DE102009036996A1 - Clock e.g. cuckoo clock, has data processing unit automatically triggering melodies and/or tones at preset time points, and control device manually triggering playback device and playing melodies and/or tones in arbitrary time point - Google Patents

Abstract

The clock has an interface for data exchange between an external data storage and a storage unit e.g. Secure digital card(RTM: stamp-sized flash memory card). A playback device i.e. loudspeaker, plays melodies and/or tones. A data processing unit automatically triggers the melodies and/or tones at preset time points. A control device e.g. pressure switch or push button, manually triggers the playback device and plays the melodies and/or tones in an arbitrary time point. The control device comprises a user interface e.g. switch, knob, display field or key button. The storage unit is also designed as a Multimedia card memory(RTM: flash memory card) or as a MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3.

Description

The The present invention relates to a watch that at certain times a melody and / or sounds happening.

such Watches are known for example in the field of cuckoo clocks. Conventional watches of this kind are equipped from the factory with melodies and / or sounds, whereby the melodies and / or sounds stored on an electronic memory. Such electronic Memory is usually with a clock, preferably a battery-powered Quartz movement connected, in the way that the tunes and / or sounds too Automatically at a specific, predetermined time from the clock be played.

outgoing However, from the above-described prior art, there is an increase the need for such a watch by the user himself with individual chosen, own melodies and / or sounds stocked can be retrieved by the user at any time. At any time means in this context that the stored tunes and / or sounds also outside the predetermined times can be retrieved.

A Such watch is by the invention according to claim 1 with a housing, with a work in the case, with a display element on the housing for the time, with at least a storage unit for Melodies and / or sounds, with at least one interface for data exchange between a external data storage and the storage unit, with at least one Reproduction device for playing the stored in the memory unit Melodies and / or sounds, with a data processing unit for automatically triggering the display device and for playing certain melodies and / or sounds at predetermined times, with at least one operating device for manually triggering the Playback device and for playing individual melodies and / or sounds to any Time points available posed.

hereby It allows the user of such a clock, the desired Melodies and / or sounds for example, in the form of audio files from the hard disk of a Computers, the Internet or other data carriers such as For example, MP3 players, mobile phones, CD-ROM, DVD or floppy disk to transfer to one or more storage units in the clock. The audio files are typically WAV, Ogg Vorbis or MP3 files. Among others, interfaces for cable connections are suitable as interfaces such as USB interfaces, but also infrared, Bluetooth or wireless LAN interfaces are suitable.

Over a Data processing unit, which is a processor or microprocessor includes, the audio files are read, inter alia, and the Melodies and / or sounds are then over a Playback device at predetermined times issued by the clock.

The Control device for starting the playback of the stored melodies and / or sounds allows manual recall of melodies and / or sounds independently of the user the specific, predetermined times for playback of the stored Melodies and / or sounds, so that a user can always get a picture of themselves on the Make storage units of the clock tunes and / or tones can. If the operating device is pressed for playback, be the stored melodies and / or sounds played. This can be done like this be designed that all on the or the storage units located melodies and / or sounds in your complete Length spent or that only parts of the audio files are read out and the melodies and / or sounds for example, only about a period of a few seconds can be played.

advantageously, the clock is already at the factory with a certain number on the melodies located at least one memory unit and / or Sound equipped. On get that way the user already has a certain assortment when buying the watch Melodies and / or sounds, for example, from a cuckoo's call every hour on the hour sounds followed by a melody.

The Clock can be designed as a radio clock. The advantage with radio clocks lies in the fact that they are time signals in the form of electromagnetic Waves received by radio from time signal transmitters. This leads to, that the clocks independently take over the time from the transmitters and not need to be set by hand.

The Display element for the time can be as a digital display element or as an analog display element be designed. Also a combination of digital and analog Display is conceivable.

To an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clock in addition to Control device at least one user interface on, with the help the user makes further entries directly on the clock can.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user interface or the user interface is a switch, a button, a controller, a keyboard, a touch screen, a monitor, an An display field or a button. Combinations of display device and input device are possible.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is the Clock equipped with software with the characteristics of and output the tunes and / or tones can be set. These Software allows It not only allows the user to select times when the clock melodies and / or sounds should be able to play, but in addition to other functions of the Assignment of melodies and / or sounds at a certain time serve. This ensures that certain tunes and / or Tones too Automatically from the clock at a user-specified time can be played.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention are on the at least one memory unit repeatedly plays audio files. hereby it allows the user the melodies and / or sounds, that have been saved on the clock, to be changed, copied or replayed as often as you like exchange.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is the at least one storage unit inseparably connected to the clock. The at least one memory unit can in this case from one or consist of several integrated circuits on one board, wherein the circuits may be mounted on a circuit board, the stationary in the watch case is located.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is the at least one memory unit releasably connected to the clock. Preferably, it is a memory card, for example an SD or MMC card. If a memory card is used as a memory unit, then the storage unit using a memory card reader described become. In this case, the software is for the determination the input and output modalities the melodies and / or sounds preferred on the card reader.

Contains the clock multiple storage units, then all storage units either stationary in the watch case be appropriate or all solvable be connected to the clock. But also combinations of stationary and detachable Storage units are conceivable. If there are two or more memory cards an interface is provided between the storage units, the allows the data transfer between the storage units.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is in the watch an integrated slot, preferably for a memory card provided. The user can connect a memory card to the clock to Audio files with melodies and / or sounds from the memory card to transfer one or more memory units of the clock. This serves the Memory card as a mobile data carrier, allowing easy data exchange between other disks such as a computer or an MP3 player and the Clock allows. Subsequently the memory card can be removed again. It is also possible, leave the memory card as a memory unit in the clock.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is the Playback device a speaker. But there are others too Reproducing devices conceivable. So it may be at the playback device also about connections for external Speakers act.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is attached the clock a control unit to adjust the volume of Reproduction device provided. This way the user can make further adjustments when playing the melodies and / or sounds.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is the Control a switch, a button or multiple buttons. These may be pressure switches, tipping, contact switches, or every other type of switch is possible. The desk or the button is on an easily accessible from the outside Place in the housing or outside on the housing appropriate. This facilitates the handling of the user.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is the Clock equipped with a display device. On this display device, the in the memory element stored files with the tunes and / or tones are displayed. This makes it easier for the user to tune and / or sounds to select individually and play or change as needed. In the display device it can be a touch screen. This can do so simultaneously be used as a control device and as a display device. For clocks with a digital time display, the screen of the Time display also serve as a display device.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Clock at least one switching output or an interface on the additional Functions can be controlled. at These features can be the movement of figures and objects like act dancing couples or rotating mill wheels.

Further Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention are the claims refer to.

Claims (12)

Watch with a case, with a work in the housing, With a display element on the housing for the time, With at least one memory unit for melodies and / or sounds, With at least one interface for data exchange between a external data storage and the storage unit, with at least a playback device for playing in the memory unit stored melodies and / or sounds, with a data processing unit for automatic triggering the playback device and to play certain melodies and / or sounds at given times, with at least one operating device for manual triggering the playback device and for playing individual tunes and / or Tones too any time points. Clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the clock in addition has at least one user interface for the operating device, Clock according to claim 2, characterized in that the user interface a switch, a button, a regulator, one Keyboard, a touch screen, a monitor, a display panel or a Button is. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized that the clock comes with a software for setting properties equipped with input and output of the melodies and / or sounds. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized that on the at least one memory unit repeated audio files are playable. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized that the at least one storage unit is inseparable from the clock connected is. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized that the at least one storage unit releasably connected to the clock is. Clock according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one memory unit is a memory card is. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized that in the clock an integrated slot, preferred for a memory card is provided. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized the playback device is a loudspeaker. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized that on the clock a control unit for adjusting the volume of Reproduction device is provided. Clock according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized that the operating device is a switch, a button or several Keys are.