Motion sensing system with adaptive timing for controlling lighting fixtures
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for controlling a relay connected between a power source and a load to operate the load for an occupant of an area in which the load operates, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the presence of at least one occupant in said area;
storing data relating to a plurality of instances of sensing at least one occupant in said area;
switching said relay to a closed position to energize said load via said power source when the presence of an occupant is detected in said area;
determining the duration of a period of time during which said relay is closed before said relay is automatically opened using said stored data;
storing a parameter in a memory device corresponding to said period of time; and
opening said relay after expiration of said period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant comprising a processing device for controlling the opening and closing of a relay connected between the load and the power source for energizing the load, and a sensor for detecting the presence of an occupant in the area. The processing device is programmable to close the relay in response to an output signal from the sensor for a period of time that can be of fixed duration, or a duration that is dynamically and automatically determined using sensor data relating to measured time between successive, detected occupant movements. In addition to a daylight inhibit function, the system is provided with color indicators and a tone generator to indicate various operating conditions and to guide a user entering selected system parameters, among other features.
256 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a relay connected between a power source and a load to operate the load for an occupant of an area in which the load operates, comprising the steps of:
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sensing the presence of at least one occupant in said area; storing data relating to a plurality of instances of sensing at least one occupant in said area; switching said relay to a closed position to energize said load via said power source when the presence of an occupant is detected in said area; determining the duration of a period of time during which said relay is closed before said relay is automatically opened using said stored data; storing a parameter in a memory device corresponding to said period of time; and opening said relay after expiration of said period of time. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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2. A method as claimed in 1, wherein said sensing step further comprises the step of measuring the amount of time that elapses from the moment an occupant in said area is sensed and the moment another successive occupant movement in said area is sensed, and said storing step comprises the step of storing said time between movement values.
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3. A method as claimed in 2, wherein said determining step further comprises the step of averaging said stored time between movement values.
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7. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to at least one load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a first sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a second sensor connected to said processing device for measuring the ambient light level in said area; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code, at least one parameter specified, and a predetermined ambient light level, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said at least one parameter, said ambient light level and said at least one output signal; a first switch connected to said processing device which, when activated, causes the processing device to operate in a daylight inhibit mode wherein said relay is not activated upon detection of an occupant in said area by said first sensor when said second sensor senses a measured ambient light level greater than said predetermined ambient light level; and a first indicator and a second indicator connected to said processing device, said processing device being programmable to operate said first indicator when said relay is in said open position and said system is not operating in said daylight inhibit mode, said processing device being programmable to operate said second indicator when said relay is in said open position and said system is operating in said daylight inhibit mode. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling a relay connected between a power source and a load to operate the load for an occupant of an area in which the load operates, comprising the steps of:
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detecting an occupant in said area; measuring the ambient light level; retaining said relay in an open position when said measured ambient light level exceeds a user-specified ambient light level stored in a memory device in accordance with a daylight inhibit mode of operation and driving an indicator to illuminate a first color; and retaining said relay in said open position and driving said indicator to a second color when not operating in said daylight inhibit mode. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of controlling a relay connected between a power source and a load to operate the load for an occupant of an area in which the load operates, comprising the steps of:
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activating a daylight set switch connected to a processing device and a memory device when the ambient light level in said area is at a level desired by a system user; measuring said ambient light level in said area in response to said activating step; storing said measured level in said memory device as a parameter corresponding to said desired ambient light level; sensing the presence of an occupant in said area; measuring a second ambient light level in said area; and switching said relay to a closed position to energize said load using said power source when the presence of an occupant is detected in said area and said desired ambient light level exceeds said second ambient light level. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and at least one parameter, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said at least one parameter and said at least one output signal; and a housing, said relay, said processing device, said memory device and said sensor being mounted in said housing, said housing comprising at least one terminal for receiving at least one line from said power source, and at least one terminal for receiving at least one line from said load, said terminals being electrically connected to said relay.
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26. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and at least one parameter, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said program code and said at least one parameter; a housing, said relay, said processing device, said memory device and said sensor being mounted in said housing; at least one switch mounted on said housing and connected to said memory device to allow a user to activate said switch to specify at least one of a plurality of user-specified data comprising a parameter and an operational mode, said processing device being operable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said at least one parameter, said at least one output signal and said at least one of a plurality of user-specified data, said processing device being programmable to close said relay in response to said output signal for a dynamically variable period of time that is determined automatically by said processing device in accordance with how often said sensor detects said at least one occupant in said area; and a door connected to said housing so as to cover said switch when said door is closed and to expose said switch when said door is open.
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27. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; an input device detachably connected to said processing device for downloading data to said processing device; and a memory device connected to said processing device for storing program code and said data, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said at least one output signal and said data. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a read-only-memory device connected to said processing device for storing program code and at least one default value, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said at least one output signal and said default value; and a second memory device connected to said processing device for storing at least one offset value, said processing device being programmable to modify said default value with said offset value. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; an external device interface connected to said processing device; a communication link; a remote processing device connected to said processing device via said communication link and said interface, said remote processing device being operable to download data thereto; and a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and said downloaded data, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said downloaded data, and said at least one output signal.
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33. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a plurality of switches connected to said processing device for providing said processing device with data comprising at least one parameter specified by a system user for controlling said system; and a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and said data, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said user-specified data, and said at least one output signal; wherein said parameter corresponds to activation of selected ones of said switches to provide said processing device with a pass code, said processing device being programmable to compare said pass code with a previously stored pass code in said memory device and to reject said at least one user-specified parameter when said processing device determines said pass code to be invalid. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a plurality of switches connected to said processing device for providing said processing device with data comprising at least one parameter specified by a system user for controlling said system; and a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and said data, said processing device being operable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, said data, and said at least one output signal; wherein said parameter corresponds to a command for the processing device to enter a test mode. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a first sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code,and said at least one output signal; an illumination device connected to said processing device and operable as an indicator, said processing device being programmable to generate a substantially steady state signal to supply said illumination device with sufficient current to appear a solid color for a first period of time, then to generate a pulsed signal in accordance with a duty cycle to drive said illumination device at such a frequency that said illumination device appears to radiate a solid color and draws less power than when driven via said steady state signal.
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40. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing advice connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a first sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code, and said at least one output signal; a DC voltage signal source; and a first transistor connected to said DC voltage signal source, a capacitor connected to and charging through said first transistor, a second transistor coupled to said capacitor, and an illuminating device coupled to said second transistor, a second relay coupled to said processing device and said second transistor, said switch being operable to render said first transistor nonconductive when closed, said second transistor subsequently being conductive to discharge said capacitor, said illuminating device being driven using high current initially and appearing relatively bright, and then subsequently being driven using less current in accordance with said discharging of said capacitor.
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41. A method for controlling a relay connected between an AC power source and a load to operate the load for an occupant of an area in which the load operates, comprising the steps of:
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detecting an occupant in said area; determining a first time corresponding to when a zero-crossing occurs in an AC signal from said power source and a second time corresponding to when a subsequent zero-crossing will occur in said AC signal; storing said second time in memory; subtracting a predetermined delay value from said second time to determine a third time, said predetermined delay value corresponding to an amount of time required by contacts of said relay to open; and initiating the opening of said contacts at said third time.
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42. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to at least one load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code, said processing device being programmable to control said relay switch in accordance with said stored program code; and a power supply circuit connected to said power source for interfacing said power source to at least said relay, said power supply circuit comprising; a transformer and at least one bridge rectifier circuit connected between said power source and said load; a capacitor; a first resistor connected at a first terminal thereof to an output of said bridge rectifier circuit and at a second terminal thereof to said capacitor; a first transistor having an emitter connected to said first terminal of said first resistor and a collector connected to said second terminal of said first resistor; a second resistor having a first terminal connected to a base of said first transistor and a second terminal; a second transistor having a collector connected to said second terminal of said second resistor and an emitter connected to ground; and a switch connected to a base of said second transistor and to said processing device, said processing device being programmable to minimize current drawn by the secondary winding of said transformer by closing said switch and causing said first transistor and said second transistor to conduct and shunt more current around said first resistor and to charge said capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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45. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to a load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in an open position and when said relay is in a closed position; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when said occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code, said processing device being programmable to control said relay in accordance with said stored program code and said at least one output signal, said processing device being programmable to operate in a tolerant mode in which said sensor must generate a second output signal before said relay is closed, said second output signal having at least one of a plurality of signal characteristics comprising greater magnitude than said first output signal, greater duration than said first output signal, greater frequency than said first output signal, a different duty cycle than said first output signal, and a combination of said magnitude, said frequency, said duration and said duty cycle characteristics.
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46. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to at least one load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in said open position and when said relay is in said closed position; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and at least one parameter specified by a system user, said processing device being programmable to control said relay switch in accordance with said stored program code and said parameter; and a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when an occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; wherein said parameter corresponds to a first period of time during which said user desires said load to operate, and said processing device is programmable to selectively override said parameter and close said relay in response to said output signal for a second period of time less than said first period of time, said second period of time being dynamically variable and determined automatically by said processing device in accordance with how often said sensor detects said at least one occupant in said area.
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47. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to at least one load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in said open position and when said relay is in said closed position; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and at least one parameter, said processing device being programmable to control said relay switch in accordance with said stored program code and said parameter; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when an occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; wherein said processing device is programmable to close said relay in response to said output signal for a period of time, the duration of said period of time being dynamically variable and determined automatically by said processing device in accordance with how often said sensor detects said at least one occupant in said area, and said processing device is programmable to determine, after said relay has closed and said load is energized, the amount of time that elapses from the moment said sensor detects an occupant movement in said area and the moment said sensor detects another successive occupant movement in said area, and to use said time between movement data to determine said period of time. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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49. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to at least one load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in said open position and when said relay is in said closed position; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and at least one parameter, said processing device being programmable to control said relay switch in accordance with said stored program code and said parameter; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when an occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; wherein said processing device is programmable to close said relay in response to said output signal for a period of time, the duration of said period of time being dynamically variable and determined automatically by said processing device in accordance with how often said sensor detects said at least one occupant in said area; a photocell sensor for measuring an ambient light level in said area, said processing device being programmable to inhibit closing said relay upon receiving said output signal when said measured ambient light level exceeds a predetermined level stored in said memory device; and an indicator connected to said processing device, said processing device being programmable to activate said indicator when said relay is prohibited from being in said closed position to indicate that said load is not energized in response to said output signal due to said measured ambient light level exceeding said predetermined level.
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50. A system as claimed in 49, wherein said processing device is programmable to automatically adjust said period of time to a value that is not less than said parameter.
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51. A system as claimed in 49, wherein said parameter is equivalent to a specified number of units of time, and further comprising an indicator electrically connected to said processing device, said processing device being programmable to control said indicator to flash once for each of said specified number of units of time.
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52. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to at least one load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in said open position and when said relay is in said closed position; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and at least one parameter, said processing device being programmable to control said relay switch in accordance with said stored program code and said parameter; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when an occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; wherein said processing device is programmable to close said relay in response to said output signal for a period of time, the duration of said period of time being dynamically variable and determined automatically by said processing device in accordance with how often said sensor detects said at least one occupant in said area; and input means connected to said processing device for use by a system user to enter a selected value to which a parameter is set in said memory device. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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54. A system for selectively providing power from a power source to at least one load to operate in an area for at least one occupant, comprising:
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a relay configured to provide a current conduction path between said power source and said load when in a closed position, and to interrupt said path when in an open position; a processing device connected to said relay for controlling when said relay is in said open position and when said relay is in said closed position; a memory device associated with said processing device for storing program code and at least one parameter specified by a system user, said processing device being programmable to control said relay switch in accordance with said stored program code and said parameter; a sensor connected to said processing device for detecting when an occupant has entered said area and for providing at least one output signal to said processing device; and wherein said processing device is programmable to close said relay in response to said output signal for a period of time not less than a first period of time equivalent to said parameter and not more than a second period of time, the duration of said second period of time being dynamically variable and determined automatically by said processing device in accordance with how often said sensor detects said at least one occupant in said area, and said processing device is programmable to determine, after said relay has closed and said load is energized, the amount of time that elapses from the moment said sensor detects an occupant movement in said area and the moment said sensor detects another successive occupant movement in said area, and to use said time between movement data to determine said second period of time. - View Dependent Claims (55)
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Specification