A clock comprises an alarm clock housing having a front face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the front face, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioning function, and a processor within the housing. The processor is responsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so as to cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position at one or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarm time.

A clock comprises an alarm clock housing having a front face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the front face, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioning function, and a processor within the housing. The processor is responsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so as to cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position at one or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarm time.

A window shade alarm system for gently awakening a user. The window shade is connected to the Internet and opens such that light gradually increases in a room. Thus waking a user less abruptly than a traditional audio alarm. The window shade stores user selected modes and can control wireless enabled lights within a room to simulate the gradual increase of light at sunrise. The alarm system is connected to remote activated devices for the convenience of the user.

According to an aspect, there is provided a light apparatus, the light apparatus comprising an outer housing comprising a translucent portion; a main light source positioned inside the outer housing for generating light, wherein light generated by the main light source is incident on the translucent portion; and a display light source positioned inside the outer housing for projecting information onto a part of the translucent portion on which light is incident from the main light source.

Systems and methods to facilitate sleep are described. In on example, a cognitive alarm clock system for children learns sleep patterns and activities towards recommending sleep schedules and teaching independence. The system may detect the cognitive state of a child based on voice or cry pattern recognition, a time of day or night, scheduled activities, and social context, among other factors. The system may initiate actions to facilitate sleep in response to the cognitive factors. For example, the system may adjust lighting or push back a wakeup time. In another example, the system may use the cognitive analysis to teach children good sleeping habits by making recommendations to facilitate a good night's rest and encourage independence.

Systems and methods to facilitate sleep are described. In on example, a cognitive alarm clock system for children learns sleep patterns and activities towards recommending sleep schedules and teaching independence. The system may detect the cognitive state of a child based on voice or cry pattern recognition, a time of day or night, scheduled activities, and social context, among other factors. The system may initiate actions to facilitate sleep in response to the cognitive factors. For example, the system may adjust lighting or push back a wakeup time. In another example, the system may use the cognitive analysis to teach children good sleeping habits by making recommendations to facilitate a good night's rest and encourage independence.

An electronic visible light sensor is employed to detect the presence or lack of sunlight. The simple, digital light/dark data from the sensor is fed to electronic circuits which control security and other devices dependent upon day and night status. These circuits are directed and controlled in turn by associated electronic circuits that gather data which measures the length of the solar night, that is, between dusk and dawn, and by deduction, the length of the day. Given that these time periods vary daily and in a regular fashion, the result will necessarily differ by a few minutes each and every day during the 365 day solar year. The resulting day/night time data is used to estimate, with say, a four to ten minute accuracy, taken against the Universal Coordinated Time System, to establish start/stop times, durations and cycles of security and other devices dependent upon the presence or lack of sunlight relative to UCT designated within the universally accepted twenty-four day. These results are fed to the security control circuitry to define control of data to security and other devices.

Eight Applications Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) for use in stand-alone end products and other devices requiring a 24 hour memory. They have a real-time clock as well as memory that stores On and Off Switch closures with the ability to repeat them. They also have power management to allow them to operate by receiving their power through the load they are switching. They also have LED drivers to indicate the function being performed. They can store a resolution of two minute or one minute intervals of On and Off Switch closures per 24 hour period depending upon the amount memory integrated into the ASIC. Only a few external components are required to create end products and/or utilize these ASICs in another product.

A timer measurement device includes a signal output unit, an operation input unit and a processor. The processor stores ordered time settings including at least respective timer values. When an elapsed time that is measured by using a clock signal output by the signal output unit reaches a timer value of a time setting selected from the time settings, the processor resets the elapsed time, and switches the selected time setting to a next time setting among the ordered time settings. If the operation input unit receives a predetermined change command during, the measurement of the elapsed time for the timer value of the selected time setting, the processor performs, in response to the change command, a change processing which changes a remaining time with respect to the elapsed time for the timer value of the selected time setting.

A system and method for the controlled dispensation of cigarettes including a container with a logic control unit and an unlocking button by means of which an unlocking request is sent to the logic control unit so that the logic control unit switches a clamping device to an unlocked mode if the unlocking request occurs during one dispensation time interval.