Programmable doorbell control

A programmable doorbell system for controlling a doorbell which is connected to, and activated by, a doorbell switch, said system comprising:

• means for visually displaying one of a plurality of messages;
• a clock for generating a time signal;
• a memory for storing the current time of day, an enable time and a disable time;
• means responsive to said stored current time of day and to said stored enable time for disconnecting said doorbell from said doorbell switch and for enabling said display means to display said message when said current time of day equals said stored enable time;
• and
• means responsive to said stored current time of day and to said stored disable time for connecting said doorbell to said doorbell switch and for disabling said display means.

A self-contained electronic doorbell system for operation with a doorbell which is connected to an existing doorbell switch by existing electrical doorbell wiring, said system replacing said existing doorbell switch and comprising:

• means for converting an audible announcement spoken by an occupant into digital signals;
• a memory for storing said digital signals;
• a pushbutton switch connected to said existing electrical doorbell wiring by said interfacing means to operate said doorbell when depressed;
• a means for interfacing the doorbell system with said existing electrical doorbell wiring to generate electrical power for said system from electrical power present on said existing electrical doorbell wiring when the pushbutton switch is not depressed;
• a self-contained power supply for providing electrical power for said system when said pushbutton switch is depressed;
• means responsive to said stored digital signals and to actuation of said pushbutton switch for generating an audible reproduction of said audible announcement;
• and
• a weather resistant housing for housing the interfacing means, the converting means, the memory, the pushbutton switch and the audible reproduction generating means.

A self-contained electronic doorbell system for operation with a doorbell which is connected to an existing doorbell switch by existing electrical doorbell wiring, said system replacing said existing doorbell switch and comprising:

• means for interfacing the doorbell system with said existing electrical doorbell wiring for generating electrical power for said system from electrical power present on said existing electrical doorbell wiring;
• a microphone for converting an audible announcement spoken by an occupant into analog electrical input signals;
• a speech encoder circuit for converting said analog electrical input signals into a plurality of digital words;
• memory means for storing said plurality of digital words;
• a pushbutton switch connected to said existing electrical doorbell wiring by said means for interfacing to operate said doorbell;
• means responsive to the actuation of said pushbutton switch for sequentially retrieving each of said plurality of digital words from said memory means;
• a speech synthesizer responsive to each of said retrieved digital words for generating analog electrical output signals;
• a speaker responsive to said analog electrical output signals for generating an audible announcement;
• and
• a weather resistant housing for housing the interfacing means, the microphone, the speech encoder, the memory means, the pushbutton switch, the retrieving means, the speech synthesizer and the speaker.

A programmable doorbell system for controlling a doorbell which is connected to, and activated by, a doorbell switch, said system comprising:

• means for converting an audible announcement spoken by an occupant into digital signals;
• a first memory for storing said digital signals;
• means responsive to said stored digital signals for generating an audible reproduction of said audible announcement;
• means for generating time of day signals;
• means responsive to a first one of said time of day signals for disconnecting said doorbell from said doorbell switch and for enabling generating means to generate said audible reproduction of said audible announcement;
• and
• means responsive to a second one of said time of day signals for connecting said doorbell to said doorbell switch and for disabling said generating means.

A self-contained electronic doorbell system for operation with a doorbell which is connected to an existing doorbell switch by existing electrical doorbell wiring, said system replacing said existing doorbell switch and comprising:

• means for converting an audible announcement spoken by an occupant into digital signals;
• a pushbutton switch connected to said existing electrical doorbell wiring for operating said doorbell;
• a means for interfacing the doorbell system with said doorbell system with the existing electrical doorbell wiring to generate electrical power for said system from electrical power present on said existing doorbell wiring when the pushbutton switch is not depressed;
• a self-contained power supply for providing electrical power for said system when said pushbutton is depressed;
• means responsive to said stored digital signals and to depression of said pushbutton switch for generating an audible reproduction of said audible announcement;
• and
• a weather resistant housing for housing the power supply, the converting means, the memory, the pushbutton switch and the audible reproduction generating means.