Photoelectric load control system and method
First Claim
1. A photoelectric load control system for applying power to a light as a function of light level and as a function of the length of each night, the system comprising:
- switching means for selectively applying power to the light for turning the light on and off;
light sensitive means for providing a signal which varies between a first state and a second state in response to the light level; and
processor means, responsive to said signal, for activating said switching means, said processor including;
means for activating said switching means to turn the light on in response to one of the said states,means for timing the total length of night each night,means for computing the period of darkness after the light is turned on,means for determining when the computed period of darkness equals or exceeds a predetermined percentage of the timed total length of night, andmeans, responsive to the means for determining, for activating said switching means to turn the light off after the computed period of darkness equals or exceeds the predetermined percentage of the total length of night.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photoelectric load control system for applying power to a light or load as a function of ambient light level and as a function of the length of daylight or darkness. The system includes a switching circuit for selectively applying power to the light or load for turning the light or load on and off; an ambient light level sensor for providing a signal which varies between a first state and a second state in response to the ambient light level; and a uniquely programmed processor responsive to this signal for activating the switching circuit. The processor includes a routine for activating the switching means to turn the light or load on in response to one of the states, a timing routine for timing the total darkness period, a counter for counting the period of darkness or daylight, a routine for determining when the count exceeds a predetermined percentage of the total darkness or daylight period, and a routine for activating the switching circuit to turn the light or load off or on after the count equals or exceeds the predetermined percentage of the darkness or daylight period.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A photoelectric load control system for applying power to a light as a function of light level and as a function of the length of each night, the system comprising:
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switching means for selectively applying power to the light for turning the light on and off; light sensitive means for providing a signal which varies between a first state and a second state in response to the light level; and processor means, responsive to said signal, for activating said switching means, said processor including; means for activating said switching means to turn the light on in response to one of the said states, means for timing the total length of night each night, means for computing the period of darkness after the light is turned on, means for determining when the computed period of darkness equals or exceeds a predetermined percentage of the timed total length of night, and means, responsive to the means for determining, for activating said switching means to turn the light off after the computed period of darkness equals or exceeds the predetermined percentage of the total length of night. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a photoelectric load system for applying power to a light as a function of light level and as a function of the length of each night, the method comprising:
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selectively applying power to the light for turning the light on and off; sensing the light level and providing a signal which varies between a first state and a second state in response to the light level; and programming a processor means to be responsive to said signal and to function as follows; turning the light on in response to one of said states, timing the total length of night each night, computing the period of darkness after the light is turned on, determining when the computed period of darkness exceeds a predetermined percentage of the total length of night, and in response, turning the light off. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A processor for a photoelectric load system for applying power to a light or load as a function of light level and as a function of the length of darkness or daylight, the processor comprising:
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means for timing the total length of time of a particular light level; means for computing the period of time of a particular light level after the light is turned on; and means for determining when the computed period of time of a particular light level exceeds a predetermined percentage total length of time of the particular light level.
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24. A photoelectric load control system for applying power to a load as a function of light level and as a function of the period of time of a particular light level, the system comprising:
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switching means for selectively applying power to the load for turning the load on and off; light sensitive means for providing a signal which varies between a first state and a second state in response to the light level; and processor means, responsive to said signal, for activating said switching means, said processor including; means for activating said switching means to turn the light on in response to one of said states, means for timing the total period of a particular light level, means for computing the period of time of a particular light level after the light is turned on, means for determining when the computed period of time of a particular light level equals or exceeds a predetermined percentage of the total period of a particular light level, and means, responsive to the means for determining, for activating said switching means in response to the computed period of time of a particular light level equalling or exceeding the predetermined percentage of the total period of a particular light level.
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25. A photoelectric load control system for applying power to a light as a function of the light level and as a function of the duration of a particular light level, the system comprising:
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switching means for selectively applying power to the light for turning the light on and off; light sensitive means for providing a signal which varies between a first state in response to a light level above a predetermined threshold and a second state in response to a light level below the predetermined threshold; processor means, responsive to said signal, for activating said switching means, said processor including; means for activating said switching means to turn the light on in response to said second state of the signal, means for timing the duration of the second state of the signal, and means for activating said switching means to turn the light off after the timed duration equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold duration.
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Specification