Selective illumination

• US 4,225,808 A
• Filed: 06/05/1978
• Issued: 09/30/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novitas, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Novitas, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Saraceni, Remo
• Primary Examiner(s): LaRoche, Eugene R.
• Application Number:
  US05/912,442
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 315/154, 315/159, 315/194, 315/199, 315/291, 315/307, 315/360, 315/361, 315/362, 315/DIG. 4, 362/125, 362/802, 250/221, 250/551, 307/39, 307/116, 340/527, 340/528, 340/541, 328/5
• US Class Current: 315/307
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Different portions of an area are selectively highlighted in response to observer proximity. An adjustable dimmer establishes the non-highlight illumination level for each area. The dimmer is overridden by observer-sensing circuitry to produce the highlight illumination level.

Claims

1. A method for illuminating items separated into at least one display group located in a display area comprising:

lighting the display area using dim background lighting;

sensing the approach of a person to said one display group;

switching automatically the lighting from the dim background level initially provided to a level of greater intensity upon the sensing;

sensing the departure of the person from the said one display group; and

returning automatically the lighting to its original dim background level upon the sensing of the departure,

whereby a display group may be highlighted with intense lighting when a person desirous of viewing the display is present and the display group may be maintained in a dimly lit manner when no person is present.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a series of display areas may be lighted or dimmed seriatim corresponding to the sensing of movement of persons in the display area.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the returning of the lighting of its original background level is delayed after the sensing of departure.