Method and Apparatus for Adjusting an Ambient Light Threshold

• US 20190124750A1
• Filed: 12/17/2018
• Published: 04/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Bedell, Ryan S., Steiner, James P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,555,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• 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: 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

A load control device adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the power delivered to the load includes a controller, an actuator for turning the electrical load on and off, an occupancy detection circuit, and an ambient light detector. The load control device automatically turns on the electrical load in response to the presence of an occupant only if the detected ambient light is below a predetermined ambient light level threshold. After first detecting the presence of an occupant, the load control device monitors actuations of the actuator to determine whether a user has changed the state of the load. The load control device automatically adjusts the predetermined ambient light level threshold in response to the user actuations that change the state of the load.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load comprising:

detecting an occupancy condition;

comparing a measured ambient light level to a first value of an ambient light level threshold;

controlling the power delivered to the electrical load in response to the steps of detecting the occupancy condition and comparing the measured ambient light level;

receiving an actuation to change a state of the electrical load after the step of controlling the power; and

adjusting the ambient light level threshold to a second value in response to the step of receiving an actuation.