selected month, said calendar further including stored message display means for displaying the recall time of reminder messages for each day of said selected month;
wherein said controller means is adapted for reading from said memory means reminder messages associated with a date other than the current date entered via said keyboard means for recalling said reminder messages from said memory means and displaying said reminder messages on said alphanumeric display means and the times associated therewith on said clock means.
support means for attaching said reminder clock to a wall or similar support structure;
clock means including a plurality of analog and digital display means for displaying current time as well as the time of recall of a reminder message in hours and minutes, respectively, wherein an analog display means displaying current time is a first color, and an analog display means displaying the time of recall of a reminder message is a second color, with each analog display means representing an hour position on said clock means and each digital display means comprising a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of said analog display means such that each digital display means presents the minutes after its associated displayed analog display means;
keyboard means disposed on said clock means for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall of each of said reminder messages;
controller means coupled to said clock means and to said keyboard means for processing said reminder messages and recall times associated therewith and for providing said recall times to said clock means;
memory means coupled to said controller means for storing said reminder messages for subsequent recall at said recall times by said controller means;
alphanumeric display means disposed on said clock means and coupled to said controller means for displaying said reminder messages read from said memory means by said controller means at a respective one of said recall times; and a perpetual calendar for displaying the day and date of a selected month, said calendar further including stored message display means for displaying the recall time of reminder messages for each day of said selected month;
wherein said controller means is adapted for reading from said memory means reminder messages associated with a date other than the current date entered via said keyboard means for recalling said reminder messages from said memory means and displaying said reminder messages on said alphanumeric display means and the times associated therewith on said clock means.
17. A reminder clock mounted to a wall or similar support structure for entering and storing reminder messages of events and appointments for subsequent recall, said reminder clock comprising:
clock means adapted for attachment to and suspension from a wall or similar support structure, said clock means including a plurality of first analog and first digital display means for displaying current time in hours and minutes, respectively, and a plurality of second analog and second digital display means for displaying the time in hours and minutes, respectively, of the time of recall of each of said reminder messages, wherein each analog display means represents an hour position on said clock means and each digital display means comprises a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of said analog display means;
keyboard means for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall of each of said reminder messages;
support means mounted to the wall below said clock means far receiving and supporting said keyboard means on the wall;
coupling means disposed on or adjacent to the wall for electrically coupling said clock means and said keyboard means;
controller means coupled to said clock means and to said keyboard means for processing said reminder messages and recall times associated therewith and for providing said recall times to said clock means;
memory means coupled to said controller means for storing said reminder messages for subsequent recall at said recall times by said controller means; and alphanumeric display means disposed on said keyboard means and coupled to said controller means for displaying said reminder messages read from said memory means by said controller means at a respective one of said recall times.
clock means adapted for attachment to and suspension from a wall or similar support structure, said clock means including a plurality of first analog and first digital display means for displaying current time in hours and minutes, respectively, and a plurality of second analog and second digital display means for displaying the time in hours and minutes, respectively, of the time of recall of each of said reminder messages, wherein each analog display means represents an hour position on said clock means and each digital display means comprises a digital read-out disposed adjacent each of said analog display means;
keyboard means for entering the reminder messages and the time for recall of each of said reminder messages;
support means mounted to the wall below said clock means far receiving and supporting said keyboard means on the wall;
coupling means disposed on or adjacent to the wall for electrically coupling said clock means and said keyboard means;
controller means coupled to said clock means and to said keyboard means for processing said reminder messages and recall times associated therewith and for providing said recall times to said clock means;
memory means coupled to said controller means for storing said reminder messages for subsequent recall at said recall times by said controller means; and alphanumeric display means disposed on said keyboard means and coupled to said controller means for displaying said reminder messages read from said memory means by said controller means at a respective one of said recall times.
18. The reminder clock of claim 17 further comprising a collapsible bracket coupling said support means to the wall to allow said support means and said keyboard means to be folded to a position in close proximity to the wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US753,877 | 1991-09-03 | ||
| US07/753,877 US5199009A (en) | 1991-09-03 | 1991-09-03 | Reminder clock |
| PCT/US1992/007441 WO1993005451A1 (en) | 1991-09-03 | 1992-09-03 | Reminder clock |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2095239A1 CA2095239A1 (en) | 1993-03-04 |
| CA2095239C true CA2095239C (en) | 2002-02-19 |
Family
ID=25032538
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002095239A Expired - Fee Related CA2095239C (en) | 1991-09-03 | 1992-09-03 | Reminder clock |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5199009A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0555468B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3337686B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE147868T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2095239C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69216806T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993005451A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (94)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4226449C2 (en) * | 1991-08-08 | 1998-02-05 | U Martin Schenk | Clock with reminder cocking device |
| WO1994018667A1 (en) * | 1993-02-11 | 1994-08-18 | Naim Ari B | Voice recording electronic scheduler |
| DE9305576U1 (en) * | 1993-04-14 | 1993-07-08 | Holzrichter, Dieter, Dr.Med., 2000 Hamburg, De | |
| DE9310277U1 (en) * | 1993-07-10 | 1993-11-25 | Hueter Ulrike | Device for marking, storing and outputting data |
| US6272074B1 (en) | 1993-09-23 | 2001-08-07 | Oracle Corporation | Method and apparatus for generating recurring events in a calendar/schedule system |
| GB9324051D0 (en) * | 1993-11-23 | 1994-01-12 | Thomson Consumer Electronics | Adaptive battery charging system |
| US5754629A (en) * | 1993-12-22 | 1998-05-19 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Information processing system which can handle voice or image data |
| US5706258A (en) * | 1994-05-16 | 1998-01-06 | Poe; Linda Roark | Timed repeating instructions apparatus and method |
| US5694376A (en) * | 1995-09-27 | 1997-12-02 | Niobrara Research And Development Corporation | Method and enhanced clock for displaying time |
| USD377626S (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1997-01-28 | Geno Svast | Clock face |
| USD377624S (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1997-01-28 | Geno Svast | Clock face |
| USD378201S (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1997-02-25 | Geno Svast | Clock face |
| USD377627S (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1997-01-28 | Geno Svast | Clock face |
| USD377628S (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1997-01-28 | Geno Svast | Clock face |
| USD377625S (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1997-01-28 | Geno Svast | Clock face |
| KR970060809A (en) * | 1996-01-19 | 1997-08-12 | 김광호 | How to send registered voice message at reservation time on answering machine |
| JP3998219B2 (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 2007-10-24 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Voice memory playback device |
| US6414907B1 (en) * | 1996-10-01 | 2002-07-02 | B. Carter Pennington | Athletic event schedule watch |
| DE29702773U1 (en) * | 1997-02-17 | 1997-06-19 | Martens Enno | Time counter |
| US5896348A (en) * | 1997-06-13 | 1999-04-20 | Lyon; Zachary W. | Method and timepiece for displaying time using grouped binary indicators |
| US5883859A (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 1999-03-16 | Bentley; Dawn | Alarm clock housing with lockable keypad enclosure |
| JPH11265408A (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 1999-09-28 | Fujitsu Ltd | Calendar management device, calendar display control method and computer readable recording medium recorded with calendar management program |
| DE29806161U1 (en) * | 1998-04-06 | 1998-07-30 | Afg Elektronik Gmbh | Clock |
| US7468934B1 (en) * | 1999-07-12 | 2008-12-23 | Ez4Media, Inc. | Clock with link to the internet |
| US6091326A (en) * | 1999-05-26 | 2000-07-18 | Castellano; Antonio | Device for reminding a driver of a vehicle of dates specific to the vehicle |
| US6198698B1 (en) * | 1999-07-08 | 2001-03-06 | Anthony Graves | Illuminating, visual, time indicating device |
| ATE342084T1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2006-11-15 | Map Medizin Technologie Gmbh | DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING A BREATHING GAS AND HUMIDIFIER DEVICE |
| US6690912B1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2004-02-10 | Larry F. Vaughn | Audio and visual message center |
| JP2001350884A (en) * | 2000-06-07 | 2001-12-21 | Nec Corp | Schedule reminder system |
| US20020010652A1 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2002-01-24 | Sony Corporation | Vendor ID tracking for e-marker |
| US7062528B2 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2006-06-13 | Sony Corporation | Method and system for identifying a time specific event |
| US6639875B2 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2003-10-28 | Alfred E. Hall | Time piece with changable color face |
| EP3254722A3 (en) | 2001-02-16 | 2018-05-02 | ResMed Ltd. | Humidifier with structure to prevent backflow of liquid through the humidifier inlet |
| US20020145589A1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2002-10-10 | Sony Corporation Of Japan | User interface for an e-marker |
| US7127454B2 (en) | 2001-08-17 | 2006-10-24 | Sony Corporation | E-marker find music |
| US20030034956A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2003-02-20 | Yuichiro Deguchi | Virtual e-marker |
| US20030036352A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2003-02-20 | Sony Corporation | Embedded e-marker and communication system |
| US7107234B2 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2006-09-12 | Sony Corporation | Electronic music marker device delayed notification |
| US20030078514A1 (en) * | 2001-10-18 | 2003-04-24 | Tony Gougassian | Relaxation device utilizing visual and audio stimulation |
| US6967900B2 (en) * | 2001-10-22 | 2005-11-22 | Maverick Industries, Inc. | Combination clock radio, weather station and message organizer |
| US7079452B2 (en) * | 2002-04-16 | 2006-07-18 | Harrison Shelton E | Time display system, method and device |
| US9565275B2 (en) | 2012-02-09 | 2017-02-07 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Transformation of industrial data into useful cloud information |
| US7512906B1 (en) | 2002-06-04 | 2009-03-31 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | System and methodology providing adaptive interface in an industrial controller environment |
| KR20020059310A (en) * | 2002-06-18 | 2002-07-12 | 나대하 | Watch having voice alarm function |
| US20040002938A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-01 | Sony Corporation And Sony Electronics Inc. | Device and method for exchanging information |
| US6972698B2 (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2005-12-06 | Sony Corporation | GPS e-marker |
| US20040029091A1 (en) * | 2002-07-08 | 2004-02-12 | Marat Gitman | Clock - learning aid and combination |
| US20040019529A1 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2004-01-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Publicly accessible deferred purchasing system |
| US20040019531A1 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2004-01-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Publicly accessible deferred purchasing system with vendor bidding |
| US20040019528A1 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2004-01-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Publicly accessible deferred purchasing system with vendor review access to deferred purchase requests |
| US7580863B2 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2009-08-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method, system, and computer program product for operating a publicly accessible purchasing system |
| EP1385067B1 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2006-12-13 | ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse | Timepiece for planning events |
| TWI269129B (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2006-12-21 | Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse | Event planner timepiece |
| US6690623B1 (en) * | 2002-11-08 | 2004-02-10 | Arnold K. Maano | Multi-functional time indicating device with a multi-colored fiber optic display |
| US6996031B1 (en) * | 2003-03-20 | 2006-02-07 | Cripe Jeffery L | Mirror with digital clock readout |
| US6966779B1 (en) * | 2003-04-18 | 2005-11-22 | Davidson Bachelor | Educational audio/visual clock |
| US20040225966A1 (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2004-11-11 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and device for automatically displaying appointments |
| GB2401442A (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2004-11-10 | Duke Kerr | Electronic wall calendar and diary |
| NZ728764A (en) | 2003-06-20 | 2018-09-28 | ResMed Pty Ltd | Breathable gas apparatus with humidifier |
| AU2003903139A0 (en) | 2003-06-20 | 2003-07-03 | Resmed Limited | Breathable gas apparatus with humidifier |
| US7068569B2 (en) * | 2003-08-08 | 2006-06-27 | John Dutkiewicz | Apparatus and method for displaying time and randomly-selected text information |
| US20050277098A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2005-12-15 | Schmitt Dennis J | Interactive clock for children |
| US20060007785A1 (en) * | 2004-07-08 | 2006-01-12 | Fernandez Juan C | Method and system for displaying appointments |
| US20080285389A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2008-11-20 | Borovsky Robert F | Electronic Message Calendar |
| US20060250895A1 (en) * | 2005-05-09 | 2006-11-09 | Osvaldo Sanchez | Talking calendar and event scheduler |
| US20070078655A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-04-05 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Report generation system with speech output |
| US20070086275A1 (en) * | 2005-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | Robinson Robert J | Electronic reminder device |
| US7333398B2 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2008-02-19 | Cube Root, Inc. | Device for the indication of elapsed time |
| US20070217292A1 (en) * | 2006-03-14 | 2007-09-20 | Alvin Williams | Digital calendar |
| DE202006013749U1 (en) * | 2006-09-05 | 2006-12-21 | Chen, Jen-Lin, Cupertino | Reminding device e.g. for reminding patients to take drugs, has programmable timer, which is connected with signaling mechanism and timer has memory to time indication assigned to each memorized time concerning dosage of medicine |
| US8365726B2 (en) | 2007-06-07 | 2013-02-05 | Resmed Limited | Tub for humidifier |
| US20090006161A1 (en) * | 2007-06-27 | 2009-01-01 | Yen-Fu Chen | Systems and methods for managing events of event scheduling applications |
| US8200520B2 (en) * | 2007-10-03 | 2012-06-12 | International Business Machines Corporation | Methods, systems, and apparatuses for automated confirmations of meetings |
| US20090097363A1 (en) * | 2007-10-15 | 2009-04-16 | Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab | Meeting clock |
| US7986590B2 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2011-07-26 | Angela Hansen | Calendar apparatus |
| NZ618492A (en) | 2008-06-05 | 2015-09-25 | Resmed Ltd | Treatment of respiratory conditions |
| US20100254223A1 (en) * | 2009-04-07 | 2010-10-07 | Crispin Jones | Anniversary countdown timepiece |
| US8931481B2 (en) | 2009-06-04 | 2015-01-13 | Redmed Limited | Flow generator chassis assembly with suspension seal |
| US8917580B2 (en) * | 2009-06-23 | 2014-12-23 | Golearn Toys, Llc | Instructional time and time management apparatus, method and computer program product |
| US8634277B2 (en) * | 2010-03-25 | 2014-01-21 | MEGA Brands International, SARL | Electronic perpetual calendar with erasable and tackable surfaces |
| US9477936B2 (en) | 2012-02-09 | 2016-10-25 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Cloud-based operator interface for industrial automation |
| US9709978B2 (en) | 2013-05-09 | 2017-07-18 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Using cloud-based data for virtualization of an industrial automation environment with information overlays |
| US9989958B2 (en) | 2013-05-09 | 2018-06-05 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Using cloud-based data for virtualization of an industrial automation environment |
| US9786197B2 (en) | 2013-05-09 | 2017-10-10 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Using cloud-based data to facilitate enhancing performance in connection with an industrial automation system |
| US9703902B2 (en) | 2013-05-09 | 2017-07-11 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Using cloud-based data for industrial simulation |
| US9438648B2 (en) | 2013-05-09 | 2016-09-06 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Industrial data analytics in a cloud platform |
| US10026049B2 (en) | 2013-05-09 | 2018-07-17 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Risk assessment for industrial systems using big data |
| IN2013CH05091A (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2015-09-04 | Kromaspects Scitec Solutions Private Ltd | |
| FR3015735A1 (en) * | 2013-12-23 | 2015-06-26 | Orange | CLOCK WITH INDICATION OF TIME BEAMS, IMPROVED |
| USD760602S1 (en) * | 2014-03-13 | 2016-07-05 | Ronald W. Sharpe | Heart-shaped timepiece |
| US11243505B2 (en) | 2015-03-16 | 2022-02-08 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Cloud-based analytics for industrial automation |
| US11513477B2 (en) | 2015-03-16 | 2022-11-29 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Cloud-based industrial controller |
| US11042131B2 (en) | 2015-03-16 | 2021-06-22 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Backup of an industrial automation plant in the cloud |
| US10496061B2 (en) | 2015-03-16 | 2019-12-03 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Modeling of an industrial automation environment in the cloud |
Family Cites Families (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1757631A (en) * | 1930-05-06 | Signal reminding mechanism | ||
| US1954212A (en) * | 1934-04-10 | Appointment clock | ||
| US1379342A (en) * | 1921-05-24 | Time-controlled desk-memorandum | ||
| US2495222A (en) * | 1946-03-01 | 1950-01-24 | Alvie S Morningstar | Automatic clock calendar |
| US2867274A (en) * | 1957-05-31 | 1959-01-06 | Leroy R Taylor | Appointment clock |
| US4089159A (en) * | 1975-06-23 | 1978-05-16 | Citizen Watch Company Limited | Electronic timepiece |
| DE2652866A1 (en) * | 1976-11-20 | 1978-05-24 | Agfa Gevaert Ag | Electronic watch with analogue display - uses radial semiconductor display elements arranged on one or more carrier discs |
| US4194196A (en) * | 1977-10-25 | 1980-03-18 | Mohiuddin Mohammed S | Illuminated master calendar and message recording system |
| US4362392A (en) * | 1979-06-29 | 1982-12-07 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic timepiece with message and/or alarm output capability |
| JPS5679990A (en) * | 1979-12-05 | 1981-06-30 | Casio Comput Co Ltd | Miniature electronic apparatus |
| US4573127A (en) * | 1982-12-23 | 1986-02-25 | Butler Manufacturing Company | Programmable electronic real-time load controller, and apparatus therefor, providing for updating of preset calendar events |
| US4548510A (en) * | 1984-01-05 | 1985-10-22 | Levine Alfred B | Selective time scheduler and subscheduler |
| US4769796A (en) * | 1984-02-14 | 1988-09-06 | Levine Alfred B | Time management scheduler |
| GB2156560B (en) * | 1984-03-23 | 1987-05-07 | Casio Computer Co Ltd | Portable electronic memorandum device |
| US4708490A (en) * | 1985-03-03 | 1987-11-24 | Amihadar Arber | Advance date warning system |
| JPS6247577A (en) * | 1985-08-27 | 1987-03-02 | Casio Comput Co Ltd | Schedule display device |
| US4712923A (en) * | 1986-06-23 | 1987-12-15 | Martin Victor G | Electronic calendar and method for randomly selecting and displaying messages |
| SE460315B (en) * | 1988-10-13 | 1989-09-25 | Ludwik Jan Liszka | MADE TO CONTINUE MONITORING OPERATING CONDITION OF A MACHINE |
| US4868800A (en) * | 1988-11-23 | 1989-09-19 | Amihadar Arber | Advanced date warning system |
-
1991
- 1991-09-03 US US07/753,877 patent/US5199009A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1992
- 1992-09-03 JP JP50539493A patent/JP3337686B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-09-03 EP EP92919674A patent/EP0555468B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-09-03 CA CA002095239A patent/CA2095239C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-09-03 DE DE69216806T patent/DE69216806T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-09-03 WO PCT/US1992/007441 patent/WO1993005451A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1992-09-03 AT AT92919674T patent/ATE147868T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69216806T2 (en) | 1997-08-07 |
| CA2095239A1 (en) | 1993-03-04 |
| US5199009A (en) | 1993-03-30 |
| EP0555468A1 (en) | 1993-08-18 |
| EP0555468B1 (en) | 1997-01-15 |
| JPH06502921A (en) | 1994-03-31 |
| EP0555468A4 (en) | 1995-03-08 |
| ATE147868T1 (en) | 1997-02-15 |
| DE69216806D1 (en) | 1997-02-27 |
| JP3337686B2 (en) | 2002-10-21 |
| WO1993005451A1 (en) | 1993-03-18 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2095239C (en) | Reminder clock | |
| US6556513B2 (en) | Digital time indicator | |
| US20050185519A1 (en) | Device for displaying time in selectable display patterns | |
| US20100124152A1 (en) | Image Clock | |
| US7376909B1 (en) | Digital calendar | |
| US4868800A (en) | Advanced date warning system | |
| US6084828A (en) | Timepiece and chronometer with overlapping, separately driven analog and digital displays | |
| US4752919A (en) | Clock with digital hour station and line of discrete, binary minute substations | |
| US7200071B2 (en) | Personal organization tool | |
| US4708490A (en) | Advance date warning system | |
| US20060092768A1 (en) | Time zone displays using circular timing elements | |
| WO2006036296A2 (en) | Timepiece with lcd schedule function | |
| US7599255B2 (en) | Device for displaying time in selectable display patterns and method of using the same | |
| US4183203A (en) | Electronic timepiece time zone display | |
| US20240012363A1 (en) | Display device and method for displaying a timeline of at least two successive events and/or activities to be carried out | |
| EP1046086A1 (en) | Timepiece and chronometer with overlapping, separately driven analog and digital displays | |
| US4319350A (en) | Electronic watch | |
| US20050007886A1 (en) | Analog timepiece with a plurality of digital display functions | |
| US7286445B2 (en) | Unified digital time displays | |
| US20010036128A1 (en) | Electronic timepiece | |
| JPS5937479B2 (en) | clock with calendar | |
| JPH10322738A (en) | Radio type individual receiver and manufacture thereof | |
| JPS5848886A (en) | Display device for digital watch | |
| JPH1010252A (en) | Watch | |
| GB2310736A (en) | Countdown calendar |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20080903 |