Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
  • G04G13/00—Producing acoustic time signals
  • G04G13/02—Producing acoustic time signals at preselected times, e.g. alarm clocks
  • G04G13/026—Producing acoustic time signals at preselected times, e.g. alarm clocks acting at a number of different times
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
  • H04L65/1066—Session management
  • H04L65/1101—Session protocols

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a computer radio multimedia alarm system which comprises means of radio communication or data carrying currents and means for configuring, transmitting, storing and restitution, continuously or otherwise, of sounds and / or images and more generally multimedia data.
• An increasing number of electronic devices include short-range communication means for connection to computer equipment.
• these means of communication we are interested here more particularly in local short-distance (about less than a hundred meters according to the standard), for wireless transmissions of the type including "BLUETOOTH” ®, “WIFI” ®, “ZIGBEE” ®, EDR, "WIMAX” ®, 802.1 1 n, UWB, and for network transmissions those of the power line type on the power supply line.
• These radiocommunication means allow bidirectional data links up to a hundred meters.
• These devices include mobile phones, including GSM, GPRS, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS, personal computers (PC) or portable electronic assistants (PDAs) that include such means, including “BLUETOOTH” ®.
• PDAs portable electronic assistants
• certain terminal or intermediate data network equipment may include such means, in particular "BLUETOOTH” ® or “WIFI” ® such as for example residential terminal boxes of telephone cables or data type gateway “FREEBOX” ® or “LIVEBOX” “®.
• Most of these devices or equipment allow the transfer of data including sound signals (mobile phones, telephone cables, data cables).
• a "BLUETOOTH” radiocommunication module is also known which makes it possible to add communication features and computer applications to various electronic products. It is thus possible to mention the SMARTMODULE from BARACODA, which was the subject of a patent application WO-02/082316.
• Multimedia devices are also known that include programmable computer resources including management of the features of an alarm clock as well as storage, reproduction of sounds and / or images such as for example US-6 678 215.
• the invention as for it, relates to a computer radio multimedia alarm system with communication link between a multimedia alarm clock radio device and secondly a separate computer programming device.
• the system comprises a short-distance bidirectional local communication link making it possible to communicate together the alarm multimedia radio device and the programming computer device, the alarm multimedia radio device comprising:
• multimedia messages in particular sound and / or text and / or image and / or video data
• the system includes means for executing in the computer device for programming tasks in connection with the activity of the alarm clock.
• alarm multimedia radio corresponds to a device that causes an action according to a current time with respect to a programmed action trigger time, the action being the emission of a sound (as appropriate: ringing, music, voice ...) and / or the display of information (as appropriate: texts, images, video ...), the electrical switching of a device to which it is connected ...
• the alarm multimedia radio device furthermore comprises an interface for inputting and acquiring sounds for voice selections by a user, and the acquired sounds are transmitted to the programming computer device for executing a task of voice recognition of selections,
• the selections are made from menus and the menus are in hierarchical tree by levels, the menus being stored in the computer programming device, and the system comprises means for that during the selections in the multimedia radio alarm clock device, the current level of the selection Nj and the next right level N i + 1 of the menu hierarchy are stored in the radio multimedia alarm device,
• the system comprises means for storing in the multimedia radio alarm device furthermore the just preceding level Ni -1 of the current level Nj of the hierarchy of the menu, the programming computer device is remote and is on an INTERNET network and comprises a communication application with the waking device via a gateway, an INTERNET communication interface allowing the execution of a console application; an INTERNET wake up configuration site,
• the alarm multimedia radio device furthermore comprises an RS232 interface
• the alarm multimedia radio device furthermore comprises a "BLUETOOTH" local communication link interface
• the system comprises means making it possible to know the multimedia data restored by the radio multimedia alarm device, one of the means being the transmission from the multimedia alarm clock device to the computer programming device of a portion of the restored data and comparison in said computer programming device with a releasable database,
• the communication link is a radiofrequency link, in particular "BLUETOOTH” or "WIFI",
• the communication link is a power line connection on a sector
• the communication link is a serial wired link, in particular RS232 or USB,
• the communication link is a serial wired link, the alarm multimedia radio device and the programming computer device being in a single set,
• the multimedia messages include images,
• the multimedia messages also include sounds,
• the multimedia messages furthermore comprise images
• the programming computer device comprises software and user interface means for configuring the operation of said alarm multimedia radio by entering configuration data from said programming computer device and transmitting them to the alarm multimedia radio device via the communication link;
• the input of configuration data from said programming computer device is local, independently of a connection to any communication network,
• the programming computer device furthermore comprises an INTERNET interface allowing the configuration of the operation of said alarm clock radio via an INTERNET site,
• the computer programming device comprises a communication application with the radio multimedia alarm device, an INTERNET communication interface enabling the execution of a console application of an INTERNET configuration site of the alarm clock multimedia radio,
• the programming computer device comprises gateway software means making it possible to configure the operation of said alarm clock by transmitting configuration data originating from a remote INTERNET site and transmitting them to the radio multimedia alarm clock device via a communication link; programming being a residential gateway, - the configuration data comprises at least one multimedia data file,
• the configuration data comprise time synchronization data
• the multimedia data files are coded sounds in a format allowing the compression of data and in particular in MP3 or other format
• the multimedia data files are SMS, MMS or other type texts; the multimedia data files are coded texts, in particular in HTML, XTML or other formats,
• the multimedia data files are texts coded in a format allowing the compression of data and notably in compressed HTML or XTML format;
• the multimedia alarm clock device comprises a digital display
• the alarm clock multimedia device comprises an alphanumeric display
• the alarm multimedia radio device comprises a graphic display
• the alarm multimedia radio device comprises a liquid crystal type display
• the alarm clock multimedia device comprises means enabling the reproduction of sounds in mono
• the alarm clock multimedia device comprises means making it possible to reproduce sounds in stereo
• the programming computer device comprises a series-type bidirectional data link interface, in particular RS232 or USB, connected to a "BLUETOOTH" interface key
• the computer programming device is a PC-type personal computer, or personal assistant (PDA) or, still, a mobile phone or a residential platform of wireless multimedia router (gateway) type (for example "LIVEBOX” ®), - the computer programming device is a remote computer (server), a residential platform of wireless type multimedia router (gateway) wireless (for example "LIVEBOX” ®) local being implemented,
• the alarm multimedia radio device comprises a screen allowing, in addition to displaying the time, at least the display of messages, (with or without sound, in the latter case a simple "buzzer" or equivalent is implemented preference)
• the radio multimedia alarm device comprises a screen allowing only the display of the time, (with or without sound, in the latter case a simple "buzzer" or equivalent is implemented preferably)
• the alarm multimedia radio device furthermore comprises means for the return of sound data, for restitution of a multimedia message, a file is downloaded to a buffer memory of the multimedia radio alarm device, the restitution starting when a filling threshold the buffer is reached, and the system includes means for modifying the threshold by according to criteria, said criteria being selected from one or more of the following criteria:
• the alarm clock radio device is disposed in a box comprising a mains power supply assisted by an independent power source of the battery or rechargeable battery type by said mains power supply,
• the alarm multimedia radio device furthermore comprises means for controlling a power supply switching output for an electrical appliance by a power switching means arranged in the alarm clock and enabling the said device to be put into operation or stopped; apparatus,
• the switching means is chosen from: an electromagnetic relay, a static relay, a triac, a power transistor,
• the electrical apparatus is external to the multimedia alarm clock radio device, the multimedia alarm clock radio device is placed in the electrical apparatus and the power switching control device makes it possible to start or stop said apparatus,
• the electrical appliance is in particular a Hl-Fl chain or a beverage coffee machine.
• the invention also relates to a multimedia alarm clock device specially adapted for the system according to one or more of the preceding characteristics.
• FIG. 1 schematically shows a simplified alarm multimedia radio system
• FIG. 2 schematically represents an example of a menu tree structure with the current selection level Nj in the alarm multimedia radio and the memory cached selection level N i. +1 in said alarm clock multimedia radio.
• the system shown in FIG. 1 comprises an alarm multimedia radio device 1 and an external computer programming device 2 (computer type PC or assistant, mobile phone, gateway to another computer presenting the programming functionalities of the system).
• the term programming concerns both the configuration of the alarm clock radio device (time setting, incorporation in a network: input of a communication encryption code or other), as its operation (selection of multimedia content, sound broadcasting , restitution of images, capture of sounds or others).
• the multimedia alarm clock radio device (alternatively called alarm clock or wake-up device in the following) comprises a computer module 7 (multimedia computer module with processor, memory, user and communication interfaces) adapted to the MP3 (or other types of files) and to the "STREAMING". Or broadcasting (for streaming of multimedia formats, sounds and / or images type radio or television station INTERNET) with audio interface 5, for example by type stereo jack to two speakers 6 and 6 'outside (in a variant, the speakers are incorporated in the alarm), a radio interface "WIFI” and / or “WIMAX” ® (not shown in Figure 1) and, preferably, a "BLUETOOTH” ® interface.
• the alarm device 1 is powered by a mains power supply which is rescued in case of power loss by an electrochemical power supply of the battery or battery type. In the case of a battery, it is preferably recharged by the mains supply when mains voltage is present.
• the alarm clock includes an integrated radio interface "WIFI” ® and / or “WIMAX” ®. It may also include a power line communication interface (not shown in Figure 1) since it can be connected to the mains for its power supply.
• a data link interface RS232 serial port 4 connected to a "BLUETOOTH” communication key (module) 3 (“dongle” "BLUETOOTH” ® from BARACODA) is represented. .
• this "BLUETOOTH" radiocommunication interface is integrated in the alarm clock.
• the "BLUETOOTH” ® interface makes it possible to communicate the alarm clock with any other type of equipment having the same type of "BLUETOOTH” radiocommunication means and, for example, one / other alarm clocks, a mobile phone or others.
• the system comprises means for transferring a sound file, including ringtone or music, downloaded to the phone from the telephone network to the alarm clock where it can be used. It is the same for image files (wallpaper, graphics: exchange rates, stock market prices ...) downloaded to the phone and then sent to the alarm clock screen.
• the alarm clock comprises at least one master USB® input-output on which any compatible USB® device can be connected, in particular memory, a radio-communicating module "BLUETOOTH” ®, speakers, a sensor (temperature %), a video camera (return to the network of images for remote surveillance) or others.
• BLUETOOTH radio-communicating module
• Such a USB® socket allows an easy initial configuration of the alarm clock for its first implementation. Indeed, in order to communicate with other equipment and in particular the computer programming device, the phone must be recognized and the data exchange protocols made compatible (especially with regard to the encryption keys).
• the system therefore comprises means for discharging in the alarm clock configuration data from a previously loaded USB memory key with said configuration data.
• This USB memory stick could have been loaded by the programming device or by other ad-hoc equipment (for example gateway "FREEBOX” ® or "LIVEBOX” ®). This initial wake-up configuration is only necessary once in a given communication environment.
• the USB interface of the alarm clock can also be an alternative means (to those provided by the radio means or by carrier) software update of the alarm via a USB memory stick.
• the alarm includes an output screen (and software means) for viewing static or dynamic images and, in addition, a microphone input (not shown in Figure 1) for the entry of commands voice recognition, the voice recognition is remote, outside the alarm, including a network server and return instructions to wake up.
• the possibility of transmitting sounds from the alarm clock to the outside, in particular via "WIFI” ® or “WIMAX” ® or “BLUETOOTH” ® or carrier lines, enables bidirectional voice communications.
• the awakening of the invention can thus be used as an interphone or for sound monitoring (monitoring of an infant: "baby monitor”).
• the system with the awakening of the invention can allow the restitution of only sound files (the display is reduced to its simplest expression for hours), or only image files (fixed and / or video), either both with or without possibility of continuous restitution ("STREAMING") as the case may be.
• the system also makes it possible, in the other communication direction, to send the user's choices to the programming device (in practice a remote server on the INTERNET network, a gateway for relaying communications between the server and the alarm clock). to allow interactions between the various elements of the system and increase the apparent capabilities of the alarm by performing certain tasks or storing data remote wake (including a remote server on the INTERNET).
• the exchanges between the alarm clock and the outside are preferably bidirectional (including "PUSH” and "PULL” operations in the case of "BLUETOOTH” ®).
• the computer programming device 2 is here a local PC computer with a serial interface RS232 9 connected to a key (module) 8 communication "BLUETOOTH” ® ("dongle”"BLUETOOTH” ® BARACODA society). It will be understood that in the case where the alarm clock and / or the computer programming device have a USB interface, the "BLUETOOTH” communication key (module) 8 can be connected to this USB interface. Other interfaces including display screen, data entry keyboard, data exchange (telephone or cable including INTERNET) have not been shown to simplify the figure.
• the INTERNET link between the PC 2 and an INTERNET (“WEB”) site is symbolized in the same frame which also comprises the WEB communication interface and the wake up communication application with their respective RS232 exchange channels and TCP / IP and for running the console application.
• the computer programming device 2 can be both local (as shown) and remote.
• the programming device 2 is a server on the INTERNET network and a wake-up local gateway is implemented, in particular of the residential terminal type of telephone cable or data (ADSL) type such as for example a "FREEBOX” ® or a "LIVEBOX” ®.
• ADSL telephone cable or data
• the alarm device of the system of the invention is thus an apparatus that can restore multimedia files, sounds in MP3 or other format and the continuous playback in INTERNET radio broadcast mode and / or short SMS or MMS type text and comprising means of "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® link and, possibly, "BLUETOOTH” ®, to offer the user the possibility to download from his PC (or other device such as a telephone or an electronic assistant) or by the intermediary of a gateway new ringtones, music files, images and SMS / MMS messages on its wake.
• multimedia file covers any type of data, sounds, images, text (SMS or other) or programs to operate in the alarm clock (for example to update the alarm clock software or to download a game on the alarm clock ).
• Wake-up is a simplified computing device that differentiates it from a personal computer and even from a device such as a radio-communicating personal assistant. Its own computing and storage capabilities are limited and part of the operations necessary for its operation is performed remotely, especially on a remote server. This is the case of the recognition of voice commands (or, in some cases, sound or images rendered to determine what the user is listening to or viewing), the alarm clock transmitting the sounds picked up by the alarm clock microphone to the remote server where they are analyzed, the command determined and the corresponding instruction returned to the alarm for execution if it must be done in the alarm clock. In other cases, for example voice selection of a multimedia file, the command is executed in the server and the selected file is sent back to the alarm clock.
• voice commands or, in some cases, sound or images rendered to determine what the user is listening to or viewing
• the alarm clock transmitting the sounds picked up by the alarm clock microphone to the remote server where they are analyzed, the command determined and the corresponding instruction returned to the alarm for execution if it must be done in the alarm clock.
• the selections are made along hierarchized menus (trees) for which one does not transmit and to memorize on waking up a small amount of data corresponding to the current level of the selection Nj and those, only, of the right next level N i + 1 (towards the end of the branches of the tree) of the hierarchy of the menu.
• This is shown in Figure 2 where the framed menu level data Nj (current level) and N 1 + 1 (next level) are stored in the alarm clock, the remaining levels remaining available in the server.
• each end of the menu branch has an address (url) or an address list which is only a small part of all that is available and therefore we understand that the amount of data that the alarm clock will have to store is reduced.
• This mode of operation is therefore opposed to the case where all the data of the menu, in practice the network addresses (url) files can be repatriated to the alarm clock, are transmitted and must be stored in the alarm clock.
• the use of a hierarchical menu simplifies the search by the user of a file because the menu is conceptual contrary to a list of network addresses (url) in which it must choose.
• Hierarchical conceptual menu is for example based on the type of music (jazz vs pop vs classical 7) the sub-menus specific to each being based on another level of conceptualization (for example for the sub-menu of the classic: romantic vs polyphonic vs ).
• a first menu (the highest) gives a choice between preferred vs selected to allow faster access to favorite files.
• the fact of caching (local memory), in the alarm clock, the next level of the current level of selection in the hierarchy of the menu makes it possible to optimize the memory occupancy and the use of the radio and radio communication bandwidth. / or telephone network and / or INTERNET.
• the previous Ni -1 level is cached, the displacement in the hierarchy of the menu overwriting the levels according to the direction of movement in the menu.
• the system allows dynamic management of the memory of the menu tree in the alarm clock for saving in memory and bandwidth.
• the size threshold of the buffer for temporary storage of the file in the multimedia alarm clock radio from which the restitution begins is dynamically managed and is modified according to several criteria.
• a first criterion is a reduced latency time which makes the threshold is reduced at the beginning of the restitution and then increased after the restitution has begun.
• a second criterion is related to the quality of the site in which the file is recovered, especially in terms of bandwidth, plus the bandwidth is low plus the threshold will be high.
• the threshold value (amount of data / memory size) is reduced compared to a site of less good bandwidth.
• the quality measurement can be carried out in real time and / or, preferably, the server or the multimedia radio alarm clock keeps in memory a quality index of the sites already consulted and uses this index to calculate the threshold.
• the size of the buffer (buffer) of the alarm clock multimedia radio adapts in real time.
• the radio is played when buffer fill reaches a certain size value. This size is then increased to reach its nominal size. It is also possible to add a notation on each radio. If the quality of a radio is bad, the size will be larger than for a good quality radio that has a good bandwidth. This allows a shorter access time to load a new radio. If the previous example, in relation with Figure 2, relates to music, it is clear that the invention is applicable to any type of multimedia content restorable by the alarm clock such as electronic books / comic books (rendering by display) or spoken books (sound reproduction, eg cooking recipe) or videos.
• the system of the invention also makes it possible, thanks to the programming device, in particular in the case where the latter is a server dedicated to the management of the awakenings of different users, the follow-up of the choices of the users, the marketing of the multimedia contents, and more generally all operations conventionally available on the INTERNET or conventional telephone network.
• the choice can be followed directly at the server by the knowledge that the latter has the network address chosen by the user for the selection of a multimedia file.
• the alarm clock can be configured to select content from multiple independent servers or other sources (INTERNET or telephone) and followed the user's choices is then by transmission from the alarm clock a reduced portion (a few seconds in the case of sounds, an image part in the case of images / video or an image in the case of video) of the restored file, to the server and comparison in the server with a local database (or remotely by access to other addresses) of releasable files.
• a reduced portion a few seconds in the case of sounds, an image part in the case of images / video or an image in the case of video
• a local database or remotely by access to other addresses
• the follow-up of the choices of the user can allow a targeting of the written / filmed advertisement which can be sent automatically on the screen of display of the alarm clock or sound advertising which is automatically broadcast by the alarm clock speaker (s) according to a schedule that the broadcaster can choose or in an automated response to the user's choice.
• the broadcaster may, for example, regarding sound advertising also choose the conditions of restitution, including the sound level which will preferably be reduced for broadcast in the middle of the night.
• the user of the alarm clock can choose to be warned of particular events by alarm, sound or visual reproduction on his alarm clock.
• the system of the invention, alarm clock and programming device (local or remote), therefore comprises means for achieving one or more of the objectives that are described in the present application.
• the electronic means of the alarm clock are reduced to a minimum and it implements a single main computer chip which includes the circuits of radio interfaces, USB, carrier currents, display, sound reproduction, acquisition choice / sounds with the material means and programmed software (re-programmable) corresponding.
• the chip allows the management of intellectual property rights on multimedia content.
• the alarm device can be in two modes, a stand-alone or non-connected mode in which there is no radio communication and in which it appears to operate as a standard alarm clock and a connected mode.
• the alarm device comprises means allowing the execution of the following main functions:
• Time and SMS display that is activated if no other specific function is started.
• the time and SMS are then displayed on the alarm screen.
• the first twenty characters of the SMS are displayed, then the SMS scrolls character by character by shifting from right to left.
• - Ringing that is activated when the current time is equivalent to the ring time.
• the ringtone is that the selected piece of music is played.
• the music stops when a person presses any key.
• - Download MP3 when the computer programming device, the computer in this case, sends a command to download music via the link "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ®.
• the piece of music is then received via the connection "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ® alarm device.
• a sign (letter “T” at the top right of the screen) is displayed on the alarm screen during the download. Record in the alarm clock the MP3 music file sent.
• the alarm clock device will search the PC time via the "WIFI” ® or “WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ® link.
• a sign (letter “S” at the top right of the screen) is displayed on the alarm screen during Time Synchronization. After executing this function, the alarm clock displays the same time as the PC.
• PC computer programming device
• the following functions are also considered on said computer programming device generically called PC here:
• the PC Alarm Clock application must be started and permanently monitored on the "WIFI” ® or “WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ® link.
• - Modification of the wake-up configuration when the user accesses the configuration application (for example on the WEB site or "Java applet” on a telephone) to configure the alarm clock to modify the configuration.
• the configuration application for example on the WEB site or "Java applet" on a telephone
• the user opens the home page of the alarm clock configuration application, the user clicks on a link "Modify the configuration of the alarm clock” and the configuration application launches the Communication interface to read the configuration of the alarm clock.
• the Communication interface then sends a command to read the alarm configuration to the Alarm Clock application via the TCP / IP network link.
• the Alarm clock communication application transmits the alarm command via the "WIFI” ® or “WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ® link.
• the alarm returns in response to its current configuration via the connection "WIFI” ® or “WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ®.
• the Alarm Clock communication application retransmits the response to the Communication interface.
• the Communication interface retransmits the response to the configuration application.
• the configuration of the alarm clock is displayed in the user's browser (including whether the ringer is on or off, the time of the ring, the current time displayed, the titles of the downloaded MP3, etc.).
• the configuration application launches the Communication interface to write the configuration of the alarm clock
• the Communication interface then emitting a write command of the alarm configuration to the Alarm Clock communication application via the TCP / IP network link
• the Alarm clock communication application transmits the alarm command via the "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® or RS232 + "BLUETOOTH” ® link and the alarm clock returns an acknowledgment via the "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ® link
• the Alarm clock communication application retransmits the response to the Communication interface and the Communication interface retransmits the response to the application configuration. In the latter case, the configuration of the alarm clock is changed.
• the alarm clock For the execution of these operations, the alarm clock must be switched on, the Alarm clock application of the PC must be started and in permanent listening on the network link which could be TCP / IP (INTERNET) or other.
• TCP / IP IP
• the user opens the home page of the alarm clock configuration application and clicks on the "Download files" link and then the user clicks on the "Browse " button to choose a file to download on his hard drive.
• the user can modify, if he wishes, the proposed title automatically and click on the "Download” button.
• the INTERNET (“WEB”) site launches the Communication interface to download the file and the Communication interface issues a command to download the files to the Alarm Clock application via the TCP / IP network link.
• the Alarm Clock communication application transmits the alarm command via the connection "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® or RS232 + "BLUETOOTH” ® and the alarm returns in response an acknowledgment via the connection "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ®.
• the Alarm Clock communication application retransmits the response to the Communication interface that retransmits the response to the configuration application.
• the result of the download is displayed in the user's browser and the latter clicks either on the button to return to the home page, or on the button for downloading other files to restart the function according to the operations listed above. above. As a result, new music is available on the alarm clock.
• the alarm clock must be turned on and the PC Alarm Clock application must be started and permanently listening on the TCP / IP network link.
• the download time is between 5 and 10 seconds maximum and several music file can be downloaded and it must be possible to overwrite an old file of the alarm device.
• the Communication interface issues an SMS download command to the Alarm Clock communication application over the TCP / IP network link.
• the alarm clock communication application transmits the wake-up command via the "WIFI” ® or “WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ® link and the alarm returns an acknowledgment via the connection "WIFI” ® or "WIMAX” ® or RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ®.
• the Alarm clock communication application retransmits the response to the WEB Communication interface and the Communication interface retransmits the response to the configuration application.
• the download result is displayed in the user's browser.
• the new SMS scrolls on the alarm screen.
• the alarm clock must be turned on and the PC Alarm Clock application must be started and permanently listening on the TCP / IP network link.
• the download time of the SMS must be between 5 and 10 seconds maximum for an SMS text limited to 150 characters. The shipping date is pre-filled.
• the user opens the home page of the wake-up configuration application and then clicks the "Download MP3s with SMS" link.
• the user clicks on the button "Browse " to choose a file to download on his hard disk.
• the user can modify, if he wishes, the automatically proposed title.
• the user writes the SMS to download in the SMS field displayed in the browser and indicates his name or telephone number in the sender field. He can modify, if he wishes, the date of dispatch. Finally, the user clicks the "Download" button.
• the setup application then launches the Communication interface to download the MP3 and SMS and the Communication interface issues an MP3 and SMS download command to the Alarm Clock communication application over the TCP / IP network link.
• the alarm clock communication application transmits an MP3 download command on waking via the connection "WI FI” ® OR “WI MAX” ® OR RS232 + "BLUETOOTH” ® and the alarm returns an acknowledgment via the link "WI FI” ® OR “WI MAX” ® OR RS232 + "BLUETOOTH” ®.
• the Alarm clock communication application transmits an SMS download command on wake-up via the connection "WI FI” ® OR “WI MAX” ® OR RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ® and the alarm returns an acknowledgment via the link "WI FI” ® OR “WI MAX” ® OR RS232 + “BLUETOOTH” ®.
• the Alarm Clock communication application retransmits the responses to the Communication interface and the Communication interface retransmits the responses to the configuration application.
• the download result is displayed in the user's browser. The user can then either click on the button to return to the home page, or the download button of another MP3 with SMS to restart the function according to the operations listed above.
• the SMS and music will be displayed immediately or broadcast at the time when the alarm clock is programmed for the alarm.
• the alarm clock must be turned on and the PC Alarm Clock application must be started and permanently listening on the TCP / IP network link.
• the download time should be between 5 and 10 seconds maximum and a single MP3 music file can be downloaded to the maximum with the possibility of overwriting an old alarm clock file.
• the text of the SMS is limited to 150 characters and the shipping date is pre-filled.
• the wake-up device has memory for up to ten ringtones / MP3 files at most downloaded with possibility of replacing (overwriting) files and a maximum of about five SMS downloaded with also possibility of replacement.
• the clock synchronization is automatic after each power failure of the alarm clock and loss of the current time.
• the computer programming device is a communication platform of the PC / server type with "Windows2000 / XP” ® or a gateway type “FREEBOX” ®, “LIVEBOX” ® equipped with a communication module “WIFI” ® or “WIMAX “® or” BLUETOOTH “® with alarm device.
• Packet
• MP3 MP3Header
• PC Alarm Clock ⁇ Packet (Ack) Alarm Clock It is understood that the examples given are indicative and that the connection to a network indicated as being INTERNET can within the scope of the invention, relates to any other type of computer network such as INTRANET or private, or even a GSM telephone network or its extensions allowing data exchanges. Similarly, the security of the data exchanges has not been detailed on the communication link as well as on the network in the case of access to an INTERNET site, but in advanced versions of the invention, such means will be implemented in particular to guarantee the rights of multimedia producers, the site manager and / or prevent third parties from disrupting the operation of the system by reprogramming it.
• the example shows two distinct entities, the alarm device and the programming computer device, connected by radiofrequency communication link or carrier currents but in a variant, these two devices can be arranged in the same structure (housing) and the communication link will then wired serial between the two, especially in the case of a gateway (multimedia router).
• the alarm clock has been described as a particular hardware device but the invention also covers the case where the alarm is virtual and is simulated on a radio-communicating computer means such as a personal computer or personal assistant.

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• 2005
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  • 2006-02-08 WO PCT/FR2006/050108 patent/WO2006085026A2/fr active Application Filing
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