Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-24
2001-08-14
Trieu, Van T. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S567000, C340S691100, C315S155000, C315S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275163
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to the field of controlling devices and more particularly to the control of electrical devices within prescribed and limited areas.
2. Description of the Prior Art
At present occupancy sensors are widely used to turn on electrical lamps when motion is detected within a prescribed area and to turn off the electrical lamps when no motion is detected within the prescribed area. The turn on and turn off are abrupt, often startling the person entering or leaving the area and the lights are turned on to their maximum brightness producing glare and discomfort. The brightness level can then be adjusted by use of a separate dimmer device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An occupancy sensor is combined with an automatic dimmer and used to control the on/off state of a lamp and its level of brightness. When motion is detected in a prescribed area, the controlled light is turned on by the occupancy sensor to the minimum brightness level settable by said automatic dimmer. The automatic dimmer slowly increases to maximum brightness level at which it remains until no motion is detected within the prescribed area, at which time the automatic dimmer slowly decreases the level of brightness to the minimum level of brightness. In one embodiment, the automatic dimmer has a key which can be operated to stop the automatic dimmer at some level between the minimum and maximum levels of brightness. In another embodiment, the automatic dimmer has a presetting device to permit the level of brightness to be selected in advance of the operation of the automatic dimmer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic switch/dimmer device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic switch/dimmer device which employs an occupancy sensor as an on/off switch.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic switch/dimmer device which employs an occupancy sensor as an on/off switch and an automatic dimmer to control the level of brightness of an operated lamp.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic switch dimmer device wherein the automatic dimmer slowly operates between minimum and maximum brightness levels.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic switch/dimmer device which can be stopped at a desired level of brightness during operation of the automatic dimmer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic switch/dimmer device which can be preset to a desired level of brightness.
Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, the principles of the invention, and the best modes which are presently contemplated for carrying them out.
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patent: 5455487 (1995-10-01), Mix et al.
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Bogorad Lev
Ostrovsky Michael
Soccoli Paul
Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Sutton Paul J.
Trieu Van T.
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