Dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection

• US 5,442,177 A
• Filed: 09/06/1994
• Issued: 08/15/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cordelia Lighting Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pace Control Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Boulos, Charles A., Sund, Michael D., Hussain, Syed M. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Application Number:
  US08/300,936
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 250/342, 250/DIG. 1, 315/159, 315/156, 340/567
• US Class Current: 250/342
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/002 with occupancy simulation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

A dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection provides the benefits of dusk to dawn, timed, and motion detection control. A dusk to dawn type sensor detects the onset of darkness and turns on the lights for a predetermined duration of time. Once the duration of time expires, the lights will be shut off. Subsequently, motion within the monitored area will be detected by a motion detector and cause the light to be turned on for a selectably predetermined amount of time. The timer can randomize the actual time in which the lighting controller shuts off the light and goes into the motion detection mode. A latch mechanism disables the operation of the system upon momentary interruption of the power.

Claims

1. A dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection, comprising:

switch means for controlling transmission of a source of power to a load, said switch means including input means for coupling the source of power to the load responsive to receipt of one of a plurality of control signals, said plurality of control signals being defined by a first control signal and a second control signal;

motion detector means for generating a motion signal on an output thereof responsive to detection of movement in a monitored area;

light sensor means for generating a detection signal on an output thereof responsive to an ambient light level being below a predetermined threshold value;

signal transmission means having a first input coupled to said output of said motion detector means and a second input coupled said output of said light sensor means for coupling said motion signal from said first input to an output thereof responsive to receipt of said detection signal;

first timer means having an input coupled to said output of said signal transmission means for generating said first control signal for a first predetermined duration of time; and

,

second timer means having an input coupled to said output of said light sensor means for generating said second control signal for a second predetermined duration of time, said second predetermined duration of time being greater than said first predetermined duration of time, wherein the load is coupled to the source of power for a time period defined by said second predetermined duration of time when said ambient light level is below said predetermined value, subsequent to expiration of said second predetermined duration of time the load is coupled to the source of power for a time period defined by said first predetermined duration of time when said ambient light level is below said predetermined value and said motion detector means detects movement within the monitored area.

2. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 1 further comprising latch means connected to said switch means for holding said switch means closed when said source of power is temporarily interrupted.

3. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 1 further comprising a selector switch coupled to said first timer means for manually selecting said first predetermined duration of time.

4. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 1 further comprising a power supply, powerable by said power source and connected to said switch means, said motion detector means, said first timer means and said light sensor means.

5. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 4 wherein said power supply further comprises:

current limiting means, powerable by said power source, for limiting the power drawn from said power source;

voltage clamping means, connected to said current limiting means, for limiting the maximum voltage obtainable from said power source; and

voltage regulation means, connected to said voltage clamping means, for providing constant voltage power.

6. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 1 wherein said motion detector means further comprises an infrared motion detector.

7. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 1 wherein said motion detector means further comprises means for changing the size of the monitored area.

8. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 1 wherein said motion detector means further comprises:

a pyroelectric detector;

a segmented fresnel lens in optical alignment with said pyroelectric detector; and

motion detector circuitry connected to said pyroelectric detector for generating a motion signal upon the detection of movement in a monitored area.

9. The dusk delay system for outdoor motion detection as recited in claim 1 wherein said light sensor means further comprises:

a photocell, said photocell generating a signal on an output thereof responsive to said ambient light level;

light level detection circuitry connected to said output of said photocell for generating said detection signal responsive to said signal from said photocell defining an ambient light level below said predetermined threshold value for at least a predetermined time period; and

,

test switch means having a first output coupled to said light level detection circuitry for applying a bias voltage thereto to generate said detection signal irrespective of said ambient light level and a second output coupled to said second timer means for substantially reducing said second predetermined duration of time to thereby enable testing of said motion detector means.