An alarm sounder for use with solid state integrated clock circuits employs an amplifying transistor controlled by the clock alarm output signal that contains an A.C. component to control the current through a coil, the core laminations of which magnetically actuate a metal reed that is audibly vibrated by utilizing a spring against the core and/or an adjacent member at the frequency of the A.C. component.

An electronic clock radio using a clock integrated circuit and a radio integrated circuit. A first energizing potential when applied to the NAP/SLEEP input connection of the clock circuit, causes the clock circuit to switch from a first electric state to a second electric state. After a selected interval of time, not greater than 60 minutes, the clock circuit switches from the second electric state to the first electric state. The radio, normally in an OFF state is placed in an ON state only upon receiving a second energizing potential applied to its input connection. A control circuit, having a manually operable switch with NAP and SLEEP positions and being responsive to the electric states of the clock circuit, connects this second energizing potential to the radio input only when: (i) the manually operable switch is in the NAP position and the clock circuit is the first electric state, or (ii) the manually operable switch is in the SLEEP position and the clock circuit is in the second electric state.

An electronic circuit, capable of being fabricated as an integrated circuit, for inclusion within a programmable radio for providing the radio with sleep and nap type functional operations. The electronic circuit includes a radio circuit coupled to a control circuit having a timing circuit, a time set circuit, a manually operated switch and a circuit coupling. The circuit couples the timing circuit, the manually operated switch and the time set circuit to the radio circuit to supply the radio circuit with first and second signals when the coupling circuit is in a first state and to prevent or block the first and second signals from being supplied to the radio circuit when the coupling circuit is in a second state.

A coffeemaker is provided with a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit is connected to a household source of electric power and it is activated by a relay switch. The control circuit includes a relay coil for the switch, and a triac that may be triggered into conduction when a turn on signal from an electronic timer module is applied to the control terminal of the triac simultaneously with the application of direct current control circuit voltage across the triac. Thereafter, the triac remains in its conductive state so long as the direct current flowing through the triac remains above a minimum level. Subsequent removal of the turn on signal from the control terminal of the triac has no effect on the operation of the power circuit which includes the coffeemaker heating means so long as the direct current flowing through the triac remains above a minimum level.

A highly accurate timer for timing out intervals in the order of seconds or minutes in length is disclosed. The timer comprises actuator means and digital means responsive to the actuator means for providing control signals. Coupling means provides the timer with an a.c. signal having a first characteristic periodic frequency. A clock is responsive to the coupling means to produce a series of pulses having a second characteristic frequency related to the first characteristic frequency. A counter is adapted for receiving a selectable value and is responsive to the control signals from the digital means to count pulses from the clock and produce an output when a selected value entered into the counter has been counted out. Programming means is utilized to enter a desired digital value into the counter. A switch switches a.c. power to and from external units as a function of the condition of the counter.