Load Control Device Having a Visual Indication of an Energy Savings Mode
First Claim
1. A system for controlling the amount of power delivered from a power source to a lighting load for adjusting an intensity of the lighting load, the system comprising:
- a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load;
a control circuit operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device for adjusting the intensity of the lighting load, the control circuit operable to change between a normal mode of operation and an energy-saver mode; and
a visual indicator operable to provide a visual indication that the control circuit is in the energy-saver mode of operation;
wherein the control circuit controls the intensity of the lighting load between a minimum intensity and a first maximum intensity when the dimmer switch is in the normal mode of operation, and between the minimum intensity and a second maximum intensity when the dimmer switch is in the energy-saver mode, the second maximum intensity less than the first maximum intensity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A load control system (e.g., a dimmer switch) operates in a normal mode of operation and an energy-saver mode and displays a visual indication when the system is operating in the energy-saver mode. The system comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between a power source and a lighting load, a control circuit operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device for adjusting the intensity of the lighting load, and a visual indicator for providing the visual indication that the system is in the energy-saver mode of operation. The control circuit controls the intensity of the lighting load between a minimum intensity and a first maximum intensity when the system is in the normal mode of operation, and between the minimum intensity and a second maximum intensity less than the first maximum intensity when the system is in the energy-saver mode.
151 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the amount of power delivered from a power source to a lighting load for adjusting an intensity of the lighting load, the system comprising:
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a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load; a control circuit operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device for adjusting the intensity of the lighting load, the control circuit operable to change between a normal mode of operation and an energy-saver mode; and a visual indicator operable to provide a visual indication that the control circuit is in the energy-saver mode of operation; wherein the control circuit controls the intensity of the lighting load between a minimum intensity and a first maximum intensity when the dimmer switch is in the normal mode of operation, and between the minimum intensity and a second maximum intensity when the dimmer switch is in the energy-saver mode, the second maximum intensity less than the first maximum intensity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A control system for controlling the amount of power delivered to a lighting load from an electrical power source, said system comprising:
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a dimmer circuit adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between said power source and said lighting load for controlling the amount of power delivered to said lighting load; a first control structure, said dimmer circuit being operable, in response to the operation of said first control structure, to controllably adjust the power applied to said load to an initial value in a range between a high rated value and a lower value; a second control structure, said dimmer circuit being operable, in response to the operation of said second control structure, to reduce the power applied to said load as set by said first control structure by a reduction amount that is dependent upon said initial value; and an indicator responsive to said second control structure, said indicator providing a visual indication when said dimmer circuit has reduced the power applied to said load as set by said first control structure by said reduction amount. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A wallbox dimmer switch adapted to be coupled between a power source and an electrical load for controlling the amount of power delivered to said electrical load between a maximum value and a minimum value, said wallbox dimmer switch comprising:
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a dimmer circuit for controlling the power applied to said load between said maximum value and said minimum value; a first manually-operable control structure for controlling said dimmer circuit; a second manually-operable control structure, said dimmer circuit operable to reduce the amount of power applied to said load as called for by said first manually-operable control structure; and an indicator lamp operable to be illuminated in response to said second manually-operable control structure; wherein the reduction of the amount of power responsive to the actuation of said second manually-operable control structure is functionally related to the amount of power being supplied to said load when said second manually-operable control structure is actuated.
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40. A process of saving energy supplied from a power source to a load, the process comprising the steps of:
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providing a dimmer circuit operable to controllably adjust the amount of power applied to said load by the manual operation of a first manually-operable control structure; operating a second manually-operable control structure to reduce the amount of power applied to said load beyond that called for by said first manually-operable control structure; and illuminating of an indicator lamp when said second manually-operable control structure is actuated; wherein said power reduction is functionally related to the amount of power being supplied to said load when said second manually-operable control structure is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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Specification