Smart timer control system

Abstract

A smart timer control system is disclosed. The present invention includes a timer which includes a wireless communication unit and turns on or off power of an external load at a set time point. The wireless communication unit receives setting information input through a dedicated application of a smartphone from the smartphone. The timer further includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the timer on the basis of the setting information. According to the present invention, a user can more easily set and control a timer through a screen of a smartphone instead of pressing a button of the timer.

Description

Smart Timer Control System

[0001] The present invention relates to a timer, and more specifically, to a smart timer control system that connects a timer and a smartphone via Wi-Fi through a QR code and inputs data required for the timer into the smartphone.

[0002] Typically, a timer is connected to a light or other electrical or electronic device to turn the load on / off at a desired time.

[0003] These timers can be divided into mechanical and digital types. Mechanical timers have the inconvenience of having to manipulate each pin arranged in a circle, and the problem of low precision.

[0004] After the digital timer was released, many improvements were made, such as sunset lighting that automatically turns the load on and off by storing the sunrise and sunset times in memory, day-of-the-week lighting that can be turned on and off by day, and input methods using rotary encoders. However, the inconvenience of users having to operate multiple buttons installed on the timer through a complex process remained.

[0005] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a smart timer control system that recognizes a QR code provided on a timer with a smartphone and connects the timer and the smartphone via Wi-Fi.

[0006] In addition, we aim to provide a smart timer control system that allows users to more easily operate the timer through the intuitive screen menu of their familiar smartphone and dedicated program (dedicated app).

[0007] In order to achieve the above technical task, a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a timer including a wireless communication unit supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or UWB and turning on / off an external load power supply at a desired time; and a smartphone having a dedicated program (hereinafter, a dedicated app) including a wireless communication function installed therein, and is characterized in that the timer and the smartphone are connected via Wi-Fi, and data including information input through the dedicated app of the smartphone is transmitted and received between the timer and the smartphone.

[0008] In addition, the timer may include a control unit (305) installed inside the timer and transmitting and receiving data including information entered through a dedicated app of the smartphone between the timer and the smartphone, thereby performing the function of the timer according to a program recorded in the memory.

[0009] Additionally, a QR code containing logon information is provided on one side of the timer, and the QR code can be recognized by the smartphone.

[0010] Additionally, the timer and the smartphone can be connected using at least one of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth, and UWB (Ultra-wideband).

[0011] In addition, the current time (hereinafter, “current time”) data including the year, month, and day of the above timer can be synchronized with the current time data of the above smartphone.

[0012] In addition, if the timer is within a Wi-Fi communication area, the timer can be synchronized with the Internet standard time by connecting to a network through the smartphone, and the timer can be remotely controlled through the network with the smartphone.

[0013] In addition, the timer may include a control unit (305) that applies a zero-cross circuit when the relay or power element inside the timer operates and turns the relay contact ON / OFF when the power voltage passes around 0 V by considering the delay time and relay operation time.

[0014] In addition, the above timer is characterized in that it includes a power input terminal installed to receive power, a voltage output terminal installed to supply voltage-type output to a load, and a contact output terminal installed to supply contact-type output to a load, and is composed of NO, NC, and COM.

[0015] The smart timer control system according to the present invention has the following effects.

[0016] The present invention connects the timer and smartphone via Wi-Fi instead of pressing a button installed on the timer, so that desired data can be easily input into the timer through a dedicated app on the smartphone.

[0017] In addition, if you connect the timer and smartphone via Wi-Fi, the timer's current time data (hereinafter, current time) including the year, month, and day is automatically synchronized with the smartphone's current time data, so there is no need to enter the timer's current time data separately.

[0018] Additionally, if the timer is within a wireless communication area, it can always maintain accurate current time data by synchronizing with the Internet standard time via Wi-Fi.

[0019] Additionally, after registering the QR code, you can remotely control the timer via the network from your smartphone if the timer is within the wireless communication area.

[0020] Additionally, a contact output for small signals has been added in addition to the voltage output that uses a high-power load as a timer output. The contact output can be used with a relay or MC at the rear end and is useful when insulation is required between the input and output.

[0021] In addition, by applying the zero-cross method when turning the load ON / OFF and considering the delay time and relay operation time, the relay contacts are turned ON / OFF when the power voltage passes around 0V, so that the relay contacts can be protected and their lifespan can be extended.

[0022] Additionally, each timer is given a unique name and the setting data is stored in the non-volatile memory area of ​​the smartphone or timer, allowing the user to view and re-enter the data whenever they wish.

[0023] In addition, while conventional timers used Seoul, or a specific region, as a reference for sunrise and sunset times, the present invention reads the current location of the smartphone and subdivides the region, thereby allowing for more accurate application of sunrise and sunset times.

[0024] Additionally, the smartphone-only app, which consists of various menus, can be upgraded to the latest version at any time for user convenience due to the nature of the program.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the front part of a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the rear part of a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for explaining the zero cross of a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 is a zero-cross delay time calculation diagram of a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the main menu screen of a smartphone-only app of a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0031] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a sunrise and sunset adjustment menu screen in a smartphone-only app of a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that, wherever possible, identical components are represented by identical reference numerals throughout the drawings. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the front part of a smart timer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the rear part of a smart timer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a smart timer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for explaining the zero cross of a smart timer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a zero cross delay time calculation diagram of a smart timer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a main menu screen in a smartphone-only app of a smart timer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a sunrise and sunset adjustment menu screen in a smartphone-only app of a smart timer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a smart timer control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a timer that has a wireless communication unit (306) that supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or UWB and turns an external load power supply ON / OFF at a desired time, and may further include a smartphone (311) on which a dedicated program (hereinafter, a dedicated app) having a wireless communication function is installed. The timer and the smartphone (311) can communicate with each other via Wi-Fi, etc., and data including information input through the dedicated app of the smartphone (311) is transmitted and received between the timer and the smartphone (311).

[0035] In addition, the control unit (305) installed inside the timer performs the function of the timer according to the program recorded in the memory based on data including information input through a dedicated app of the smartphone (311).

[0036] Meanwhile, the day setting (101) in Fig. 1 is linked according to the information set in the dedicated app of the smartphone (311), and ON / OFF (i.e., timer function activation / deactivation) can be distinguished by the 0 / X display at the top of each day of the week. In addition, in the present invention, the lighting and lighting off times for specific days of the week, including weekends, can be set differently, or ON / OFF (i.e., timer function activation / deactivation) can be selected, and the linked setting information in this way can be carried over as is even if the month or year changes.

[0037] The number of times the light is turned on (102) in Fig. 1 is displayed as [00 times] according to the content (i.e., the number of times information) set by the user in the dedicated app of the smartphone (311), and the user will be able to set the content when the light needs to be turned on or off more than twice a day.

[0038] In addition, continuous lighting (106), single lighting (107), repeat setting (108), power off (109), and WIFI (110) in FIG. 1 may also be displayed when the corresponding function is operating according to the settings in the dedicated app of the smartphone (311).

[0039] Connect (111) in FIG. 1 is displayed to indicate that the timer and the smartphone (311) are connected using at least one of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth, and UWB (Ultra-wideband), and in this case, when implementing the present invention, a connection sound may also be transmitted.

[0040] Meanwhile, the input power indicator lamp (112) in Fig. 1 turns on when power (AC 220V) is connected to the input power terminal (115) of the timer.

[0041] The output power display lamp (113) in Fig. 1 turns on when power (AC 220 V) and contact output are supplied to the output terminals (117, 116) of the timer. In carrying out the present invention, one more output power display lamp (113) may be added to distinguish between voltage output and contact output.

[0042] The instant on / off button (114) in Fig. 1 is a button that provides the function of manually turning the load on and off regardless of the current setting status, and operates immediately when the button is pressed. That is, when the load is off, pressing the button (114) turns it on, and when the load is on, pressing the button (114) turns it off.

[0043] However, in carrying out the present invention, it is preferable that the lighting (or lighting off) state by the instant lighting / lighting off button (114) be maintained for a maximum of 24 hours, and that it be automatically turned off when the next event of the timer occurs.

[0044] That is, even if it is turned on immediately by pressing the button (114), it is turned off at the next set turning off time, and even if it is turned off immediately by pressing the button (114), it is turned on at the next set turning on time.

[0045] Additionally, the instant on / off (114) button includes a reset function, and the two functions can be distinguished by the pressing time.

[0046] That is, if the button is pressed for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 2 seconds), the reset function is activated, clearing all timer settings and returning them to their initial state. This reset function can be used when the timer is operating abnormally.

[0047] The input power terminal (115) in Fig. 1 is a terminal for receiving power (AC 220 V) required for the timer, and the voltage output terminal (117) is a terminal installed to supply output in the form of voltage (220 V) to the load, and the output voltage is the same as the input voltage.

[0048] The contact output terminal (116) in Fig. 1 is a terminal installed to supply a contact-type output to a load, and is composed of NO, NC, and COM and is for small signals. That is, it is used by connecting a relay or MC at the rear end depending on the size of the load power, or when insulation is required between the input and output.

[0049] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a QR code (118, 301) may be provided on one side of the timer and includes the address of a server or homepage (hereinafter, homepage) where a dedicated app program for a smartphone (311) is stored and logon information for connection with the smartphone (311).

[0050] Such QR codes (118, 301) can be recognized using a dedicated app of a smartphone (311), an app including a QR code scanning function, or a camera function. In carrying out the present invention, a guide guiding the user to download the dedicated app and recognize the QR code may be additionally displayed on one side of the timer.

[0051] The power supply unit (302) in FIG. 3 is mounted on a printed circuit board installed inside the timer, receives commercial voltage (AC220V) from the outside through an input terminal unit (303), and supplies the reduced and rectified DC voltage to the control unit (305), wireless communication unit (306), amplifier unit (307), display unit (308), etc. Such a power supply unit (302) may include a battery for power outage compensation to maintain the current time and set values ​​when external power is not input.

[0052] The input switch unit (304) in FIG. 3 is mounted on a printed circuit board installed inside the timer and includes the above-described immediate on / off button (114).

[0053] The control unit (305) is mounted on a printed circuit board installed inside the timer, transmits and receives data including information entered through a dedicated app on a smartphone (311) through the timer's wireless communication unit, and performs the timer's functions according to the received data and the program recorded in the memory. The control unit (305) includes a processor, memory, and an input / output device.

[0054] In addition, when the timer and the smartphone (311) are connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or UWB (Ultra-Wideband), the control unit (305) compares the current time (hereinafter, current time) data including the year, month, and day of the timer with the current time data of the smartphone (311), and if there is a difference, synchronizes the current time data of the timer with the current time data of the smartphone (311) to automatically correct the current time of the timer without the user's intervention.

[0055] Additionally, if the timer is within a Wi-Fi coverage area, the timer can connect to the network via a smartphone (311) and synchronize with the Internet standard time information of a dedicated time server or a public time server at regular intervals, thereby maintaining the timer's current time accurately at all times. Furthermore, a user can remotely control the timer connected to Wi-Fi via the network via a smartphone (311) from a remote location.

[0056] In addition, a zero-cross program can be installed in the control unit (305) of the timer, and such a program applies a zero-cross circuit (Fig. 4) when a relay or power element inside the timer operates, and performs a function of turning the relay contact ON / OFF when the power voltage passes around 0 V by considering the delay time (506) and the relay operation time (507).

[0057] The zero-cross program uses relays or power components to turn the load ON / OFF. However, when the power is connected to the load, a temporary increase in current may cause sparks at the relay contacts and cause strain on the power components, which may shorten the lifespan of the components.

[0058] To overcome these shortcomings, the zero-cross method is generally used, which operates relays and power components when the AC 220V power source passes near 0V to minimize noise caused by sudden load current.

[0059] In the present invention, the ON / OFF time considering the delay time (506) and the relay operating time (507) is adjusted by software to turn the relay contact ON / OFF when the power voltage passes around 0 V, so that the relay contact can be protected and its lifespan can be extended. In this case, the software is called a zero-cross program.

[0060] That is, when a zero-cross circuit is applied as shown in Fig. 4, and T(505): period (e.g., 17 ms) and OT(507): relay operation time (e.g., 25 ms) in the AC 220 [V] power waveform as shown in Fig. 5, the delay time DT(506) can be calculated as 2xT - OT = 9 ms.

[0061] Accordingly, when an output signal is output from the control unit (305), the zero-cross point (501) (i.e., 0 [V]) is detected in the zero-cross circuit (Fig. 4), and from that point on, the operating power is supplied to the relay at the point (502) after the delay time DT (506) has passed, and the relay contact is turned ON at the zero-cross point (504) which is 0 [V] after the relay operation time OT (507) has passed, and when the contact is turned OFF, the delay time DT can be calculated as 2xT - RT by considering the delay time (not shown) and the release time (not shown).

[0062] In addition, the voltage output and contact output can be set to ON / OFF respectively, and even if the two outputs are set simultaneously, since the characteristics of each relay are different, the two outputs can be output separately with a time difference of several to several tens of ms in order to apply a more accurate zero cross.

[0063] The amplifier (307) is mounted on a printed circuit board installed inside the timer, and amplifies the signal of the input switch (304) and the wireless communication (306) according to the signal of the control unit (305) and transmits the signal to the display unit (308). The amplifier (307) includes a driving circuit such as a relay for transmitting a signal to the output terminal unit (309), and also transmits an audio signal to a speaker.

[0064] The display unit (308) is mounted on a printed circuit board installed inside the timer, and visually displays data such as the timer's lighting and lighting off times on the screen according to signals from the control unit (305) and the amplifier unit (307).

[0065] The output terminal section (309) is mounted on a printed circuit board installed inside the timer, and outputs AC 220V and a contact signal to the voltage output terminal and the contact output terminal through an amplification and driving circuit according to the signal of the control section (305).

[0066] The speaker (310) is mounted on a printed circuit board installed inside the timer and transmits sounds such as WIFI connection sounds according to signals from the control unit (305) and the amplifier unit (307).

[0067] Figure 6 is the main menu of the dedicated app. It is a menu that appears on the screen of a smartphone (311) after downloading and installing the dedicated app from the store, and a message asking to scan a QR code may be displayed.

[0068] Daehan Sanghoe (tentative title: 602) is the timer's name. Users first enter a timer name and tap "Complete Settings" to register it in the smartphone app. The timer name must be unique and not duplicated. After scanning the QR code, the dedicated app will automatically display the name and data.

[0069] When searching by name, for example, entering "대" (대) will display registered names beginning with "대" and allow you to select the desired name. Alternatively, if you don't register a name, the product name, date, and number will automatically be displayed.

[0070] When the user touches the setup completion (604) after completing all settings, the entered and modified data will be transmitted to the timer, and when the transmission is complete, the message “Transmission complete” will be displayed on the smartphone (311) and the timer will emit a sound indicating that the data has been received.

[0071] Meanwhile, the user will be able to select one of the four combinations below through the user lighting (609), sunset lighting (610), user lighting off (611), and sunrise lighting off (612) buttons.

[0072] {User lights on, User lights off, User lights on sunrise, User lights off, Sunset lights on, Sunrise lights off}

[0073] User-defined on and off times are entered by the user. Sunset lighting turns on at sunset, while sunrise lighting turns off at sunrise. Sunset and sunrise times are automatically displayed in the on and off times by reading data stored in memory.

[0074] Day setting (613) allows you to set different lighting and lighting off times for specific days of the week, including weekends, or turn them ON / OFF, and this is carried over even if the month or year changes.

[0075] Annual settings (614) allow you to set different lighting and off times, or to turn them ON / OFF, for holidays, specific days, or for any period. If the day of the week setting overlaps with the annual setting, the annual setting takes precedence. Annual settings are a one-time setting and will not be carried over when the month or year changes. The period will remain in effect for the next year.

[0076] The single (615) button allows the user to control the timer and smartphone (311) by connecting them 1:1, and the timer operates independently.

[0077] The group [Master, Slave] (616) is divided into masters and slaves. The master is one timer, and the slaves are one or more timers. When one timer is designated as the master, the slave communicates with the master and reads necessary data, such as the current time, lighting and lighting off times, from the master to operate.

[0078] Masters and slaves transmit and receive necessary data wirelessly. Even if some slaves leave the wireless communication area, relay communication between slaves allows transmission and reception. This effectively operates multiple slaves according to the master's settings.

[0079] If the remote (617) button is entered, after registering the QR code, the timer can be controlled and set remotely via the network from a smartphone (311) if the timer is within the wireless communication area.

[0080] When the continuous lighting (618) button is pressed, the load is continuously lit while the timer function is ignored.

[0081] When the Power Off (619) button is pressed, all functions of the timer will be halted, any lights on the load will immediately turn off, and all screens except for the "Power Off" text will be blank. The timer's current time will continue to operate internally, and user settings will be stored in memory as they are. This is useful when the timer is not being used for a long period of time, such as on vacation.

[0082] Special functions (621) may include the following submenus:

[0083] Single light: The load lights up once on the set date and time and does not repeat.

[0084] Repeat setting: Lights on for a set period of time and then turns off for a set period of time.

[0085] Restore settings: The set data is automatically saved in the non-volatile memory area of ​​the timer and can be restored to the smartphone (311) when the user needs it.

[0086] The sunrise and sunset chart (620) displays the sunrise and sunset times for one year stored in memory.

[0087] Additionally, you can adjust the lighting on or off time by + or - 90 minutes from the sunrise and sunset times using the menu that adjusts the sunrise and sunset times at the bottom of the diagram.

[0088] That is, if you want to turn on the lights 30 minutes earlier when the sunset time is 18:00, drag the sunset time (701) to the left and set it to -30 (702).

[0089] To delay the lights-out time by 15 minutes, drag the sunrise time (703) to the right and set it to +15 minutes (704). This setting applies year-round.

[0090] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0091] Although the preferred embodiments and application examples of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and application examples described above, and various modifications can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

[0092] The present invention is recognized as having industrial applicability in the field of timer control systems.

Claims

1. Equipped with a wireless communication unit, a timer that turns the power of an external load ON / OFF at a set time; Including, A smart timer control system in which the wireless communication unit receives setting information entered through a dedicated app of the smartphone (311) from the smartphone (311).

2. In paragraph 1, The above timer is, A smart timer control system including a control unit (305) that controls the operation of the timer based on the above setting information.

3. In paragraph 1, A smart timer control system in which a QR code for logging on to the smartphone (311) is displayed on one side of the above timer.

4. In paragraph 2, The above control unit (305) is a smart timer control system that synchronizes the current time data of the timer with the current time data of the smartphone (311).

5. In paragraph 2, A smart timer control system in which, when the timer is in a wireless communication area, the control unit (305) connects the timer to a network via the smartphone (311) and synchronizes it with the Internet standard time.

6. In paragraph 1, A smart timer control system that allows a user to remotely control the timer via the smartphone (311) when the timer is in a wireless communication area.

7. In paragraph 2, The above control unit (305) A smart timer control system that applies a zero-cross circuit when a relay or power element inside the above timer operates, and turns the relay contact ON / OFF when the power voltage passes around 0 V by considering the delay time (506) and relay operation time (507).

8. In paragraph 1, The above timer is, A smart timer control system comprising a power input terminal for receiving operating power of the timer from the outside, a voltage output terminal for applying voltage to the external load, and a contact output terminal installed to supply a contact-type output to the external load.

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