Intelligent electrical devices

• US 20040217655A1
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Touch Solutions LLC (Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Frederick Johannes Bruwer
• Inventors: Bruwer, Frederick Johannes
• Granted Patent: US 7,084,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/126
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/54 Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/041 the light-intensity of the source H05B39/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/085 by touch control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on/off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-off function for the load and, a find- in-the-dark indicator and a power source level indicator which are active when the load is not energized and the power source is not being charged. The input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.

Claims

1. An electronic switching device to be used with an exhaustible dc power source and an energy consuming load, said device comprising:

(a) a power switch configured to be connected between said power source and said load;

(b) a microchip connected in parallel to said power switch and configured to control said power switch, wherein said microchip has at least one input configured to be connected to a signal switch, and wherein said at least one input transmits a signal to said microchip when the signal switch connected to said input has been activated or deactivated, said at least one input and signal switch connected thereto comprising an activation/deactivation interface to the microchip, and said at least one input and signal switch connected thereto do not form a serial element in a circuit between the power source and the load;

(c) whereby said power switch controls energy flow from said power source to said load in response to activation and deactivation signals received through said input from the signal switch; and

(d) an energy storage device configured to be connected to the microchip, whereby said microchip is powered by energy from said energy storage device when the power switch is conducting energy from the power source to the load, and wherein said microchip is powered by the power source when said power switch is not conducting energy from said power source to said load.

2. The switching device of claim 1 wherein energy from the power source is stored in the energy storage device when the power switch is not conducting.

3. The switching device of claim 2 wherein said microchip monitors the quantity of energy in the storage device and causes the power switch to stop conducting when said quantity of energy falls below a predetermined level.

4. The switching device of claim 2 wherein said microchip causes the power switch to open and close at regular time intervals to cause regular recharging of the energy storage device.

5. The switching device of claim 2 wherein the microchip and the power switch are integrated.

6. The switching device of claim 2 wherein the load is a light source.

7. The switching device of claim 2 wherein the microchip is configured to control at least one function selected from the following group of functions in response to an activation command at the signal switch:

an automatic delayed shut-off function;

a power source monitoring function;

a remaining power indication function;

a find-in-the-dark assistance function;

a reduction in the average power to the load function;

a recharging of the power source function;

a code sequence flashing or switching function;

a gradual switching off of the load function.

8. The switching device of claim 7 wherein the load is a light source.

9. The switching device of claim 7 wherein the load is an electric motor.

10. The switching device of claim 2 wherein said microchip is configured to receive commands from a controller, said commands including at least an address.

11. The switching device of claim 10 wherein said microchip is configured to control an automatic delayed shut-off function in response to an activation command at the signal switch.

12. The switching device of claim 2 wherein said microchip is configured to control the function selection in response to at least two of the following:

the number of activations of the signal switch, the period of activation of the signal switch, and the period between consecutive activations of the signal switch.

13. The switching device of claim 2 wherein said microchip is configured to control a find-in-the-dark function by activating an indicator which is also used to indicate a condition of the circuit.

14. A method of operating an electronic circuit which comprises an exhaustible power source, an energy consuming load, a power switch connected between said power source and said load, a microchip configured to control said power switch, wherein said load is connected between said microchip and said power source in a positive or ground connection of said circuit, said microchip has at least one input with a signal switch connected to said input, and an energy storage device connected to the microchip, the method including the steps of using said microchip and said power switch to control energy flow from said power source to said load in response to activation and deactivation signals received through said input from said signal switch;

powering said microchip by energy from said energy storage device when the power switch is conducting energy from the power source to the load; and

powering said microchip by energy from the power source when said power switch is not conducting energy from said power source to said load.

15. A method according to claim 14 which includes the step of using the microchip in response to at least one of the following:

the number of activations of the signal switch, the period of activation of the signal switch and the period between consecutive activations of the signal switch, to control at least one function selected from the following group of functions;

an automatic delayed shut-off function;

a power source monitoring function;

a remaining power indication function;

a find-in-the-dark assistance function;

a reduction in the average power to the load function;

a recharging of the power source function;

a code sequence flashing or switching function;

a gradual reduction of power to the load function;

a gradual switching on function; and

a gradual switching off function.