Microcontroller Alarm Clock Weekly Setting Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional alarm clocks are inconvenient and time-consuming to set, often requiring multiple button presses and lacking intuitive interfaces, while smartphones with alarm functions consume more power and are more expensive and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
An alarm clock with a microcontroller, display unit, audio output unit, and numeric keys that allows users to easily set weekly alarm settings through a time-setting and day-setting stage, using a straightforward user interface and reducing the need for manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional alarm clocks use manual button pressing to set time and alarm, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple button presses required
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm clock automatically sets the alarm time based on the current clock time displayed on the screen. When the user presses the snooze button during alarm ringing, the system pre-calculates and sets the next alarm time by adding the snooze duration to the current alarm time, eliminating the need for manual time setting buttons and operations.
2Loss of time
If traditional alarm clocks with snooze function require toggling a switch to stop ringing, then the device structure remains simple, but the loss of time increases due to extended ringing duration
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm clock system automatically manages the alarm timing without requiring user intervention. When the snooze button is pressed during alarm ringing, the microcontroller automatically calculates the next alarm time, extends the alarm duration accordingly, and sets up the subsequent alarm cycle, making the system self-regulating and eliminating delays caused by manual switch toggling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If smartphones are used as alarm clocks, then the alarm function is integrated, but the use of energy increases significantly compared to traditional alarm clocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential alarm clock function from the smartphone and implements it as a standalone device with dedicated hardware (microcontroller, display, buttons, speaker). This extraction eliminates the high power consumption of smartphone components (screen, processor, operating system) while retaining the core alarm functionality, providing an energy-efficient alternative.
4Adaptability or versatility
If smartphones are used as alarm clocks, then the alarm function is available, but the reliability decreases due to fragility and damage susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a simple, robust alarm clock design using durable components (basic microcontroller, physical buttons, simple display) that are less susceptible to damage compared to smartphone screens and delicate electronics. The device is designed to be resilient and long-lasting, sacrificing advanced features for improved reliability and durability.
Data Source
AI summary
An alarm clock includes a microcontroller, a display unit, an audio output unit, ten numeric keys and a functional key. Upon determining that a long-press operation is performed on one of the numeric keys that corresponds to a weekly alarm setting, the microcontroller performs a weekly alarm setting procedure for the corresponding weekly alarm setting. In the weekly alarm setting procedure, the microcontroller sets an alarm time based on some numeric keys that are pressed in a time-setting stage, and sets an alarm day based on at least one numeric key and the functional key that are pressed in a day-setting stage. Then, the microcontroller displays the alarm time and the alarm day on the display unit.