Microcomputer-controlled light switch
First Claim
1. A light level controller including a source of light connected to at least one control switch means having a depressed state and a non-depressed state comprising:
- (a) preset light intensity means for causing the light to assume a desired level of intensity when said control switch means remains in a depressed state for more than a period of transitory duration; and
(b) automatic fading means for causing the light to fade towards said desired level of intensity when said switch is momentarily depressed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light level controller includes a microcomputer controlled light switch which responds to a manual tap or a longer manual depression of the switch in order to initiate various control modes for a light source. Preset levels of light intensity may be stored in the microcomputer'"'"'s memory and an automatic fade mode may be initiated to cause the level of light intensity to fade from a current level to a preset level at a pre-established rate. The controller may respond to the momentary depression of the switch to initiate the automatic fade mode or if tapped while a fade is in progress it may cause the light source to make an abrupt transition to either full on or full off, depending on whether a higher or lower level of light intensity is desired. A depression of the switch for a period longer than a tap will cause the level of light intensity to continue to change until the switch is released, and simultaneously this level will be stored in memory.
136 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A light level controller including a source of light connected to at least one control switch means having a depressed state and a non-depressed state comprising:
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(a) preset light intensity means for causing the light to assume a desired level of intensity when said control switch means remains in a depressed state for more than a period of transitory duration; and (b) automatic fading means for causing the light to fade towards said desired level of intensity when said switch is momentarily depressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A light level controller including a source of light connected to at least one non-latching switch having a depressed state and a non-depressed state comprising:
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(a) signaling means responsive to said switch for providing an electrical signal, said signal continuing as long as said switch is in the depressed state; (b) microcomputer means for computing the duration of said signal and for initiating light intensity control modes in response thereto, including a preset mode for establishing a preset level of light intensity, and an automatic fade mode for fading a current level of light intensity towards a predetermined level of light intensity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19)
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17. A light level controller, including a microcomputer for controlling a level of intensity of a source of light, said light level controller including at least one manually-operated switch comprising:
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(a) preset mode control means for establishing a preset level of light intensity; (b) automatic fade control means for automatically fading the level from a current level to a preset level; and (c) instantaneous mode control means for causing the level of light intensity to abruptly shift from a current level of intensity to a predetermined level of intensity when said manually-operated switch is actuated while said automatic fade mode control means is in operation. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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- 20. A light level controller including a source of light and an AC power source for powering said source of light and comprising control switch means interacting between said source of light, and said AC power source comprising means for initiating an automatic fade condition in said source of light when said control switch means is in first switch position and means for initiating a preset condition to preset said source of light to a chosen level when said control switch means is in a second switch position.
Specification