FR2601815A1 - Scheduler of duration of use of an electrical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for scheduling the duration of use of any electrical apparatus. It consists of a programmable counter/clock interposed between the operating switch 1 and the apparatus 2, which computes a duration of use and/or a number of throws of the switch, preventing the supplying of the apparatus by the latter when a limit preset in the program is reached. The counter/clock comprises a circuit for detecting the request for operation by the user 11, a processing unit 3 incorporating a clock 8, a system 10 for entering settings, a supply allowing backup 12 and a system for validating the request for operation 13. The device according to the invention is particularly intended in the utilisation of a television receiver.

Description

 The present invention allows the user to plan the duration of use of any electrical device thanks to a device consisting of a programmable clock-counter connected to the device.

 Applies to a television it allows a moderate use of it without particular efforts of will to provide.

At the present time, many viewers suffer from an excessive dependence on television resulting in a lack of availability with regard to their family, cultural environment, etc.

This difficulty is further increased by the presence of children who are too willing to telephone their parents' gott and there is no device to set a rule of use and stick to it. If there are indeed systems for programming the putting in and out of service of electrical devices, no system is intended to prohibit any maneuver of commissioning by a user beyond a threshold of use programmed according to a sufficiently flexible planning.

The purpose of this device is to set a limit on the duration or frequency of use of the device for a cyclical period and to prohibit the commissioning of the device beyond this limit prefixed until the start of the following period according to a cycle which can be uninterrupted.

 I1 is made up of a programmable clock-counter that can record either a duration of use, or a number of start-ups, or both and capable of authorizing or prohibiting any new start-up request made by the user by comparing the instantaneous value displayed on the counter with the limit entered in the program.

In the first mode of use (in duration) the user chooses for a given period (weekly, monthly or other) a maximum duration of use according to which the system will be programmed;
Example: five hours a week.

In the second mode of use (frequency) the user chooses for a given period a maximum number of commissioning;
Example: three weekly start-ups.

In the third mode of use, the system takes into account both the duration and the frequency of use which may prohibit commissioning as soon as one of the limit gods is reached.

In all cases, a display can be provided informing the user about the situation of the counter (elapsed time, remaining time, number of operations carried out and allowed, etc.) as well as a reserve of use allowing, for example, the user of a television to follow the end of a program beyond the threshold recorded in the program and which can be deducted from the following period.

In addition, the use of high-performance equipment such as that described in the attached diagram can allow very flexible use of the system such as decon neotion of the device at certain hours, certain days, etc.

For total efficiency in the case of application to a television, it may be preferable for the user to note that he himself does not have access to the programming of the system with regard to the basic instructions which can then be entered by a third party (reseller , technician ...) but only to activate a reserve system or choose between different pre-set operating modes.

The appended diagram illustrates the invention the system is made up in its entirety of a programmable clock-counter interposed between a mains switch of activation (I! And the electrical appliance (2) and being able to include / understand the following elements - a data processing unit consisting of a communication bus (3) based on a microcontroller (4) and integrating a memory containing the program to be executed (PR014) (5), a memory storing the intermediate values (HAN) ( 6), a data transmitter (USART) (7), a clock (aligned with the mains frequency) (8) and a relay control (9) - A setpoint entry system (IO) consisting of a linked keyboard to the transmitter (7) possibly allowing access to a reserve.

-A circuit for detecting the commissioning request (II) between the switch (I) and the microcontroller (4) integrating a standby type power supply (I2) transforming the 220 V sector into 5 V DC, signaling the setting running from the device to the microcontroller (4) and allowing the program to be preserved during a power cut by continuing to supply the circuits.

(I4) connecté à l'organe de traitement par le transmetteur (8)
Le dispositif selon l'invention est particulièrement destiné à l'utilisation d'un téléviseur. -A request validation system (I3) located at the output, consisting of a power switch or relay controlling the commissioning of the device (2) -A display

(I4) connected to the processing unit by the transmitter (8)
The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the use of a television set.

Claims (3)

 1) Device for planning the duration of use of any electrical appliance comprising. a programmable clock-counter characterized in that said clock is interposed between a commissioning switch (I) (mains current) and the electrical appliance (2). It records an operating time of said appliance (2) and / or a number of actuations of actuation of the switch (I), preventing the supply of the device (2) by the latter when a limit of use pre-set in the program is reached. The clock-counter includes a circuit for detecting the. request for commissioning by the user (II), a processing unit (3) integrating a clock (8), a setpoint entry system (IO), a permanent power supply authorizing the backup by power supply of the circuits in the event of interruption of the main current (mains) (12) and at the output a system for validating the commissioning request (I3) connected to the device (2r. The pre-set limit depending on the duration of use of the device and / or the number of operations on the switch is fixed for a period which can be contained in a cycle.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises a display (I4) connected to the processing member (3) indicating to the user the situation of the meter.  3) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the setpoint entry system (IO) has an input accessible to the user actuating a reserve of use.