Sunset Timer with Random Automatic Mode
First Claim
1. In a timer comprising a connection operable to electrically couple to an electrical device having a first condition and a second condition;
- a display;
an input configured to receive an indicium corresponding to a geographic location;
a memory unit comprising a database having stored sunset times for a plurality of geographic locations, wherein the stored sunset times are indexed to geographic indicia for each of said plurality of geographic locations; and
a microprocessor operable to control the memory unit and the display, a method of providing random switching of the electrical device from the first condition to the second condition, the method comprising;
(a) entering a specific geographic indicium via the input;
(b) identifying a specific sunset time within the database that corresponds to the specific geographic indicium entered;
(c) generating an activation time correlated to but randomly offset from the specific sunset time identified; and
(d) automatically switching the electrical device from the first condition to the second condition at the activation time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to an electrical timer which automatically controls the activation and deactivation of electrical devices, such as light fixtures, appliances and the like based on the time of sunrise and/or sunset for a particular geographic location. In this regard, the sunrise and/or sunset times for a multitude of different geographic locations is collected and stored in the timer'"'"'s memory in association with the relevant geographic location. Each geographic location is specified in memory by geographic indicia, such as postal zip code or telephone area code, of its location (e.g., latitude and longitude). The timer of the present invention is programmed to automatically activate and/or deactivate the device to which it is coupled (e.g., lights, appliances, etc.) at the sunset and/or sunrise times stored in memory for each date that is specified in memory.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a timer comprising a connection operable to electrically couple to an electrical device having a first condition and a second condition;
- a display;
an input configured to receive an indicium corresponding to a geographic location;
a memory unit comprising a database having stored sunset times for a plurality of geographic locations, wherein the stored sunset times are indexed to geographic indicia for each of said plurality of geographic locations; and
a microprocessor operable to control the memory unit and the display, a method of providing random switching of the electrical device from the first condition to the second condition, the method comprising;(a) entering a specific geographic indicium via the input; (b) identifying a specific sunset time within the database that corresponds to the specific geographic indicium entered; (c) generating an activation time correlated to but randomly offset from the specific sunset time identified; and (d) automatically switching the electrical device from the first condition to the second condition at the activation time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- a display;
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7. A method of controlling electrical devices, the method comprising:
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(a) obtaining a timer comprising; a connection operable to electrically couple to an electrical device having a first condition and a second condition; an input configured to receive an indicium corresponding to a geographic location; a memory unit including a database comprising a plurality of sunset times for a plurality of geographic locations, wherein the sunset times are indexed to geographic indicia for each of said plurality of geographic locations; and a microprocessor operable to switch the connected electrical device to the first condition at an activation time, wherein the activation time correlates to but is randomly offset from a specific sunset time stored in the database that is indexed to the geographic indicium received via the input, (b) connecting the electrical device to the timer connection; and (c) entering an indicium corresponding to the geographic location, wherein the timer switches the electrical device to the first condition at the activation time, wherein the timer selectively engages, on a recurring basis, the electrical device at a plurality of activation times correlated to but offset from the stored sunset time, and wherein each activation time is chosen on a random basis. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A timer for controlling electrical devices, the timer comprising:
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a connection operable to electrically couple to an electrical device having a first condition and a second condition; a display; an input configured to receive an indicium corresponding to a geographic location; a memory unit including a database comprising stored sunset times for a plurality of geographic locations, wherein the stored sunset times are indexed to geographic indicia for each of said plurality of geographic locations; and a microprocessor operable to switch the connected electrical device to the first condition at an activation time, wherein the activation time correlates to but is randomly offset from a specific sunset time stored in the database that is indexed to the geographic indicium received via the input, wherein the timer switches the electrical device to the first condition at the stored sunset time indexed to said geographic indicia received via the input, wherein the timer is operable to selectively engage, on a recurring basis, the electrical device at the activation time correlated to but offset from the stored sunset time, and wherein the activation time is chosen on a random basis. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification