System for load output level control
First Claim
1. Apparatus for providing a control signal with a variable characteristic to a pair of load input terminals of a load having an output level controlled by the magnitude of the control signal characteristic provided at said input terminals, comprising:
- transmitter means at at least one first location for transmitting a data signal containing load output level data;
transmission medium means for conveying said data signal between said at least one first location and a second location;
receiving means at said second location for receiving said data signal;
said receiving means comprising address setting means for setting a local address; and
decoding means for decoding the address data portion of the received data signal to provide an enabling signal allowing said variable characteristic control signal providing means to operate only if the decoded address data corresponds exactly to the local address set for said second location in said address setting means; and
variable characteristic control signal providing means coupled to said receiving means for providing in electrically isolated manner to said load input terminals a variable characteristic load output level control signal with a magnitude responsive to the load output level data presented at said receiving means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for programmable controlling the output level of at least one load, utilizes an isolated receiver-controller located adjacent to the load and receiving control data from at least one transmitter, which may be at a location remote from the load location. The transmitted data includes an address portion, identifying that particular one of a plurality of loads having the corresponding local address, and a command data portion, establishing both the on/off condition and the output level of the addressed load. Local control may be temporarily substituted for remote control. The output level is controlled by programmably varying the magnitude of an impedance coupled to a pair of load input terminals.
-
Citations
56 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for providing a control signal with a variable characteristic to a pair of load input terminals of a load having an output level controlled by the magnitude of the control signal characteristic provided at said input terminals, comprising:
-
transmitter means at at least one first location for transmitting a data signal containing load output level data; transmission medium means for conveying said data signal between said at least one first location and a second location; receiving means at said second location for receiving said data signal;
said receiving means comprising address setting means for setting a local address; and
decoding means for decoding the address data portion of the received data signal to provide an enabling signal allowing said variable characteristic control signal providing means to operate only if the decoded address data corresponds exactly to the local address set for said second location in said address setting means; andvariable characteristic control signal providing means coupled to said receiving means for providing in electrically isolated manner to said load input terminals a variable characteristic load output level control signal with a magnitude responsive to the load output level data presented at said receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
-
-
47. A system for controlling the light energy output of at least one gaseous discharge tube, comprising:
-
a plurality of receiver/decoders, each having a unique address assigned thereto, each receiver/decoder having an input adapted to receive digital data having an address portion and a desired light output level data portion;
each receiver/decorder including means, responsive to receipt of a digital data address portion having the unique address assigned to that particular receiver/decoder, for decoding the level data portion of the digital data; and
means responsive to the decoded level data for generating a variable characteristic signal;a central transmitter coupled to the input of each of the plurality of the receiver/decoders and adapted to provide to said receiver/decoders said digital data; ballast means, coupled to an associated receiver/dccoder to receive the variable characteristic signal, for energizing an associated at least one gaseous discharge tube to a light output level responsive to the level data contained in the digital data transmitted from the central transmitter; and a plurality of local control means, each coupled to an associated one of said plurality of receiver/decoders, for facilitating local modification of the light output of the at least one gaseous discharge tube controlled by said associated receiver/decoder. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
-
Specification