Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the operation of an electrical lighting device, such as a gas discharge ballast or an incandescent lamp, and which can replace a standard switch and requires connection only to the hot wire of an AC power line. The control circuit has a switch encoder which couples two opposite polarity thyristors between the hot wire of an AC power line and the hot wire running through the wall to the fixture. The thyristors are controlled by switches such that the AC waveform is transmitted over the power wires either with the small zero crossing step delays inherent in thyristor switching, or with a chopped waveform such that the transmitted AC waveform has positive going zero crossing step delays or negative going zero crossing step delays. The transmitted AC power waveform is used to power the electrical lighting device as well as to control the operation of the electrical lighting device by connection to a decoder.

Abstract: A universal ballast control circuit allows a universal ballast to accommodate a gas discharge lamp within a relatively wide wattage range using a low-speed microcontroller. The control circuit drives the ballast to start, run and dim a particular lamp type by providing a control voltage signal to a conventional inverter MOSFET driver to effect dynamic and selective changes in the duty cycle and the frequency of the inverter signal. In one aspect of the invention, the control circuit comprises a generator for generating a periodic analog voltage signal, a source for producing a DC voltage signal, a controller which includes a low-speed microcontroller for varying the frequency of the periodic analog voltage signal and the magnitude of the DC voltage signal, and a comparator for comparing the periodic analog voltage signal and the DC voltage signal to produce a control voltage signal.

Abstract: A data reading device for reading digital data encoded in one or a plurality of data-carrying surfaces directs the output from a single wavelength laser diode at the surface of the data carrier, by focusing the light from the laser using an objective lens. The data may be decoded by sensing anomalies in current flow through a precision shunt which is series connected with the laser diode, because light reflected back off the data-carrying surface is re-directed back to impinge on the laser, and the reflected light will cause anomalies in the current flowing through the diode. Alternatively, the reflected light can be deflected using a prism towards a photo-sensor. In either event, the digital data can then be decoded. A pinhole diaphragm is interposed between the laser and the objective lens, or an objective lens assembly, and the pinhole will function as a point source of light. That point source of light can be re-focused with high resolution on the data-carrying surface.

Abstract: A dimmer for dimming gas discharge and incandescent lamps can be installed in place of a standard wall-mounted light switch and connected to existing wiring. The dimmer has a switch coupling one or more full wave bridge rectifiers to a main AC source and to existing power wires running through the wall to the fixture. The bridge rectifiers are controlled by the dimming switch such that either the normal AC source waveform is transmitted over the power wires, or a full wave positively or negatively rectified AC waveform is transmitted, or else no voltage is transmitted. At the fixture, the transmitted power waveform is applied to the lamp power terminal of the lamp or ballast as well as to a decoder. A dimming interface receives the decoder output and appropriately adjusts lamp brightness by changing the operating conditions of the lamp in accordance with this output. The dimmer may also be used to control general household devices containing a front-end full wave bridge rectifier.

Abstract: A programmable universal ballast can be programmed to accommodate a gas discharge lamp within a relatively wide wattage range. The ballast uses a microprocessor to store and execute various routines to start, run and dim a particular lamp type. A host computer produces customized routines which are downloaded into a microprocessor located within the ballast. These routines output signals to the MOSFET transistors of the inverter which effect dynamic and selective changes in the duty cycle and the frequency of the inverter signal. By selectively changing simultaneously both the frequency and duty cycle of the inverter signal, the energy spectrum of the resonance network is altered and circuit voltages and currents can be controlled to accurately match required lamp characteristics and operational requirements. The ballast may include an inductive element in parallel with the lamp allowing dimming to 1% of full light output.

Abstract: A urine collection system has a disposable pan that attaches to a toilet bowl or seat. The pan has overflow holes to dispose of excess urine. A flexible tube extends from the pan to a collection unit having a spring-loaded syringe that semi-automatically withdraws a urine sample from the pan. The collected urine is then transported in the syringe for further processing.

Abstract: Wound, solid state inductors are provided by winding flexible plastic tape having electrically insulative and magnetic permeability properties. Such tape is sometimes referred to as magnetic tape. An electrically conductive layer is placed on at least one surface of the magnetic tape, or both, and electrical connections are provided to the ends of the electrically conductive layer or layers. When the magnetic tape is wound into a coil, spirally or helically, and an alternating current is applied to the electrical connection, an inductive reactance will be noted. If there are two electrically conductive layers, and a voltage is applied between them, a capacitive reactance will be noted. In that case, a complex capacitive inductor element or inductive capacitor element has been configured. The wound inductors are small, light weight, inexpensive, and relatively shock proof, when compared with prior wound inductors having separate magnetic cones and wire windings placed over them.

Abstract: A lamp protection device includes a circuit to prevent a lamp from being switched on at full line voltage and which provides for the gradual heating of the filament to reduce the expansion rate of the filament. The circuit is connected to a switched alternating current power source and to an incandescent bulb. The circuit includes two silicon controlled rectifiers which are connected in reverse parallel configuration. One of the silicon controlled rectifiers being connected to a capacitor to prevent the full sinusoidal AC current from reaching the lamp until a time delay has expired after the lamp is turned on. A reference switch is connected to the other silicon controlled rectifier to permit the bulb to be turned on only when the AC voltage crosses zero.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for controlling electrical devices connected to an AC power line by means of control signals transmitted over the AC power line. The control system consists of a transmitter apparatus and a receiver apparatus. The transmitter apparatus generates, and transmits via an AC power line, multiple voltage pulses during any one-half cycle of the AC power line voltage. The multiple voltage pulses act as control signals for any electrical device that is sought to be controlled, or a "slave" device. The receiver apparatus is simultaneously coupled to the slave device and the AC power line for receiving and, if necessary, decoding the voltage pulses sent by the transmitter apparatus. The receiver apparatus in turn generates a command signal that controls the slave device's operation.

Abstract: A power factor correction circuit for use with a power supply. The power supply has an input for receiving an AC input signal, a rectifier for producing a rectified AC signal and an output stage for outputting a DC output signal for driving a load coupled to the output stage. The power factor correction circuit comprises an input port coupled to the rectifier for receiving the rectified AC signal; and an inductor coupled to the input port for storing energy in response to excitation by the rectified AC signal. The excitation of the inductor is controlled through the opening and closing of a switch by a controller. A capacitor is coupled to the inductor and charged by the energy stored in the inductor when the switch is opened to produce the DC output signal. The power factor correction circuit includes a diode for blocking the charge path between the input port and the capacitor and also allowing the controller to boost the charge level on the capacitor.