# US 10,310,801 B2 · Media entertainment system with fail-safe alarm modes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,801 B2 - Document ID: US10310801B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/944,789 - Filed: 2015-11-18 - Published: 2016-03-10 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2004-10-27 - Assignees: Chestnut Hill Sound, Inc. - Applicants: Chestnut Hill Sound, Inc. - Inventors: Steven Krampf; Evan B. Ross; Trung Quoc Phung - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310801B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials - G08B 29/185: {Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system} - H03J 1/0025: {in a remote control unit (remote control tuning in general H03J9/00)} - H04B 1/088: {with parts of the receiver detachable or collapsible} - H04B 1/20: for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver - H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46) - H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles} - H03J 2200/25: Remote control device with display - H04H 40/45: for FM stereophonic broadcast systems receiving - H04H 60/74: using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter - H04R 2205/021: Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement - H04R 2430/01: Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - H03J: TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N) ## Abstract A media entertainment system including one or more user interfaces that are configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, and plural alarm volume level settings. Each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the appliance audio output volume when an alarm is triggered. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A media entertainment system for operation in connection with a media source which has at least one communications interface configured to receive at least control information from the media entertainment system and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the media entertainment system, comprising: a. at least one communications interface configured and operable to operatively connect the media entertainment system with at least one such media source via a communications interface of the media source; b. at least one computer processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer memory; c. non-transitory computer memory operably connected to at least one computer processor and configured to store executable computer instructions and at least one of data, media metadata, media files, or control information; d. at least one audio output speaker configured to output audio signals; e. at least one auxiliary audio output connector configured to supply output audio; f. at least one display operably connected to the at least one computer processor and configured for displaying media metadata, current time, alarm time, system playback volume levels and alarm volume levels; and g. one or more user interfaces operably connected to the at least one computer processor and configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for at least one of plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, or plural alarm volume level settings, wherein each alarm and associated media source has its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the media entertainment system audio output volume when an alarm is triggered. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The media entertainment system of claim 1 further comprising a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if headphones are connected into an auxiliary audio output connector, the alarm sound is sent at least to the media entertainment system speaker. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The media entertainment system of claim 1 further comprising a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if the media entertainment system volume has been muted or turned down, the alarm sounds at a previously selected alarm volume. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The media entertainment system of claim 1 further comprising a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if the media entertainment system volume has been muted or turned down and the alarm is associated with a specific media source and alarm volume, when the alarm is triggered, the media source is played using a predetermined alarm volume associated with the selected media source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The media entertainment system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor compares the current time with an intended set alarm time and if the alarm is being set more than 12 hours ahead of the current time, an error message is generated to the user, the error message noting that the indicated alarm time may be incorrect. ### Claim 6 A media entertainment system for operation with a media source which has communications interface means configured to receive at least control information from the media entertainment-system and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the media entertainment system, comprising: a. communications interface means configured to connect the media entertainment system to at least one said media source; b. means for executing computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer storage; c. non-transitory computer storage operably connected to the means for executing computer instructions and configured to store executable computer instructions and at least one of data, media metadata, media files, or control information; d. at least one audio output speaker configured to output audio signals; e. at least one auxiliary audio output connector configured to supply output audio; f. computer display means operably connected to the means for executing computer instructions and configured for displaying media metadata, current time, alarm time, system playback volume levels and alarm volume levels; g. user interface means operably connected to the computer processor means and configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for at least one of plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, or plural alarm volume level settings, wherein each alarm and associated media source has its own user selectable specific volume level setting controlling the media entertainment system audio output volume when an alarm is triggered; and h. user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The media entertainment system of claim 6 including user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume means such that if headphones are connected to an auxiliary audio output connector, the alarm sound is sent at least to the audio output speaker. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The media entertainment system of claim 6 including user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume means such that if a volume control has been muted or set to a volume below a threshold, the alarm sounds at a previously selected alarm volume. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The media entertainment system of claim 6 including user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume means such that if a volume control has been muted or set to a volume below a threshold and the alarm is associated with a specific media source and alarm volume, when the alarm is triggered, the media source will be played using an alarm volume associated with the selected media source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The media entertainment system of claim 6 wherein the processor means compares the current time with an intended set alarm time and if the alarm is being set more than 12 hours ahead of the current time, an error message is generated to the user, the error message noting that the indicated alarm time may be incorrect. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The media entertainment system of claim 1 wherein the communications interface means comprises network communications interface means and the media source is remote from the media entertainment system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The media entertainment system of claim 11 wherein the media entertainment system and the remote media source are on the same local area network. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The media entertainment system of claim 11 wherein the media entertainment system and the remote media source at least in part communicate over an internetwork. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The media entertainment system of claim 6 wherein the communications interface means comprises network communications interface means and the media source is separate from the media entertainment system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The media entertainment system of claim 14 wherein the media entertainment system and the remote media source are connected to the same local area network. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The media entertainment system of claim 14 wherein the media entertainment system and the remote media source at least in part communicate over an internetwork. ### Claim 17 A media entertainment system for operation in connection with a media source which has at least one communications interface configured to receive at least control information from the media entertainment system and send control information, media metadata and media files or media streams to the media entertainment system, comprising: a. at least one communications interface configured to connect the media entertainment system with at least one said media source; b. at least one computer processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer memory; c. non-transitory computer memory operably connected to at least one computer processor and configured to store executable computer instructions and at least one of data, media metadata, media files, and control information; d. at least one audio output speaker configured to output audio signals; e. at least one auxiliary audio output connector configured to supply output audio; f. at least one wireless communications interface used to connect the media entertainment system to a wireless remote control, wherein the entertainment system receives and sends at least one of alarm clock settings, alarm clock status, media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm volume level settings, or media metadata; and g. a wireless remote control comprising: non-transient computer memory used to store program instructions, alarm clock settings, and media metadata, a computer processor used to execute program instructions stored on said non-transient computer memory, a display for indicating two or more of alarm clock settings, alarm clock status, media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm volume level settings, and media metadata; a wireless interface used to communicate with the media entertainment system, wherein the remote control sends and receives at least one of alarm clock settings, alarm clock status, and media metadata; and one or more user interfaces operably connected to the at least one remote control computer processor and configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for at least one of plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, and plural alarm volume level settings, wherein each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the media entertainment system audio output volume when an alarm is triggered. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The media entertainment system of claim 17, wherein when headphones are connected to an auxiliary audio output connector, the alarm sound is sent at least to the media entertainment system audio output speaker. ### Claim 19 A wireless remote control for controlling a media entertainment system, the wireless remote control comprising: a. non-transient computer memory used to store executable program instructions, alarm clock settings, and media metadata, b. a computer processor used to execute program instructions stored on said non-transient computer memory, c. a display used to indicate alarm clock settings and media metadata; d. a wireless interface used to communicate with a media entertainment system, wherein the wireless remote control sends and receives using the wireless interface alarm clock settings, alarm clock status, media metadata, and media selections to be played by the media entertainment device; and e. one or more user interfaces operatively connected to the at least one wireless remote control computer processor and configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for at least one of plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, and plural alarm volume level settings, wherein each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the device audio output volume when an alarm is triggered; and further wherein the media entertainment system comprises: i. at least one communications interface configured to connect to a media source, the media source having at least one communications interface that when operatively connected to the media entertainment system, is configured to receive at least control information from the media entertainment system and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the media entertainment system; ii. at least one computer processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer memory; iii. non-transitory computer memory operatively connected to at least one computer processor and configured to store executable computer instructions and at least one of data, media metadata, media files, and control information; iv. at least one audio output speaker configured to output audio signals; v. at least one auxiliary audio output connector configured to supply output audio; and vi. at least one wireless communications interface used to connect the media entertainment system to a wireless remote control, wherein the media entertainment system receives and sends at least one of alarm clock settings, alarm clock status, media metadata, or user selections. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The wireless remote control of claim 19 wherein if headphones are connected to a media entertainment system auxiliary audio output connector, the alarm sound is sent at least to the media entertainment system speaker. ### Claim 21 A media entertainment system, comprising: a. a computer processor unit adapted to execute computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer memory; b. non-transitory computer memory operably connected to the computer processor unit and storing executable computer instructions and at least two of data, alarm clock settings, alarm clock status, media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm volume level settings, media metadata or control information; c. at least one audio output speaker configured to output audio signals; d. a display screen, operably connected to the computer processor unit, for displaying at least two of: information associated with at least one media source, media metadata available from a media source, preset media sources, current time, alarm time, playback volume levels or alarm volume levels; and e. at least one user interface operably connected to the computer processor unit and configured for receiving plural of media source selections, metadata selections, and user settings for at least one of plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, or plural alarm volume level settings, wherein each alarm and associated media source has its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the media entertainment system audio output volume when an alarm is triggered; f. a first communications interface operably connected to the computer processor unit of the media entertainment system configured to connect the media entertainment system with at least one media source, the media source having at least one communications interface that when operably connected to the media entertainment system, receives at least control information from the media entertainment system and is configured to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the media entertainment system; g. a second communications interface operably connected to the computer processor unit of the media entertainment system configured to connect the media entertainment system with a computing device separate from the media entertainment system, the computing device configured as a remote controller for the media entertainment system, wherein the media entertainment system receives communications from the remote controller comprising signals that when received and decoded control at least one operation of the media entertainment system. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the first communications interface is used to communicate with both the media source and the computing device acting as a remote controller device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The media entertainment system of claim 22, wherein the first communications interface is a wireless communications interface. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The media entertainment system of claim 23, wherein the media source and the remote controller device comprise the same computing device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The media entertainment system of claim 24, wherein the computing device is a handheld device that uses a wireless communications interface to communicate with the media entertainment system. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the second communication interface used to receive communications from the computing device separate from the media entertainment system and acting as a remote controller comprises at least one of: a wireless LAN protocol, a wireless personal area network protocol, or a wireless infrared protocol. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the media entertainment system further comprises at least one auxiliary audio output connector configured to supply output audio signals. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The media entertainment system of claim 27, wherein the media entertainment system further comprises a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if headphones are connected into an auxiliary audio output connector, the alarm sound is sent at least to the media entertainment system speaker. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the media entertainment system further comprises a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if the media entertainment system volume has been muted or turned down, the alarm sounds at a previously selected alarm volume. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The media entertainment system of claim 24, wherein the media entertainment system further comprises a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if the media entertainment system volume has been muted or turned down, the alarm sounds at a previously selected alarm volume. ### Claim 31 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21 wherein the media entertainment system further comprises a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if the device volume has been muted or turned down and the alarm is associated with a specific media source and alarm volume, when the alarm is triggered, the media source is played using a predetermined alarm volume associated with the selected media source. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the computer processor unit compares the current time with an intended set alarm time and if the alarm is being set more than 12 hours ahead of the current time, an error message is generated to the user, the error message noting that the indicated alarm time may be incorrect. ### Claim 33 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein at least one wireless communications interface receives signals from a handheld wireless remote controller device separate from the media entertainment system, such that the signals received from the handheld wireless remote controller device are at least in part used to select at least one of alarm clock settings, alarm clock status, media metadata, media presets, or alarm volume. ### Claim 34 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein at least one wireless communications interface receives signals from a handheld wireless device separate from the media entertainment system, such that the signals received from the handheld wireless device cause the media entertainment system to play or to stop playing media, the played media corresponding to media metadata selected at least in part by receiving at the media entertainment system signals sent from the handheld wireless device. ### Claim 35 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the media source to be played when the alarm conditions are satisfied includes at least one of media storage medium integrated with or directly connected to the media entertainment system, a media source connected using a wireless interface to the media entertainment system, or a media source connected using a wired interface to the media entertainment system. ### Claim 36 (depends on 21) The media entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the handheld wireless remote controller device is a mobile device. ### Claim 37 (depends on 24) The media entertainment system of claim 24, wherein the handheld wireless device is a mobile device. ### Claim 38 (depends on 26) The media entertainment system of claim 26, wherein the handheld wireless device is a mobile device.