Control system for illuminated display case

• US 20070171647A1
• Filed: 01/25/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anthony Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Anthony Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Artwohl, Paul, Rolek, Matthew, Kato, Dennis, Carbajal, Frank
• Application Number:
  US11/338,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20070171647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/276
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/001 Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/305 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/005 combined with control means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A control system for an illuminated display case. The display case includes a sensor that may be used as a switch or as a controller to adjust the power being provided to the light sources in the display case. The sensor may sense motion, or temperature, or ambient light. A timer may also be used to control power.

Claims

1. A control system for a display case having an illumination system, comprising a sensor mounted proximate to the display case and adapted to control the illumination system.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor acts as a switch to turn the illumination system on and off.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor acts as a controller to adjust the illumination system over a range of illumination values.

4. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to the illumination system, wherein the sensor is coupled to the controller.

5. The control system of claim 4, wherein the controller provides for manual adjustment of the illumination system.

6. The control system of claim 4, wherein the controller provides for automatic adjustment of the illumination system.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the controller provides for automatic adjustment of the illumination system in accord with predetermined criteria.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the controller provides for automatic adjustment of the illumination system in accord with predetermined conditions of the sensor.

9. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects ambient light level.

10. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects motion.

11. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects temperature inside the display case.

12. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a timer.

13. The control system of claim 1, wherein the display case is refrigerated.

29. The control system of claim 1, wherein the display case is refrigerated.

14. A control system for a display case having an LED illumination system, comprising a controller mounted proximate to the display case and adapted to the control illumination system.

15. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller provides for manual adjustment of the illumination system.

16. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller provides for automatic adjustment of the illumination system.

17. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller includes a current controlled circuit.

18. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller includes a constant voltage circuit.

19. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller includes a motion sensing device.

20. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller includes a timer.

21. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller includes ambient light level detecting device.

22. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller includes a sensor for detecting temperature inside the display case.

23. The control system of claim 14, further comprising a sensor coupled to the controller.

24. The control system of claim 23, wherein the sensor acts as a switch to turn the illumination system on and off.

25. The control system of claim 23, wherein the sensor provides input to the control to allow adjustment of the illuminator system over a range of illumination values.

26. The control system of claim 23, wherein the sensor detects ambient light level.

27. The control system of claim 23, wherein the sensor detects motion.

28. The control system of claim 23, wherein the sensor detects temperature inside the display case.

30. A method of controlling an illumination system for a display case, comprising coupling a controller to the illumination system.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the controller provides for adjustment of the illumination system.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the controller provides for manual adjustment of the illumination system.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the controller provides for automatic adjustment of the illumination system.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the controller provides for adjustment via a current controlled circuit.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the controller provides for adjustment via a constant voltage circuit.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the controller provides for adjustment via an automatic timer.

37. The method of claim 31, further comprising coupling a sensor to the controller.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the controller provides for automatic adjustment of the illumination system in accord with predetermined conditions of the sensor.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the sensor is an ambient light sensing device.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the sensor is a motion sensing device.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensing device.

42. The method of claim 30, wherein the display case is refrigerated.