Electronic timer with photosensor

• US 20040206609A1
• Filed: 04/18/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David A. Tilley
• Original Assignee: David A. Tilley
• Inventors: Tilley, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,891,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/00 Time-pieces comprising means to be operated at preselected times or after preselected time intervals G04G11/00, G04G13/00 take precedence; electronic timers G04F1/005; pulse delay circuits H03K5/13; electronic time-delay switches H03K17/28; electronic time-programme switches which automatically terminate their operation after the programme is completed H03K17/296
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/002 with occupancy simulation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A switch and method are provided for turning on and off an electrical device. The switch includes a control module, having a time module and an electrical output to which an electrical device can be connected. The time module includes a clock which is programmable to disconnect power to the electrical device at a set-off time. A light sensor is operatively associated with the control module and transmits a light signal to the control module based on light level. The control module is adapted to provide power to the electrical output when the light module indicates that the light level is below a threshold level and the time is before the set-off time thereby providing power to an electrical device connected to the electrical output.

Claims

1. A switch for turning on and off an electrical device, said switch comprising:

a control module comprising a time module and an electrical output connectable to an electrical device, said time module comprising a clock programmable for disconnecting power to the electrical device at a set-off time; and

a light sensor module wirelessly connected to said control module and transmitting a light sensor signal to said control module based on light level, said control module adapted to provide power to the electrical output when the light module indicates the light level is below a threshold level and the time is before the set-off time, thereby providing power to an electrical device connected to said electrical output.

2. The switch of claim 1, wherein said light sensor is solar powdered.

3. The switch of claim 1, wherein said light sensor is battery powered.

4. The switch of claim 1, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via RF.

5. The switch of claim 1, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via infrared.

6. The switch of claim 1, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via carrier frequency.

7. The switch of claim 1, when said light sensor only sends a light sensor signal to said control module when lighting conditions transition from:

(1) above to below a threshold light level, or

(2) below to above a threshold light level.

8. The switch of claim 1, when said light sensor sends a continuous light sensor signal to said control module when lighting conditions transition from:

(1) above to below a threshold light level, or

(2) below to above a threshold light level.

9. A wall switch for turning on and off an electrical device, said switch comprising:

a control module comprising a body dimensioned to fix into a standard electrical wall box, said control module having an electrical output connectable to an electrical device and a time module having a clock programmable for disconnecting power to the electrical device at a set-off time; and

a light sensor module operatively associated with said control module and transmitting a light sensor signal to said control module based on light level, said control module adapted to provide power to the electrical output when the light module indicates the light level is below a threshold level and the time is before the set-off, thereby providing power to an electrical device connected to said electrical output.

10. The wall switch of claim 9, wherein said light sensor module is operatively associated with said control module is a wireless connection.

11. The wall switch of claim 10, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via RF.

12. The wall switch of claim 10, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via infrared.

13. The wall switch of claim 10, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via carrier frequency.

14. The wall switch of claim 9, when said light sensor only sends a light sensor signal to said control module when lighting conditions transition from:

(1) above to below a threshold light level, or

(2) below to above a threshold light level.

15. The wall switch of claim 9, when said light sensor sends a continuous light sensor signal to said control module when lighting conditions transition from:

(1) above to below a threshold light level, or

(2) below to above a threshold light level.

16. A wall outlet timer for turning on and off an electrical device, said timer comprising:

a control module comprising a time module, prongs dimensioned to fit into a wall power outlet, and an appliance outlet, said time module having a clock programmable for disconnecting power to the electrical device at a set-off time; and

a light sensor module operatively associated with said control module and transmitting a light sensor signal to said control module based on light level, said control module adapted to provide power to the appliance outlet when the light module indicates the light level is below a threshold level and the time is before the set-off time.

17. The wall outlet timer of claim 16, wherein said light sensor module operatively associated with said control module as a wireless connection.

18. The wall outlet timer of claim 17, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via RF.

19. The wall outlet timer of claim 17, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via infrared.

20. The wall outlet timer of claim 17, wherein said light sensor is wirelessly connected to said control module via carrier frequency.

21. A method for turning on an electrical device when lighting conditions fall below a threshold level and off at a set off-time, said method comprising:

connecting an electrical device to a timer module;

providing a light sensor operatively associated with the timer module;

sending a light signal from the light sensor to the timer module only when the light condition transitions from;

(1) above to below a threshold light level, or

(2) below to above a threshold light level;

setting an off time on the timer module after which the electrical device is to be off; and

providing power to the electrical device when both the light sensor indicates the light level is below a threshold level and the time is before the off time.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said sending a light signal comprises sending the light via wireless transmission.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless transmission is RF.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless transmission is infrared.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless transmission is a carrier frequency.