US4379640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Timepieces having a device of requesting and reciting time settings in the form of audible sounds
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1981-09-14
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Granted: 1983-04-12
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Expires: 2001-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A voice-synthesizer timepiece capable of providing advance announcement before time settings and reciting time setting is required already entered, in the form of synthesized voices is disclosed. For example, in the voice-synthesizer timepiece disclosed herein, an audible message "please set time in hours and minutes soon" is given in advance of a time set mode and time settings are audibly recalled in such a form as "X (in hours) and Y (in minutes) have already set" after the setting of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomohiro Inoue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:55
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G5/00; G04G13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A timepiece including a voice synthesizer system for automatically instructing an operator by audibly presenting time setting instructions comprising: time indicating means for informing the operator of the actual time of day; first storage means for holding synthetic speech data in a plurality of locations; second storage means for holding position data representative of the locations of said synthetic speech data, said position data being stored in a plurality of locations, each representative of a portion of a said instruction; first selection means for selecting locations in said second storage means, thereby selecting instructions to be audibly reproduced; said instructions audibly instructing the operator of the correct procedures for programming the actual time of day; second selection means for recalling synthetic speech data from said first storage means in correspondence to the position data produced by said second storage means; and synthetic speech generator means for producing audible instructions derived from said synthetic speech data to instruct a timepiece user of the correct time setting procedures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A timepiece including a voice synthesizer system for automatically instructing an operator by audibly presenting time setting instructions comprising: time indicating means for informing the operator of the actual time of day; first storage means for holding synthetic speech data in a plurality of locations; second storage means for holding position data representative of the locations of said synthetic speech data, said position data being stored in a plurality of locations, each representative of a portion of a said instruction; first selection means for selecting locations in said second storage means, thereby selecting instructions to be audibly reproduced; said instructions audibly instructing the operator of the correct procedures for programming the actual time of day; second selection means for recalling synthetic speech data from said first storage means in correspondence to the position data produced by said second storage means; and synthetic speech generator means for producing audible instructions derived from said synthetic speech data to instruct a timepiece user of the correct time setting procedures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The timepiece of claim 1, wherein said synthetic speech generator comprises: a digital analog converter for converting said synthetic speech data into an audio signal; a low pass filter for filtering high frequency noise out of said audio signal; and a speaker system for converting said audio signal into audio waves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A voice-synthesizer according to claim 1 wherein said first and second storage means comprise read only memories.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-10-11 | 1987-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-11 | 1990-10-11 | 1991-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-11 | 1994-10-11 | 1995-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |