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1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital timer for controlling two outlets.
2) Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,853 discloses an electronic timer for turning a single light on and off in response to programming information stored in a microprocessor.
This invention provides a single programmable timer for independently turning two separate outlets on and off in response to a programmed schedule. The programmable timer includes an input device, a microprocessor and two switches.
The input device provides programming information, consisting of switching time and which of the two outlets is to be switched on or off, to the microprocessor which stores the programming information. The microprocessor employs program logic that compares the programmed switching times to the current time and generates control signals to turn one or both outlets on or off as directed by the stored program. The two timing control signals in turn cause the two switches to turn their indicator lights on or off.
In one embodiment, the micro-processor and the switches are included within a housing which can be plugged into a grounded 120 volt wall outlet by way of a three pin plug that is disposed in one face of the housing. Power is received from the switches through two separate grounded 120 volt receptacles being disposed in opposite sides of the timer housing. A liquid crystal display is disposed in the housing face opposite the plug to provide a read out of the programming information, time of day, and on/off status of the two switches. Two LEDs are disposed on the same face to provide an illuminated indication of switch status that can be viewed in darkness. The input device is disposed on the same face of the housing and includes a key matrix having a plurality of finger settable key type programming switches. Information is programmed by pressing each key while the programming logic is in a particular programming mode. The input device, the status LEDS, and the liquid crystal display may be recessed into the face of the housing.
The invention provides a single programmable electronic timer which may be used to provide two timing signals for a variety of applications such as controlling power to two lights or other electrical loads. The timer may be set to independently turn each timing signal on or off as often as desired over the course the day. In the preferred embodiment the timer is included in a switching device for independently turning two separate outlets on and off accurately and precisely in a programmable sequence over time. There are also two keys that provide an override to the timer operation and allow independent manual control of the timing signals.
The electronic timer of the invention may be plugged into any grounded 120 volt receptacle. When two lamps are plugged into the two receptacles in the timer both lamps can be independently controlled by the timer. The timer will turn each of the lights on or off automatically a number of times during the day depending on stored programming information. The programmable timer also includes 2 keys that provide manual control of the lamps and a liquid crystal display which functions as a program read out, as a clock, and as an output switch indicator.
The invention is programmed by depressing button-like programming keys which set mode, program, hour, minute, day, on time, off time, lamp to be controlled and reset conditions. The programmable switch also comes with a rechargeable battery which permits programming before plugging in. The rechargeable battery also powers the programmable timer during power outages. The programmable timer may be plugged into the wall using the grounded plug disposed in on surface of the invention that is opposite to the surface containing the display, illuminated LEDs and programming keys.
The display 5 is a liquid crystal display in the preferred embodiment. The A switch indicator 6 and a B switch indicator 7 turn on to provide visual indication that the corresponding output is on.
The display 5 is recessed into the front housing 2 and the key matrix (enclosed within the broken lines) is disposed so that the keys protrude through the front housing 2. An A switch indicator 6 is located in close proximity to the location of the A switch manual selection key 12 and a B switch indicator 7 is disposed near the location of the B switch manual selection key 13. Both indicator 6 and indicator 7 are disposed so they protrude through the front housing 2.
Front housing 2 and rear housing 8 contain control and switching circuits referred to hereinafter collectively as a timer control circuit 14. One embodiment of a timer control circuit according to the invention is shown in
The structure and operation of circuit 14 includes voltage control circuitry, a microprocessor, a programmable input device and related circuitry, and two switching circuits.
The microprocessor and programming circuits are used to selectively control the 2 switching circuits, the programming input device provides time, daylight savings time, mode, switching device, Manual override and other programming control information to the microprocessor.
The microprocessor provides 2 independent timer control output signals to the switch control circuits to turn two switches and their indicator lights on and off depending on the programming information stored in the microprocessor or manual override interrupts. Thus the circuit 14 can turn two independent lights on and off according to desired lighting objectives.
Discussing
Switch A 19 is controlled by switch A control circuit A27 which also controls indicator A6 turning the indicator on when the switch is closed. Switch control circuit A27 is in turn controlled by Timer A Control Signal from the microprocessor 29. In the same manner, switch B20 is controlled by switch B control circuit B28 which also controls indicator B 7 turning the indicator on when the switch is closed. Switch control circuit B 28 is, in turn, controlled by Timer B Control Signal from the microprocessor 29.
Switch A control circuit A27 and switch B control circuit B28 can thus be independently controlled by timer control output A and timer control output B from microprocessor 29. Microprocessor 29 is controlled by programming inputs from key matrix 38 which corresponds to Key matrix 4 in
The switch A control circuit A27, switch control circuit B28 and the microprocessor 29 will require regulated voltage inputs. Therefore voltage control circuits are included between the 120 VAC input and inputs to switch A control circuit A27, switch B control circuit B28 and microprocessor 29. Consequently line 15 from AC input plug 9 is connected through voltage drop circuit 21 to one input of rectifier 30. Line 16 directly connects the AC input to the other input to rectifier 30. Rectifier circuit 30 converts the AC input to DC. The output of rectifier 30 is coupled to a low voltage regulator 31.
Low voltage regulator 31 maintains the DC voltage at a constant voltage. One power output of the low voltage regulator 31 is coupled to inputs to switch A control circuit A27 and to switch B control circuit B28 to provide power for operating switch A control circuit A27 and switch B control circuit B28.
Another output of low voltage regulator 31 is coupled to additional circuitry which provides more regulation to the voltage before it is supplied to the microprocessor 29.
A second power output from low voltage regulator 31 is provided to microcontroller supply voltage regulator 32. Microcontroller supply voltage regulator 32 maintains the input voltage to microprocessor 29 within a very narrow range. An output of microcontroller supply voltage regulator 32 is coupled to a rechargeable power supply/storage device 33. This rechargeable supply could be a battery or other large capacity device.
The output of the rechargeable power supply/storage device 33 is coupled to the input of a filter circuit 34. A first line output from the filter circuit 34 is coupled to an input to the Microprocessor 29. A second line output from the filter circuit 34 is coupled to an input of microprocessor 29 and to an input to reset key 35. Reset key 35 is bypassed by a capacitor 37 the second side of the reset key is coupled to an input of microprocessor 29.
A liquid crystal display device 36 which corresponds to the display 10 in
Microprocessor 29 is controlled by programming inputs from Key matrix 38 which corresponds to key matrix 4 in
The Key matrix 38 includes a plurality of finger settable programming switches. In one embodiment of the invention each switch consists of a dome type button which completes an electrical circuit when depressed. An input side of each switch is connected to an output from the microprocessor 29 and an output side of each switch is connected to an input to the microprocessor 29. Thus microprocessor 29 senses a complete circuit (i.e. a voltage change) when a particular switch is depressed.
Microprocessor 29 also has a first output that provides a timer A control signal to switch A control circuit A27 and a second output that provides a timer B control signal to switch B control circuit B28. The time A control signals cause the switch A control circuit A27 to open switch A19 and turn off switch A indicator 6 or close switch A19 and turn on switch indicator 6. The time B control signals cause the switch B control circuit B28 to open switch B20 and turn off switch B indicator 7 or close switch A20 and turn on switch indicator 7. This enables to processor to selectively provide power to controlled AC outlet A11 and controlled AC outlet B10.
The timer face panel, as shown in
SET/TIME: to set the current time
[+] or [−]: Increase or Decrease time setting
RND: Press Random ON/OFF setting to activate random delay for start or finish of ON periods.
RESET: In this instance to reset, press reset key with pointed object, i.e. pencil. (Reset Timer before programming first time.)
CTD: Countdown indicates time left before appliance is turned off.
MODE: Manual/Auto override
If programming is interrupted for more than 30 seconds while setting Timer, unit will automatically revert to default mode. Preset time will be preserved.
Setting Time:
If the display as shown in
Programming On/Off Settings (Maximum 20 Events)
Deleting Programs
1. Press [+] key. Use [+] or [−] keys to select ON/OFF cycle to be deleted.
2. Press SET key to select cycle. Press MODE key to delete program setting. Note: in step 2, press MODE again to recover the settings. After pressing MODE do not change the A/B/AB setting, or it will make the setting recovery impossible.
3. When done, press TIME key to return to current time and day.
Count Down On/Off Setting
Random Switching
This feature can be used to turn lamps and appliances on and off in a random pattern. It is especially useful during vacations, so the home may appear to be occupied. Press RND. Display shows as in
The timer may be programmed so that the two outlets have two random independent offsets for the two outputs. The next available on/off time for each output is offset by a number from +30 minutes to −30 minutes. The value of the offset is a calculated value that may be calculated using a pseudo random number generator. Random timing may be done electro-mechanically using the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,741 or an electronic system such as that which is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,656, both of which are incorporated by reference.
Manual Override
You can manually override the timer function in two ways.
1. Pressing the A or B key will cause the associated output to toggle on or off without affecting the other outlet. If the A or B output is in the AUTO mode the output will again be controlled by the timer at the next programmed ON/OFF time.
2. The A and B outputs can be run separately in the Auto or Manual mode by pressing and holding down the MODE key then press A/B button to select Auto or Manual operation for that output.
Note: whenever an outlet is on, the related LED indicator will turn on; if an outlet is off, the related LED indicator will turn off
DST (Daylight Saving Time) Setting
Press “TIME” key and [+] key simultaneously, “+1 h” will display on LCD as shown in
Reset Function
Press RESET key, Timer will resume in default status. All time and program information will be lost.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61884895 | Sep 2013 | US | |
61872120 | Aug 2013 | US |