WO2011117903A2

WO2011117903A2 - Directional-sound-diffusion alarm clock and further applications

Info

Publication number: WO2011117903A2
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sarah Raniero
Original assignee: Raniero, Ilaria
Priority date: 2010-03-24
Filing date: 2011-03-23
Publication date: 2011-09-29
Also published as: WO2011117903A4; WO2011117903A3

Abstract

The present invention is concerning an alarm clock, in particular a directional-sound-diffusion alarm clock, besides other applications concerning that technology. The purpose of the invention is to implement a device, that overcomes the problems / discomforts / limitations connected to the use of a device with a traditional sound diffusion.

Description

DIRECTIONAL-SOUND-DIFFUSION ALARM CLOCK AND

FURTHER APPLICATIONS:

1 - DESCRIPTION:

1.1° TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention is concerning a directional-sound-diffusion electronic device.

1.2 ⁰ - STATE OF PRIOR ART

Alarm clocks (and any other device designed to wake people up) on the market, with any type of power supply and/or information- technology connections, are equipped with sound-diffusing speakers that, at the moment of use, inevitably bother anyone who is sharing the same room (or adjacent rooms or any rather confined spaces), if there are different wake up hours among the housemates themselves.

This is caused by the traditional sound distribution system, be it a trill or a melody, pleasant or sweet.

Indeed, when the alarm goes off in the hour for which it was set, the ring breaks the silence bothering those who could continue with their rest.

For some time, because of an annoying alarm signal even for the users themselves, the alternative that is being used to remedy the problem, is the setting of the alarm-clocks being set on mobile phones. This implies keeping your mobile phone close to you all night, and often having leave the phone on, to ascertain that the alarm goes off. About this matter, however, we report new findings, published by WHO (World Health Organization) the October 28, 2009 ,of a research that was coordinated by Dr. Elisabeth Cardis:

".. A Research cost 20 million pounds and lasted ten years, under the supervision of the World Health Organisation, has shown that those who make frequent use of mobile phone have an increased risk of brain tumors over time. The news was reported by the Daily Telegraph, which saw a preview of search results. The scholars clarify that the results are not conclusive, but at least raise doubts about what the governments have asserted till now, that is that mobile phones are safe....

WHO research is based on a very significant sample of over 12,000 people, spread in 13 countries, and it comes to the conclusion that the risk of cancer significantly increases after a prolonged use of mobile phones for over ten years. In particular, researchers point the finger at the glioma, that is the most common brain tumor.

The coordinator of the study, Dr. Elizabeth Cardis, invites governments to enact a set of rules that regulate the use of mobile phone in a more restrictive way, especially for younger people. The statements of Dr. Cardis indeed recommend the greatest caution: "This is a public health message - Cardis points out - because even though the studies are not definitive, precautions are very important "

Recently in existence, as an alternative to mobile phones that are responsible of the above mentioned disadvantages, there are:

- An alarm clock by ceiling, whose light gradually increases in intensity 30 minutes before the alarm.

- A pillow that gradually lights 40 minutes before the alarm sound simulating dawn.

- In phase of concept:

• a bracelet that wakes you up, thanks to a programmed alarm- vibration

• two rings placed on the fingertip, that wake you up thanks to a programmed alarm- vibration

In the market reference, these alternatives are few and rare. Moreover, the use of these technologies can bring some disadvantages: the lighting can create more trouble and threatens to wake the person nearby ; wearing all night an object like a ring or a bracelet can be annoying.

It's important to underline that these substitutes are far from the idea that the customer has about "alarm-clock" as tool used to wake up. Since customers hardly change the concept of a product, we are advantaged over our competitors because we basically offer an alarm clock with extra features.

Throughout this series of reasons, the introduction of alarm clock is favourite.

Likewise, similar inconveniences occur when using any other electronic device [notebooks, netbooks, ultra-slims of the latest generation, smartphones, digital music players, electronic Books (or eBooks) , watch phones, tablet pc, portable console-games; and monitors, tv, and/or sound equipment in general, which are situated on the backs of the passengers-seats of aircrafts or vehicles (or over the seats, or in appropriate place in relation to the seats themselves), etc.] that has, as characteristic of emission of sound, a traditional diffusion, that is, which spreads the sound in the surrounding space (in the same way in which a traditional incandescent light bulb diffuses the light).

1.3 ° - PURPOSE OF INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is to implement an alarm-clock, as well as any other electronic device, that overcomes these problems / discomforts / limitations.

This aim is achieved by joining together and using some technologies already on the market but not yet jointly designed to achieve such a goal:

the various technologies used to realize alarm-clocks [as well as to realize notebooks, netbooks, ultra-slims of the latest generation, smartphones, digital music players, electronic Books (or eBooks) , watch phones, tablet pc, portable console-games; and monitors, tv, and/or sound equipment in general, which are situated on the backs of the passengers-seats of aircrafts or vehicles (or over the seats, or in appropriate place in relation to the seats themselves)], are already well known to the market and to the expert of the branch;

the new electronic devices of our invention have as innovation, [compared to the state of the art of those just mentioned (alarm clock, notebook, etc. ..)] the newness of being directional-diffusion-of-sound electronic devices, that is they direct the sound to a precise and defined space, so that only those present in the "zone" where the sound is directed are able to perceive it: this is a process that is possible thanks to a modulation circuitry emitting modulated ultrasound according to the wave amplitude of the desired sound.

Once modulated, the sound signal degrades due to the properties of the air, reaching audible frequencies.

The difference between the directioned sound and the scattered sound is the same difference as laser light and scattered light: in the case of laser light you can see the light only if you are interposed between the light source and the direction to which it is pointed.

This is a new application of a technology already common in the United States: only those, present in the "zone" where the sound is directed, are able to perceive it: the dispersion of the audio is well focused and directed, just like a shower jet, and what we obtain is to have no noise in the surrounding environment.

The result is so defined that, at the same time, different sound sources can be positioned, without any interference or disturbance to those around.

Reproduction of any kind of sound is clear and sharp even at low volume.

The applied technology, creates a narrow beam of ultrasound, which has frequencies far from the range of those audible, but which degrades when it has contact with the air and reaches frequencies that belong to the audible band.

Directioned sound is generated by emitting an ultrasound, modulated according to the wave amplitude of the desired sound. As shown in Figure 1, page 13, the generated sound signal '4' has the wave amplitude of the sound '2' (FIG. 1) (modulating wave), and the frequency of the ultrasound ' 1 ' (FIG.l) (carrier wave). The ultrasound, which is easily directional, after having been modulated and amplified, subsequently comes in contact with the air and, thanks to the properties of propagation medium (the air), degrades (sound 5, FIG. 1,); the sound '5' (Fig. 1) is heard exclusively in the path along which it is directed.

If the sound signal is not modulated, it would be impossible to hear the sound once audible frequencies are reached.

Advantageously, the electronic device is integrated with a further technology: that is sensors-technology (n°. 17, FIG. 2: detecting-sensor of presence / position) - (led, infrared, photoelectric cells, and so on) , which is designed to detect the presence of a subject-recipient to a certain distance and / or position, so that only in this case, directional- sound diffusers, (sensors having recognized and identified the presence of the user-recipient of the sound itself) autonomously begin to function.

In other words, the sensors (n ° 17, FIG. 2: detecting-sensor of presence / position) detect the presence of the subject-recipient of the sound at a certain distance and / or position from the electronic device, according to the invention. 1.4 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

Further features and advantages of directional-diffusion-of-sound electronic devices will better emerge from the description that follows, of a preferred embodiment, but not exclusive, of the electronic device itself, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example, in the drawings on page 13, where:

FIG. 1 illustrates in a simplified way the process and the resulting directioned sound;

FIG. 2 illustrates in a schematic view, by way of a non-limiting example, the electronic device:

FIGURE 1: PROCESS AND RESULTING DIRECTIONED SOUND:

The directioned sound is generated by emitting the ultrasound ' , modulated according to the wave amplitude '2' of the desired sound. As shown in FIG. 1, the sound signal '4', which is generated in phase '3', has the wave amplitude of the sound '2' (modulating wave) and the frequency of the ultrasound ' 1 ' (carrier wave): of which:

the ultrasound, which is easily directional, subsequently enters ('4') in contact with the air and, thanks to the properties of the medium of propagation (the air), degrades ('5'); the sound is not heard except in the path along which it is directed .

The sound signal, however, is modulated in amplitude at a audible frequency: in this way the interaction with the fluid (air), which acts as a filter, causes the decay of the ultrasound carrier and the sound signal reappears, modulated in the audible frequency. The resulting sound '5' is the chosen melody, but directioned so as to be confined into the perimeter desired. Thus, you can define the demarcated areas within which you want to encapsulate the sound waves: the possibility of manipulating the direction of the sound beam, allows the creation of "islands" where the sound is audible, while all around is silent.

FIGURE 2: SCHEMATIC ILLUSTRATION OF THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

The modulation circuitry ' 12' aims to generate the sound signal modulated in amplitude, which is then amplified by the amplifier ' 13'.

Inside there are three components: an ultrasound generator chip '9' which generates the ultrasound, a sound generator chip '10' which generates the sound, and a modulator chip ' 11 ' { amplitude modulator chip ' 11 ' is a chip that allows to modulate the signal amplitude that will be used for transmission, i.e. the ultrasound T (Fig. 1) (carrier wave), proportional to the sound signal amplitude that you want to transmit, i.e. the sound '2' (FIG. 1) (modulating wave)}. The waves, generated separately, {the production of sound '2' (Fig. 1) and ultrasound T (Fig. 1) both occur at an electronic level} they are mixed electronically through the modulator chip Ί , to obtain the sound signal modulated in amplitude. The output of this process is a sound signal with amplitude equal to that of the sound and frequency equal to that of the ultrasound.

FIG. 2: Amplifier ' 13' (electronic component) Once modulated, the sound signal must be amplified: the amplifier allows to obtain an amplified replica of the input sound signal, while preserving the information contained, as the waveform.

FIG. 2. Transducer ' 14' (is the component that emits the sound signal modulated and amplified)

Transducer ' 14' carries out the function of emitting ultrasound already modulated and amplified. The transducer, to function properly, must be placed inside an electronic circuit, which has the aim of oscillating generic speakers at the same f equency of the ultrasound carrier. The transducer must be able to reproduce a low range of frequencies (ultrasound).

The emitted sound signal ' 15', FIG. 2, (that is the same sound signal '4' in FIG. 1) has the wave amplitude of the sound '2' (FIG. 1) (modulating wave) and the frequency of the ultrasound T (FIG. 1) (carrier wave).

The interaction with the molecules of the air, which act as a filter^ cause the decay of the ultrasonic frequencies of the sound signal, and the sound reappears, modulated in the audible frequency.

The resulting sound ' 16' (that is the same resulting sound '5', in FIG. 1) is the chosen melody, but directioned so as to be confined into the perimeter desired.

FIG. 2 . One or more detecting sensors of presence / position ' 17' - (led, infrared, photoelectric cells, and so on) , which are designed to detect the presence of a subject-recipient to a certain distance and / or position, so that only in this case, directional-sound diffusers, (sensors having recognized and identified the presence of the user-recipient of the sound itself) autonomously begin to function.

In other words, the sensors (n ° 17, FIG. 2: detecting-sensor of presence / position) detect the presence of the subject-recipient of the sound at a certain distance and / or position from the electronic device, according to the invention.

It has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment, but not exclusive, of the electronic device according to the present invention.

Referring to the alarm-clock, it is equipped with a quartz oscillator: that is the basis of the beat for the entire circuit,

as well as an illuminated display (LCD, LED or other light sources) programmable:

said display is used to easily set the time in which you want to be awakened from sleep. It is placed on the front of the base of the alarm- clock to be easily visible. Said display is connected to an electronic memory of configuration, that serves to set the time in which you choose to be woken up. Through said display you can also select, from a predefined list, the melody desired. The melodies are stored within a chip (or other informatics recording support).

Suitably, a device for automatic and manual control of the volume is installed.

This system of alarm-clock is also suitable for offices, conference rooms and meeting places to indicate the start or the end of a meeting.

Referring also to the other directional-diffusion-of-sound electronic devices [ notebooks, netbooks, ultra-slims of the latest generation, smartphones, digital music players, electronic Books, watch phones, tablet pc, portable console-games; and monitors, tv, and/or sound equipment in general, which are situated on the backs of the passengers-seats of aircraft's or vehicles, (or over the seats, or in appropriate place in relation to the seats themselves) etc..)], we apply one or more directional sound diffusers over the device itself, in a position suitable to the user-receiver of the sound, which, for reasons of privacy or confidential nature or not-to-cause-disturbance, could be needed.

The installation position of the directional-sound diffusers could be located in one or both sides of the display (or screen), or in an ideal position so that (orienting also manually and adjusting the angle of the display itself or the output / terminals of the diffusers themselves) the sound arrives only to the user-recipient of the sound itself.

As already mentioned above, advantageously, the electronic device is integrated with a further technology: sensors-technology (n°. 17, FIG. 2: detecting-sensor of presence / position) - (led, infrared, photoelectric cells, and so on) , which is designed to detect the presence of a subject-recipient to a certain distance and / or position, so that only in this case, directional-sound diffusers, (sensors having recognized and identified the presence of the user-recipient of the sound itself) autonomously begin to function.

The device according to the invention is therefore a directional- diffusion-of-sound electronic device (alarm-clock, notebook, netbook, ultra-slim of the latest generation, smartphone, digital music players, electronic Book, watch phone, tablet pc, portable console-game; and monitor, tv, and/or sound equipment in general, which is situated on the backs of the passengers-seats of aircrafts or vehicles, etc..) with directioned diffusion of emission of the sound, and advantageously includes sensors for detecting the presence / position of the subject- recipient, of important significance for the user himself.

It was observed how in practice the device, according to the present invention, completely fulfils the function and the goals that have been set at the beginning, because it allows to realize an electronic device of any kind, in which the emission of the sound is directional so as to directly reach the subject-recipient, protecting his/her privacy, and besides not-to-cause-disturbance to people next to him/her.

Thus, the device conceived in such a way, is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the area of the inventive concept, leaving to the expert of the branch the realization of a better way, and all details can be completed or replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

Claims

2 -CLAIMS:

I - An electronic device characterised by comprising means of directional-sound diffusion.

II - An electronic device, according to previous claim 1, wherein said means of directional-sound diffusion comprise: ultrasound generator chips, sound generator chips, modulator chips, amplifier means and transducer means.

III - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the ultrasound, that is emitted by said ultrasound generator chips, constitutes the carrier wave of the sound; said sound being the modulating wave, that is emitted by said sound generator chips.

IV - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said sound and said ultrasound are mixed and modulated by said modulator chip, capable in modulating the wave amplitude.

V - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised by comprising said amplifier means after said modulator chip.

VI - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised by comprising said transducer means placed after said amplifier means.

VII - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised by comprising detecting position/presence sensors, (led, infrared, photoelectric cells, and so on), for detecting the presence of a subject-recipient to an established distance, so that only in this case, directional-sound diffusers (sensors having recognized and identified the presence of the user-recipient) autonomously begin to function.

VIII - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is an alarm-clock.

IX - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a timer suitable also for offices, conference rooms and meeting places to indicate the start or the end of a meeting.

X - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a notebook, as well as netbook , ultra slim of the latest generation and electronic book.

XI - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a mobile phone of smartphone type

XII - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a watch phone.

XIII - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a tablet pc.

XIV - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a digital music player. XV - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a portable console- game.

XVI - An electronic device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said device is a monitor, as well as TV and / or sound equipment in general, which are situated on the backs of the passengers-seats of aircrafts or vehicles (or over the seats, or in appropriate place in relation to the seats themselves), that are common coexistence sites, even if temporary; applying one or more directional-sound diffusers over the device itself, in a position suitable to the user-recei ver of the directioned sound.

The installation position of said directional-sound diffusers being located in one or both sides of the display (or screen), or in an ideal position to the user-recipient of the sound itself.