Remotely controllable power control system

• US 5,237,264 A
• Filed: 07/26/1991
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• 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, Barney, Jonathan A., Karunaratne, Arjuna, Spira, Joel S., Moseley, Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): KINCAID, KRISTINE LYNN
• Application Number:
  US07/736,180
• Time in Patent Office: 753 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, 200/5 E, 200/536, 361/160, 364/492, 364/493, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 341/176, 358/194.1
• 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 315/04 Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps
• 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, said first actuator means being positionable along a substantially linear path for determining said radian control signal, and

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

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

(ii) second actuator means positionable through a continuous range for determining a second power control signal, and

(iii) means responsive to both said first and second power control signals for controlling the amount of said 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 transmitting means transmits said radiant control signal while said first actuator means is in motion and terminates transmission following a predetermined time delay after said motion ceases.

3. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said second actuator means comprises a lens for receiving said radiant control signal.

4. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said first actuator means comprises a push-button.

5. The power control system of claim 4 wherein said transmitting means transmits said radiant control signal upon actuation of said push-button and terminates transmission following a predetermined time delay after said actuation ceases.

6. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means transmits said radiant control signal upon actuation of said first actuator means and terminates transmission following a predetermined time delay after said actuation ceases.

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

8. The power control system of claim 7 wherein said radiant control signal is pulse-width modulated.

9. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said radiant control signal is radio frequency radiation.

10. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said radiant control signal is ultra-sound.

11. The power control system of claim 1 wherein power to said load is set in accordance with said second actuator means substantially instantaneously upon actuation of said second actuator means.

12. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said second actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

13. The power control system of claim 12 wherein said second actuator means comprises a lens for receiving said radiant control signal.

14. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said second actuator means consists of an optically transmissive material and is for receiving said radiant control signal.

15. 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 wherein said first actuator means comprises a first push button for increasing power delivered to a load and a second pushy button for decreasing the power delivered to said load and

(b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means to control the power delivered to said 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, and

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

16. 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 wherein said first actuator means comprises a pressure-operated position sensing means,

(b) wallbox mountable control/receiver means to control 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, and

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

17. 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 power control signal determined by said radiant control signal.

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

(iii) a second actuator means comprising a push-button operable for determining a second power control signal, and

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

wherein said detector means moves coextensively with said second actuator means.

18. The power control system of claim 17 further comprising a flexible conductive element, said element electrically connecting said detector means to said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

19. 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 control with and movable with said detector means,

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

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

wherein said second actuator means is removable from said wallbox mountable control/receiver means.

20. The power control system of claim 19 wherein said second actuator means is movable along a substantially linear path, for determining said second power control signal.

21. 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) mean for controlling power delivered to a load in accordance with said power control signal

wherein said lens has a front surface that is substantially shaped like a section of a cylinder.

22. A remotely controllable power control system for controlling the level of power delivered to a load comprising:

(a) generating means for generating a cyclic line voltage reference signal;

(b) a first means for transmitting a digitally encoded infrared control signal;

(c) a second means for producing a voltage control signal;

(d) circuit means responsive to said reference signal and said control signals, further comprising

(i) detecting means for detecting a change in the value of a selected one of said control signals; and

(ii) delay means for producing a time delay after a transition in said reference signal in response to a last of said control signals to experience a change, said time delay depending on the new value of said last to change signal; and

(e) power means for delivering a level of power to the load, said power level being inversely proportional to the length of said time delay, wherein said time delay remains constant until said detecting means detects an additional change in value in a selected one of said control signals.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein said first means is a remote transmitter, said transmitter having a first actuator switch.

24. A system according to claim 22, wherein said second means includes a second actuator switch and is wall mounted.