Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – With radiant energy sensitive control means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-02
2003-05-20
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
With radiant energy sensitive control means
C315S056000, C315S058000, C315S360000, C323S904000, C307S116000, C307S117000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06566819
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to control systems and control mechanisms for electrical devices, e.g., lights, radios, appliances and the like. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to light control/dimmer systems that may are advantageously touch operated. Preferred light control/dimmer systems according to the present disclosure include a programmable timer that may be used to control operation of an electrical device, e.g., a light, that is attached thereto, e.g., by switching the electrical device to an “OFF” position after a predetermined period of time.
2. Background Art
With the widespread use of electrical devices in homes and businesses, attention has been devoted to improving the operation and enhancing the convenience associated with such devices. Devices have been developed to facilitate intensity control, e.g., dimming systems, and to provide timing systems to permit preset control of the electronic device. Thus, for example, touch control lamp systems have been developed that permit lamp operation through direct contact with the lamp base. Similarly, timing systems have been developed that permit users to select operational periods for electrical devices. The patent literature describes many of the aforementioned developments in the art.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,748,532, issued on Jul. 24, 1973 to Saul Rosenbaum, describes a removable dimmer attachment for connecting an incandescent lamp to a source of alternating current. U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,561, issued on Jul. 26, 1977 to Michael Lorenz, describes controlled light and music in a child's room during those periods when the child has retired for a night's sleep or when it is time to awaken to a new day's activities. U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,231, issued on Aug. 22, 1978 to Robert S. Krouse, describes a portable switch and dimmer control console for conveniently controlling a plurality of electrical devices and variably controlling the intensity of at least one fixture in a single conveniently designed self-contained portable unit.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,625, issued on Dec. 25, 1984 to David A. Dilly, describes a dimmer control switch assembly for activating an incandescent lamp bulb or similar controlled appliance or device to assume any of three different illumination intensity states and an OFF state, wherein a Rubik's cube modified to include two magnets forms the activation member. U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,876, issued on May 26, 1987 to John S. Skarman, describes a touch control lamp system including a touch control dimmer switch adapted to be plugged into a standard electrical household outlet, and a lamp having a male electrical plug adapted to plug into the touch control switch. U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,877, issued on May 26, 1987 to Scott M. Kunen, describes an electrical power control device which operates by touch and which does not require a wired electrical connection to a lamp or appliance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,109, issued on May 8, 1990 to Harold J. Weber, describes an electrical timer which controls the ON-time of a touch operated light bulb circuit hooked up to a power source by way of an ordinary power switch. U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,522, issued on Jun. 11, 1991 to George A. Mansour, describes a dimmer for use as a support for a lamp. U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,672, issued on May 18, 1993 to Julius A. Loisch et al., describes a timing control apparatus for selectively actuating at least one remote device at a selected future time, by generating a plurality of clock pulses of a known time duration at a selected time, and by counting the clock pulses to gradually increase the intensity of electrical current in response to the clock pulses counted, from an initial state to full intensity over time.
Additional teachings from the patent art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,656, issued on Nov. 2, 1993 to William F. Pawlick, which describes an electronic ON/OFF timer apparatus and method having predetermined time delay intervals. U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,891, issued on Feb. 6, 1996 to Chong K. Diong et al., describes a control for electrically energizing an illumination means. Great Britain Patent document 2,128,822 A, published on May 2, 1984, describes a pre-set dimmer switch. Great Britain Patent document 2,239,742 A, published on Jul. 10, 1991, describes a plug-in sensor and switch assembly which is responsive to the presence or movement of a person in the vicinity of the device.
The disclosures of the above-identified patents/publications provide background teachings with respect to the systems of the present disclosure and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Despite the teachings to date, however, control systems and devices are needed to further enhance convenience and user control with respect to electric appliances, e.g., lights, lamps and the like. In particular, improved systems and devices for facilitating intensity control, for monitoring system functionality, and/or for facilitating timer control and functionality are needed.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a touch operated control system for electric devices/appliances, e.g., lights, lamps, audio equipment and the like. It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a touch operated control system with programmable timing functionality. It is an additional object of the present disclosure to provide a touch operated control system that monitors the operational state of an electric device/appliance attached thereto. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a touch operated control system that is responsive to predetermined pattern(s) and/or sequence(s) of contact to function in predetermined manners. It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a touch operated control system that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture/operate, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. Additional objects and enhanced functionalities associated with the present disclosure will be apparent from the descriptions and figures that follow.
In accord with these objects, a touch operated system for use with electric devices/appliances is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch operated light control system is provided. Preferred light control systems according to the present disclosure provide advantageous functionalities, e.g., dimming functionality, timing functionality, and monitoring functionality with respect to a light/lamp powered thereby. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch operated light dimmer system is provided that includes an integral programmable timer that is adapted to set a light attached to the dimming device to an OFF position after a predetermined period of time.
One example of a touch operated light dimmer apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a housing. The housing has a front portion, a rear portion, and a base. The front portion of the housing includes holes defined therein for receiving/mounting visual indicating means, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The rear portion of the housing typically includes a plurality of holes defined therein for receiving/mounting elements such as a power receptacle, a power switch, a fuse, and plural fastening means, such as screws.
A power receptacle is generally provided for facilitating electric transmission to an electrical device, such as a light, a lamp, an audio device or the like. A power switch, while not required, may be used for positively providing power to the power receptacle. Fastening means are typically utilized to fasten the front portion of the housing to the rear portion of the housing. A printed circuit board is mounted inside the housing. The printed circuit board generally includes switching circuitry, such as transistor circuitry and/or a programmed integrated circuit, and a timer that is operationally connected to the housing. The switching circuitry is preferably touch activa
Cummings & Lockwood
Vo Tuyet T.
Wong Don
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