Abstract:
A timing device is disclosed which is for controlling electronic devices and which is mounted in a wall switch box. This timing device comprises at least one controller; at least one transceiver in communication with the controller; at least one interface; and at least one cover plate. This device can also include at least one key coupled to the cover plates for interacting with the interface when said cover plate is inserted onto said at least one interface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/037,922 filed on Feb. 26, 2008 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a programmable wall mounted timer for controlling electronic components. This wall mounted timer can be programmed with a plurality of different settings. 
         [0003]    Other wall mounted timers are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,889 to Janda discloses an in-wall electronic timer having a user interface. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,947 to Finne which issued on Jun. 17, 1997 discloses a modular timer having multiple finished extension members. 
         [0004]    However, there continues to be a need for a wall mounted timer which is easy to install in a standard wall mounted electrical box, which can be used in a single and multiple ganged electrical boxes which blend with other dimmers and switches. In at least one instance, these timers can be controlled from multiple locations wherein settings can be adjusted based on a user&#39;s need from minutes to hours. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a wall mounted timer for use in controlling at least one component. The wall mounted timer can be easily programmed so that it is adaptable in a plurality of different situations. The timer can be programmed in any number of ways. For example, the wall mounted timer can have a face plate that has at least one interface which forms a key having a setting to indicate how many timer settings are to be indicated on a face of the device. When the face plate is coupled to the body or the housing of the device, this preconfigures the device so that at least one embodiment is now set with a particular number of lights or indications, and can be optionally set with a particular timer settings for these lights or indications. 
         [0006]    Alternatively, the wall mounted timer can be programmed via a second interface comprising any number of rocker buttons, dimmer switches or push buttons, coupled to actuators, such that when a user presses on these buttons or switches in a particular manner, the user can program the timer condition including the number of timer settings, and a particular time for each timer setting. 
         [0007]    Another manner for adjusting or programming the timer is through wireless communication. The timer can also communicate wirelessly with a remote control, wherein this remote control can have any number of buttons or switches coupled to actuators which when pressed in a particular manner, result in communications being sent to the timer to program the timer condition, including the number of timer settings and to set a particular time for each timer setting. 
         [0008]    The three different ways for adjusting the timer settings or timer condition can be used together in a hybrid manner so that at least one embodiment includes an adjustable tinier that can be adjusted by all three of the above methods, including adjusting the timer setting via a key and interface, adjusting the timer setting via the interface on the housing, and adjusting the timer settings via wireless transmission. 
         [0009]    Along with this universal programmability, the timer is also adjustable in appearance. Depending on the number of timer times set, and the time periods for each timer time, different face plates or labels can be coupled to the timer to reflect the timer condition programmed into the timer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
           [0011]    In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of electrical components associated with the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-5 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a first embodiment of the timer; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is another embodiment of the timer; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is another embodiment of the timer; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a cover plate having a key; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a housing having an interface for interfacing with the coverplate of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart for programming and using the timer; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a more detailed flow chart for at least one step in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart for at least one step in  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart for another embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic block diagram of the electronic components  101  of the timer device shown in  FIGS. 2-5 . For example, this design can be incorporated into any one of the housings in any one of the embodiments  200 , 300 , 400  and  500 . This design includes a series of electronic components  101  which are used to control the setting of this timer system. The components can be in any form of components but in this example, include a controller  110  such as a microprocessor. A memory  112  is in communication with controller  110  which stores settings and a controlling program lo instruct controller  110 . Memory  112  is shown as one unit, and can be in the form of a flash memory such as an EEPROM or in the form of multiple memory units. In addition, a transceiver  114  is in communication with controller  110  as well as an antenna  116  which is in communication with transceiver  114 . There is also a light array in communication with controller  110  which can be in the form of light array  240 , light array  311 , or light array  417   427  shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 . Controller  110  is also in communication with optional interface  501  (See  FIG. 5 ) wherein controller  110  receives information from interface  501 . and stores this information in memory  112 . 
         [0023]    In addition, there is also an interface which corresponds to any one of interfaces or series of buttons  241 ,  330 ,  340 , and  410  which may be coupled to associated actuators disposed inside the housing in a known manner and used to control the timer settings and program the timer settings. These interfaces, in the form of associated buttons paddles or switches, can be pressed in particular sequences to relay new timer settings to controller  110 . The program stored in memory  112 , has values associated with the pressing of buttons on the controller so that these instructions sent to controller  110  are then stored in memory  112  and operated on by controller  110  to cither change a desired time of an associated timer setting, switch to a particular timer countdown, or remove timer settings as well. 
         [0024]    Another way to program or interface with controller  110  is through wireless transmission of information to controller  110 . For example, a remote control  150  can he used to set the timer condition of the timer including the number of timer settings and the time periods for each setting. As disclosed above, the timer settings can be controlled wirelessly by relaying information from remote control  150  to controller  110  through antenna  116  and transceiver  114  and then setting the appropriate number of timer settings, setting the desired timer increments, or setting a particular time for counting down, and then storing these characteristics in memory  112 . The antenna system  116  can be formed in any suitable manner such as a manner similar to that shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/559,646, filed on Nov. 14, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a first embodiment of the timer  200 . With this view, there are multiple lights shown, each with a different setting. There are indicia disposed on a front face, which can be either pre-printed thereon, placed thereon with a label, or omitted depending on the user&#39;s desire. This indicia indicates the amount of time left in each timer setting. Shown in  FIG. 2  are the time intervals 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes. These time intervals are shown for illustrative purposes only and the intervals may be set to any suitable lengths of time as desired by the user. Timer  200 , as shown, includes an inner cover plate  210 , an intermediate outer lace plate  220  and an additional outer face plate  230 . A series of buttons  241  including buttons  242 ,  244 ,  246 ,  248 , and  250  and  260  are disposed on the front face adjacent to the light array  240  which for example, includes associated indicating lights  243 ,  245 ,  247 ,  249 ,  251 , and  253 . In this case, these indicating lights can be in the form of LED indicating lights that are disposed behind a light pipe. The number of exposed lights on this face are controlled by the size and shape of cover plate  210  which is coupled to face plate  220 . For example, in this embodiment, unused actuators  252  and  254  are shown by dashed circles and are disposed beneath cover plate  210 . These unused actuators are consequently programmed to be inactive based upon the instructions sent by a user. Thus, these unused actuators are covered by plate  210 . Similarly, unused lights  255  and  257  are shown by dashed lines disposed beneath and covered by plate  210 . 
         [0026]    The settings relating to the number of lights, and the number of buttons is controlled by either pressing on particular buttons  242 - 260 , through wirelessly sending instructions from a remote control or through the insertion of a unique faceplate. An example of this process is shown by way of example in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0027]    This face shows an example of settings wherein with these settings, button  242  when pressed, selects the 60 minute time period which then activates the 60 minute LED light  243 . In addition, the 30 minute button  244  can then be selectively pressed to set the 30 minute time period which then activates the 30 minute light  245  to indicate that this time has been set as well. Accordingly, the 20 minute button  246  can be pressed which then activates the 20 minute light  247  which sets this time. Other buttons such as ten minute button  248  or five minute button  250  can be pressed to set these times as well. Alternately, the unit can be programmed such that any suitable button, or buttons, can activate and suitable light, or lights. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a from view of another embodiment  300 . With this embodiment, there is a front plate  308  which is coupled to a cover plate  310 . In addition, a rocker paddle  330  is coupled to plate  310  wherein this entire assembly can be stored into a single gang electrical enclosure. There is also a series of lights in a light array  311 . These lights are  312 ,  314 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326  and  327  (shown covered) which indicate, in this case, a particular time for counting down. In addition, there is also a dimmer button  340  which may be used to program the device. For example, as explained in step  1001 , (See  FIG. 10 ) the paddle  330  can be pressed along with dimmer button  340  to set a particular time. For example, if the user presses both the rocker paddle  330  and the dimmer button  340  then the user can preset a particular time as indicated by LED lights  312 ,  314 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 ,  324 , and  326 . By pressing the rocker paddle  330  up along with dimmer button  340 . the highest timer setting  312  can be set. Alternatively, once this time is selected a user can scroll down to lower times by pressing on the down section of rocker paddle  330  so that the lower times are set as well. 
         [0029]    Therefore, the user can then scroll down from a highest setting as indicated by light  312  down to a next highest setting as indicated by light  314 , to a next highest setting as indicated by light  318 , down to the additional settings associated with lights  320 ,  322 ,  324 , and  326 . Alternatively, the process for programming this embodiment can be used to program dimmer intensity levels as well. Instead of using the process for program timers, a dimmer can be set wherein the dimmer setting can be set by scrolling through or setting a highest dimmer setting as designated by light  312  and then scrolled down to lower dimmer levels indicated by lights  314 ,  318 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326 , and  327 . Likewise, any other suitable electrical load could be controlled by this embodiment such as, but not limited to, motors, appliances, lamp shades, and so on. 
         [0030]    Thus, by pressing rocker paddle  330  up along with dimmer button  340  this sets the highest dimmer level. Once this dimmer level is set, a user can scroll down to lower dimmer settings by pressing on the down section of the rocker paddle  330 . The light then scrolls down through the various dimmer levels rather than incrementally via dimmer button  340 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment which shows a face plate  401 , a cover plate  410  and a series of buttons  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418 , and  420  which can beset by pressing them and holding them to set the appropriate time. Shown in  FIG. 4  are the time intervals 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes. These time intervals are shown for illustrative purposes only and the intervals may be set to any suitable lengths of time as desired by the user. Alternatively, the embodiment may be programmed with any suitable method. In addition, there is a series of lights  411 ,  413 ,  415 . and  417  and  419  forming a light array. For example, if button  412  is pressed and held, an associated light  411  is illuminated indicating that this time has been set. Alternatively, if button  414  is pressed and held then the associated light  413  is lit indicating that this time is to be set instead. Next, if button  416  is pressed and held, light  415  is lit indicating that this time has been preset. Next, if button  418  is pressed and held, light  417  is lit indicating that this time has been set. Alternatively, if button  420  Ls pressed and held, light  419  lights up indicating that the load (such as a light) has been shut down. 
         [0032]    One way to provide an indication of the time left is if, for example, a person sets the timer to last for sixty minutes by pressing button  412 . This causes light  411  to be lit, once the time period approaches the next time indication, the light  411  for example will flash and then turn off while light  413  will then turn on indicating that the timer has only thirty minutes left. The time will then progressively scroll down until it reaches the off position. A user can selectively program whether the off button should remain on or off after all of the lights have been tamed off. 
         [0033]    In addition, as shown in this embodiment, cover plate  410  and face plate  401  can be used to cover unused actuators  425  which are selectively covered by selecting a particular face. In this case, for each button, there is an associated actuator disposed in the housing and behind each button. If a user decides lo limit the number of timer settings, that user can cover a particular actuator, which would not be coupled to a button, and then program controller  110  so that the covered actuator is registered as inactive. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a plate or cover  500  having an extension member  550  and a key  552 . This extension member  550  and associated key  552  are designed to interface with an associated interface  501 , (See  FIG. 6 ) having a series of different sections  510 ,  512 ,  514 ,  516 ,  518 , and  520  for interaction with key  552 . These different sections  510 - 520  may be discrete electrical contacts which are designed to send different signals or instructions to controller  110  depending on whether these contacts have been contacted by key  552 . Alternatively, the interface may be optical or magnetic in nature responsive lo an appropriate key. Therefore, the positioning of this key  552  on arm  550  is used to determine any one of the following: the number of desired timer settings; the number of desired lighting elements to be shown; and the times of the timer settings as well. For example, depending on the section of interface  501  that is intersected, the key  552  intersects the interface  501  in particular sections so that instructions can be sent from interface  501  to an associated processor such as controller  110  to configure the desired timer conditions. 
         [0035]    Alternatively, this key  552  which interacts with the associated interface  501 , can be used to set dimmer functions as well such that when key  552  interacts with particular sections, the information sent from interface  501  is then sent onto controller  110  as a set of instructions to pre-program a dimmer interface. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing an example for programming any one of the elements shown above (such as timers, dimmers, speed controllers, and the like). For example, in step  701  a user would determine the desired number of timer settings. Depending on the desired number of timer settings the user would in step  702  then select or remove a cover plate or face for the timer. The selection of a face is used for both aesthetic reasons and can also he used to set the appropriate number of timer settings or steps for programming in a manner as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . This step is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows a more detailed process for step  702 . For example, in step  801  a user selects a cover plate from an array of cover plates to cover the housing of the timer. Depending on the type of cover selected, the key is then used lo determine the appropriate number of timer settings. Next in step  802  the user inserts the cover plate into the housing. In step  803  the key on the cover plate (such as key  552 ) registers with the device by interfacing with interface  501 . Depending on the section contacted on the interface, a set of signals or instructions are sent to controller  110  lo set the timer settings. Next, in step  804  the timer condition is now preset with a preset number of timer settings for the user to either set originally or reset depending on the instructions sent from interface  501  to controller  110 . In addition, this key can also be used so that when it interacts with interface  501 , it also can optionally set the times for each timer setting. 
         [0038]    By setting this cover plate into the device the programming mode is automatically set. Next, in step  703 , the programming mode is set either by pressing on particular buttons on the interface or by pressing on buttons on a remote control. The programming mode is essentially a mode where each of the timer, or dimmer, devices is now open to programming changes. Next step  704  includes programming particular timer billions, so that the incremental times are set 
         [0039]    Steps  701 - 704  essentially set the timer condition. With the present embodiment, due to the interchangeable cover plate, and the programmable buttons, the timer condition is universally adaptable. A timer condition can be either a characteristic of the number of timer settings that are arranged on a front face, and/or include the predetermined time settings for times as well. For example, depending on the front face, a timer setting can be four sets of times, wherein for example, each incremental timer set is for 20 minute intervals. Thus, there would be buttons and indicators for 80 minutes, 60 minutes, 40 minutes and 20 minutes, based upon these timer conditions. The parameters of these timer conditions can be varied depending on the number of buttons or actuators actually presented, and the preset stored times. 
         [0040]    Alternatively, the timer settings can be five different timer settings with any associated timer interval such as 10 minutes, (resulting in a 50 minute button; a 40 minute button; a 30 minute button; a 20 minute button; and a 10 minute button), or six different timer settings with any associated tinier interval such as 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes or even just 5 minutes as well. These preset settings can be changed after the cover plate installation as well. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 9 and 10  and are How charts for programming the different embodiments of timers, after the face has been inserted into the housing. For example steps  901  lo  906  and steps  1001  and  1006  are more elaborate representations of step  704 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  shows an example of a process for performing step  704 , using the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . In step  901 , a user presses and holds a top, and an adjacent button such as a third button (button  246  in  FIG. 2  and button  416  in  FIG. 4 ) to initiate a programming mode. Next, in step  902 , the lights blink to indicate that the device is in the programming mode. Next, in step  903 . each of the timeout settings are set by pressing and holding onto each button for a period of time and then setting the time through pressing on additional buttons such as one of two adjacent buttons indicating an associated increase or decrease in time. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is an example of the process for performing step  704  for the timer shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows a series of timer settings or timeouts  312 - 326 . The setting of these timeouts occurs through step  1001  by pressing either a rocker button  330  and paddle or dimmer button  340  up or down, to start the programming mode. Accordingly, in step  1002  the lights blink indicating that the programming mode has started. Once each of the timeouts is set, in step  1003 , a user can store these timeouts in step  1004 . The storage of these timeouts is then stored in an associated memory, (See memory  112  in  FIG. 1  as an example) which can be part of a controller or a separate unit. Next, in slop  1005  the user can optionally change or alter a faceplate by removing a faceplate or inserting a label such as in step  1006  on the faceplate to have new set of designations for the device. In this way, the description on the front of the faceplate can accurately match the designations associated with the timer. 
         [0044]    Once all of the times for any one of the processes described above have been set, a user can finally store all of the changes in step  705  (See  FIG. 7 ). Next, in step  706  a user can turn a light on. Next, a user can then initiate a timer countdown in step  707 . During this timer countdown, the controller  110  can initiate a lock mode, as disclosed in step  708   a,  wherein a light associated with a particular timer setting would blink indicating that the timer is moving down to the next time interval. Alternatively, in step  708   b,  a user can select a warn mode by pressing and holding a button such as any one of buttons  242 - 260  or buttons  412  to  418  or  420 . The lock mode is for locking the light on or off depending on whether a user presses and holds cither a timer button lo keep the light on, or an off button to turn the light off. 
         [0045]    Alternatively, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the user can press the dimmer button  340  or the rocker button  330  for a predefined period of time so that the timer switches to the lock mode. In this state, the side LEDs go to an off mode so as to indicate a lock mode. 
         [0046]    Once this lock mode has been set, there are ways to terminate this mode. For example, a user can turn the lights OFF using a rocker paddle such as rocker paddle  330 . Next, the timer turns off along with the side bar display and the last adjusted timeout settings. Next time when the light is turned on, the user may terminate the lock mode by pressing down the rocker down button. In this case, the timer then returns lo the previously set timeout settings. 
         [0047]    These same steps described in  FIGS. 7-10  can be performed using a wireless remote control  150  wherein having the same or substantially similar user interfaces as those shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 . 
         [0048]    In addition, the steps shown in  FIGS. 7-10  can also be adapted so that these steps can be used to program a dimmer as well. For example, a user can select a particular face for a dimmer as described in step  702 . Next, to set to programming mode, a user can either insert a particular cover plate, and hold particular buttons such as the lop and third buttons as described in step  901  or press and hold the rocker and dim buttons in step  1001 . 
         [0049]    For example, steps  901 - 906  can be adapted to address dimmers so that in step  901  a user can press and hold top and third buttons to set the programming modes. Next, in step  902  the lights associated with these buttons would blink to indicate that the device is in a programming mode. Next in step  903  the dimmer levels can be set and then in step  904  the timeouts can be stored. Next, in step  905  the faceplate can be optionally reset based upon the changes to the dimmer. Finally any labels that are desired can be set so that the necessary indications are applied next to these buttons. 
         [0050]    In addition, steps  1001 - 1006  can be modified so that they can be used to program a dimmer as well. In this case, as described above, a user can press and hold the rocker paddle and dim button in step  1001  to initiate a programming mode. Next, in step  1002  the lights associated with this device would blink indicating the device is in a programming mode. Next in step  1003  the dimmer settings can be set, as described above. In this case, the dimmer settings are set on a staggered basis which can be based upon the number of buttons where each setting corresponds to a percentage of light level for the dimmer or on an entirely customized level as well wherein each button has its own individual light level. Next, in step  1004  the dimmer levels are stored, wherein in step  1005  the faceplate can then be optionally reset while in step  1006  a label can be placed on the faceplate to indicate the dimmer levels as well. 
         [0051]    Overall, these designs create a universally adjustable timer, dimmer, speed control, or other suitable controller, for controlling electronic components such as lights, or other downstream loads. With these designs, the number of timer settings, as well as the individual timer times can be universally set. The three types of setting control can be either with the insertion of a unique faceplate into an interface on the housing, through manual programming via buttons or paddles on the timer itself, or through wireless transmission from a remote control to the device to control the number of timer settings and the time for the settings. The three different types of timer control can be used exclusively to control the time or, on at least one embodiment, any one of the three types of setting control can be used in a partial manner so that the setting of a light can occur partially through insertion of a faceplate, partially through the programming of buttons and partially wirelessly. Through adjustments in the number of timer settings, each time setting and the associated lace plate, a user could, with one single timer, create the number of settings and desired time settings that they wish. 
         [0052]    Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.