Apparatus and method for controlling electrical equipment

• US 4,361,767 A
• Filed: 03/24/1980
• Issued: 11/30/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Technical Systems Incorporated (Nest Parent, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: National Technical Systems Incorporated (Nest Parent, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pelka, David C., Grey, Baron O. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rubinson, G. Z.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Application Number:
  US06/133,348
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 307/116, 307/117, 307/118, 340/565, 340/566, 340/573, 340/517, 328/1, 328/5, 361/179, 315/291, 315/360
• US Class Current: 307/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range

Abstract

An apparatus and method for automatically de-energizing electrically operable equipment in response to a lack of animal activity in a specified environment for predetermined time period. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes a circuit which is designed to detect activity which generates energy in a certain wavelength range and particularly, sonic energy in a certain environment and is responsive to the lack of activity within a certain predetermined time delay period or interval. Thus, if an activity which generates sonic energy is detected within a confined environment within the predetermined time interval, a signal is generated to energize or maintain energization of one or more electrical devices connected to the system of the invention. Contrariwise, if no sonic energy is detected within the predetermined time interval, there is a resultant de-energization of the electrically operable equipment. A control is provided to adjust the predetermined time delay period. The electrically operable equipment may adopt the form of a switch which de-energizes lights, air conditioning equipment or the like. Means can also be provided for adjusting the sensitivity of the device to account for background noise and the like.

Claims

1. An energy conservation apparatus capable of deactivating an energy operable device after a predetermined time interval when no human activity is detected in a specified environment during the predetermined time interval, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing physical activity of the type normally associated with the presence of a human being in a specified environment and thereby recognizing a lack of such activity during a predetermined time interval without generating or relying upon a standing wave for such sensing, and which does not rely upon generation of any signal by said apparatus to be introduced into said specified environment and which signal must be detected or interrupted in the specified environment for operation,

(b) signal generating means operatively associated with said sensing means and being able to generate a signal upon the sensing of the physical activity in the predetermined time interval and thereby also recognizing a lack of the activity in the predetermined time interval,

(c) time delay means for establishing a predetermined time interval which is used for determining presence of or lack of human activity during such interval,

(d) logic circuit means operatively connected to said signal generating means and time delay means, said logic circuit means being operable to effectuate;

(1) connection of the energy operable device to a source of power if human activity was detected in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval,

(2) disconnection of the energy operable device from the source of power if no activity of the type associated with human presence was detected in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval,

(3) re-connection of the energy operable device to the source of power if activity of the type associated with human presence is again detected in the specified environment and to maintain that re-connection for at least the predetermined time interval, regardless of the time period between re-connection, and

(e) output circuit means opertively connected to said logic circuit means and capable of being coupled to an energy operable device under control of said logic circuit means to de-energize the energy operable device if the human physical activity did not occur in the specified environment for at least the predetermined time interval, and to maintain energization of the energy operable device if human physical activity occurred during the predetermined time interval or re-energizing such device if human physical activity re-occurs after the predetermined time interval.

2. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said passive sensing means senses an energy level in a specified wavelength and the signal generating means generates a signal in response to the sensed energy level in the specified wavelength.

3. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the specified wavelength comprises energy in the sonic wavelength range.

4. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the energy operable device is an electrically operable device such that the output circuit means electrically de-energizes the electrically operable device if no physical activity occurred in the specified environment for at least the predetermined time interval, and the output circuit means maintains electrical energization of the device if human physical activity occurred during the predetermined time interval or electrically re-energizes such device if human physical activity re-occurs after the predetermined time interval.

5. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 4 further characterized that the output circuit means comprises a relay means coupled to the electrically operable device and controls the electrical power delivered to the electrically operable device in response to the occurrence of the physical activity.

6. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the time delay means is an adjustable time delay means.

7. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 6 further characterized that said time delay means is a user manually adjustable time delay means.

8. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 6 further characterized that said apparatus comprises sensitivity control means to adjust the sensing means to account for a background noise level.

9. An electronically operable apparatus for detecting the presence of animal activity in a specified environment and providing responsive action upon detection of animal activity within a predetermined time interval, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing an energy level in a particular wavelength range resulting from activity in a specified environment and which does not generate a standing wave or other signal for introduction into the specified environment and which signal must be detected or interfered with in the specified environment for operation.

(b) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether an activity occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(c) first counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of an animal activity in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(d) second counter means operatively connected to said first counter means to reset a counting operation in response to a lack of animal activity in said predetermined time interval,

(e) manually adjustable time delay control means operatively connected to said second counter means to adjust the predetermined time interval, and

(f) output means operatively connected to at least one of said counter means and being adapted for connection to an electrically operable device, said output means controlling the power delivered to said device and permitting delivery of electrical power to said device upon detection of animal activity within the predetermined time interval, said output means also preventing delivery of electrical power to said device while there is a lack of activity in the specified environment after said predetermined time interval.

10. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises amplifier means for receiving a signal representing the presence of animal activity in an enclosed environment and amplifying same and which amplifier means is connected to said means for sensing.

11. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that said first counter means provides an electrical signal with a specified count period and the second of the counter means is configured to count to a certain modulo number.

12. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 11 further characterized in that said first counter means provides a rectangular wave with a period of about one second and the second counter is configured to count to a modulo six.

13. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises a Schmitt trigger means for resetting the second counter means.

14. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that said manually adjustable time control means is a solid state time adjusting mechanism having a plurality of fixed time control positions.

15. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the particular wavelength range comprises energy in the acoustic spectrum.

16. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the output means comprises a relay means coupled to an electrically operable device.

17. The electronically operable apparatus of claim 15 further characterized in that the said apparatus comprises sensitivity control means operatively connected to said sensing means to adjust for background noise level.

18. An energy conservation apparatus capable of deactivating an electrically operable device after a predetermined time interval when no animal presence is detected in a specified environment during the predetermined time interval, said apparatus comprising:

(a) sensing means for detecting sound resulting from human created physical activity in a specified environment and for enabling a determination of a lack of such physical activity in said specified environment after a predetermined interval, said sensing means being operable without generating or relying upon generation of a standing wave or other signal by said apparatus which is provided for introduction into the specified environment and which must be detected or interrupted in the specified environment,

(b) signal generating means operatively associated with said sensing means and being able to generate a signal upon the sensing of the sound resulting from physical activity in the predetermined time interval and thereby also recognizing a lack of such activity in the predetermined time interval,

(c) time delay means operatively connected to said signal generating means to establish a predetermined time interval and to permit control over the predetermined time interval,

(d) amplifier means operatively connected to said signal generating means for amplifying the signal so generated,

(e) sensitivity control means operatively connected to said amplifier means to adjust and control the sensitivity of the apparatus to account for background noise,

(f) logic circuit means operatively connected to said time delay means and being operable to effectuate;

(1) connection of the electrically operable device to a source of electrical power if physical activity was detected in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval,

(2) disconnection of the electrically operable device from the source of power if no physical activity of the type associated with animal presence was detected in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval,

(3) re-connection of the electrically operable device to the source of power if activity of the type associated with animal presence is again detected in the specified environment and to maintain that re-connection for at least the predetermined time interval, regardless of the time period between re-connection, and

(g) output circuit means operatively connected to said time delay means and logic circuit means and capable of being coupled to an electrically operable device, said output circuit means being operable by at least said logic circuit means to de-energize the electrically operable device when said apparatus detected that physical activity did not occur in the specified environment for at least the predetermined time interval, said output circuit means being operable to maintain energization of the electrically operable device if physical activity occurred during the predetermined time interval, said output circuit means also being operable by said logic circuit means to re-energize the electrically operable device again upon re-occurrence of physical activity in the specified environment.

19. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that the said time delay means is a user adjustable time delay means.

20. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 19 further characterized in that the said sensitivity control means in a user adjustable sensitivity control means.

21. The energy conservation apparatus of claim 20 further characterized in that said sensitivity control means controls the gain of the amplifier means to adjust for background noise.

22. Circuit active means for detecting the presence of animal activity in an enclosed environment in response to an activity creating an electrical signal within a certain wavelength range, and thereby recognizing a lack of animal activity in the enclosed environment thereafter, said circuit active means comprising:

(a) filter means to receive the electrical signal and filter out undesirable signal portions,

(b) amplifier means for receiving the filtered signal representing the presence of animal activity in an enclosed environment and amplifying same, and which signal representing animal activity is generated without reliance upon a standing wave for sensing or other signal generated by said apparatus for introduction in the specified environment and interfered with in the specified environment to create the signal representing the presence of animal activity,

(c) discretizing means receiving the amplified signal and converting same to digital equivalent signals for further processing and providing pulses of a desired shape,

(d) first counter means receiving the digital signals from the discretizing means and generating a time count based on the existance of said digital signals,

(e) second counter means coupled to said first counter means and determining whether said time count reaches a minimum predetermined time interval,

(f) manually adjustable time control means operatively connected to said second counter means to adjust the predetermined time interval,

(g) a time generating circuit operatively connected to said first counter means,

(h) a feedback circuit operatively connected between said first counter means and second counter means and receiving a time control input from said time generating circuit and

(i) output circuit means operatively connected to at least said time control means or time generating means and providing a first responsive action to the presence of animal activity and a second responsive action to a lack of animal activity in the enclosed environment for at least the predetermined time interval.

23. The circuit active means of claim 22 further characterized in that said amplifier means comprises a gain adjustable amplifier.

24. The circuit active means of claim 23 further characterized in that the amplifier has a defined spectrum bandwith.

25. The circuit active means of claim 22 further characterized in that said first counter means provides an electrical signal with a specified count period and the second of the counter means is configured to count to a certain modulo number.

26. The circuit active means of claim 25 further characterized in that said first counter means provides a rectangular wave with a period of about one second and the second counter is configured to count to a modulo six.

27. The circuit active means of claim 26 further characterized in that said circuit active means comprises a Schmitt trigger means for resetting the circuit active means.

28. The circuit active means of claim 26 further characterized in that said output circuit means is adapted for operative connection to an energy operable device and de-energizes said device if animal activity has not occurred in the enclosed environment in the predetermined time interval.

29. The circuit active means of claim 28 further characterized in that the energy operable device is an electrically operable device such that the output circuit of the circuit active means electrically de-energizes the electrically operable device if the activity did not occur in the enclosed environment for at least the minimum predetermined time interval.

30. The circuit active means of claim 29 further characterized in that the output circuit means comprises a relay means coupled to the electrically operable device and controls the electrical power delivered to the electrically operable device in response to the occurance of the physical activity.

31. A method of energy conservation by deactivating an energy operable device where no sound from animal presence is detected in a specified environment during a predetermined time interval, said method comprising:

(a) passively monitoring for presence of sound in a specified environment at a level normally created by human activity and without generating or relying upon a standing wave for such sensing and which also does not rely upon generation of any signal to be introduced into the specified environment for purposes of detection or interruption in the specified environment to enable a sensing,

(b) generating an electrical signal upon the sensing of the sound of the type created by human physical activity in the specified environment,

(c) setting a sensitivity control to account for background noise,

(d) setting a minimum predetermined time interval such that a lack of sound of the type created by human physical activity in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval permits deactivation of an energy operable device, and sound of the type resulting from a presence of human physical activity in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval will prevent deactivation of said energy operable device,

(e) determining if the sound did not occur for at least the manually set predetermined time interval in the specified environment,

(f) automatically de-energizing the energy operable device if the sound did not occur in the specified environment for at least the predetermined time interval,

(g) resetting and restarting the minimum predetermined time interval upon detection of each new sound above a level established by the sensitivity control, and

(h) thereafter reactivating the energy operable device if sound is again detected in the specified environment after the predetermined time interval.

32. The method of claim 31 further characterized in that said method comprises filtering the signal for selecting and using a portion of the signal representative of sound of the type resulting from presence of human activity.

33. The method of claim 32 further characterized in that said method comprises amplifying the electrical signal.

34. The method of claim 32 further characterized in that the energy operable device is an electrically operable device such that the method comprises electrically de-energizing the electrically operable device if no sound was detected in the specified environment for at least the predetermined time interval.

35. An electronically operable aparatus for detecting the presence of animal activity in a specified environment and providing responsive action upon detection of animal activity, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing an energy level in an acoustic wavelength range resulting from activity in a specified environment and which does not generate a standing wave for sensing,

(b) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether an activity occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(c) first counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of an animal activity in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(d) second counter means operatively connected to said first counter means to disable a counting operation in response to a cessation of animal activity in said predetermined time interval,

(e) manually adjustable time delay control means operatively connected to said second counter means to adjust the predetermined time interval, and

(f) output circuit means operatively connected to at least one of said counter means to control the electrical power delivered to an electrically operable device in response to the occurance of and detection of animal physical activity within the predetermined time interval, said output circuit means comprising a relay means coupled to said electrically operable device, said apparatus thereby effectively recognizing a lack of animal physical activity after cessation thereof in the specified environment and after said predetermined time interval.

36. An electronically operable apparatus for detecting the presence of animal activity in a specified environment and providing responsive action upon detection of such activity, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing an energy level in an acoustic wavelength range resulting from activity in a specified environment and which does not generate a standing wave for sensing,

(b) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether an activity occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(c) counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of an animal activity in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment, said counter means being adapted to disable and cease a counting operation after said predetermined time interval if no animal activity occurred during the predetermined time interval, said counter means also being adapted to initialize a counting operation to restart the predetermined time interval upon detection of each new physical activity,

(d) time delay control means operatively connected to said counter means to adjust the predetermined time interval, and

(e) output circuit means operatively connected to said counter means and having means for coupling to an electrically operable device to control the electrical power delivered to an electrically operable device in response to the occurances and detection of animal physical activity within the predetermined time interval, such that the electrically operable device is de-energized if no animal physical activity occured during the predetermined time interval and energization of such device is maintained if physical activity occurred during the time interval and such device is re-energized upon detection of new animal physical activity after the predetermined time interval.

37. An electronically operable apparatus for detecting the presence of sound in a specified environment and providing responsive action upon the detection of sound, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing a sound level in an audible wavelength range resulting from activity in a specified environment and which sensing means does not generate a standing wave for sensing,

(b) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether a sound occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(c) counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of a sound in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment, said counter means being adapted to disable and cease a counting operation after said predetermined time interval if no sound occurs during the predetermined time interval, said counter means also being adapted to initialize a counting operation to restart the predetermined time interval upon detection of each new sound,

(d) time delay control means operatively connected to said counter means to adjust the predetermined time interval, and

(e) output circuit means operatively connected to said counter means and having means for coupling to an electrically operable device to control the electrical power delivered to an electrically operable device in response to the occurrance of sound within user predetermined time interval, such that the electrically operable device is de-energized if no sound was detected during the predetermined time interval and energization of such device is maintained if sound occurred during the predetermined time interval and such device is re-energized upon detection of new sound after the predetermined time interval.

38. An energy conservation apparatus capable of deactivating an energy operable device after a predetermined time interval when no sound of the type associated with human presence is detected in a specified environment during the predetermined time interval, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing presence of sound of a type normally associated with human activity in a specified environment and during a predetermined time interval without generating or relying upon a standing wave for such sensing,

(b) signal generating means operatively associated with said sensing means for generating a signal upon the detection of sound in the specified environment,

(c) sensitivity control means operatively connected to said signal generating means to adjust and control the sensitivity of the apparatus to account for background noise.

(d) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether a sound occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(e) counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of a sound in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment, said counter means being adapted to disable and cease a counting operation after said predetermined time interval if no sound occurs during the predetermined time interval, said counter means also being adapted to initialize a counting operation to restart the predetermined time interval upon detection of each new sound,

(f) logic means operatively connected to said counter means to determine if there was no sound for at least the predetermined time interval, and

(g) output circuit means operatively connected to said logic means and having means capable of being coupled to an energy operable device to de-energize the energy operable device if sound did not occur in the specified environment for at least during the predetermined time interval, and to maintain energization of the energy operable device if sound occurred during the predetermined time interval or re-energizing such device if sound re-occurs after the predetermined time interval.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises user manually adjustable time delay control means operatively connected to said counter means or clocking circuit means to adjust the predetermined time interval.

40. An energy conservation apparatus capable of deactivating an energy operable device after a predetermined time interval when no sound of the type associated with human presence is detected in a specified environment during the predetermined time interval, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing presence of sound of a type normally associated with human activity in a specified environment and during a predetermined time interval without generating or relying upon a standing wave for such sensing,

(b) signal generating means operatively associated with said sensing means for generating a signal upon the detection of such sound in the specified environment,

(c) amplifier means for amplifying the generated signal,

(d) sensitivity control means for establishing a minimum threshold level for the sensed and amplified signal so that the resultant portion of the signal which exceeds said threshold level may be more representative of sound of the type which may be created by the presence of human activity in the specified environment during such predetermined time interval,

(e) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether a sound exceeding the threshold level occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(f) counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of a sound exceeding the threshold level in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment, said counter means being adapted to disable and cease a counting operation after said predetermined time interval if no sound exceeding the threshold level occurs during the predetermined time interval, said counter means also being adapted to initialize a counting operation to restart the predetermined time interval upon detection of each new sound,

(g) logic means operatively connected to said counter means to determine if there was no sound exceeding the threshold level for at least the predetermined time interval, and

(h) output circuit means operatively connected to said logic means and having means capable of being coupled to an energy operable device to de-energize the energy operable device if sound exceeding the threshold level did not occur in the specified environment for at least during the predetermined time interval, and to maintain energization of the energy operable device if sound exceeding the threshold level occurred during the predetermined time interval or re-energizing such device if sound exceeding the threshold level re-occurs after the predetermined time interval.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 further characterized in that said sensivity control means is a manually adjustable control means.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 further characterized in that a manually adjustable time control means is operatively associated with said clocking circuit means to adjust the predetermined time interval.

43. Circuit active means for detecting the presence of human activity in an enclosed environment in response to an activity creating an electrical signal within a certain wavelength range, and thereby recognizing a lack of human activity in the enclosed environment thereafter, said circuit active means comprising:

(a) amplifier means for receiving the signal representing the presence of human activity in an enclosed environment and amplifying same, and which signal representing human activity is generated without reliance upon a standing wave for sensing or other signal generated by said apparatus for introduction in the specified environment and interferred with in the specified environment, such that the signal representing the presence of human activity is created by the presence of the animal activity,

(b) sensitivity control means operatively connected to said amplifier means for adjusting the gain of the amplifier means and hence the sensitivity of the circuit active means,

(c) converting means receiving the amplified signal and converting same to equivalent digital signals for further processing and providing pulses of a desired shape,

(d) time generating circuit means for generating a timing signal used to establish a predetermined time interval,

(e) counter means receiving the timing signal from the time generating circuit and the digital signals from the converting means and generating a time count based on said digital signals and determining whether said time count has extended for the duration of the predetermined time interval,

(f) time control means operatively connected to said counter means to adjust the predetermined time interval,

(g) a feedback circuit operatively connected with respect to said counter means and receiving a time control input from said time generating circuit means,

(h) logic circuit means operatively associated with said counter means and providing an energize control signal in response to detection of human activity in said environment for said predetermined time interval and providing no energize control signal upon recognition of no activity for said predetermined time interval, and

(i) output circuit means operatively connected to said logic circuit means and providing a first responsive action to the presence of human activity and a second responsive action to a lack of human activity in the enclosed environment for at least the predetermined time interval.

44. The circuit active means of claim 43 further characterized in that said amplifier means comprises a gain adjustable amplifier.

45. The circuit active means of claim 44 further characterized in that the amplifier has a defined spectrum bandwith.

46. The circuit active means of claim 43 further characterized in that said counter means comprises a first counter means which provides an electrical signal with a specified count period and a second counter means which is configured to count to a certain modulo number, and said second counter means being connected to said first counter means.

47. The circuit active means of claim 44 further characterized in that a filter means is operatively connected to amplifier means.

48. The circuit active means of claim 47 further characterized in that said circuit active means comprises a Schmitt trigger means for resetting the circuit active means.

49. The circuit active means of claim 43 further characterized in that said output circuit means is adapted for operative connection to an energy operable device and de-energizes said device if human activity has not occurred in the enclosed environment in the predetermined time interval.

50. The circuit active means of claim 49 further characterized in that the energy operable device is an electrically operable device such that the output circuit means electrically de-energizes the electrically operable device if the human activity did not occur in the enclosed environment for at least the minimum predetermined time interval.

51. The circuit active means of claim 50 further characterized in that the output circuit means comprises a relay means coupled to the electrically operable device and controls the electrical power delivered to the electrically operable device in response to the occurance of the physical activity.

52. An electrically operable apparatus for detecting the presence of sound in a specified environment and providing responsive action upon the detection of sound, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing a sound level in an audible wavelength range resulting from activity in a specified environment and which sensing means does not generate a standing wave for sensing,

(b) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether a sound occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(c) counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of a sound in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment, said counter means being adapted to disable and cease a counting operation after said predetermined time interval if no sound occurs during the predetermined time interval, said counter means also being adapted to initialize a counting operation to restart the predetermined time interval upon detection of each new sound,

(d) time delay control means operatively connected to said counter means to adjust the predetermined time interval, and

(e) output circuit means operatively connected to said counter means and having means for coupling to an electrically operable device to control the electrical power delivered to an electrically operable device in response to the absence of sound within user predetermined time interval, such that the electrically operable device is de-energized if sound is detected during the predetermined time interval and such device is re-energized upon no detection of sound after the predetermined time interval.

53. A method of energy conservation by deactivating an energy operable device where sound from animal presence is detected in a specified environment during a predetermined time interval, said method comprising:

(a) passively monitoring for presence of sound in specified environment at a level normally created by human activity and without generating or relying upon a standing wave for such sensing and which does not rely upon generation of any signal to be introduced into the specified environment for purposes of detection or interruption in the specified environment to enable a sensing,

(b) generating an electrical signal upon the sensing of the sound of the type created by human physical activity in the specified environment,

(c) setting a sensitivity control to account for background noise,

(d) setting a minimum predetermined time interval such that sound of the type created by human physical activity in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval permits deactivation of an energy operable device and sound of the type resulting from a presence of human physical activity in the specified environment during the predetermined time interval will prevent activation of said energy operable device,

(e) determining if the sound did occur for at least the manually set predetermined time interval in the specified environment,

(f) automatically energizing the energy operable device if the sound did not occur in the specified environment for at least the predetermined time interval,

(g) resetting and restarting the minimum predetermined time interval upon detection of each new sound above a level established by the sensitivity control, and

(h) thereafter deactivating the energy operable device if sound is again detected in the specified environment after the predetermined time interval.

54. An electrically operable apparatus for detecting the presence of sound in a specified environment and providing responsive action upon the detection of sound, said apparatus comprising:

(a) passive sensing means for sensing a sound level in an audible wavelength range resulting from activity in a specified environment and which sensing means does not generate a standing wave for sensing,

(b) clocking circuit means to provide a predetermined time interval to enable a determination of whether a sound occurred in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment,

(c) counter means operatively connected to said clocking circuit means to initiate a counting operation upon detection of a sound in said predetermined time interval in said specified environment, said counter means being adapted to disable and cease a counting operation after said predetermined time interval if no sound occurs during the predetermined time interval, said counter means also being adapted to initialize a counting operation to restart the predetermined time interval upon detection of each new sound,

(d) output circuit means operatively connected to said counter means and having means for coupling to an electrically operable device to control the electrical power delivered to an electrically operable device in response to the occurrance of sound within, said predetermined time interval, such that the electrically operable device is de-energized if no sound was detected during the predetermined time interval and energization of such device is maintained if sound occurred during the predetermined time interval and such device is re-energized upon detection of new sound after the predetermined time interval.