Abstract: A relay device (103) having a coil (144) and a set of contacts (146, 147) employs an apparatus (100) and method (200) for drawing current through the coil (144) to close, and maintain closure of, the set of contacts (146, 147). A first terminal of the coil (144) is coupled to a power supply (101) and a second terminal of the coil is coupled to a holding circuit (108, 115, 126) that establishes a first current through the coil (144). The second terminal of the coil (144) is also coupled to a closing circuit (112) that establishes a second current through the coil (144), wherein the first current and the second current together are at least sufficient to close the set of contacts (146, 147) and the first current is sufficient to maintain closure of the closed set of contacts (146, 147). A control circuit (118, 128) is coupled to the closing circuit (112) and the holding circuit (108, 115, 126) to remove the second current after the set contacts (146, 147) are closed.

Abstract: Disclosed are two arrangements for remotely indicating the status of a washing machine and/or a dryer. In one arrangement, a current sense circuit is employed along with an optional vibration sense circuit to detect whether or not the washing machine or the dryer are on or off. At a change from on-to-off or from off-to-on, the status of the washing machine or dryer is transmitted over the air to a receiver for status display to the operator. In the second arrangement, detection of the status is internal to the washing machine and the dryer and the status includes additional information such as the type of cycle and the amount of time left before the cycle finishes. To avoid constant transmission of such information, the receiver includes a timer which is synchronized to the washing machine/dryer timing circuits.

Abstract: A circuit is described for timing the intermittent use of an appliance, wherein the appliance includes a usage signal for indicating that the appliance is in use. The circuit includes a battery, and a resistive network, coupled to the battery, for draining power from the battery such that the power level thereof decreases to a threshold level over a selected timing interval. The circuit further includes a switch, responsive to the usage signal, for selectively enabling the resistive network, and a battery level threshold detector, responsive to the battery reaching the threshold level, for indicating that the timing interval has lapsed, thereby alerting the operator that the appliance should be serviced, which service includes replacement of the low cost battery.