System for control of electrical devices
First Claim
1. A system for control of electrical devices, comprising:
- at least one adapter having an electrical power interface operable to be connected to an electrical power source, a switch coupled to said electrical power interface and moveable between a closed position, wherein an electrical power circuit is supplied to an electrical device coupled to said power source, and an open position, wherein said electrical power circuit is open to disconnect said electrical device from said electrical power source, a first timer module coupled to said switch and operable to maintain time information and at least one timing instruction associated with said time information, said timing instruction including at least one timing criterion and a power instruction associated with said switch, and a programming interface operable to receive a change to said time information and said at least one timing instruction;
a programming module having a display for displaying said time information and said at least one timing instruction, an input interface for allowing a user to modify said time information and said at least one timing instruction, and operable to be connected to said programming interface of said adapter via a communications interface to update said at least one modified timing instruction to said adapter via said programming interface, after which said programming module can be operatively disconnected from said adapter, wherein said adapter is operable to control said second electrical power circuit after said programming module is disconnected therefrom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for control of electrical devices is provided. An adapter is provided having an electrical power interface for connecting to an electrical power supply, a switch to complete or break an electrical power circuit, a timer module operable to receive and maintain time information and timing instructions associated with criteria for completing or breaking the electrical power circuit, and a programming interface for receiving the time information and timing instructions from a programming module. In use, a user modifies the time information and/or one or more timing instructions via the programming module, connects the programming module to the adapter for communication of the modified time information and/or timing instructions and disconnects the programming module from the adapter, the adapter remaining operable to complete or break the electrical power circuit to which an electrical device is connected even after the disconnection of the programming module.
55 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system for control of electrical devices, comprising:
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at least one adapter having an electrical power interface operable to be connected to an electrical power source, a switch coupled to said electrical power interface and moveable between a closed position, wherein an electrical power circuit is supplied to an electrical device coupled to said power source, and an open position, wherein said electrical power circuit is open to disconnect said electrical device from said electrical power source, a first timer module coupled to said switch and operable to maintain time information and at least one timing instruction associated with said time information, said timing instruction including at least one timing criterion and a power instruction associated with said switch, and a programming interface operable to receive a change to said time information and said at least one timing instruction;
a programming module having a display for displaying said time information and said at least one timing instruction, an input interface for allowing a user to modify said time information and said at least one timing instruction, and operable to be connected to said programming interface of said adapter via a communications interface to update said at least one modified timing instruction to said adapter via said programming interface, after which said programming module can be operatively disconnected from said adapter, wherein said adapter is operable to control said second electrical power circuit after said programming module is disconnected therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A programming module for use with programmable power adapters, comprising:
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a display for displaying time information and at least one timing instruction associated with said time information and maintained by a programmable power adapter;
an input interface for allowing a user to make at least one modification said time information and said at least one timing instruction; and
a communications interface operable to communicate said at least one modification to a programming interface of said adapter operable to control a power supply to an electrical device in accordance with said at least one timing instruction. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An adapter for controlling an electrical device, comprising:
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an electrical power interface for connection to an electrical power supply;
an electrical power outlet operable to supply electrical power to an electrical device;
a switch connected to said electrical power supply and operable to move between a closed position, whereby said electrical power is provided to said electrical device, and an open position, whereby said electrical power is disconnected from said electrical device;
a timer module coupled to and operable to move said switch between said closed position and said open position based on time information and at least one timing instruction associated with said time information maintained by said timer module, said timing instruction including at least one criterion and a power instruction associated with said switch; and
a programming interface operable to receive a change to said time information and said at least one timing instruction. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification