Low voltage illuminating lamp set with programmable output for garden use

• US 4,876,487 A
• Filed: 06/20/1988
• Issued: 10/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerry S.C. Yang
• Original Assignee: Jerry S.C. Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Jerry S. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boudreau, Leo H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Razavi, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/208,801
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 315/362, 315/316, 315/360, 315/314, 315/312, 315/307, 315/292, 315/294, 315/323, 340/309.4, 340/309.15, 340/679, 340/332
• US Class Current: 315/362
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

This invention is for the low voltage illuminating lamp set with the programmable output for Garden use which is used to control the lamp set in the Garden. The main feature is by the control device to preset the variation of time, and the brightness of the graden lamp set in the program. It is to initiated by the light of neighboring environment or to switch off the power, or by the presetting time through light sensitive switch under the condition that the power on/off is determined by the signal of light variation. This has been further characterized that the alarming signal is to be given in sound or in light before the cutoff of power for the warning of night wanderers to go away. These lamp sets can be in multiple parallel and with the function of each lamp set in separate brightness by the adjustable features.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling at least one illuminating lamp comprising:

illuminating lamp means for producing an illumination in response to an illuminating signal applied thereto;

light sensing means for generating a first output signal when an ambient illumination level has fallen below a predetermined level;

RC circuit means, coupled to said first output signal, for charging with a predetermined time constant when said first output signal is produced, to produce a charging signal indicative of an amount of charge;

zener diode means, coupled to said charging signal, for conducting only when a voltage of said charging signal exceeds a threshold, said zener diode means producing a second output signal as a result of said conducting, said second output thereby being produced at a predetermined time after said first output signal is produced; and

switching means for supplying said illuminating signal to said illuminating lamp means, when said second output signal is generated by said zener diode means, and said first output signal is also present.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising timing means for removing said signal from said illuminating lamp means after a second predetermined period to time elapses after said zener diode means generates said second output signal.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising warning means for issuing a warning prior to removing said signal from said illuminating lamp means.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said warning means includes means for producing an audible sound.

5. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said warning means includes means for varying the intensity of the illumination produced by said illuminating lamp means.

6. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said intensityvarying means includes means for alternating said illumination produced by said illuminating lamp means between two different intensity levels.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said level-alternating means includes:

means, having first and second characteristic states, for alternating between said first and second states;

memory means for controlling the duration of said alternation of said alternating means; and

means for changing the amplitude of said signal applied to said illuminating lamp means in response to state altenations of said alternating means.

8. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said timing means is implemented by a programmable microprocessor.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:

power supply means, coupled to an external alternating current power source, for providing power to said light sensing means, RC circuit, zener diode, means and switching means; and

backup power means for providing backup power to said light sensing means, RC circuit, zener diode means and switching means whenever said alternating current power source ceases to produce power.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:

said illuminating lamp means includes a plurality of illuminating lamps; and

said apparatus further comprises brightness means for independently controlling the brightness of illumination of each of said plural illuminating lamps.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said timing means, and brightness means are implemented by a programmable microprocessor.

12. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said light sensing means comprises a CDS photosensitive cell.

13. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said RC circuit means includes:

a first resistor connected at a first terminal thereof to said first output signal; and

a first network having a predetermined amount of capacitance and a predetermined amount of resistance connected between a second terminal of said first resistor and a ground terminal;

and said zener diode means inclueds;

a Zener diode, the cathode of which is connected to said first resistor second terminal;

a first diode connected in series with said Zener diode, the anode of said first diode being connected to the anode of said Zener diode;

a second resistor connected to the cathode of said first diode;

solid state control means, operatively connected to said first timing means, for actuating said RC circuit means to begin timing said first predetermined time in response to current flowing through said second resistor; and

a second network connected between the cathode of said first diode and said ground terminal, comprising;

a capacitor, one terminal of which is connected to said ground terminal,

a third resistor connected between said first diode cathode and another terminal of said capacitor, and

a second diode connected in parallel with said third resistor, the anode of said second diode being connected to said capacitor another terminal, the cathode of said second diode being connected to the cathode of said first diode.

14. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said switching means includes:

a switching transistor having a control terminal and first and second switching terminals, the control terminal thereof being connected to said second output signal; and

a relay including a coil energized by said switching transistor control terminals, and further including a set of contacts which apply a current to said illumination lamp means when said coil is energized.

15. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first timing means includes means for providing a timing delay.