Occupancy sensor with dimmer feature and night light and method of lighting control using the same

• US 20080079568A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progress Lighting LLC (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Batko, Thomas J., Primous, Christopher C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,970,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

System and method are provided where an occupancy sensor with a time delay function designed to dim the lights, for example as a warning, after a first period of time has expired without detecting room occupancy. The lights remain dimmed for a second period of time, and then are turned off after a third period of time has expired without detecting room occupancy. If occupancy is detected during the first period of time, the lights will remain on. If occupancy is detected during the second or third period of time, the lights will be turned on to, for example, previous brightness. A night light can be added to, and/or incorporated in, an occupancy sensor which includes the dimmer feature.

Claims

1. A light control system comprising:

a sensor for detecting occupancy in an area and controlling a light source;

a timer for determining a first time period during which occupancy is not detected by the occupancy sensor;

a dimmer for dimming a level of light in said area from a first light level to a second light level when a second period of time less than the first period of time is remaining on the timer; and

a controller coupled to the sensor, the timer and the dimmer for controlling the light level to remain at a second light level for a third time period before controlling the light level to return to a third light level;

wherein;

the second level is lower than the first level;

the second time period is less than the first time period;

if the occupancy sensor detects occupancy during the second time period, the controller controls the light source to return to the first level; and

if the occupancy sensor does not detect occupancy during the second time period and the second time period expires, the controller controls the light source to return to the third light level.

2. The light control system of claim 1, wherein the second light level is approximately 50% of the first light level.

3. The light control system of claim 1, wherein the third light level is approximately 10% of the first light level.

4. The light control system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third time periods comprises at least one of a variable and preset time period.

5. The light control system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third light levels comprises at least one of a variable and preset level.

6. The light control system of claim 1, further comprising a night light.

7. The light control system of claim 6, wherein the night light comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

8. The light control system of claim 6, wherein the night light is configure to be on when the lights source is off and to be off when the light source is on.

9. The light control system of claim 6, further comprising a photocell configured to detect ambient light whereby the light source is activated only if there is insufficient ambient light.

10. A method of controlling output from a light source, the method comprising:

detecting occupancy in an area and controlling a light source;

determining a first time period during which occupancy is not detected in the area; and

dimming a level of light in said area from a first light level to a second light level when a second period of time less than the first period of time is remaining after the determining;

controlling the light level to remain at a second light level for a third time period before controlling the light level to return to a third light level, wherein the second level is lower than the first level, the second time period is less than the first time period;

if the occupancy sensor detects occupancy during the second time period, controlling the light source to return to the first level; and

if the occupancy sensor does not detect occupancy during the second time period and the second time period expires, controlling the light source to return to the third light level.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

turning on a night light if the light source if off; and

turning off the night light if the light source if on.

12. A computer readable medium for storing thereon a set of computer executable instructions comprising:

instruction for detecting occupancy in an area and controlling a light source;

determining a first time period during which occupancy is not detected in the area; and

instruction for dimming a level of light in said area from a first light level to a second light level when a second period of time less than the first period of time is remaining after the determining;

instruction for controlling the light level to remain at a second light level for a third time period before controlling the light level to return to a third light level, wherein the second level is lower than the first level, the second time period is less than the first time period;

instruction for, if the occupancy sensor detects occupancy during the second time period, controlling the light source to return to the first level; and

instruction for, if the occupancy sensor does not detect occupancy during the second time period and the second time period expires, controlling the light source to return to the third light level.