US007468934B1
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`Janik
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`
`(54) CLOCK WITH LINK TO THE INTERNET
`.
`.
`.
`Inventor: ais M.Janik, Los Altos Hills, CA
`(75)
`(US)
`(73) Assignee: EZ4Media,Inc., Bannockburn, IL (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 673 days.
`
`11/1999 Burnsetal.
`5,991,306 A
`12/1999 Jonesetal.
`6,005,566 A
`3/2000 Ruckdashelccc 705/9
`6,038,542 A *
`6,134,584 A * 10/2000 Chang etal. oe. 709/219
`6,229,430 B1*
`5/2001 Smith Dewey......... 340/286.02
`6,263,503 Bl
`7/2001 Margulis
`6,360,101 BL*
`3/2002 Ervin veces 455/456.6
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/613,322
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 11, 2000
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`EP
`
`0733983 A2
`
`9/1996
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/519,007,
`filed on Mar. 3, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/166,052,filed on Nov.
`17, 1999, provisional application No. 60/158,986,
`filed on Oct. 12, 1999, provisional application No.
`60/143,475,filed on Jul. 12, 1999.
`Int. Cl
`nt.
`Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GO4B 47/00
`(52) U.S. C1. i ceeccceeceseseesceseeeeecneeneeeeeseseeeeeenes 368/13
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 713/502;
`:
`:
`340/286; 709/203; 368/10, 13
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/1995 Riddle
`5,434,860 A
`12/1997 Rogers etal.
`5,701,451 A
`2/1998 Logan et al.
`5,721,827 A
`4/1998 Lin et al.
`5,742,599 A
`6/1998 Hidaryetal.
`5,774,664 A *
`8/1998 Payton
`5,790,935 A
`8/1998 Glaseret al.
`5,793,980 A
`5,832,067 A * 11/1998 Herold... 379/110.01
`5,907,793 A *
`5/1999 Reams .....cceeeeeeceeeees 725/122
`5,961,602 A * 10/1999 Thompsonetal. .......... 709/229
`5,964,830 A
`10/1999 Durrett
`5,974,441 A
`10/1999 Rogerset al.
`
`.....0.... 725/110
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“Electronic Notes”. Electronic Commerce Review.Jul. 1, 1998. vol.
`1 Issue: 7. Phillips Business Information.*
`(Continued)
`
`;
`;
`Primary Examiner—Rehana Perveen
`ssistant Examiner—bric
`Chan
`48sistant
`Examiner—Bric Chang
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Garty R. Jarosik
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The disclosure describes an alarm clock and a system for
`presenting pre-selected information from a website via the
`internet. The alarm clock includes a snooze button, a visual
`display, a speaker, a port for connecting to the internet, anda
`timer device for activating downloadingofpre-selected infor-
`mation from a website throughthe port, and foractivating the
`presentation of the pre-selected information on the visual
`display and the speaker.
`
`20 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`Web-enabled Clock! Programing and Control Sequence
`
`USER ACCESSES PROGRAMMING AND
`CONTENT SELECTION WEBSITE VIA ANY
`PC CONNECTED TO INTERNET
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`USER SIGNS ONTO PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT
`‘SELECTION WEBSITE USING THE SERIAL NUMBER
`INCLUDED WITH THE WEB-ENABLED CLOCK
`
`i
`USER SELECTS FROM A WENU OF
`ACTIONS AND PREFERENCES FOR
`CONTENT TO BUILD THE WAKE-UP ROUTINE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`’
`USER SIGNS OFF OF PROGRAMMING
`AND CONTENT SELECTION WEBSITE
`
`|
`PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT SELECTION
`‘SOFTWARE APPLICATION GATHERS CONTENT FROM
`INTERNET BASED ON USER'S PREFERENCES,
`‘STORES CONTENT OR LINKS TO CONTENT AT
`WEB-ENABLED CLOCK SERVER
`
`APPLE 1011
`
`APPLE 1011
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`................ 705/14
`
`8/2002 Khooet al.
`6,434,747 Bl
`8/2002 Krishan et al.
`6,442,529 BI *
`9/2002 Joneset al.
`6,453,355 Bl
`6,483,986 BI* 11/2002 Krapf settee ee eee eee eeeeeeeeeeee 386/68
`6,516,340 B2*
`2/2003 Boys seecssssssseesseessseee 709/204
`6,526,581 Bl
`2/2003 Edson
`6,587,822 B2*
`7/2003 Brownetal. ............. 704/275
`
`6,594,682 B2*
`7/2003 Petersonetal.
`. 718/102
`6,678,215 BL*
`1/2004 Treyzetal. 368/10
`6,678,737 Bl
`1/2004 Bucher
`6,717,952 B2
`4/2004 Joneset al.
`6,744,763 Bl
`6/2004 Jonesetal.
`6,826,283 Bl
`11/2004 Wheeleretal.
`6,829,648 Bl
`12/2004 Jones et al.
`6,842,779 BI
`1/2005 Nishizawa retereeeeseeeenses 709/220
`7,191,242 Bl
`3/2007 Serenyi et al.
`7,366,788 B2
`4/2008 Joneset al.
`2002/0056112 Al
`5/2002 Dureauet al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`0992921 A2
`
`4/2000
`
`EP
`EP
`Wo
`WO
`Wo
`WO
`wo
`WO
`
`1003115 A2 *
`0909112 BIL
`9918506 Al
`WO 99/39466
`0023899 Al
`0049731 Al
`0110124 Al
`0147192 Al
`
`5/2000
`1/2004
`4/1999
`8/1999
`4/2000
`8/2000
`2/2001
`6/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`International Search Report, PCT/US00/28369, Mar.5, 2001, 1 page.
`Roy, Deb K.et al., News Comm: A Hand-HeldInterface for Interac-
`tive Access to Structured Audio, CHI 96 Conference, pp. 173-180,
`Apr. 13-18, 1996.
`PR Newswire, New Company Xenote Allows Consumers to ‘Book-
`mark the Real World’ with Fun, Personal Internet Device, Jan. 25,
`2000, 2pgs.
`G. Degouletet al., EPEOS -- Automatic Program Recording System,
`Nov. 1975, 22 pgs.
`Tivo, Inc., Form S-1, Jul. 22, 1999, 902 pgs.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 BI
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`antenna
`
`phone line
`
`network connection
`software moder
`emulation
`
`
`
`external
`speaker
`jack
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 BI
`
`bo 4
`110a
`|
`‘
`i
`internet
`
`Bon cane anne nnn Gennn anaescapenannn monn tonne manne wna annal
`
`phone line
`
`phone fine
`
`phone line
`
`
`
`
`
`
`web-enabled
`clock |
`
`
`
`
`
`
`phone line
`
`i web-enabled
`|
`clock 3
`
`web-enabled
`clock 2
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 BI
`
`Web-enabled Clock! Programming and Control Sequence
`
`PC CONNECTED TO INTERNET
`
`USER ACCESSES PROGRAMMING AND
`CONTENT SELECTION WEBSITE VIA ANY
`
`2
`
`
`
`USER SIGNS ONTO PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT
`
`
`SELECTION WEBSITE USING THE SERIAL NUMBER
`INCLUDED WITH THE WEB-ENABLED CLOCK
`
`3
`
`4
`
`USER SELECTS FROM A MENU OF
`ACTIONS AND PREFERENCES FOR
`CONTENT TO BUILD THE WAKE-UP ROUTINE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER SIGNS OFF OF PROGRAMMING
`AND CONTENT SELECTION WEBSITE
`
`PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT SELECTION
`
`|
`|
`
`SOFTWARE APPLICATION GATHERS CONTENT FROM
`INTERNET BASED ON USER'S PREFERENCES,
`STORES CONTENT OR UNKS TO CONTENT AT
`
`WEB-ENABLED CLOCK SERVER
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 BI
`
`Web~enabled Clock - Initial Device Setup
`
`USER ACTIVATES WEB-ENABLED CLOCK
`SETUP/RESET BUTTON; CAUSES CLOCK
`TO CALL GUT TO USER'S ISP AND
`
`ESTABLISH A CONNECTION TO THE
`WEB-ENABLED CLOCK SERVER
`
`SERVER SENDS USER'S PROGRAMMING DATA,
`CONTENT, AND ANY OTHER
`DATA TQ BE STORED AT WEB-ENABLED
`
`CLOCK
`
`WER—-ENABLED CLOCK INTERNAL MEMORY
`
`PROGRAMMING DATA, CONTENT, AND
`ANY OTHER DAFA IS STORED IN
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 8 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 BI
`
`[USER'S GENERAL PURPOSE PC OR PDA | 1068
`
`used to access the programming and content
`iselection websile at the web-enabled clock
`
`phoneline medern, cable
`modem, DSL
`
`i server source of digital schedule content
`
`(PIM)
`
`| content search engines
`
`
`102
`
`| WEB-ENABLED SERVER
`| programming and content preference
`| seleclion website ond software application
`| text-to-speech software
`| user's account
`user's data files (wake-up routine,
`| audio fles fram text~to~speech
`| application
`| content~to~multipis web-enabled
`| clock management software application
`| content
`links
`
`————ooo—e ~y
`
`!
`
`|
`
`i i|
`
`content on
`internet
`
`110
`
`:
`
`i
`
`modem fink via
`phone fine
`
`streamed audio
`diving wake-up routine, or
`download content
`
`WEB-ENABLED CLOCK
`
`playing of streamed audio content
`storage of cudio content (files)
`stored instructions for callout ond wake-up times
`siorage of graphics content (files)
`snooze bution
`volume button
`time set
`alarm set
`connection to internet
`response tagging buttons and function
`
`
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 9 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 BI
`
`web-enabled clock wake-up online
`
`
`
`r
`, 9?
`~92
`
`support
`— (contactus
`download schedule )
`
`
`The web-enabled clock is the Internet connected alarm clock.
`
`This website allows you to creale you awn custom wake-up ritual that will run on your
`web-enabled clock. You can stream aucis from any source onthe web, hear news items of
`interest or be alerted to appointments from your own day planning software, as you wake up.
`
`To build your own personal wake-up routine, fill out the form below:
`
`Web-enabled clock
`First Name
`Last Name
`serail number
`Le
`
`Address
`
`password
`
`Ll
`
`
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet10 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
` web-enabled clock | wake-up online
`
`The internet connected alarm clock
`
`Web-enabled clock
`setup
`
`Here are the two information sources to select irom for your web-enabled clock:
`
`88—C©) Preset wake-up rouline
`
`88~—C) Custom wake-up routine
`
`88—C) | want to have schedule or appoiniment information from my
`organizer software read to me every morning as part of my
`wake-up routine
`
`Paim Desktop
`|
`
`Always send — days of schedule entries to the
`web-enabled clock server.
`
`locate my server tile: [«d'(Browse)
`
`
`
`S90
`
`
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`
`web-enabled clock | wake-up online
`The internet connected alarm clock
`
`Preset wake-up
`program for web-enabled
`clock user
`
`When you set up your web-enabled clock using this Preset mode, you simply
`choose content you would like fo hear from the selections below. The web-
`enabled clock server plays therm for you at your wake-up time. To select the
`order or io choose from a larger selection of content, use the Custom Setup
`Application.
`
`Start Wake-up [am©opm b
`
`8&8
`
`internet Programming Selection
`
`88News
`[| Music
`
`8&8
`HW Morning Shows
`| Good Morning America
`|
`
`
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 12 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
` | web-enabled clock wake-up online
`
`The internet connected alarm clock
`
`Wake-up program
`or Web-enabled
`clock user
`
`This page allows you to create your own custom wake-up routine. Stari by
`specifying a wake-up time. Each slot allows you to specify content from the
`web or audio files you may nave on your cornputer. If the time field is left
`blank, the fleas will play for their duratian.
`
`8&8
`
`Slot 1 time length
`
`30
`
`(
`
`browse
`
`je"
`
`
`
`}
`
`gO
`
`
`
`browse the web-enabled
`
`Wake-up Time [sd amSom >
`
`
`
`browse the web for this siot
`play audio files
`|)
`
`
`
`
`browse the web-enabled
`fade in 4 |
`clock site
`
`
`
`
` browse the web for this siot
` play audio files
`90
`
`
`"
`browse
`
`browse the webforthis slot
`play audio files
`
`
`{
`browse 7
`browse the web-enabled
`
`clock site fade in
`
`
` play audia files
`Slot 4 time length7} ¢8
`90
`
`
`
`
`browse the web-enabled
`(
`browse
`}-
`
`
`clock site
`
`
`
`browse the web for this siot
`
`
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 13 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`web-enabled clock|wake-up online
`
`The internet connected alarm clack
`
`Late breaking news
`
`News and interest
`
`Financial news
`
`Messaging
`
`user
`
`Send a personal message
`to another web-enabled clock
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 14 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`Operation of Web~enabled Clock
`
`INTERNAL WEB-ENABLED CLOCK TIMER INITIATES
`
`ACCESS TO WEB-ENABLED SERVER AT THE
`PRESCRIBED CALL-UP TIME
`
`ON LCD
`
`WAKE-UP ROUTINE ~ INCLUDING PLAYBACK OF
`CONTENT, DISPLAY OF USER'S SCHEDULE CONTENTS,
`MESSAGES, AUTOMATIC TUNING TO RADIO
`STATIONS, PLAYING MP3 FILES AND ANY OTHER
`CONTENT OR INSTRUCTIONS
`
`WEB-ENABLED CLOCK DOWNLOADS PROGRAMMING
`AND CONTENT THAT IS TO BE DOWNLOADED PRIOR TO,
`AND USED DURING THE WAKE-UP ROUTINE
`
`WEB-ENABLED CLOCK TIMER ACTIVATES AND MAY
`
`CONNECT TO WEB-ENABLED SERVER 15 MINUTES
`BEFORE PRESET WAKE-UP TIME
`
`WEB-ENABLED CLOCK MAY BE ONLINE AT WAKE-UP
`
`TIME AND EXECUTES THE USER'S PRESCRIGED
`
`AFTER WAKE-UP ROUTINE IS FINISHED, WEB-ENABLED
`CLOCK TERMINATES CONNECTION (IF ANY}, DEFAULT
`STATE IS ENTERED, WITH GRAPHIC AND/OR TIME SHOWN
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 15 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`pajqeue-qam\ OL
`
`
`
`[sysojsAu]“SOIAISSJOPUPIBDwege:7
`
`
` aauieem)6661‘1}JequeAON‘Aepsinu
`yoojo~~keidsip
`
`
`
`
`
`yosuy"BunuouwsingAes10]JUeAS
`,MOUBUUOLUEQl0uU10)ABISIDCul
`
`
`
`DEINPSUISBGABLNOGA,‘BOIOA
`
`S
`
`
`
`yOoISDS|qeus-qamM
`
`
`
`indineoipne
`
`PEG—T
`
`885—-
`
`48S
`
`_/
`
`17
`
`17
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 16 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`kK3
`
`jsOcaWeathe,
`
`8Ki“ORition.
`
`o8a
`
`58b
`
`Séc
`
`ad
`
`
`
`
`
`
`18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 17 of 17
`
`US 7,468,934 B1
`
`———~—_E_—_—_—_—_ OO ‘|
`
`internet
`
`!
`
`cn ene weer eee weer eee ees wee ers ween eee en ee di
`
`internetlink
`wired (modem, broadband)
`or wireless
`
`
`
`
` Bi
`
`
`
`
`i
`
`
`wireless, AC line
`erphene line
`
`—..
`
`local home network
`
`
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`US 7,468,934 Bl
`
`1
`CLOCK WITH LINK TO THE INTERNET
`
`This patent application is a Continuation-in-part (CIP) of
`patent application Ser. No. 09/519,007, filed Mar. 3, 2000,
`entitled “Docking Station for PDA with Added Functional-
`ity”, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/143,475, filed Jul.
`12, 1999, entitled Alarm Clock with Link to the Internet, U.S.
`Provisional Application No. 60/158,986,filed Oct. 12, 1999,
`entitled Alarm Clock with Link to the Internet, and U.S.
`Provisional Application No. 60/166,052, filed Nov. 17, 1999,
`entitled Alarm Clock with link to the Internet.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention is a type of clock or time and information
`display device that may be used to both present a wide range
`of content from the internet, and also alert a user at a preset
`time. Specifically, this device is a programmable alarm and
`clock that is connected to the internet for receiving program-
`ming for alarm clock functional features, as well as content
`that is to be presented to a user. Hereafter the present inven-
`tion will be referred to as the web-enabled clock, or web-
`enabled alarm clock 10 if its automatic activation is used to
`
`wake-up or otherwise alert or remind the user. The web-
`enabled clock delivers preferred content to a user in a contex-
`tually relevant situation.
`
`DEFINITIONS
`
`PC (Personal Computer) is defined as a general purpose
`computer commonly used by individuals for a variety of
`computing tasks but, with respect to the invention disclosed
`herein, most notably for establishing a connection to and
`browsing information on, the world wide web. Web, world
`wide web, or internet is used here interchangeably, and is
`defined as the sum total ofall connected devices, the connec-
`tion being via standardized digital communications proto-
`cols, such as TCP-IP (Transmission Control Protocol—tinter-
`net Protocol) andthe like. The information transfer protocols
`that are used by a particular device depends on the type of
`devices that are connected. Currently, the hypertext markup
`languate (HTML)is usedto display pages of text content on
`a PC.
`
`Local net is used interchangeably with LAN (Local Area
`Network) and is defined as a communication network includ-
`ing two or more devices. Typically, the term “local” means
`that the devices are located in close physical proximity. For
`the purposesofthe invention disclosed herein, a local net for
`example would be a home network where several computers
`and other devices such as printers or fax machines would be
`functionally connected for the purposeof control, or sharing
`programming or data. A LAN maybe connectedeither by a
`wired or wireless medium, and associated communications
`protocols. Devices that are connected via a LAN mayulti-
`mately have accessto the internet if one device on the LAN is
`connected to the internet. Thus data can be directed to other
`devices through the device with the internet connection.
`Browsing is a function that is performed by a user with a
`browsing device, often a PC with browsing software, and is
`defined as interactively viewingtext, still images, and other
`types ofmedia on webpagesthat use a standard format such as
`hypertext markup language (HTML) or XML. When brows-
`ing, to access a subsequent page or item of content, the user
`must actively make a request that is in the form of a mouse
`click or a typed characterstring. It is important to note that
`browsing requires active real-time decisions andthe attention
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`ofa user, as an alternative methodofinteraction is presented
`as part ofthe invention disclosed herein. Browsing may occur
`on a variety of devices.
`Associated with browsing are browsers, defined as soft-
`ware applications that allow navigation to specific website
`addresses, viewing of webpages, and the selection of links.
`Navigation to specific website addresses is based on the entry
`of specific universal resource locators (URLs) that follow the
`HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) to connect to associated
`webpages. Browser can view webpagesin browser compat-
`ible formats such as HTML or XML, which support the
`ability to assign links to other URLs to elements such as text
`or images within webpages. Typically, browsing software
`runs on PCs, butis also available to work with lower powered,
`single purpose browsing computers.
`A modem (modulator-demodulator)is a device that allows
`a computer to send data to another computer via a standard
`analog phoneline. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)is a trans-
`mission technologythatalso uses existing copper phonelines
`but provides for much faster data rates, compared to conven-
`tional analog modems. Modems, cable modems, and DSL are
`all well known technologies and will not be described here in
`detail.
`
`An internet service provider (ISP) is defined as a business
`that provides end users with a connectionto the internet. For
`example, many ISPs provide dial-up numbers that are
`answered by large banks of modemsmaintained by the ISPs
`at one or more locations. The ISP’s modemsbridge between
`the enduser’s PC modem anda fast connectionto the internet.
`
`ManyISP’s also provide broadband access for home com-
`puter users and businesses.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`Theproliferation oftelecommunications infrastructure has
`resulted in the ubiquitousavailability of internet connections.
`A significant portion of U.S. households have PCsthat con-
`tain modems, providing users with access to the internet
`through dial-up connections to ISPs. Recently, broadband
`internet connections such as cable modems and DSL have
`
`been gaining popularity and increasing in market share, espe-
`cially in the home market. The popularity and extension of a
`fast digital communication medium into the homeis provid-
`ing the opportunity to bring increased functionality to a vari-
`ety of devices, as well as driving the creation of whole new
`classes of connected products. At the sametime,the phenom-
`enon of the world wide web has vastly increased the amount
`of information that is available in digital format. The infor-
`mation available on the web extends across many different
`media, including text, still images, audio files, streaming
`audio, and video. Thereis a great deal of new information on
`the web that in multimedia format, a combination ofstill
`images, audio, and full motion video.
`Anothertechnology that is driving ubiquitous access to the
`internet is home networking (LAN) technology. There is a
`need for users to connect multiple PCs in the home,or to
`connect one or more PCsto peripheral devices such as print-
`ers, facsimile machines, or broadband gateways. Currently,
`there are three competing technology mediums for home
`networking: wireless (radio frequency), AC powerline, and
`phoneline systems. The AC powerline systems are comprised
`of a data signal superimposed on the 60 cycle alternating
`currentin homeelectrical wiring systems. Phoneline systems
`likewise include a data signal superimposed at a different
`frequency, on home phonewiring. Each ofthese technologies
`has advantages and disadvantages, and all three currently
`co-exist in the marketplace. For example, Intel Corporation,
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`US 7,468,934 Bl
`
`3
`of Santa Clara, Calif., markets products that use variously all
`three of these mediums, under the brand name AnyPoint™.
`The speed of these technologies varies slightly and the data
`transfer rates is being made quickly in each technology. For
`example, the Intel AnyPoint™ wireless system is actually
`manufactured by Proxim, of Sunnyvale, Calif. Proxim’s
`wireless technology is based on an industry standard for
`wireless networking technology called HomeRF™. Hom-
`eRF™is based on JEEE (Institute of Electrical Electronic
`Engineers, Inc.) standard 802.11 which usesthe 2.4 gigahertz
`part of the wireless spectrum. HomeRF can currently achieve
`data rates of approximately 1.6 mbps (million bits per sec-
`ond).
`New products have been introduced to take advantage of
`the availability of ubiquitous internet connections, to allow
`users to gain access to the vast storehouse of information on
`the web. Manyofthese new products attemptto bring brows-
`ing capability to scenarios other than the use of a PC. A new
`class of devices was created when WebTV of Palo Alto,
`Calif., introduced a product called a set-top box. Set-top
`boxesare devices that connectto the internet, usually through
`a dial-up modem,allowing users to browsethe internet using
`their television asthe visual output device. Set-top boxes also
`typically include keyboardsor a pointing device to allow the
`userto interact with an on-screen or on-lineinterface. Set-top
`boxes bring greater functionality to televisions.
`Another example of a device that is not a PC that attempts
`to take advantage of on-line access to information is the
`iPhone, manufactured by infoGear of RedwoodCity, Calif.
`The iPhone is an integrated telephone-browser system. It
`includes a medium size display and an integral modem so that
`the user can access the web and especially email, at the phone
`apparatus. The iPhoneis also a standalone browser, providing
`universal access to all content on the world wide web in an
`interactive format.
`
`The majority of devices that provide connectivity and
`access to content on the internet provide a browsing function.
`However, there are other devices in the homeor in business
`locations that can provide substantial function by simply
`presenting, displaying, or playing information content to a
`user, rather than supporting fully interactive browsing.
`A category of products that are information devices that
`typically present or play information or content are clocks,
`alarm clocks, and clock radios. There is a diverse product
`offering within the product category of clocks and alarm
`clocks. Clocks with integrated radio receivers, known as
`clock-radios, are very common.Clock radios typically offer
`the ability for the user to set the wake up soundas either an
`alarm soundor radio programming in the AM or FM band. Of
`course, clock radios are limited to the existing broadcast
`media selection for the content that they can present to the
`user. The broadcast model is such that manyuserslisten to the
`same information. There are also alarm clocks with integrated
`compact disk players, so that users can further customize the
`audio wake-up content. The CD/Alarm Clock with Sound
`Soother® offered by The Sharper Image, of San Leandro,
`Calif., includes an integrated sound generation machine(the
`Sound Soother®)that provides soothing sounds, such as run-
`ning water, waterfall, rain, and the like, as well as a compact
`disk (CD) player. The soothing sounds cannot be changed
`because they are stored in the solid state memory 78 of the
`device. The display on this device also shows the day, the
`date, room temperature, and time zone. Clocks or alarm
`clocks with integral media playback devices, such as a CD
`player,are also limited since the user must load a new CDinto
`the device if they want to hear different or new content. And
`only content that exists in a CD format can be played.
`
`4
`There have been attempts to add customized content func-
`tionality to clocks and alarm clocks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,627
`to Gormley showsan electronic device that stores audio mes-
`sages entered by the user onto digital chips. Each messageis
`given a chronological code so that the message can be auto-
`matically played at a specified date and time. This device
`provides for some customized contentto be played backto the
`user as an alarm or as a reminder. However, the playback
`contentis limited to that which is recordable bythe user. This
`requires a substantial amountof effort for the user to create
`new alarm content.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,070,697 to Miller et al, and 5,365,494 to
`Lynch, also disclose a system with a basic function whichis
`to allow the user to record and store custom content, such as
`verbal reminder messages, and to link these stored bits of
`content to specific alarm trigger times. At the specified times,
`the pre-recorded pieces of content are played as alarms or
`reminders. These systems require significant effort by the
`user to create new content to be played as alarms.
`USS. Pat. No. 5,621,458 to Mann et al discloses a docking
`and control apparatus for portable electronic entertainment
`devices. One function of this device is that it can be used to
`trigger activation ofa variety of consumerelectronic devices,
`for example a video camcorder unit. In this example it is
`assumedthat the user has pre-recorded content on the video
`camcorder, that is played back. The device may also use an
`integral generic message stored in memory 78, or a custom
`messagethat has been addedbytheuser, as the contentthatis
`played whenthe alarm date and time occurs. Additionally, the
`device can drive a computer video monitor or television as
`video output devices. Again, this device requires the user to
`create someorall of the original content that might be played
`back.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,923 to Martin is an electronic calendar
`that displays the time, day, day of the week, month and year,
`and also displays preprogrammed and user programmed
`information such as holidays, birthdays, anniversaries,
`appointments, and other messages. One interesting featureis
`a function that provides for the randomly selected displaying
`of programmed messages such as advertisements and safety
`slogansat recurring times to reinforce the user’s memory 78
`of such messages. Again, adding new contentinto this device
`requires substantial programmingeffort by the user.
`Whatis neededis a product that simply and automatically
`presents customized informationto a userin a specific situa-
`tion at a pre-determinedtime. The product should include the
`ability to set up the user-specific preferences for the content
`thatis delivered, based onthe diverse and prolific amount and
`types of information available on the internet.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Thepresent invention is a web-enabled clock; an electronic
`clock and display device with alarm functionality andinternet
`connectivity. The web-enabled clock includes a housing with
`an internal electronic circuit that contains a networking func-
`tion, a display, a speaker, a power supply, and controls typi-
`cally found on an alarm clock, including a snoozebutton. The
`web-enabled clock also contains a radio tuner. The web-
`enabled clock connects to the internet on a daily basis to
`receive custom or preferred content from the internet based
`on selections made by a user at a web-enabled clock set-up
`website.
`
`The contentthatis received and played back automatically
`for the user may consist of a variety of content types such as
`news, weather, andtraffic information, affinity content (con-
`tent specific to areas ofinterest to the user), and the entries for
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`US 7,468,934 Bl
`
`5
`the user’s daily schedule that has been synchronized from the
`user’s personal information manager (PIM)database.
`Furthermore, web-enabled clock features may be specified
`to be modified or changed at the clock setup website. For
`example, an automatic snooze activation, or a fade-in of the
`alarm audio content volumecould be specified on the web-
`site, and these parameters would then be downloadedto the
`web-enabled clock during the daily or otherwise periodic
`connection interval.
`
`An important function that the web-enabled clock would
`perform is that the user’s daily schedule, or portion of the
`user’s daily schedule, could be audibly or visually presented
`to the user as part of the wake-up alarm process. The user
`would control this function via the controlling software as
`mentioned above. Therefore, a software program will exist
`that will take schedule data, as extracted from a user’s exist-
`ing scheduling software and movethis to the web-enabled
`clock. This transfer would happenata dailyrate, at a time set
`by the user. For example, if the web-enabled clock used an
`internal modem to connect to the internet, it would dial the
`service provider at a set time, when the line wasn’t being
`used. This would mostlikely occurat a timeafter the user had
`goneto sleep, so that any schedule changesthat had occurred
`late in the given day would betransferred to the web-enabled
`clock in time to be expressed to the user the next morning.
`A content response tagging function is provided by the
`web-enabled clock. The purpose of the response tagging
`function is to allow a userto select an item ofcontent for some
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`6
`FIG. 12 is a web page showing the customer wake-up
`routine interface.
`
`FIG. 13 is aweb page showing the custom wake-up content
`offerings.
`FIG.14is a flow chart describing the general operation of
`the web-enabled clock in playback mode.
`FIG. 15 is a front view of the web-enabled clock showing
`schedule information andlabeled softkeys.
`FIG. 16 showsan isometric view of the web-enabled clock
`
`with the softkeys programmed as preset content selection
`buttons.
`FIG. 17 is a diagram of a system that uses a central home
`server to provide content to each of several web-enabled
`clocks.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`First a description of the apparatus and functional compo-
`nents ofthe system will be described, then their operation. As
`shownin FIG. 1, the web-enabled clock 10 is comprised ofa
`housing that is similar to a traditional alarm clock housing.
`Thatis, the size is of a scale that could fit conveniently on a
`nightstand. There is a top housing 10 and a bottom housing 14
`fastened together using threaded fasteners, which are not
`shownbecausethis type ofdesign is well knowninthefield of
`consumer electronics design. Top housing 10 and bottom
`housing 14 are manufactured using injection-moldedplastic.
`FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of web-enabled clock 10.
`There is a printed circuit board 22 that electrically connects
`and mechanically supports a microprocessor 74, a quantity of
`system memory 78, and other electronic components that
`combineto controlthe functions ofthe web-enabled clock 10.
`FIG.4 showsa block diagram ofthe internal functional com-
`ponents that comprise web-enabled clock 10. Also included
`in the electronic circuit is a timer subsystem for keeping track
`of the correct time and date. Web-enabled clock 10 also
`
`further action at a later time. For example, while listening to
`content being presented or played by the web-enabled clock,
`a user may be interested in learning more about a particular
`itemthat is presented, such as a song, advertisement, or news
`or affinity item. A number of softkeys are provided that are
`labeled by the display corresponding to various items of
`content that are being played or that have been played. The
`user would select the softkey that correspondsto the item of
`includes an output means, that is, the method for the user to
`content of interest. The system would sendthis selection back
`receive information from the web-enabled clock 10. FIGS. 1,
`through to the web-enabled clock server and provide more
`
`information to the user, either through aggregation oftags at 2, and 3 showafull color liquid crystal display (LCD 54)
`40
`a special website, or through emails sent to the user.
`graphics module as the visual output, and an amplifier and
`speaker 70, for audio output. Web-enabled clock 10 includes
`input means, that is, a set of controls typically found on a
`clock or clock radio that allow the user to control the basic
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 shows an isometric front view of the web-enabled
`clock.
`FIG. 2 shows an isometric rear view of the web-enabled
`clock.
`FIG. 3 shows an isometric exploded view of the web-
`enabled clock.
`FIG. 4 showsa block diagram of the internal components
`of the web-enabled clock.
`
`FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the web-enabled clock phone
`linked to the internet.
`
`FIG. 6 showsa flow chart oftheinitial online setup of the
`web-enabled clock.
`
`FIG. 7 showsa flow chart of theinitial setup at the web-
`enabled device.
`
`FIG. 8 showsa block diagram of the web-enabled clock
`system components with functions.
`FIG. 9 is a web page showingthe initial user setup interface
`on programming and content selection website.
`FIG. 10 is a web page showingthe user setup interface for
`selecting the custom or preset content selections on program-
`ming and content selection website.
`