Motion sensor/photoelectric light sensor plug-in receptacle

• US 5,673,022 A
• Filed: 03/27/1996
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jitendra Ambalal Patel
• Original Assignee: Jitendra Ambalal Patel
• Inventors: Patel, Jitendra Ambalal
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/622,264
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 340/565, 340/567, 340/693, 340/691, 307/117
• US Class Current: 340/565
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• 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 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

A motion sensor and photoelectric light sensor activated plug-in type electrical receptacle which conveniently plugs into a standard power outlet is disclosed. The device allows non-motion detector and/or non-photoelectric equipped devices to function as motion sensor and/or photoelectric sensor operated devices. The device has motion and photoelectric switches permitting customized applications. The device can be used with any wall or ceiling mounted electrical outlet to automatically turn on and off other plug-in type electrical devices such as night lights, radios, heaters, and thereof, when presence of people and/or pets is detected. This device conveniently plugs into any wall power outlet by means of two or three prongs without requiring new wiring or rewiring of the existing electric circuit.

Claims

1. A motion sensor/photoelectric light sensor device for electrically energizing non-motion sensor equipped electrical devices, said sensor device having:

input means for connection to a source of electrical energy, output means for connecting electrical energy from said source through a control to said electrical devices, a first means to detect the presence of moving infrared radiation sources, a means to detect ambient light, a second means to compare the level of ambient light with a preset threshold, and a third means to electronically override the said first means and said second means;

said control having modes of operation which comprise;

a first operation mode wherein said output means is energized upon the detection of a moving infrared radiation source and remains energized for a predetermined period of time after cessation of said moving infrared radiation detection, provided the ambient light intensity is below a predetermined level;

a second operation mode wherein said output means is energized when the ambient light intensity is below a predetermined level regardless of detection of a moving infrared radiation source; and

a third operation mode wherein said output means is energized by moving infrared radiation detection regardless of ambient light level, wherein each of said operation modes is controlled by at least one signal generated by at least one sensor selected from said first means and the ambient light detecting means.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the duration for which said output means remains energized after cessation of detection of a moving infrared radiation source while functioning under said first operation mode.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to automatically reset to a preferred operation mode after a total loss of electrical energy.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control comprises plurality of components which are housed in a self-contained unit.

5. The device in claim 1 which further comprises:

means for disabling said output means in response to a sensed predetermined amount of ambient light when in said first or said second operation mode.

6. The device as in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a passive infrared motion detector.

7. The device as in claim 1 wherein the ambient light detector means comprises a photoelectric light detector.

8. The device in claim 1 which further comprises means for selecting a desired amount of time during which power is applied to said devices, after motion is no longer detected.

9. The device in claim 1, wherein the motion sensing unit is mounted on the bottom of the device, or at the top to avoid obstruction by wires and/or plugs of non-motion sensor equipped electrical devices.

10. The device in claim 1, which permits customizing of outputs based on motion and/or light level by selecting the position of motion sensor and photoelectronic switches which allow selection of said operation modes.

11. The device in claim 1, which contains a provision to either activate said devices for a predetermined fixed time or for a range of time.