Remotely controllable power control system

• US 5,099,193 A
• Filed: 03/31/1989
• Issued: 03/24/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Wylie, John, Spira, Joel S., Barney, Jonathan A., Karunaratne, Arjuna, Moseley, Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINCAID, KRISTINE LYNN
• Application Number:
  US07/332,317
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 323/239, 323/324, 323/325, 323/326, 323/327, 323/905, 323/909, 307/112, 307/113, 307/114-116, 307/125, 315/158, 315/291, 315/DIG. 4, 200/5 B, 200/536, 200/5 E, 361/160, 364/492, 364/493, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 341/176, 358/194.1, 455/603
• US Class Current: 323/324
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/083 by the variation-rate of light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/905 Lamp dimmer structure

Abstract

A remotely controllable power control system wherein the power supplied to a load may be varied locally via an actuator, positionable through a continuous range, on a wall control or from a remote location using a remote control device not electrically wired to the wall control. The load control system includes a transmitter and a wall control/receiver, each having a control actuator for adjusting the power supplied to the load. Control can be obtained by either the transmitter or the wall control/receiver immediately upon manipulation of either control actuator, with the adjustment in power level occurring substantially instantaneously. Communication between the transmitter and the wall control/receiver is by digitally encoded infrared signal.

Claims

1. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including a first actuator means for determining said signal, and

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means to control the power delivered to a load comprising, in combination;

i) detector means responsive to said radiant control signal for providing a first power control signal determined by said radiant control signal,

ii) second actuator means positionable through a continuous range for determining a second power control signal, said second actuator means is movable to move along a substantially linear path for determining said second power control signal, said second actuator means comprising a lens which is for receiving said radiant control signal, said second actuator means being removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means and

iii) means responsive to both said first and second power control signals for controlling the amount of power delivered to said load in accordance with a selected one of said first and second power control signals.

2. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

3. The power control system of claim 2 wherein said first actuator means is positionable along a substantially linear path, for determining said radiant control signal.

4. The power control system of claim 3 wherein said radiant control signal is digitally encoded.

5. The power control system of claim 4 wherein power to said load is set in accordance with said second actuator means substantially instantaneously upon actuation of said second actuator means.

6. The power control system of claim 5 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means comprises a microcomputer.

7. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including a first actuator means for determining said signal, and

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means to control the power delivered to a load comprising, in combination;

i) detector means responsive to said radiant control signal for providing a first power control signal determined by said radiant control signal,

ii) second actuator means positionable through a continuous range for determining a second power control signal, said second actuator means comprising a lens for receiving said radiant control signal, said second actuator means being removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means

iii) means responsive to both said first and second power control signals for controlling the amount of power delivered to said load in accordance with a selected one of said first and second power control signals, and

iv) a push-button.

8. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including a first actuator means for determining said signal, and

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means to control the power delivered to a load comprising, in combination;

i) detector means responsive to said radiant control signal for providing a first power control signal determined by said radiant control signal,

ii) second actuator means positionable through a continuous range for determining a second power control signal, said second actuator means comprising a lens which is for receiving said radiant control signal, said second actuator means being removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means and

iii) means responsive to both said first and second power control signals for controlling the amount of power delivered to said load in accordance with a selected one of said first and second power control signals.

9. The power control system of claim 8 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

10. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including a first actuator means for determining said signal, and

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means to control the power delivered to a load comprising, in combination;

i) detector means responsive to said radiant control signal for providing a first power control signal determined by said radiant control signal,

ii) second actuator means positionable through a continuous range for determining a second power control signal, said second actuator means being removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means and

iii) means responsive to both said first and second power control signals for controlling the amount of power delivered to said load in accordance with a selected one of said first and second power control signals.

11. The power control system of claim 10 wherein said second actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

12. The power control system of claim 10 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means further comprises a push-button.

13. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including a first actuator means for determining said radiant signal, and

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means comprising in combination;

i) detector means for providing a first power control signal determined by said radiant control signal,

ii) lens means for directing said radiant control signal to said detector means, said lens means being substantially in intimate contact with said detector means and movable therewith,

iii) a second actuator means operable for determining a second power control signal, and

c) means for controlling the power delivered to said load in accordance with a selected one of said first and second power control signals.

14. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said first actuator means is positionable along a substantially linear path, for determining said radiant control signal.

15. The power control system of claim 14 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

16. The power control system of claim 14 wherein said second actuator means is movable to move along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

17. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said first actuator means comprises a push-button.

18. The power control system of claim 17 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

19. The power control system of claim 17 wherein said second actuator means comprises a push-button.

20. The power control system of claim 17 wherein said second actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

21. The power control system of claim 20 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means further comprises a push-button.

22. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said first actuator means comprises a first push-button for increasing the power delivered to said load and a second push-button for decreasing the power delivered to said load.

23. The power control system of claim 22 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

24. The power control system of claim 22 wherein said second actuator means comprises a push-button.

25. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said first actuator means comprises a pressure-operated position sensing means.

26. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

27. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said radiant control signal is digitally encoded.

28. The power control system of claim 27 wherein said first actuator means is positionable along a substantially linear path, for determining said radiant control signal.

29. The power control system of claim 27 wherein said second actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

30. The power control system of claim 27 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

31. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said radiant control signal is pulse-width modulated.

32. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said second actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

33. The power control system of claim 32 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means further comprises a push-button.

34. The power control system of claim 33 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

35. The power control system of claim 32 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

36. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said second actuator means is rotatable about a substantially fixed axis when displaced.

37. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said second actuator means comprises a push-button.

38. The power control system of claim 37 wherein said second actuator means and said lens means are a single element.

39. The power control system of claim 37 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

40. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means includes means for independently controlling the power delivered to a plurality of loads.

41. The power control system of claim 40 wherein said first actuator means means comprises a push-button.

42. The power control system of claim 40 wherein said second actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

43. The power control system of claim 42 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means further comprises a push-button.

44. The power control system of claim 40 wherein said first actuator means is positionable along a substantially linear path, for determining said radiant control signal.

45. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said lens means comprises a second lens located behind a first lens.

46. The power control system of claim 45 wherein said second lens comprises a substantially spherical surface.

47. The power control system of claim 13 wherein said second actuator means and said lens means comprise a single element.

48. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal,

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means for receiving said radiant control signal comprising, in combination;

i) detector means for providing a power control signal determined by said radiant signal, mounted behind an aperture means, and

ii) an optically transmitting lens, which substantially occupies the entire space between said detector means and said aperture means, for directing said radiant signal to said detector means, and

c) means for selectively controlling the amount of power delivered to said load in accordance with said power control signal.

49. The power control system of claim 48 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means comprises an actuator means movable to determine power to said load.

50. The power control system of claim 49 wherein said lens moves with said actuator means.

51. The power control system of claim 50 wherein said actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining the power delivered to said load.

52. The power control system of claim 51 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

53. The power control system of claim 50 wherein said actuator means comprises a push-button.

54. The power control system of claim 50 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means further comprises a push-button.

55. The power control system of claim 49 wherein said actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining the power delivered to said load.

56. The power control system of claim 55 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means further comprises a push-button.

57. The power control system of claim 56 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

58. The power control system of claim 56 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

59. The power control system of claim 56 wherein said lens has a front surface that is substantially shaped like a section of a cylinder.

60. The power control system of claim 55 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

61. The power control system of claim 55 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

62. The power control system of claim 49 wherein said actuator means is rotatable about a substantially fixed axis when displaced.

63. The power control system of claim 49 wherein said actuator means comprises a push-button.

64. The power control system of claim 63 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

65. The power control system of claim 63 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

66. The power control system of claim 63 wherein said lens has a front surface that is substantially shaped like a section of a cylinder

67. The power control system of claim 49 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

68. The power control system of claim 48 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

69. The power control system of claim 68 wherein said lens has a front surface that is substantially shaped like a section of a cylinder.

70. The power control system of claim 69 further comprising an optically transmissive bonding means for optically bonding said detector means to said lens.

71. The power control system of claim 48 further comprising an optically transmissive bonding means for optically bonding said detector means to said lens.

72. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal,

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means for receiving said radiant control signal comprising, in combination;

i) detector means for providing a power control signal determined by said radiant signal, mounted behind an aperture means, and

ii) an optically transmitting lens comprising a cylindrical surface that is substantially concentric about a vertical axis through said detector means, for directing said radiant control signal to said detector means, and

c) means for controlling the power delivered to said load in accordance with said power control signal.

73. The power control system of claim 72 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means comprises an actuator means movable for determining the power delivered to said load.

74. The power control system of claim 73 wherein said actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path.

75. The power control system of claim 74 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

76. The power control system of claim 75 wherein said lens moves with said actuator means.

77. The power control system of claim 74 wherein said lens moves with said actuator means.

78. The power control system of claim 74 wherein said wallbox mountable control/receiver means further comprises a push-button.

79. The power control system of claim 78 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

80. The power control system of claim 78 wherein said lens moves with said actuator means.

81. The power control system of claim 80 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

82. The power control system of claim 73 wherein said actuator means is rotatable about a substantially fixed axis when displaced.

83. The power control system of claim 73 wherein said actuator means comprises a push-button.

84. The power control system of claim 83 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

85. The power control system of claim 83 wherein said lens moves with said actuator means.

86. The power control system of claim 85 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

87. The power control system of claim 73 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

88. The power control system of claim 73 wherein said lens moves with said actuator means.

89. The power control system of claim 88 wherein said actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

90. The power control system of claim 89 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

91. The power control system of claim 72 wherein said radiant control signal is infrared radiation.

92. The power control system of claim 72 wherein said lens has a front surface that is substantially shaped like a section of a cylinder.

93. The power control system of claim 72 wherein said actuator means and said lens means comprise a single element.

94. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) transmitting means, comprising a first actuator means linearly positionable through a continuous range of positions, for transmitting a digitally encoded infrared control signal,

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means for controlling the power delivered to a lighting load comprising, in combination;

i) detector means for providing a first power control signal determined by said infrared control signal, mounted behind

ii) a lens, having a cylindrical back surface which is substantially concentric about a vertical axis through said detector means, for directing said infrared signal to said detector means, mounted to

iii) a second actuator means, linearly positionable through a continuous range of positions, for providing a second power control signal, and

iv) means for selectably controlling the amount of power delivered to said load in accordance with said first or second power control signal;

wherein power to said load is set in accordance with the position of either said first or second actuator means substantially instantaneously upon positioning, respectively, of said first or second actuator means.

95. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) transmitting means, comprising a first switch actuator means, for transmitting a digitally encoded infrared control signal, and

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means for controlling the power delivered to a lighting load comprising, in combination;

i) detector means for providing a first power control signal determined by said infrared control signal, mounted behind

ii) a lens, having a front surface which is shaped like a section of a cylinder, said lens substantially in intimate contact with said detector means, for directing said infrared signal to said detector means, mounted to

iii) a second switch actuator means, for providing a second power control signal, and

iv) means for alternately turning the power to said load on or off in accordance with either said first or second power control signal;

wherein power to said load is alternately turned on, to a predetermined level, or off in accordance with the actuation of either said first or second switch actuator.

96. A remotely controllable power control system comprising, in combination:

a) transmitting means, comprising a first switch actuator means, for transmitting a digitally encoded infrared control signal, and

b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means for controlling the power delivered to a lighting load comprising, in combination;

i) detector means for providing a first power control signal determined by said infrared control signal, mounted behind

ii) a lens, having a front surface which is shaped like a section of a, cylinder for directing said infrared signal to said detector means, mounted to

iii) a second switch actuator means, for providing a second power control signal,

iv) actuator means, positionable through a continuous range, for providing a third power control signal, and

v) means for setting the level of power delivered to said load in accordance with said third power control signal, and alternately turning the power to said load on or off in accordance with either said first or second power control signal;

wherein power to said load is alternately turned on, to a level corresponding to the position of said positionable actuator means, or off in accordance with the actuation of either said first or second switch actuator.