Programmable wall switch for controlling lighting times and loads
First Claim
1. A programmable wall switch for controlling the time for turning on and for turning off a light which comprises:
- means for producing from the AC power line a selected DC voltage;
microprocessor means powered by said DC voltage, for turning on a light at any one of several selected times and for turning off said light at any one of an additional corresponding several selected times, said microprocessor means including means for incrementing said one of several selected times and one of said additional corresponding selected times by random amounts; and
means, responsive to signals from said microprocessor means, for displaying the time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable wall switch for controlling the time for turning on and for turning off an incandescent light includes a rectifying circuit for producing from the AC power line a selected DC voltage. The switch includes a microprocessor powered by this DC voltage for turning on a light at any one of several selected times and for turning off the light at one of an additional corresponding several selected times. A time display is provided for displaying the time as well as for allowing a user to review the programmed status of the switch at any one of several selected times. A signal is generated at each zero crossing of the AC power line which is supplied to the microprocessor. The microprocessor produces output signals which turn on, turn off or dim the light at selected times. The ability of the microprocessor to dim the light further enhances the appearance of human occupancy when the switch is used to simulate occupancy of a vacant building.
83 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A programmable wall switch for controlling the time for turning on and for turning off a light which comprises:
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means for producing from the AC power line a selected DC voltage; microprocessor means powered by said DC voltage, for turning on a light at any one of several selected times and for turning off said light at any one of an additional corresponding several selected times, said microprocessor means including means for incrementing said one of several selected times and one of said additional corresponding selected times by random amounts; and means, responsive to signals from said microprocessor means, for displaying the time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15)
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- 11. A programmable wall switch according to clam 1 including electronic means for indicating that said switch is in the program mode.
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16. A programmable wall switch for controlling the time for turning on and for turning off a light which comprises:
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means for producing from the AC power line a selected DC voltage; microprocessor means powered by said DC voltage, for turning on a light at any one of several selected times and for turning off said light at any one of an additional corresponding several selected times; said programmable wall switch including wall switch means for turning on said light, in response to the application of power to said programmable wall switch following absence or interruption of power which must then be turned off by occupant; means, responsive to signals from said microprocessor means, for displaying the time; means for generating a signal at each zero crossing of the AC power line and for supplying to said microprocessor means; and means responsive to signals from said microprocessor means for reducing the load current supplied to said light to one-half the load current applied during normal operation, thereby to reduce the amount of current supplied to said light thus to save power, to extend the life of said light and to more realistically simulate human occupancy.
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17. A programmable wall switch for controlling the time for turning on and for turning off a light which comprises:
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means for producing from the AC power line a selected DC voltage; microprocessor means powered by said DC voltage, for turning on a light at any one of several selected times and for turning off said light at any one of an additional corresponding several selected times; means, responsive to signals from said microprocessor means, for displaying the time, said means for displaying the time includes, in addition, means for displaying an indicia that the power has failed and that the structure needs to be reprogrammed; means for resetting the real time displayed on said means for displaying, said means for resetting comprising means for resetting at a first rate said real time and in response to said means for resetting being activated for greater than a first selected time, for accelerating the rate at which said real time is changed; means for generating a signal at each zero crossing of the AC power line and for supplying said signal to said microprocessor means; and means responsive to signals from said microprocessor means for reducing the load current supplied to said light to one-half the load current applied during normal operation, thereby to reduce the amount of current supplied to said light thus to save power, to extend the life of said light and to more realistically simulate human occupancy.
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Specification