JP2009168501A - Alarm clock equipped with object approach sensing function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm clock for controlling functions through the use of an object approach sensing technique. <P>SOLUTION: The alarm clock is provided with an alarm clock; an object approach sensor 52; and a sound generator 54. The alarm clock may be an analog alarm clock or a digital alarm clock having an LCD panel. When the time indicated by the alarm clock is matched with a set time, the sound generator 54 makes an alarm sound. At this time, a user can stop the sound generator 54 only by bringing a hand or an object close to a metal sheet without having to directly push a button switch of the alarm clock. Since a sensor of the object approach sensor 52 is a capacitance type approach sensor or an electromagnetic approach sensor but more often uses a capacitance type approach sensor, which consumes less electric power, it is possible to reduce costs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an alarm clock having an object approach sensing function, and more particularly to an alarm clock that controls functions using an object approach sensing technique.

The prior art will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an analog alarm clock having a conventional alarm setting switch and a button switch. As shown in FIG. 1, the analog alarm clock 10 includes an hour hand 11, a minute hand 12, a second hand 13, an alarm setting hand 14, a button switch 15, and an alarm setting switch 16. The button switch 15 is used to stop the alarm sound. The alarm setting switch 16 is used to set the alarm clock to an enable state.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a digital alarm clock having a conventional alarm setting switch and a button switch. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital alarm clock 20 includes a display panel 21, a function setting switch 22, and a button switch 23. The button switch 23 is used to stop or pause the alarm sound. Since it is somewhat difficult to find the button switch 23 before the user fully wakes up, there is also an alarm clock that makes the button switch 23 particularly large so that it is easy to find.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and therefore, instead of a button switch, an alarm clock having an object approach sensing function is provided, and the object approach sensor is within 20 to 30 cm. Therefore, it is expected that the alarm sound of the alarm clock can be stopped by touching it lightly, and it is not necessary to stop the alarm sound of the alarm clock by pressing a button switch.

There are many techniques available in the present invention for the object proximity sensor. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are given to the inventor of the present invention, but there are Patent Documents 3 to 11 in addition thereto. These prior arts relate to an object approach detector in an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function of the present invention.
US Pat. No. 7,023,221 Taiwan Patent No. I 259908 Specification US Pat. No. 5,374,787 US Pat. No. 5,495,077 US Pat. No. 5,841,078 US Pat. No. 5,014,465 US Pat. No. 6,239,389 US Pat. No. 6,028,271 US Pat. No. 6,610,936 B2 US Pat. No. 6,452,514 B1 US Pat. No. 6,466,036B1

As described above, the first object of the present invention is not to control the alarm sound by pressing the button switch of the alarm clock, and the object approach sensing function that the alarm clock alarm sound stops only when the human body approaches the alarm clock. It is to provide an alarm clock comprising:
It is a second object of the present invention to provide an alarm clock having an object approach sensing function that reduces power consumption.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 is an alarm clock having an object approach sensing function, which is arranged in an alarm clock, an object approach sensor arranged in the alarm clock, and an alarm clock. An alarm clock comprising a sound generator and having an object approach sensing function that stops the alarm sound of the alarm clock when a human body approaches the alarm clock, the alarm clock displaying time, having an alarm setting function, and the alarm clock When the time of the clock matches the set time, this switch is turned on, and the trigger signal of the power supply device drives the sound generator and the object proximity sensor to enter the operating state.
The object proximity sensor disposed in the alarm clock detects that the object proximity sensor detects the approach of the object, and the object proximity sensor emits the trigger signal to temporarily stop the sound generator, After the sound generator is triggered by the snooze function after a predetermined time after a while, when the object proximity detector detects the approach of the object, the sound generator is temporarily stopped again, and the sound generator disposed in the alarm clock When the time of the alarm clock coincides with the set time or when the snooze function trigger occurs, the sound generator generates an alarm sound, and when the object proximity sensor detects the approach of the object, The alarm sound of the sound generator is stopped.

The invention according to claim 2 is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to claim 1, wherein the object approach sensor is in a standby state and does not consume power before an alarm sound is triggered. Features.
A third aspect of the present invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the first aspect, wherein the alarm clock is an analog alarm clock.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the first aspect, wherein the alarm clock is a digital alarm clock.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the first aspect, wherein the sound generator is an audio integrated circuit.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the first aspect, wherein the sound generator is a music generator having a speaker.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the first aspect, wherein the sound generator is a mechanical sound operated by a motor.

The invention according to claim 8 is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the object approach sensor is a capacitive proximity sensor.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the eighth aspect, wherein the capacitance type proximity sensor includes a sensor plate.
A tenth aspect of the present invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the eighth aspect, wherein the capacitance type proximity sensor includes the two sensor plates.
An eleventh aspect of the invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the eighth aspect, wherein the capacitance type proximity sensor is a metal wire sensor.
The invention of claim 12 is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the object approach sensor is an electromagnetic approach sensor. A thirteenth aspect of the invention is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to the first aspect, wherein the object approach detector senses that an object is approaching the sensor using a frequency change of an oscillator. It is characterized by.
An invention according to claim 14 is an alarm clock having the object approach sensing function according to claim 1, wherein the object approach detector uses an amplitude change of an oscillator to detect that an object approaches the sensor. It is characterized by sensing.

  That is, the present invention provides an alarm clock having an object approach sensing function, and the alarm clock having an object approach sensing function of the present invention includes an alarm clock, an object approach sensor, and a sound generator. The alarm clock may be an analog alarm clock or a digital alarm clock having an LCD panel. When the time of the alarm clock matches the set time, the sound generator generates an alarm sound. The sound generator may be a mechanical sound activated by a motor, or a speaker driven by a sound integrated circuit or a music generator.

  The capacitive sensor is a technology that senses that an object is approaching the sensor by using a frequency change of an oscillator, and a technology that senses that an object is approaching the sensor by using an amplitude change. Has one technology. Both technologies use one or two metal pieces as sensors, but metal wires may be used as sensors.

  Under normal circumstances, the object proximity detector stays on standby to save power. When the alarm clock time matches the set time, the alarm clock triggers the sound generator and the object proximity sensor. The object approach detector enters an operating state and can detect the approach of an object. At this time, the user can stop the sound generator only by bringing a hand or an object close to the metal plate. If the alarm clock has a snooze function, the sound generator will start to ring again after a while, but the user can stop the sound generator just by bringing his hand or object closer to the metal plate.

The alarm clock having the object approach sensing function of the present invention can control the alarm sound by a simple method in which the alarm sound of the alarm clock stops only when an object or a human body approaches the alarm clock.
The sensor of the object proximity sensor is a capacitance type proximity sensor or an electromagnetic proximity sensor. However, a capacitance type proximity sensor is often used, which has the advantages of low power consumption and low cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an analog alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, an analog alarm clock 30 having an object approach sensor includes an hour hand 11, a minute hand 12, a second hand 13, an alarm setting hand 14, an object approach sensor (not shown), and an alarm generator (not shown). ). FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a digital alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. A digital alarm clock 40 including an object proximity sensor includes a display panel 21 and a plurality of function setting switches 22. An object proximity sensor (not shown) is provided in the case of the alarm clock. The sensor in the object proximity sensor has a pair or one sensor plate (not shown). A sensor is a capacitive coupling device that is used to sense an object or hand approaching an alarm clock.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the alarm clock 50 having an object approach sensing function includes an alarm clock 51, an object approach sensor 52, a pair of sensor plates 53, and a sound generator 54. The alarm clock 51 may be an analog clock or a digital clock. The sound generator 54 may be a mechanical sound operated by a motor, or a speaker driven by a sound integrated circuit or a music generator.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of the object proximity sensor. As shown in FIG. 6, the object proximity sensor 60 using the capacitive coupling technique includes a voltage regulator 61, a waveform generator 62, an amplifier 63, an A / D converter 64, a microprocessor 65, and a time axis oscillator 66. , A coupling capacitance 67 and a sensor plate 68 are provided. The voltage regulator 61 supplies a stable voltage to the waveform generator 62 and the time axis oscillator 66. The amplitude of the waveform generated by the waveform generator 62 is maintained as a constant and is independent of the voltage of the power supply. As the waveform passes through the combined capacitance 67, the amplitude decreases as the sensor plate 68 shares the charge. When an object or hand approaches the sensor plate 68, the capacitance of the sensor plate 68 changes, and the amplitude of the input waveform of the amplifier 63 also changes. In order to sense the capacitance of the sensor plate 68, the amplitude is expanded by the amplifier 63 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 64. After processing by the microprocessor 65, it is detected that an object has approached the sensor plate 68 due to a change in the capacitance of the sensor plate 68.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of another object proximity sensor. As shown in FIG. 7, another object proximity sensor 70 using a capacitive coupling technique includes a voltage regulator 71, a waveform generator 72, a counter 73, a microprocessor 74, a time axis oscillator 75, and a sensor plate. 76. The waveform generator 72 is an RC oscillator. The voltage regulator 71 maintains the frequency of the oscillator and is independent of the voltage of the power supply. The frequency of the RC oscillator is determined by the electric resistance and the capacitance in the sensor plate 76. When an object or hand approaches the sensor plate 76, the capacitance of the sensor plate 76 and the frequency of the waveform generator 72 are changed. The counter 73 can calculate the change in the frequency by calculating the frequency of the waveform generator 72. The microprocessor 74 is used for processing the calculation number NX by the counter 73. Whether the object has approached the sensor plate 76 can be determined by the processing of the microprocessor 74.

Alarm clocks are usually powered by batteries, but it is very important to reduce power consumption. In order to reduce power consumption, the object proximity sensor must not be in an active state at all times. As shown in FIG. 5, before the alarm sound is generated, the object approach detector 52 is in a standby state and does not consume power. The analog alarm clock has an alarm setting hand for setting an alarm occurrence time of the alarm clock. The alarm clock has a switch having one end connected to the power supply and the other end connected to the object proximity sensor 52 and the sound generator 54.
When the time of the alarm clock coincides with the set time, this switch is turned on, and the power supply and trigger signal are sent to the object proximity sensor 52 and the sound generator 54 via the switch. The trigger signal of the digital alarm clock is generated by a product circuit or a fine processor in the digital alarm clock. When the trigger signal is received, the sound generator 54 generates an alarm sound, and the object proximity sensor 52 enters an operating state. When in the operating state, the object approach sensor 52 completes preparation for sensing object approach. As soon as it senses that an object is approaching the sensor plate, the alarm sound stops and the object proximity detector 52 enters a standby state. An alarm clock having a snooze function generates a trigger signal when a predetermined time has elapsed, the sound generator 54 generates an alarm sound again, the object proximity sensor 52 enters a standby state again, and the object is again detected by the sensor. Wait for the plate to approach.

In order to ensure the stability and sensitivity of the object proximity sensor, the frequency of the waveform generator and the time base oscillator must be independent of changes in the power supply supplied. The voltage regulator 61 in FIG. 6 and the voltage regulator 71 in FIG. 7 are used to supply a stable voltage to the waveform generator and the time axis oscillator.
As described above, the alarm clock having the object approach sensing function can control the alarm sound by a simple method in which the alarm sound of the alarm clock stops only when the object or the human body approaches the alarm clock. In addition, the sensor of the object proximity sensor is a capacitance type proximity sensor or an electromagnetic proximity sensor, but a capacitance type proximity sensor is often used, which consumes less power and lowers the cost. I can do it.

  Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed as described above, they are not intended to limit the present invention in any way, and anyone skilled in the art is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made.

It is a perspective view which shows the analog alarm clock provided with the alarm setting switch and button switch of a prior art. It is a perspective view which shows the digital alarm clock provided with the alarm setting switch and button switch of a prior art. It is a perspective view showing an analog alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an object approach sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of another object proximity sensor.

Explanation of symbols

11 Hour hand 12 Minute hand 13 Second hand 14 Alarm setting hand 16 Alarm setting switch 21 Display panel 22 Function setting switch 30 Analog alarm clock 40 with object approach sensor 40 Digital alarm clock with object approach sensor 50 Alarm clock with object approach detection function 51 alarm clock 52 object approach sensor 53 sensor plate 54 sound generator 60 object approach sensor 61 using capacitive coupling technology 61 voltage regulator 62 waveform generator 63 amplifier 64 A / D converter 65 microprocessor 66 time axis oscillator 67 Coupling capacitance 68 Sensor plate 70 Another object proximity sensor 71 using capacitive coupling technology 71 Voltage regulator 72 Waveform generator 73 Counter 74 Microprocessor 75 Time axis oscillator 76 Sensor plate

Claims (14)

An alarm clock equipped with an alarm clock, an object proximity detector arranged in the alarm clock, and a sound generator arranged in the alarm clock, and an object proximity sensing function that stops the alarm sound of the alarm clock when a human body approaches the alarm clock A watch,
The alarm clock displays time and has an alarm setting function. When the time of the alarm clock coincides with the set time, this switch is turned on, and the trigger signal of the power supply unit detects the sound generator and the object approach detection. Drive the instrument to enter the operating state,
The object proximity sensor disposed in the alarm clock detects that the object proximity sensor detects the approach of the object, and the object proximity sensor emits the trigger signal to temporarily stop the sound generator, After the sound generator is triggered by the snooze function after a predetermined time, when the object approach sensor detects the approach of an object, the sound generator is temporarily stopped again,
The sound generator disposed in the alarm clock generates an alarm sound when the time of the alarm clock coincides with a set time or when the snooze function is triggered. An alarm clock having an object approach detection function, wherein an alarm sound of the sound generator stops when a sensor detects an approach of an object.   The alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to claim 1, wherein the object approach sensor does not consume power in a standby state before an alarm sound is triggered.   The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the alarm clock is an analog alarm clock.   The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the alarm clock is a digital alarm clock.   2. The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the sound generator is an audio integrated circuit.   The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the sound generator is a music generator having a speaker.   The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the sound generator is a mechanical sound operated by a motor.   2. The alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the object approach sensor is a capacitance type proximity sensor.   9. The alarm clock according to claim 8, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has a sensor plate.   9. The alarm clock according to claim 8, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has two sensor plates.   9. The alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to claim 8, wherein the capacitance type proximity sensor uses a metal wire as a sensor.   The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the object proximity sensor is an electromagnetic proximity sensor.   The alarm clock according to claim 1, wherein the object proximity sensor detects an object approaching the sensor using a frequency change of an oscillator.   The alarm clock having an object approach sensing function according to claim 1, wherein the object approach sensor senses that an object approaches the sensor using a change in amplitude of an oscillator.

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