US4488272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Musical door chime preferably also combined with a clock for annunciating the time
Assignee: Nutone Inc
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Filing: 1981-12-24
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Granted: 1984-12-11
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Expires: 2001-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A musical door chime which includes a repertoire of musical tunes one of which is played when a door pushbutton, preferably the front door pushbutton, is actuated. The musical tune which is played may be selected by means of a keyboard connected to a microprocessor. Digitally encoded representations of the notes of each musical tune are stored in a memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Waller M. Scott, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:19
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B3/00; G08B3/10; G04; G04B; G04B21/00; G04B21/02; G04B47/00; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/18; G10H1/26; G10H2230/00; G10H2230/045; G10H2230/251; G10H2230/351
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A time annunciator comprising: clock means for indicating the time of day; a memory for storing a digitally encoded representation of the frequency and the duration of at least one musical note; a tone generation means connected to said memory and said clock means for converting said digitally encoded musical note representation for said at least one musical note into a squarewave having said frequency and said duration of said at least one musical note; and circuit means connected to said tone generation means and responsive to said at least one squarewave for playing a sound of said at least one musical note for periodically annunciating the time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A time annunciator comprising: clock means for indicating the time of day; a memory for storing a digitally encoded representation of the frequency and the duration of at least one musical note; a tone generation means connected to said memory and said clock means for converting said digitally encoded musical note representation for said at least one musical note into a squarewave having said frequency and said duration of said at least one musical note; and circuit means connected to said tone generation means and responsive to said at least one squarewave for playing a sound of said at least one musical note for periodically annunciating the time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The time annunciator in claim 1 wherein said tone generation means comprises a microprocessor executing a timed-loop tone generation subroutine for generating said squarewave frequency and executing a timed-loop duration subroutine for determining said squarewave duration of said at least one musical note.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The time annunciator in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a keyboard connected to said tone generation means, said keyboard including a PROGRAM key, selection keys, and a SET TIME key which are sequentially depressed for initially setting the correct time of day.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The time annunciator in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a keyboard connected to said tone generation means, said keyboard including a 1/4 HR key, a 1/2 HR key, and an HR key, one of which is depressed for selecting said periodic annunciation of the time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The time annunciator in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a keyboard connected to said tone generation means, said keyboard including a STRIKE ON key and a STRIKE OFF key which may be selectively depressed for respectively enabling and inhibiting said tone generation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The time annunciator in claim 2 wherein said clock means comprises a visual display connected by decoder circuitry to said microprocessor and wherein said microprocessor executes a clock subroutine for controlling said decoder circuitry and said visual display for displaying the time of day.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-11 | 1988-06-11 | 1988-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-11 | 1992-06-11 | 1992-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-11 | 1996-06-11 | 1996-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |