FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved ON / OFF timer for a television and
pertains to the field of timer facility in a television system. In particular, the
invention provides a method for displaying interactive messages on the television
screen, whenever the timer functions trigger or are about to trigger an event.
For example, when the ON timer switches on the television at a specified time, a
message is displayed on the screen, informing the user that the television was
switched on due to a previously stored ON timer. Similarly, for the OFF / sleep
timer, the user is presented with a message that the device will switch off in 60
seconds due to an OFF / sleep timer. The user can input his preference if he
wants to extend or cancel the pending OFF / sleep timer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Document US 5, 194, 951 discloses a sleep timer arrangement for a television
receiver where an on-screen display (OSD) circuitry automatically reduces the
viewable picture area to a smaller area before the receiver is turned off.

Document US 5, 894, 331 provides a method of checking the sleep-mode
function in a television receiver. Here power can be turned off when there is no
response to output messages for determining viewers continued viewing at
periodic intervals.
The known devices refer to sleep timer scenario only. Features of television
switching on by ON timer and television switching OFF by OFF timer in a single
timer are not present in any known device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a television timer /
scheduler to switch on a television receiver at predetermined time, having sleep
option making it more users interactive. User interface in the setup menu will
remain the same.

Thus the present invention provides an improved ON / OFF timer for a television
receiver characterized by comprising: an ON timer to switch on the television
receiver at a set time; an OFF or sleep timer to switch off the television receiver
at a set time; means for providing an OSD conveying the switching on of the
television; and means for providing an OSD 60 seconds before switching off
conveying the switching off of the television in 60 seconds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention can now be described in detail with the help of the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shows the structure of the present invention.
Figures 2(a)
(b) and (c) show the operation of the OFF (sleep) timer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
When the television is switched on through the ON timer at the set time display
means display an OSD conveying that the set is switched on by the on timer
operation. The OSD disappears when any key is pressed.
When OFF timer is set display means display an OSD 60 seconds before
television switches off. The OSD informs the user that the television will switch
off in 60 seconds and gives the user an option to EXIT the screen and stop the
OFF timer. If the user presses EXIT, an OSD "OFF timer is cancelled" is
displayed. The OSD disappears when any other key is pressed and continues
with the OFF timer operation.
When the SLEEP timer is set, an OSD is displayed 60 seconds before television
switches off. The OSD informs the user that the television will switch off in 60
seconds and allows the user to press the ENTER key for more options. When
ENTER is pressed, a SNOOZE OSD is displayed which allows the user to set a
snooze timer. The OSD disappears when any other key is pressed.

The present invention provides a method of making on / off sleep timer more
user friendly. It can check the on / off function in a television. It provides an
improved method of checking an off mode function in a television which is
capable of turning off power when there is no response to a message outputted
for confirming a viewers continued viewing. The invention provides a method of
informing the user that television set is turned on by on timer operation.

WE CLAIM
1. An improved ON / OFF timer for a television receiver characterized by
comprising:
- an ON timer to switch on the television receiver at a set time;
an OFF or sleep timer to switch off the television receiver at a set
time;
- means for providing an OSD conveying the switching on of the
television; and
- means for providing an OSD 60 seconds before switching off
conveying the switching off of the television in 60 seconds.

2. An improved method of providing an ON / OFF timer for a television
receiver comprising the steps of:
- switching on an ON timer at a set time;
displaying on OSD conveying the switching on of the television;
- setting an OFF (sleep) timer for switching off the television at a
set time;
- displaying OFF timer OSD 60 seconds before switching off the
television; and
- switching off the television a the set time.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a further step is provided for
checking an off mode function in a television which is capable of turning
off power when there is no response to a message outputted for
confirming a viewers continued viewing.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a further step is provided for
informing the user that television set is turned on by on timer operation.
5. An improved ON / OFF timer for a television receiver, substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the figures of the accompanying
drawings.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a television timer /
scheduler to switch on a television receiver at predetermined time, having sleep
option making it more users interactive. User interface in the setup menu will
remain the same.