Clock with selected audio messages
Contents
1. MEMORY CARD ORCD SPEAKER VERBAL OUTPUT MESSAGES U S Patent May 20 2008 Sheet 1 of 3 US 7 376 051 B2 FIG 1 U S Patent May 20 2008 z 35 MICROPROCESSOR 567 mE DISPLAY TIME amp DATE amp ALARM STATUS OPTIONALLY ZODIAC SIGN FIG 2 Sheet 2 of 3 US 7 376 051 B2 38 CURRENT DATE TIME AQ USER S SIGN OF ZODIAC OR BIRTH DATE OPTIONAL HOROSCOPES ALARM SET 42 TIME SELECT RING MESSAGE AND OR RADIO 44 DIGITAL MESSAGE STORAGE FLASH DRIVE MEMORY CARD ORCD PLAY RADIO VOICE SYNTHESIZER 58 M 90 54 SPEAKER VERBAL OUTPUT MESSAGES U S Patent May 20 2008 UNIT POWERED ENTER USER S BIRTHDATE OPTIONAL FOR HOROSCOPES ENTER SELECTION OR CATEGORY OF MESSAGETOBE PLAYED IF MULTIPLE 7 SELECTIONS SELECT RING BUZZER RADIO AND OR MESSAGE Sheet 3 of 3 US 7 376 051 B2 66 ALARM BUZZER IF SELECTED RADIO ON IF SELECTED PLAY NL 4 MESSAGE NS SELECTED XF NO MESSAGE PEAYED 68 7 MP USES CURRENT DATE TO SELECT AND RETRIEVE APPROPRIATE MESSAGE FROM DATA STORAGE SENDS MESSAGE AMPLIFIER SPEAKER END YES REPLAY MESSAGE FIG 3 US 7 376 051 B2 1 CLOCK WITH SELECTED AUDIO MESSAGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns clocks that present messag2. for messages such as horoscopes the user could go to a specific website with the memory device connected to the computer and download for a fee new data appropriate for the coming year The re programmed memory device would then be re installed in the clock device Again with such an Internet connection more than simply generic horoscopes can be presented The user may elect to purchase and download the horoscopes for one particular horoscope sign such as Gemini for one year or for several years of generic horoscopes thus only containing 365 horo scopes for each year Or the user could elect to purchase and download complete specific horoscopes sometimes called elaborate readings based on the user s actual date of birth and optionally the time zone adjusted time of birth With such data downloaded over the Internet significantly far less data need be downloaded in the digital storage device of the user s clock Whether date of birth specific elaborate readings are selected or date of birth time specific elaborate readings only 365 such messages need be stored for each year 366 every fourth year In other embodiments of the invention the messages can be of a different nature and can include messages for US 7 376 051 B2 3 alcoholics anonymous smokers anonymous gamblers anonymous etc or daily meditations inspirational mes sages trivia various facts for children famous quotes medical facts weight loss infor
3. case The processor can be involved if a button switch is operated by the user this causing the processor 35 to relay instructions to turn on the radio This function can be handled in the way a typical clock radio is usually set up and can be a separate user input not shown directly connected to the radio Note that a remote device for the clock radio can be provided for controlling these func tions and others FIG 3 is a simplified flow chart showing a routine in operation of the unit 10 The operation relates to the setting of time and date by the user indicated in the box 60 entry of the user s birth date at 62 in the event the unit 10 is to play horoscopes unless the memory device is customized and alarm set routine indicated at blocks 63 and 64 When the alarm set time is reached the block 66 indicates activa tion of the alarm buzzer and or the radio according to what has been selected by the user The unit checks to see if the user has made an input that a message should be played as in the query box 67 and if so the diagram shows at 68 that the processor or controller 35 uses the current date whether contained in the processor itself or derived from a clock or a separate clock processor to select and retrieve the appro priate message from data storage The processor sends a message to the amplifier and to the speaker through which the audio voice message is played Optionally the unit includes a message replay butto
4. information or any other subject of interest to the user for a morning message or other time of day or a plurality of messages each day Messages preferably have a length between about fifteen seconds and thirty seconds although this could vary An example of a horoscope message might be for example as follows Good morning Libra this is October 21 Today is a good day for you to invest in the stock market to avoid extended automobile travel and to drink plenty of liquids Also avoid any type of conflict with any other person on this day On this day be sure to be well rested and as alert as possible your signs are not good for alertness logic and social compatibility The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention but not to limit its scope Other embodiments and variations to these pre ferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the 0 5 20 25 30 40 45 50 55 65 8 art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims I claim 1 A clock having self contained audio features to present to a user a time appropriate message comprising a clock with a time display and a clock body a microprocessor contained in the clock body and a user removable replaceable pre recorded digital stor age medium contained in the clock body and connected to the microproc
5. memory device 33 A clock device according to claim 21 wherein the digital storage medium comprises a re writeable solid state memory device 34 A method for automatically playing for a user mes sages at times preset by the user comprising providing a clock device with a time display and a clock body with a microprocessor contained in the clock body and a user removable replaceable pre recorded digital storage medium contained in the clock body and connected to the microprocessor accessible from exte rior of the clock body and storing a multiplicity of audio verbal messages recorded by other than the user prior to acquisition of the pre recorded digital storage medium by the user each message having informative content of general interest directed at a multiplicity of users and the clock body having an audible output for delivering an audio verbal message the output being connected to the microprocessor so as to verbally announce an audio message selected from the multi plicity of messages when so directed by the micropro cessor the clock body having at least one receptacle for the digital storage medium accessible to the user at the outside of the clock body such that the digital storage medium is removable and replaceable by the user the user s setting a time of day for playing of a message so that the clock device through the microprocessor causes an audio verbal message to be played at the time selected by the user
6. of preferred embodiments considered along with the accompanying drawings DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a perspective schematic view indicating a clock radio that has the features of the invention FIG 2 is a simple block diagram showing a system according to the invention FIG 3 is a simplified flow chart indicating operation of an embodiment of the invention in the form a clock radio DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings FIG 1 shows a clock radio 10 in one form which incorporates the principles of the invention The device 1 has a clock body or housing 12 with a time display 14 preferably a liquid crystal display as shown and this display in preferred embodiments also displays the date at 16 A separate display for the date could be provided If desired the date display could be omitted if the date is maintained by an internal microprocessor as noted below An alarm status LED is at 17 and rotatable knobs are shown at 18 20 and 22 such as for on off adjustment of volume bass treble adjustment and AM FM setting for radio broad cast sound that is projected from a speaker opening 24 on the housing The display of radio bands is shown at 26 Rather than rotational dials push buttons can be provided if desired and such buttons are shown at 28 These buttons or dials can be wired or programmed for use in any manner as is typical of such appliances including clock radios televisions auto motive cl
7. other solid state memory device or a removable CD With the digital memory device being removable by the customer user of the clock device far more versatility is enabled than in a sealed unit that contains a set of messages not changeable by the user As described above horoscopes can be customized to the particular person as to birth date and even time of day of birth without requiring large data storage by using customized downloads or customized data recording for the customer at a remote location Similarly multiple digital memory storage devices can be included with the clock device each one having a different theme or category of message or different memory storage devices for different user languages if desired These could be interchangeably inserted into a single slot in the clock or clock radio as desired by the user or the clock device could even include multiple slots to be selected from internally in accordance with the user s choice of category Many different types of messages can be presented for the user including in addition to those described above edu cational messages for children with foreign language instruction mathematics science astronomy etc several different facts or brief stories each day moral stories or fairy tales nursery rhymes or songs twelve step programs for Alcoholics Anonymous or other anonymous or step type programs one played each day meditation messages trivia nutritional
8. the user s changing the content of the digital storage medium when desired by removing the digital storage medium from the clock body connecting the digital storage medium to a computer and downloading through an Internet connection of the computer new audio verbal content to the digital storage medium by over writing the existing multiplicity of messages and replacing them with a new multiplicity of messages and the user s replacing the digital storage medium into the clock body
9. a2 United States Patent US007376051B2 10 Patent No US 7 376 051 B2 Rosen 45 Date of Patent May 20 2008 54 CLOCK WITH SELECTED AUDIO 5 023 849 A 6 1991 Vaucher MESSAGES 5 457 663 A 10 1995 Mejaski 5 511 046 A 4 1996 Vanderpal 368 63 75 Inventor Lauren Rosen Farmington Hills MI 5 555 536 A 9 1996 Rolf et al 368 98 US 6 222 796 Bl 4 2001 Rosen 6 580 663 6 2003 Whitmore ig 6 678 215 1 2004 Treyzet 368 10 73 Assignee Trivicor International LLC Okemos 6 791 904 9 2004 Herron et al MI US 6 795 377 B2 9 2004 Gorden 368 12 I 6 998 961 B2 2 2006 Stihler 368 12 Notice Subject to any disclaimer the term of this 2005 0013198 Al 1 2005 Born et al patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2005 0169110 1 8 2005 Mazzilli et al 368 73 U S C 154 b by 96 days 2007 0057775 1 3 2007 O Reilly et al 340 309 cited b i 21 Appl No 11 373 469 Primary Examiner Renee S Luebke 22 Filed Mar 10 2006 74 Attorney Agent or Firm Thomas M Freiburger 65 Prior Publication Data 57 ABSTRACT US 2007 0211575 A1 Sep 13 2007 A clock has a solid state memory or other storage medium containing many messages each of which preferably is 51 Int CI appropriate to a particular date time of day week season G04C 99 00 2006 01 etc The clock is self contained without connect
10. birth 25 Aclock according to claim 24 wherein the horoscopes include for each day of the year a different horoscope for each of the twelve signs of the zodiac with a single horoscope message for all persons under a particular zodiac sign on a particular day 26 A clock according to claim 24 wherein the clock is self contained and not connected to any network 0 20 25 40 45 10 27 clock according to claim 21 wherein the multiplic ity of messages relate to historical events which happened on particular dates and the means for selecting causing a message to be presented from a day of the year in history which is the same as the current day of the year 28 A clock according to claim 27 wherein the multiplic ity of messages include a plurality of different categories of historical events and the clock body including a user input for selection of a desired category 29 A clock according to claim 28 wherein the different categories of historical events include sports events 30 A clock according to claim 28 wherein the different categories of historical events stored in the digital storage medium include a different message for each day of the year and are appropriate for any year 31 A clock device according to claim 21 wherein the clock device includes a plurality of receptacles for digital storage media 32 A clock device according to claim 21 wherein the digital storage medium comprises a solid state
11. cessor or controller 35 the audio is fed through an amplifier 50 which can be the same amplifier serving the radio for broadcast audio and the amplified audio plays through a speaker or speakers 52 of the unit 10 As noted above the system can alternatively include a voice synthesizer indicated in dashed lines at 54 This can enable the messaging storage medium 44 to contain consid erably more messages as discussed above FIG 2 shows the display 14 as controlled by the micro processor or controller 35 What is displayed is shown as time and date alarm status and optionally the zodiac sign of the user as determined from the input of a birth date by the user or as directly entered by the user This is the manner which the unit is operated in a preferred embodiment However these display functions could be independent of the microprocessor 35 and could be simple electronic functions that stem from the settings input by the user These functions can be supported by a separate and simple micro processor of the type contained in nearly all modern clock radios but optionally with the zodiac sign indicating func tion In that case the controller 35 can receive information from the display driver or processor controlling the display as indicated in a dashed information flow line 56 in the drawing FIG 2 also shows a box indicating play radio at 58 This is shown on the control of the processor 35 but this is not necessarily the
12. con trols many functions of the clock radio unit 10 It is possible for the system to use an internal clock for all clock and date functions supported by an internal battery that lasts for example about five years or more In this case the user need not set the current date and time but may need to use an input button to change from summer time to winter time for daylight savings changes FIG 2 shows that the microprocessor or controller 35 interacts with the digital message storage medium 44 Whether this storage medium 44 is a flash drive or other solid state memory device or a CD with a reader the controller 35 addresses the storage device 44 as indicated at 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6 46 to select the appropriate message In many cases other than the case of horoscopes when messages for all twelve signs of the zodiac are stored for each day this is simply a matter of addressing the appropriate storage location using a code that represents the current date A message is then retrieved to the controller or processor 35 as indicated at 48 Assuming this is a digital voice recording it is taken by the controller 35 and decoded to produce audible voice In the case of a CD the processor 35 can be part of a reader for the CD or the CD can have a dedicated reader as part of the storage device indicated at 44 with the processor 35 simply feeding the stream of audio through From the pro
13. es and in specific forms of the invention clocks especially clock radios that present verbal messages to wake up a person with a daily horoscope specific to the person and date or with a message regarding an important event in history that occurred on the same date A previous patent of the inventor herein U S Pat No 6 222 796 described an astrological wristwatch that stored horoscopes for up to one year and which would receive inputs of the user s birth date and time A computer chip in the watch would select an appropriate horoscope that cor relates to the current date and the user s time and date of birth causing it to be shown on a liquid crystal display This written display was called up when desired by the user s pressing a button on the watch The computer chip of the above described device con tained in the watch but replaceable was specific to only one sign of the zodiac On the display case of the watch was a zodiac month sign appropriate to the user In addition the following patents have some relevance to the subject matter of the invention U S Pat Nos 1 750 505 4 583 864 4 659 231 4 711 583 4 712 923 4 759 002 4 766 579 5 023 849 5 208 790 6 580 663 6 791 904 and published Application No 2005 001 3198 The Herron 904 patent listed above describes a network which includes the Internet and a number of servers con necting ultimately through switching devices to a series of clock radio devices which
14. essor accessible from exterior of the clock body storing a multiplicity of audio verbal mes sages recorded by other than the user prior to acquisi tion of the pre recorded digital storage medium by the user each message having informative content of gen eral interest directed at a multiplicity of users and appropriate for and relating to a particular time period day or time of day the clock device and clock body having at least one receptacle for the digital storage medium accessible to the user at the outside of the clock body such that the digital storage medium is removable and replaceable by the user an audible output in the clock body for delivering an audio verbal message connected to the microprocessor so as to verbally announce an audio message selected from the multiplicity of messages when so directed by the microprocessor and the microprocessor having means for selecting one of the multiplicity of stored messages for audio presentation to a user based on particular significance of the one stored message to the current time of day day of week or date 2 A clock according to claim 1 wherein the clock comprises a clock radio with means for setting the clock radio to present a selected audio message for presentation to the user at a wake up time the message to be appropriate for the time day or date for which the clock radio is set 3 A clock according to claim 2 wherein the stored messages are horoscopes 4 A c
15. h the CD storing all messages as digitally stored voice messages The messages can be stored in both male and female voices and even in a child s voice so that the user has a choice In another embodiment the invention includes a solid state memory and reader the memory being generally the type used in digital cameras or the type used as a flash memory for computers etc This type of memory can either store voice messages or simply contain text data representing the words to be coupled with a voice synthesizer in the device This generally results in more of a machine type of verbal message but it does enable considerably more dense storage of messages and enables the use of solid state memory Solid state memories have been advanced in recent years to be capable of storing multiple gigabytes of data and their density is expected to increase even further Depending on cost these memory devices are expected to the best means of storing the multiplicity of messages in the clock device of the invention Programmable memory devices can be re programmed with new sets of messages for different years when needed as for horoscopes Although the user could purchase a new memory card or flash memory for each year and change the memory in the clock device as by opening a door or slot to remove the old memory device and insert the new one the memory can also be updated by using a computer and online connection As a new year approaches
16. have two way communication with audio content servers The user is enabled to select information to be presented via the clock radio and the patent states this information could be entertainment jokes horoscope etc The present invention avoids the elaborate interactive network described in the Herron patent and provides a self contained apparatus capable of presenting messages verbally and in a cost efficient manner SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a clock in a preferred form a clock radio with self contained audio features to present to a user a message preferably a time appropriate message which can be presented each day at an alarm set time The device includes a clock with a clock body and a time display and with a microprocessor and a digital storage medium storing a multiplicity of messages each preferably being appropriate for a particular time period day or time of day An audible output in the clock body delivers verbal mes sages the output being connected to the microprocessor so as to verbally announce audio messages selected from the multiplicity of messages when so directed by the micropro cessor The microprocessor selects one of the multiplicity of messages for audio presentation to the user preferably based on time of day day of week or date The term clock refers to any type of time keeping and displaying device including wall clocks table clocks watches automobile clocks alarm clocks c
17. hould be understood that the clock radio 10 or a removable digital storage device for the clock 10 can be sold for the particular zodiac sign so that twelve different models preferably of the removable digital storage device can be made available Online downloading for specific zodiac signs or specific birth dates or birth dates times can greatly reduce the volume of messages to be stored as mentioned above and can provide for updates as needed FIG 1 shows a CD slot 30 for one specific embodiment ofthe invention In this embodiment a CD containing all of the multiplicity of messages to be presented by the device 10 is contained within the housing 12 in a CD player not seen in the drawing Whenever an alarm set time is reached and assuming the playing of a message has been selected by the user the unit 10 plays the appropriate message from the multiplicity of messages in accordance with the appropriate sign of the zodiac and the date Or the unit plays another type of appropriate message as discussed above such as this date in history or this date in sports history etc based only on the current date For a unit 10 with CD data storage one of the buttons of the groups 28 and 29 can be a CD eject button although removal of the CD is an action taken only rarely or at great intervals and it is preferred that a user s manual must be consulted to obtain codes for operation of the buttons 28 and or 29 to eject the CD t
18. ience US 7 376 051 B2 9 13 A clock according to claim 9 wherein the different categories of historical events include news items 14 A clock according to claim 9 wherein the different categories of historical events stored in the digital storage medium include a different message for each day of the year and are appropriate for any year 15 clock device according to claim 1 wherein the clock is self contained and not connected to any network 16 A clock device according to claim 1 wherein the digital storage medium includes in said multiplicity of messages a plurality of different categories or themes of messages and the clock device including means for user selection of a category of message to be presented 17 clock device according to claim 16 further includ ing a user selection input enabling the user to program the clock device to present different categories of messages on different days or groups of days 18 A clock device according to claim 16 wherein the clock device includes a plurality of receptacles for digital storage media 19 A clock device according to claim 1 wherein the digital storage medium comprises a solid state memory card 20 A clock device according to claim 1 wherein the digital storage medium comprises a re writeable solid state memory card 21 A clock having self contained audio features to present to a user a message at a selected time comprising a clock device with a time dis
19. ion to any 52 USC eren 368 63 368 111 network for message content In setting the clock the user 58 Field of Classification Search 368 63 can choose that a message be selected by the internal See application file for complete search history microprocessor at the appointed time A specific embodi ment is a clock radio which can be set for alarm radio 56 References Cited 1 750 505 4 583 864 4 659 231 4 711 583 4 712 923 4 759 002 4 766 579 U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 3 1930 Bulka 4 1986 Graves 4 1987 Barkouki 12 1987 Oechslin et al 12 1987 Martin 368 10 7 1988 Cash 8 1988 Sporring gt gt gt gt gt gt gt 36 MICROPROCESSOR TIME amp DATE amp ALARM STATUS OPTIGNALLY ZODIAC SIGN 14 programming and or day specific message The stored mes sages are presented in verbal form for the user via digital storage or voice synthesizer In specific forms the clock or clock radio contains messages relating to similar dates in history horoscopes based on the user s birth date anony mous type programs or other messages that have appropri ate content for a particular time or date 34 Claims 3 Drawing Sheets 38 CURRENT DATE TIME 40 USER S SIGN OF ZODIAC OR BIRTH DATE ser OPTIONAL HOROSCOPES 42 Ea SELECT RING MESSAGE ANDIOR RADIO 44 DIGITAL MESSAGE STORAGE FLASH DRIVE
20. lock according to claim 1 wherein the stored messages are horoscopes 5 A clock according to claim 4 further including a data input on the clock body for a users s input of data relating to the user s date of birth and wherein the horoscopes are specific to dates of birth 6 A clock according to claim 5 wherein the horoscopes include for each day of the year a different horoscope for each of the twelve signs of the zodiac with a single horoscope message for all persons under a particular zodiac sign on a particular day 7 A clock according to claim 5 wherein the clock is self contained and not connected to any network 8 A clock according to claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of messages describe historical events which happened on particular dates and the means for selecting causing a message to be presented from a day of the year in history which is the same as the current day of the year 9 A clock according to claim 8 wherein the multiplicity of messages include a plurality of different categories of historical events and the clock body including a user input for selection of a desired category 10 A clock according to claim 9 wherein the different categories of historical events include sports events 11 A clock according to claim 9 wherein the different categories of historical events include political events 12 A clock according to claim 9 wherein the different categories of historical events include events in sc
21. lock radios etc The device of the invention preferably is in the form of a clock radio capable of being set to present a selected audio message for presentation at a wake up time the message to be appropriate for the time day or date for which the clock radio is set The stored messages can be horoscopes pref 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 2 erably with one horoscope for each of the twelve different zodiac signs for each day of the year i e 12x365 4380 messages for one year The clock or clock radio preferably includes a data input for the user s input of data relating to date of birth for the purpose of selecting horoscopes In another form the device stores the multiplicity of messages relating to historical events to verbally report an event from this day in history With this type of messages the storage medium is appropriate for many years as opposed to the horoscope which will change year by year The stored medium can include several different series of messages with several different categories of historical events and the clock device can include a user selection for which category of message is to be delivered at the appointed time Different types of historical events can include news events science events political events sports events or others specific to any of many different selected activities In one preferred embodiment the clock or clock radio has a CD and CD player wit
22. mation exercise motiva tional messages or biblical passages Although it is pre ferred that the radio or clock radio of the invention dispense messages that are appropriate to the particular day on which played it can be otherwise For example the device can play messages for a two week period with an educational theme with information to be absorbed or memorized by a child progressing each day Different types of subject matter can be selectable In this sense each message being of a series of messages with a particular chronological order is played on a day that is appropriate to the particular message In another aspect the invention encompasses a clock or clock radio device that stores a multiplicity of messages whether time appropriate or not in a self contained unit not connected to any network and wherein a digital storage medium is readily changeable and updateable by the user via a door or slot on the exterior of the device The digital data storage can be a CD or more preferably a flash memory or memory card type solid state storage device It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a time instrument i e a clock or clock radio which contains a storage medium with a large multiplicity of different messages to be played on dates that relate in some way to the message as selected by the user These and other objects advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description
23. n and if so the system queries at 70 whether replay has been requested by the user which generally would occur during US 7 376 051 B2 7 the playing of the message or within a preset time duration thereafter If so the message is played again as indicated in the block 72 As discussed above the system can include in the digital message storage several different types of themes or catego ries of messages This will require considerably more mes sage storage capacity but if this feature is included the user can select among for example message topics such as great moments in history great events in sports great discoveries in science birthdays of famous people current positions of the sun moon and or stars or planets or educational mes sages for children In that case another setting by the user is required This selection is indicated in the dashed line block 62a in FIG 3 The preferred embodiment above refers primarily to time sensitive messages appropriate to the date when played or to the time of day week of the year season etc However the invention also encompasses the self contained device that plays any kind of a message as desired by the user whether time appropriate or not with the device including a consumer removable and replaceable memory storage that contains the messages As discussed above these messages can be an appropriate type of high density storage device such as a flash drive memory card or
24. o replace it with another This is further discussed below As an alternative and as mentioned above the digital storage can be in the form of a solid state memory such as a flash drive or digital camera type solid state memory card A slot or door 32 is indicated in FIG 1 for such a solid state memory device In a preferred embodiment this would comprise a type of door similar to that on a digital camera which is opened to release the memory card Other configu rations of receivers and or connections can be used as desired and appropriate for the particular type of solid state memory used As mentioned above in one preferred embodiment the solid state memory can be re written that is all data erased and replaced Such data can be downloaded over the Inter net with the solid state memory device positioned in a slot of a user s computer or of a peripheral device to the computer This enables time appropriate messages such as horoscopes which will vary between individuals to be customized to the particular user and thus to require much less storage This data re recording and replacement relies on the customer removable digital data storage device allowing the consumer user to remove the memory card or device and to download new data to be recorded on the US 7 376 051 B2 5 storage device using the consumer s computer Complete customization is possible even allowing for elaborate and specific horoscopes for an individual u
25. ocks and radios etc A number of items must be set in the clock radio device 10 of the invention These include the time and the date unless an internal microprocessor maintains these settings using an internal battery not subject to whether or not power is connected to the device 10 an alarm time set feature a 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4 setting for selection of the type of message to be played if this selection is provided see below optionally a repeat button to repeat a verbal message which has just been played if desired seek or tune buttons for the radio as known on other radios a button for selection of the type of alarm to be played at the set time e g alarm buzzer radio or verbal message or several or all of the above preferably in succession and in the case of horoscopes the user s birth date or simply the user s zodiac sign As in other such appliances the LCD display 14 can be used for multiple functions and can be used for setting a date of birth which will be displayed temporarily as the time display is inter rupted as when a button is held down in the event horoscope messages are stored Even in the case where generic horoscopes are presented only twelve of which may be stored for each day of the year the user can be prompted to enter a birth date and the device 10 will select an appropriate zodiac sign message based on that informa tion Also it s
26. play and a clock body a microprocessor contained in the clock body and a user removable replaceable pre recorded digital stor age medium contained in the clock body and connected to the microprocessor accessible from exterior of the clock body storing a multiplicity of audio verbal mes sages recorded by other than the user prior to acquisi tion of the pre recorded digital storage medium by the user each message having informative content of gen eral interest directed at a multiplicity of users the clock device and the clock body having at least one receptacle for the digital storage medium accessible to the user at the outside of the clock body such that the digital storage medium is removable and replaceable by the user and an audible output in the clock body for delivering an audio verbal message connected to the microprocessor so as to verbally announce an audio message selected from the multiplicity of messages when so directed by the microprocessor 22 A clock according to claim 21 wherein the clock comprises a clock radio with means for setting the clock radio to present a selected audio message for presentation to the user at a wake up time 23 A clock according to claim 22 wherein the stored messages are horoscopes 24 A clock according to claim 23 further including a data input on the clock body for a user s input of data relating to the user s date of birth and wherein the horoscopes are specific to dates of
27. scopes or other messages that are keyed in some way to the user s date of birth unless custom horoscopes are recorded as discussed above Alarm setting is indicated at 42 which includes setting the time for the alarm and optionally selection of an alarm ring or buzzer or other tone or verbal message or radio In one preferred form two or all three of these audible wake up signals or sounds can be selected and they will be played in a particular order such as radio ring message The radio can be interrupted for the ring or the message if desired as a feature preset in the unit such that the radio resumes playing afterward The unit can allow setting the radio to start playing earlier with the message coming at a later set time with radio interruption Note also that multiple user set times can be provided for a dual alarm feature Multiple users normally two can then set individual alarm message times and different types of messages could be selected for each assuming multiple categories of messages are stored as discussed below User inputs can also include inputs for other operations such as changing the CD from the slot 30 if a CD is used as the digital storage for the device or for releasing a solid state memory device from the optional slot or door 32 if that type of memory is used or for selecting a language for the message if multiple languages are provided As noted above the microprocessor 35 preferably
28. ser s birth date including year and time of day Only 365 downloadable horoscopes are required for this customized storage of horoscopes versus 12x365 horoscopes for merely data generic horoscopes for all persons under the same sign of the zodiac Another way of obtaining this same result for specific horoscopes is for the consumer to purchase the clock or clock radio then order the digital data storage device customized to the particular customer s date year and time of birth Such customized collections of horoscopes can be produced in a computerized system at a central location then sent to the user In the case of such customized collections of horoscopes the user need not input his her birth date year and or time of birth since this information will be contained in the removable digital storage device but the user s information can be displayed on the clock device s LCD display read from the digital storage device if desired FIG 2 shows a simplified schematic block diagram Controls for the radio are not shown in this diagram The drawing shows a microprocessor 35 at the heart of the system contained within the clock radio body 12 User input is indicated at 36 represented by the setting buttons 28 and 29 shown in FIG 1 The user inputs include setting of the current date and time indicated at 38 entry of the user s date of birth or sign of the zodiac indicated at 40 for the case where the stored messages are horo
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