Alarm in electronic device

1. A method for implementing an alarm in an electronic device, the method comprising:

setting a primary alarm method;

setting a start time for the alarm;

checking at the alarm time one or more alarm conditions relating to the primary alarm method;

giving the alarm at the start time by using the primary alarm method if the alarm condition is met, and

giving the alarm at the start time by using a secondary alarm method if the alarm condition is not met.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the primary alarm method is generated outside the electronic device.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the alarm condition is that the volume level provided by the primary alarm method in the electronic device exceeds a predefined threshold value.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the primary alarm method is the reproduction of a radio channel to which the device is tuned in.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the alarm condition is that the device is sufficiently well tuned into the radio channel.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the alarm condition is whether the radio channel, to which the device is tuned in, is broadcasting.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the secondary alarm method is an alarm generated locally in the device.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone comprising a keyboard, display, loudspeaker, and microphone.

9. An electronic device comprising:

means for setting a primary alarm method;

means for setting an alarm time;

means for checking at the alarm time one or more alarm conditions relating to the primary alarm method;

means for giving an alarm at the alarm time by using the primary alarm method if the alarm condition is met; and

means for giving an alarm at the alarm time by using a secondary alarm method if the alarm condition is not met.

10. An electronic device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the primary alarm method is generated outside the electronic device.

11. An electronic device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the alarm condition is the volume level provided by the primary alarm method in the electronic device.

12. An electronic device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the secondary alarm method is a sound source stored in the device.

13. An electronic device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the primary alarm method is the reproduction of a radio channel the device is tuned into.

14. An electronic device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the alarm condition is checking of that the device is sufficiently well tuned in to the radio channel.

15. An electronic device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the alarm condition is checking of whether the radio channel to which the device is tuned in is broadcasting.

16. An electronic device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone comprising a keyboard, display, loudspeaker, and microphone.

17. A subassembly for an electronic device, comprising:

means for receiving an alarm time defining the time of a primary alarm;

means for checking at the alarm time one or more alarm conditions relating to the primary alarm method;

means for deciding on the alarm method, which deciding means are configured to decide that the alarm is given at the alarm time using the primary alarm method if the alarm condition is met, and

the deciding means are otherwise configured to decide that the alarm is given at the alarm time using a secondary alarm method.

18. A software product comprising:

means for receiving an alarm time defining the time of a primary alarm, wherein the software product comprises:

means for checking at the alarm time one or more alarm conditions relating to the primary alarm method;

means for deciding on the alarm method, which deciding means are configured to decide that the alarm is given at the alarm time using the primary alarm method if the alarm condition is met, and

the deciding means are otherwise configured to decide that the alarm is given at the alarm time using a secondary alarm method.

19. An electronic device comprising:

a user interface configured to set a primary alarm method and an alarm time in response to user input; and

a control unit configured to check at the alarm time one or more alarm conditions relating to the primary alarm method, configured to give an alarm at the alarm time by using the primary alarm method if the alarm condition is met, and configured to give an alarm at the alarm time by using a secondary alarm method if the alarm condition is not met.

20. A subassembly for an electronic device, comprising:

a memory capable of storing an alarm time defining the time of an alarm, and capable of storing at least primary and secondary alarm methods; and

a control unit configured to check at the alarm time one or more alarm conditions relating to the primary alarm method, to issue an alarm at the alarm time using the primary alarm method if the alarm condition is met, and to issue the alarm at the alarm time using a secondary alarm method if the alarm condition is not met.

21. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon which are executable by a computing system for implementing an alarm by performing steps comprising:

receiving an alarm time defining the time of the alarm;

checking at the alarm time one or more alarm conditions relating to a primary alarm method; and

deciding on the alarm method, including deciding that the alarm is given at the alarm time using the primary alarm method if the alarm condition is met, and deciding that the alarm is given at the alarm time using a secondary alarm method if the alarm condition is not met.