GB2367693A

GB2367693A - Lockable electronic timer

Info

Publication number: GB2367693A
Application number: GB0015566A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Bartlett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-27
Filing date: 2000-06-27
Publication date: 2002-04-10
Also published as: GB0107573D0; GB0015566D0

Abstract

An electronic timer device 1 for switching an electric appliance on or off at predetermined times on each of the days of a week according to a program which is pre-set with the aid of setting means 3 and 4, has an electronic circuit which incorporates a security switch 15 lockable by means of a key 16. The setting means are isolated thus preventing any person other than a holder of the key from altering the program.

Description

LOCKABLE ELECTRONIC TIMER DEVICE This invention concerns an electronic timer device which may be programmed to switch an electric appliance on or off at predetermined times on different days of a week.

It is desirable for parents or others responsible for the training and upbringing of children to be able to control the amount of time a child spends in using an electrical appliance such as a television set, a personal computer or a computer games machine.

Accordingly the present invention provides an electronic timer device for switching an electric appliance on or off at predetermined times on each of the days of a week according to a program which is pre-set with the aid of setting means, wherein the electronic circuit of the timer device incorporates a security switch lockable by means of a key by which security switch the setting means are isolated thus preventing any person other than a holder of the key from altering the program.

The security switch may incorporate a mechanical lock which is locked by means of a material key, for example a key made of metal or of a plastics material. In this case the key may be removed and retained by the key holder, after the desired program has been pre-set, and subsequently only the key holder is able to change the program.

Alternatively the security switch incorporates an electronic lock which is locked by means of an electronic signature. The electronic lock may comprise an electronic circuit which is actuated by inputting manually a password known only to the key holder. Alternatively the electronic signature may take the form of a signal transmitted by a remote control device in the possession of the key holder alone.

The electronic timer device in accordance with the invention is most useful for controlling the use by children of an electronic device such as a television set, a personal computer or a computer games machine. However, the device in accordance with the invention may also be used to control lighting appliances in a home so that they are switched on and off at pre-set times on different days of the week to give the impression that the home is occupied during periods when the occupants of the home are absent.

The timer device may, if desired, be programmed to switch appliances on and off at random times throughout a week.

The following is a description of one embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, and is illustrated by means of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lockable timer device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is perspective view of a lockable timer device in accordance with the invention in a disassembled state.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of functional units of a conventional timer device.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of functional units of a timer device in accordance with the invention.

A timer device 1 comprises a digital seven-day time controller which is provided with a digital display panel 2, a first setting button 3 and a second setting button 4. The timer device is also provided with a socket 5 to receive a conventional electric mains plug 6 attached to an electric appliance (not shown). The mains plug 6 is securely retained in engagement with the socket 5 by means of a U-shaped clamp 7 the open ends of which are each pierced by three holes 8,9 and 10. Two of these three holes 8 and 9 on either side of the clamp 7 fit over locating pins 11 provided in each side of the time controller, while the third hole 10 on either side of the clamp 7 registers with a threaded hole 12 into which is inserted a security head screw 13. The head of the screw 13 may, for example, be formed with a depression of a relatively complex design which will receive only a dedicated screw driver having an appropriate configuration. The time controller is further provided with conventional pins 14 for insertion into a mains socket (not shown).

In accordance with the invention the body of the time controller is drilled to receive a security switch 15, which is switchable from an"on"position to an"off"position by means of a security key 16.

The block diagram in Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the functional units of a conventional electronic timer device. A mains supply lead for an electric appliance has a neutral conductor 17 and a live conductor 18. There is connected into the live conductor 18 a relay 19 which switches the appliance on or off in response to a signal emitted by a digital processor circuit 20. A program for switching the electric appliance on or off at predetermined times is input into the digital processor circuit 20 by means of the first and second setting buttons 3 and 4. The digital processor circuit is also connected to the digital display panel 2, and is powered by a battery 21.

The block diagram in Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the functional units of an electronic timer device in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment of the invention a security switch 15, which is switchable from an"on"position to an"off"position by means of a security key is inserted between the digital processor circuit 20 and the setting buttons 3 and 4 in order to isolate the setting buttons from the digital processor circuit, and thus to prevent any alteration of the program by anyone other than the holder of the key.

In operation, the first setting button 3 is used to select the day, or days, of the week for which it is desired to set up a program which will first switch on and then switch off an electric appliance the plug of which is inserted into the mains socket 5. Four different options A-D are available for setting the programs for different days of a week. In Option A all seven days of the week are set simultaneously to give an identical program for each day. In Option B each of the seven days of the week is programmed individually. In Option C the five days, Monday to Friday are set simultaneously; and in Option D the two days Saturday and Sunday are set simultaneously. The second setting button 4 is then pressed to select the hour setting mode, and the hour of the day during which the appliance is to be turned on is set by means of the first setting button 3. A similar procedure is then followed to set the exact minute at which the appliance is to be turned on. The second button 4 is then pressed again to select the hour setting mode for the time at which the appliance is to be turned off, and the procedure is repeated to set the exact minute at which the appliance is turned off. The procedure described above is then repeated, if necessary, in order to set a program for a different day of the week, or group of days.

When the program for switching on and off the electric appliance connected to the timer device has been set for each day of the week in the manner described above, the security switch 15 is switched to the"off"position by means of the security key 16. The security key is then removed from the switch, and only the key holder is then able to change the programs which have been set for the days of the week.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An electronic timer device for switching an electric appliance on or off at predetermined times on each of the days of a week according to a program which is pre-set with the aid of setting means, wherein the electronic circuit of the timer device incorporates a security switch lockable by means of a key by which security switch the setting means are isolated thus preventing any person other than a holder of the key from altering the program.
2. An electronic timer device according to claim 1, wherein the security switch incorporates a mechanical lock which is locked by means of a material key.
3. An electronic timer device according to claim 1, wherein the security switch incorporates an electronic lock which is locked by means of an electronic signature.
4. An electronic timer device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.