Media appliance with auxiliary source module docking and fail-safe alarm modes

Abstract

A media entertainment system including an appliance having an electronic data communications interface, a computer processor operatively connected to an auxiliary source module (ASM), the ASM configured to receive control information from the appliance and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the appliance. At least one display is operatively connected to the computer processor and configured for displaying media metadata, current time, alarm time, system playback volume levels and alarm volume levels. One or more user interfaces are operatively connected to the computer processor and 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A media entertainment system, comprising:
 a. an appliance including at least one electronic data communications interface operatively connected to at least one computer processor configured to connect electrically to an auxiliary source module (ASM), the ASM having an electronic data communications interface that when electrically connected to the appliance, is configured to receive at least control information from the appliance and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the appliance;   b. at least one computer processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer memory;   c. 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;   d. at least one audio output speaker configured to output audio signals;   e. at least one auxiliary audio output connector configured to output audio signals when a complementary connector is plugged in;   f. at least one display operatively 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 operatively connected to 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, 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 appliance audio output volume when an alarm is triggered.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the appliance 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 system speaker. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the appliance further comprises a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if the appliance volume has been muted or turned down, the alarm sounds at a previously selected alarm volume. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the appliance further comprises a user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting, wherein if the appliance 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. 
     
     
         5 . The 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. 
     
     
         6 . A media entertainment system, comprising:
 a. an appliance including at least one electronic data communications interface operatively connected to at least one computer processor configured to connect electrically to an auxiliary source module (ASM), the ASM having an electronic data communications interface that when electrically connected to the appliance, is configured to receive at least control information from the appliance and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the appliance;   b. means for executing computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer storage means;   c. non-transitory computer storage means operatively connected to computer processor means 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 output audio signals when a complementary connector is plugged in;   f. computer display means operatively connected to the computer instruction execution means and configured for displaying media metadata, current time, alarm time, system playback volume levels and alarm volume levels; and   g. user interface means operatively 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, and plural alarm volume level settings, wherein each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting controlling the appliance audio output volume when an alarm is triggered; and   h. user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume setting means.   
     
     
         7 . The 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 system speaker; 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  including user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume means such that if an appliance volume control has been muted or set to a volume below a threshold, the alarm sounds at a previously selected alarm volume; 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  including user-selectable fail-safe alarm and volume means such that if an appliance 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. 
     
     
         10 . The 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.