Multi-way sensor switch
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling lighting, the system comprising 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;
wherein the system is programmable through the tactile switch;
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) means for 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 switches 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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling lighting, the system comprising multi-way sensor switches for mounting in electrical boxes and coupling to a load circuit, each of the multi-way sensor switches comprising:
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a) tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit;
wherein the system is programmable through the tactile switch;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) means for 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 switches 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for controlling a load circuit, the system comprising:
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a) a first switch unit for electrically coupling to the load circuit through a first electrical switch box, the a first switch unit comprising; I) a 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 a 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;
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; andc) 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. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling a load circuit comprising:
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a) coupling a plurality of multi-way sensor switches to the load circuit, each comprising; I) tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit load circuit ii) built-in sensor for automatically opening and closing the load circuit in response to detected motion; iii) a micro-processor for generating status signals; iv) at least two connectors for coupling to the load circuit and for providing supervisor power to the built in motion sensor; and v) at least one travel connection; b) coupling each of the sensor switches to a traveler wire through the traveler connections; and c) and transmitting status signals between each of the multi-way sensor switches to Synchronize modes of operation; and
programming the load circuit through the tactile switch.
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Specification