Sound actuated light switch
First Claim
1. A switch connected in series with and between an alternating current power source and a load for actuation of the load upon receipt of an audible external stimulus comprising:
- a direct current power supply connected in series with and between said alternating current power source and said load and having at least one direct current output;
means for sensing said audible external stimulus and producing a first electrical signal representative of the stimulus at a first output thereof;
a reset circuit means having a reset circuit input electrically coupled to the first output for producing a reset signal at a reset output when the electrical signal at the reset circuit input exceeds a chosen level;
timing means coupled to the reset output for providing on and off control signals at a control output, said on control signal provided during receipt of the reset signal and for a first period of time after said reset signal ceases, said off control signal provided thereafter;
said timing means further comprising an electronic oscillator means for producing an oscillating signal and an electronic counter coupled to the oscillator means and having a reset input coupled to the reset output and adapted to begin a count cycle by counting oscillations of the oscillating signal starting at a first count upon receipt of said reset signal, said counter means including means for producing an on control signal at a counter output upon receipt of said reset signal and an off control signal after the electronic counter reaches a certain count corresponding to a predetermined time interval during which said reset signal is not received; and
connecting switch means, having a switch input connected to said control output and being responsive to said control signal, for electrically connecting the alternating current power source to the load when the on control signal is present.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sound actuated switch including a microphone coupled via an audio amplifier to a reset circuit. When a sound of sufficient intensity is received by the microphone a reset signal is supplied to the counter portion of an oscillator and counter circuit. The counter then begins counting oscillations and produces an "on" control signal until a predetermined count is reached, at which time an "off" control signal is produced. The control signal is supplied to the gate of a switching triac in a switch circuit. The presence of the on control signal causes the switching triac to electrically connect an AC power source to a load, typically a light. A simple, high efficiency DC power supply is also disclosed.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A switch connected in series with and between an alternating current power source and a load for actuation of the load upon receipt of an audible external stimulus comprising:
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a direct current power supply connected in series with and between said alternating current power source and said load and having at least one direct current output; means for sensing said audible external stimulus and producing a first electrical signal representative of the stimulus at a first output thereof; a reset circuit means having a reset circuit input electrically coupled to the first output for producing a reset signal at a reset output when the electrical signal at the reset circuit input exceeds a chosen level; timing means coupled to the reset output for providing on and off control signals at a control output, said on control signal provided during receipt of the reset signal and for a first period of time after said reset signal ceases, said off control signal provided thereafter; said timing means further comprising an electronic oscillator means for producing an oscillating signal and an electronic counter coupled to the oscillator means and having a reset input coupled to the reset output and adapted to begin a count cycle by counting oscillations of the oscillating signal starting at a first count upon receipt of said reset signal, said counter means including means for producing an on control signal at a counter output upon receipt of said reset signal and an off control signal after the electronic counter reaches a certain count corresponding to a predetermined time interval during which said reset signal is not received; and connecting switch means, having a switch input connected to said control output and being responsive to said control signal, for electrically connecting the alternating current power source to the load when the on control signal is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An electronic device for completing an electric circuit between a source of alternating current and a load upon receipt of an audible sound, comprising:
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means connected between and in series with said alternating current source and said load for providing a supply of direct current; an acoustic pickup adapted to produce a first signal at a first output; means coupled to said first output for amplifying said first signal to produce a second signal at a second output; a reset circuit means coupled to said second output for producing a reset signal at a reset output whenever and while said second signal exceeds a chosen level; an electronic oscillator means for producing an oscillating signal at a selected frequency; an electronic counter means operably coupled to said oscillator means and having a reset input operably coupled to said reset output and adapted to begin a new count cycle by counting oscillations of said oscillating signals starting at a first count value upon receipt of each said reset signal, said counter means including means for continuously producing an on control signal at a counter output upon receipt of said reset signal and until the count of said counter means reaches a second count value corresponding to a predetermined time interval during which said reset signal is not received and for producing an off control signal thereafter; and connecting switch means, having a switch input connected to said counter output and being responsive to said control signal, for electrically connecting the source to a load when said on control signal is present. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification