A multi-channel timing device is described that can be completely controlled by a user's voice for hands free operation, and has a wireless communications link to a mobile device. Preferably the timing device comprises a processor, a memory, a display, a microphone, a speaker, a processor, a transceiver, and an audio chip. The memory contains instructions executable by the processor to facilitate the creation, control and reporting of multiple timing channels, for example six or more channels. The audio chip performs speech recognition, speech synthesis, and music synthesis. A rich set of event sequencing scenarios are executable by pairing the timing device with a mobile device, such as locating, retrieving and executing recipes that are preprogrammed in a suitable format in the mobile device. The mobile device can also serve as a surrogate to the user, and the pair of devices can implement an event sequencing system having local or remote control capabilities.

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 personal cigarette dispensing receptacle for mechanically limiting ones access to their cigarettes includes a receptacle base having a receptacle top sized to fit thereon so as to form a cigarette enclosure. Integral with the receptacle base is an electronics housing electronics housing is operative to control a locking mechanism and an audible alarm on selectable time intervals. The locking mechanism includes an electromagnet integrated with the receptacle base and a ferromagnetic surface integrated with the receptacle top such that the receptacle top may be selectively fixed in place on the receptacle base. Through this action, the receptacle top may be locked in place for a closed time period, opened briefly for an open time period to allow a user to remove a cigarette, and then be automatically locked again to prevent access to another cigarette until the expiration of the closed time period.

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.

The present invention provides a lid in combination with a hollow container for receiving a substance through an open end thereof. The lid comprises a body, a device for assisting a user in consumption of a substance at a correct time interval, and an arrangement for securing the body on the open side of the container in a semi-permanent manner. The body defines a substantially planar exterior surface disposed normal to a length of the container when the body is attached to the open end of the container. Additionally, the body defines a peripheral flange depending from the exterior surface. The peripheral flange defines a generally hollow interior of the body. The device for assisting the user in consumption of the substance at a correct time interval is operable and viewable from the exterior surface.

A control system includes a timing device to indicate an elapsed time from a time point at inversion of the timing device, and a computer including a transmitter to start transmission of a control signal according to a control scenario determined with a predetermined signal to a predetermined device other than the timing device if switching of the timing device to an operational mode is determined, and to transmit a signal indicating the end of the control for the predetermined device if switching of the timing device to a nonoperational mode is determined. The control system reduces the number of steps of managing tokens, archives, and token passwords by a terminal manager, and further improves the security level of the terminal.

A method for operating a surgical device, includes: determining whether a switch has transitioned from a first condition, corresponding to a first operating mode, to a second condition, corresponding to a second operating mode; when it is determined that the switch has transitioned from the first condition to the second condition: maintaining the first operating mode for a pre-determined time; in a case where the switch remains in the second condition throughout the pre-determined time, switching to the second operating mode after expiration of the pre-determined time; and when the switch returns to the first condition during the pre-determined time, maintaining the first operating mode after expiration of the pre-determined 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.