How did bells become a part of Buddhist ritual?

Bells seem to be pervasive throughout Buddhist ritual. I get the impression that many monasteries ring a large bell in the morning, and other monasteries still ring regular bells throughout the day to encourage mindfulness. Most meditation apps on smartphones have a bell-ringing sound. **Where did this come from? What other usage do bells have in Buddhist ritual? Are there references to bells in canonical texts?** Answers from all sects appreciated.