Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an alarm clock and particularly to a wakeup ball alarm system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Alarm clocks are indispensable tools for punctuality for ensuring timely awakening and smooth transitions into the day's activities. From traditional designs to innovative models, alarm clocks offer a diverse range of features catering to individual waking preferences. Additionally, a prevalence of relying on multiple alarms, often coupled with a use of the snooze function while still in a state of sleep, presents a significant challenge to waking up efficiently and promptly. In contemporary society, alarm clocks are ubiquitous in our daily routines, serving individuals ranging from prominent business figures to schoolchildren, facilitating waking at preferred times.
[003] Moreover, an array of alarm clocks is available, including advanced models like the Philips Smart Sleep Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock, designed to awaken users gradually with simulated sunset and sunrise experiences. Other options, such as the Peakeep 4-inch Alarm Clock, cater to heavy sleepers with loud, effective alarms. Similarly, clocks like the Clocky Alarm Clock utilize innovative methods, such as mobile wheels, to ensure users rise from bed. The Plastic Flying Alarm Clock features a unique flying helicopter propeller design, adding an interactive element to waking up.
[004] However, all the known solutions are expensive and create noise pollution. There is thus a need for an improved and advanced wakeup ball alarm system that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a wakeup ball alarm system. The clock comprising: a Real-Time Clock (RTC) unit adapted for timekeeping and fetching a current time. The system further comprising: a display unit adapted to display the current time. The system further comprising: an input unit adapted to enable a user to set an alarm time. The system further comprising: a ball arranged over an Infrared (IR) sensor, wherein the clock is adapted to activate a sound unit for sounding an alarm when the ball is absent from the Infrared (IR) sensor. The system further comprising: a motor adapted to displace the ball. The system further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the motor. The control is configured to: receive the fetched current time; compare the current time with the alarm time; and actuate the motor for displacement of the ball from the Infrared (IR) sensor, such that displacement of the ball from the Infrared (IR) sensor activates the sound unit for sounding of the alarm, when the current time matches with the alarm time.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for alarming a user using a wakeup ball alarm system. The method comprising steps of: receiving a fetched current time; matching a current time with an alarm time; and actuating a motor for displacement of a ball from an Infrared (IR) sensor, such that displacement of the ball from the Infrared (IR) sensor activates a sound unit for sounding of the alarm, when the current time matches with the alarm time.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a wakeup ball alarm system.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a wakeup ball alarm system that incurs low costs for production.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a wakeup ball alarm system that reduces noise pollution.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a wakeup ball alarm system that is easy to learn and use.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a wakeup ball alarm system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates an arrangement of a ball on the wakeup ball alarm system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the wakeup ball alarm system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for alarming a user using the wakeup ball alarm system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a wakeup ball alarm system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted to wake up a user from a sleep or a nap. The system 100 may further display a current time, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a Real-Time Clock (RTC) unit 102, a display unit 104, an input unit 106, a ball 108, an Infrared (IR) sensor 110, a sound unit 112, a motor 114, a control unit 116, an ultrasonic sensor 118, and a power supply unit 120.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Real-Time Clock (RTC) unit 102 may be adapted for timekeeping and fetch the current time.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 104 may be adapted to display the current time. The current time may be fetched by the Real-Time Clock (RTC) unit 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 104 may be an Organic Light light-emitting diode (OLED). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the input unit 106 may be adapted to enable a user to set an alarm time. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input unit 106 may be a keypad unit. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the input unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ball 108 may be arranged over the Infrared (IR) sensor 110. The system 100 may be adapted to activate the sound unit 112 for sounding an alarm when the ball 108 may be absent from over the Infrared (IR) sensor 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 112 may be deactivated after a replacement of the ball 108 over the Infrared (IR) sensor 110. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 112 may be a buzzer. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sound unit 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor 114 may be adapted to displace the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110. The displacement of the ball 108 may activate the sound unit 112 for sounding the alarm, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor 114 may perform a precise 90-degree rotation for a displacement of the ball 108. This rotation may be designed to push the ball 108 or initiate a projectile action of the ball 108, depending on the configuration of the system 100. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor 114 may be a stepper motor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the motor 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be connected to the motor 114. The control unit 116 may receive the fetched time and compare it with the alarm time. Further, the control unit 116 may actuate the motor 114 for the displacement of the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110 such that displacement of the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110 activates the sound unit 112 for sounding of the alarm, when the current time matches with the alarm time, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensor 118 may be adapted to check a presence of the user on a bed. Further, the ultrasonic sensor 118 may be adapted to re-actuate the motor 114 for the displacement of the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110, when the user is present on the bed.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 120 may be adapted to supply operational power to the control unit 116. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operational power to the control unit 116 may be 5 Volts (V). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any operational power that may be supplied to the control unit 116.
[0031] FIG. 1B illustrates an arrangement of the ball 108 on the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may display the current time using the display unit 104. The display unit 104 may be arranged on a front side of the system 100 such that the display unit 104 may be in a visual proximity to the user. Further, the motor 114 may be arranged on a top side of the system 100 in such a manner that the ball 108 may be placed and be rested on the top side of the system 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, the ball 108 may be placed in such a manner that it may experience nil resistance. In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor 114 may perform the precise 90-degree rotation for the displacement of the ball 108. This rotation may be designed to push the ball 108 or initiate the projectile action of the ball 108, depending on the configuration of the system 100. As the ball 108 may be displaced from the top side of the system 100, the displacement of the ball 108 from the top side of the system 100 may be detected by the Infrared (IR) sensor 110. The displacement of the ball 108 may be detected by the Infrared (IR) sensor 110, and the sound unit 112 may be activated for sounding the alarm.
[0032] Further, the user may be required to find the ball 108 and replace the ball 108 on the top side of the system 100. The replacement of the ball 108 may be detected by the Infrared (IR) sensor 110, and the sound unit 112 may be deactivated.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit 116 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 116 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, a data comparison module 202, and an actuation module 204.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the fetched current time. The data receiving module 200 may further be configured to receive the alarm time, in an embodiment of the present invention. The data receiving module 200 may further transmit the fetched current time and the alarm time to the data comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the fetched current time and the alarm time. The data comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the current time with the alarm time, in an embodiment of the present invention. Upon comparison, if the current time matches with the alarm time, then the data comparison module 202 may transmit an actuation signal to the actuation module 204. Otherwise, the data comparison module 202 may reactivate the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the fetched current time.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the actuation signal from the data comparison module 202. The actuation module 204 may be configured to actuate the motor 114 for the displacement of the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110, such that displacement of the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110 may activate the sound unit 112 for sounding of the alarm.
[0037] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for alarming the user using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the fetched current time.
[0039] At step 304, the system 100 may compare the current time with the alarm time. Upon comparison, if the current time matches with the alarm time, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 306. Otherwise, the method 300 may revert to the step 302.
[0040] At step 306, the system 100 may actuate the motor 114 for displacement of the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110, such that displacement of the ball 108 from the Infrared (IR) sensor 110 activates the sound unit 112 for sounding the alarm.
[0041] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A wakeup ball alarm system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a Real-Time Clock (RTC) unit (102) adapted for timekeeping and fetch a current time;
a display unit (104) adapted to display the current time;
an input unit (106) adapted to enable a user to set an alarm time;
a ball (108) arranged over an Infrared (IR) sensor (110), wherein the system (100) is adapted to activate a sound unit (112) for sounding an alarm when the ball (108) is absent from over the Infrared (IR) sensor (110);
a motor (114) adapted to displace the ball (108); and
a control unit (116) communicatively connected to the motor (114), characterized in that the control unit (116) is configured to:
receive the fetched current time;
compare the current time with the alarm time; and
actuate the motor (114) for a displacement of the ball (108) from the Infrared (IR) sensor (110), such that displacement of the ball (108) from the Infrared (IR) sensor (110) activates the sound unit (112) for sounding of the alarm, when the current time matches with the alarm time.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound unit (112) is deactivated after replacement of the ball (108) over the Infrared (IR) sensor (110).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an ultrasonic sensor (118) adapted to check a presence of a user on a bed, such that the ultrasonic sensor (118) re-actuates the motor (114) for the displacement of the ball (108) from the Infrared (IR) sensor (110) when the user is present on the bed.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a power supply unit (120) adapted to supply operational power to the control unit (116), wherein the operational power is in a range from Direct Current (DC) of 3 Volts (V) to Direct Current (DC) of 7 Volts (V).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound unit (112) is a buzzer.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input unit (106) is a keypad.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit (104) is an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (114) is a servo motor.
9. A method (300) for alarming a user using a wakeup ball alarm system (100), the method (300) characterized by steps of:
receiving a fetched current time;
matching a current time with an alarm time; and
actuating a motor (114) for the displacement of a ball (108) from an Infrared (IR) sensor (110), such that displacement of the ball (108) from the Infrared (IR) sensor (110) activates a sound unit (112) for sounding of the alarm when the current time matches with the alarm time.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the motor (114) is a servo motor.
Date: May 16, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)