Multi-way sensor switch

• US 7,436,132 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2007
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Null, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal; Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Chuc
• Application Number:
  US11/701,282
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 315/159, 315/154, 315/156, 315/158, 315306-307, 315/360, 340/521, 340/517, 340/52
• US Class Current: 315/312
• 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: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A system for controlling a load circuit is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of multi-way sensor switches for mounting in an electrical boxes and coupling to the load circuit. Preferably, each of the multi-way sensor switches includes a tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit load circuit, a built-in sensor for automatically opening and closing the load circuit in response to a level of detected motion and a micro-processor for generating status signals. The status signals are transmitted between each of the multi-way sensor switches over a traveler wire that is electrically coupled to each of the multi-way sensor switches. The micro-processor then uses the status signals to synchronize the operation of each of the multi-way sensor switches to allowing the multi-way sensor switches to operate in a true three-way fashion.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling lighting, the system comprising a multi-way sensor switches for mounting in electrical boxes and coupling to a load circuit, each of the multi-way sensor switches comprising:

a. tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit

b. built-in motion sensor for automatically opening and closing the load circuit in response to detected motion;

c. a micro-processor for generating status signals;

d. at least two connectors for coupling to the load circuit and for providing power to the built-in motion sensor;

e. at least one travel connection coupled to a travel wire and transmitting the status signals between each of the multi-way sensor switches and synchronizing operation of each of the multi-way sensor switches; and

f. a light sensor for measuring light levels and wherein the multi-way sensor automatically turn on a night light when the light levels measured by the light sensor are below a threshold value and the load circuits opened.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the light sensor comprises a photo-diode.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the night light is built-in to the multi-way sensor switch and is placed in a night light mode through the tactile switch.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmable through the tactile switch.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the night light comprises a light emitting diode.

7. A system for controlling a load circuit, the system comprising:

a. a first switch unit for electrically coupling to the load circuit through a first electrical switch box, the first switch unit comprising;

i. first tactile switch for operating the load circuit from a first location; and

ii. a first built-in sensor for automatically operating the load circuit in response to detected motion in the first location; and

b. a second switch unit for electrically coupling to the load circuit through a second electrical switch box, the second switch unit comprising;

i. a second tactile switch for operating the load circuit from a second location; and

ii. a second built-in sensor for automatically operating the load circuit in response to detected motion in the second location; and

c. a traveler wire connecting the first switch unit and the second switch unit through traveler leads, wherein the operation of the first and second built-in sensors is synchronized through the traveler wire;

wherein at least one of the first and the second switch units includes a built-in night light that emits light when the load circuit is in an opened position;

wherein at least one of the first and the second switch units includes means for selecting and programming a duration of time that the load circuit remains closed after levels of motion detected by either of the first built-in sensor or second built-in sensor detected are below a threshold value; and

the means for selecting and programming the duration of time includes a micro-processor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the load circuit is couple one or more lights.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the motion sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

9. A system for controlling a load circuit, the system comprising:

a. a first switch unit for electrically coupling to the load circuit through a first electrical switch box, the first switch unit comprising;

i. first tactile switch for operating the load circuit from a first location; and

ii. a first built-in sensor for automatically operating the load circuit in response to detected motion in the first location; and

b. a second switch unit for electrically coupling to the load circuit through a second electrical switch box, the second switch unit comprising;

i. a second tactile switch for operating the load circuit from a second location; and

ii. a second built-in sensor for automatically operating the load circuit in response to detected motion in the second location; and

c. a traveler wire connecting the first switch unit and the second switch unit through traveler leads, wherein the operation of the first and second built-in sensors is synchronized through the traveler wire, wherein at least one of the first and the second switch units includes a light sensor for detecting levels of ambient light and automatically controlling the built-in night light based on the levels of detected ambient light;

wherein at least one of the first and the second switch units includes means for selecting and programming a duration of time that the load circuit remains closed after levels of motion detected by either of the first built-in sensor or second built-in sensor detected are below a threshold value; and

the means for selecting and programming the duration of time includes a micro-processor.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the motion sensor comprises an infrared sensor.