Wake-up device

• US 5,952,929 A
• Filed: 05/05/1998
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Electronics (USA) Incorporated (Pioneer Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Electronics (USA) Incorporated (Pioneer Corporation)
• Inventors: Satoh, Hiroshi, Yoshida, Hidekazu, Yasushi, Mitsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/071,917
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 340/575, 340/576, 340/439, 340/309.15, 340/692, 340/691.5, 340/691.2, 340/328, 180/272
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A wake-up device includes at least one sound source for use in a wake-up action. A speaker unit converts electric signals from the at least one sound source into sound signals. A signal processor changes the condition of electric signals from the at least one sound source. A random number generator generates a random number. A controller performs sound source selection in accordance with the random number generated by the random number generator, and/or changes the conditions of electric signals from the at least one sound source by means of the signal processor.

Claims

1. A wake-up device comprising:

a plurality of sound sources for use in a wake-up action;

a speaker unit for converting electric signals from the sound sources into sound signals;

a signal processor for changing conditions of the electric signals from the sound sources;

a random number generator for generating a random number;

a controller capable of selecting one sound source from the plurality of sound sources in accordance with the random number generated by the random number generator, and/or changing the conditions of electric signals from the sound sources by means of the signal processor.

2. A wake-up device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of signals from the plurality of sound sources are mixed together to be emitted out through the speaker unit.

3. A wake-up device according to claim 1, wherein said wake-up device includes a timer which is adapted to measure a predetermined time interval, in a manner such that as soon as the predetermined time interval has passed, the random number is generated by the random number generator.

4. A wake-up device according to claim 1, wherein at least one sound source is a television receiver, a radio receiver, or a recording medium reproducing device capable of reproducing signals recorded on a recording medium.

5. A wake-up device according to claim 4, wherein the recording medium is one of an optical disc which has optically recorded thereon audio signals, a magnetic tape which has magnetically recorded thereon audio signals, and a solid state memory which has electrically recorded thereon audio signals.

6. A wake-up device according to claim 5, wherein the audio signals recorded on the recording medium are at least one of an alerting sound, a bothering sound, an uncomfortable drumming sound, and a cool-feeling sound.