Electronic timer switch with time tracker
First Claim
1. A programmable switching apparatus for controllably illuminating a light from a power supply, comprising:
- input device means for providing programming information, said programming information including geographical information comprising a graphical representation of a geographic area divided into a plurality of zones;
a microprocessor for storing said programming information, for computing an effective switching time responsive to said stored programming information and for comparing said effective switching time to a current time to generate a timing control signal; and
a switch, responsive to said timing control signal, for receiving input power from the power supply and for coupling said input power to the light.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable timer for turning a light on and off in response to changing sunset, daylight savings time, and other programmable conditions. The programmable timer includes an input device, a microprocessor, and a switch. The input device provides calendar, geographical, and daylight savings information to the microprocessor, which stores the programming information. The microprocessor computes an effective switching time from the stored information. The microprocessor employs program logic that compares the effective switching time to the current time to generate a timing control signal. The timing control signal, in turn, causes the switch to turn a light on and off. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor and the switch are included within a housing which mounts on a wall in place of a normal light switch. A liquid crystal display is disposed on a face of the housing to provide a read out of the programming information and of the time of day. The input device is disposed on the face of the housing and includes a key matrix having a plurality of finger settable key type programming switches. Information is programmed by depressing each key while the programming logic is in a particular program mode.
106 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A programmable switching apparatus for controllably illuminating a light from a power supply, comprising:
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input device means for providing programming information, said programming information including geographical information comprising a graphical representation of a geographic area divided into a plurality of zones; a microprocessor for storing said programming information, for computing an effective switching time responsive to said stored programming information and for comparing said effective switching time to a current time to generate a timing control signal; and a switch, responsive to said timing control signal, for receiving input power from the power supply and for coupling said input power to the light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for controlling a switching of an illumination means, comprising the steps of:
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providing a switching apparatus for controlling a power supply coupled to the illumination means in response to a timing control signal; providing an input device coupled to a microprocessor; displaying on the input device a representative of a geographical area divided into a plurality of zones; selecting said geographical information by use of said representation on the input device; inputting programming information to said microprocessor from said input device; calculating an effective switching time from said programming information; and generating said timing control signal by comparing a current time to said effective switching time. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification