Compact non-contact electrical switch
First Claim
1. A compact non-contact electrical switch for use in an electrical box mountable in a wall and having an electrical circuit passing therethrough comprising:
- means for detecting a presence of an object adjacent to the switch and for generating an output signal;
a central processing unit connected to the presence detecting means and having means for receiving the output signal therefrom, and having signal processing means for calculating a power output in response to the output signal for generating a control signal for controlling power supplied to the electrical circuit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compact non-contact electrical switch for use in an electrical box mounted on a wall has a capacitance sensor for detecting a presence of a hand placed adjacent to the switch and for generating a first data bit, and a CPU for receiving the data bit and for calculating a power output in response to the first data bit The CPU generates a control signal for controlling a triac or relay and thus the power supplied to an electrical circuit passing through the box, for on/off and optionally dimmer control responsive to the proximity of the hand.
131 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A compact non-contact electrical switch for use in an electrical box mountable in a wall and having an electrical circuit passing therethrough comprising:
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means for detecting a presence of an object adjacent to the switch and for generating an output signal;
a central processing unit connected to the presence detecting means and having means for receiving the output signal therefrom, and having signal processing means for calculating a power output in response to the output signal for generating a control signal for controlling power supplied to the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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- 19. A lighting system for use with an electrical component mounted in a wall box and having an electrical circuit passing therethrough, the lighting system comprising at least one light source, means to connect to a power supply integrated with the electrical circuit, a mounting assembly for supporting the light source and the power supply and a controller for controlling the light source whereby the light source is turned on and off, or a sequence of lighting a single light source or multiple light sources is initiated or an intensity of the light source is varied.
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26. A method for operating a device connected to an electrical circuit comprising:
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providing an electrical box located having the electrical circuit passing therethrough;
providing a non-contact electrical switch in the electrical box and integrated with the electrical circuit, the switch having means for detecting a presence of an object adjacent to the switch and for generating a first data bit;
a central processing unit connected to the presence detecting means and having means for receiving the data bit therefrom, and having signal processing means for calculating a power output in response to the first data bit and for generating a control signal for controlling power supplied to the electrical circuit.
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Specification