LAMP DIMMER SYSTEM

• US 20140265918A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eugene M. Cummings
• Original Assignee: Eugene M. Cummings
• Inventors: Cummings, Eugene M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,380,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/292
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lamp dimmer system for dimming multiple lamps in a room having unswitched receptacles, and switched receptacles under control of a single wall switch. A user control module connected to an unswitched receptacle transmits momentary wireless brightness command signals in response to user-actuation of a brightness control. Each lamp in the room includes a lamp control module connected to both the unswitched and switched receptacles and to the lamp. The lamp control modules include a receiver which receives the brightness command signals and a control circuit which generates a steady state brightness control signal in response to the momentary command signals. A dimmer circuit responsive to the brightness control signal, and connected between the unswitched receptacle and the lamp, controls the power supplied to the lamp according to the level of the brightness control signal. An AC detector circuit within the lamp control module and connected to the switched receptacle conditions the dimmer circuit to full brightness upon the wall switch being switched on, and to minimum brightness upon the wall switch being switched off, thereby enabling normal operation of lamps by the wall switch.

Claims

1. A lamp brightness control system for controlling from one location one or more dimmable lamps at another location in a room having one or more unswitched electrical outlets and one or more switched electrical outlets under control of at least one wall switch for supplying power to said lamps, comprising:

a. A user-actuated control circuit at the one location for producing a user brightness command signal in response to a user setting a desired lamp brightness;

b. A transmitter at the one location for transmitting said user brightness command signal;

c. A receiver at the other location for receiving said transmitted user brightness command signal;

d. A control circuit at the other location responsive to said user brightness command signal for generating a brightness control signal having a minimum level corresponding to a minimum desired lamp brightness level, and a maximum level corresponding to a maximum desired lamp brightness level;

e. Said control circuit upon receiving said user brightness command signal setting said brightness control signal to a level corresponding to said user-desired lamp brightness;

f. A power detection circuit at the other location connected to said switched outlet for producing a first brightness override signal upon said switched outlet becoming powered, and a second brightness override signal upon said switched outlet becoming unpowered;

g. Said control circuit being responsive to occurrence of said first brightness override signal for resetting said brightness control signal to said maximum level, and being responsive to occurrence of said second brightness override signal for resetting said brightness control signal to said minimum level; and

h. A dimmer circuit at the other location adapted to be connected between the unswitched outlet and the lamp and responsive to said brightness control signal for setting the lamp to said user-desired brightness level upon occurrence of the user command brightness signal, to said maximum brightness level upon closure of the wall switch, and to said minimum brightness level upon opening of the wall switch.