Abstract: A sensor mounting mechanism that includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a structure and a base neck having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor with a ball-socket coupling and the second end is coupled to the base member with a rotating coupling. The mounting mechanism provides fine and coarse adjustment means for adjusting the scanning area of the sensor such as an PIR occupancy sensor without the use of a tool. The sensor includes a detachable lens holder for easy replacement of the lens.

Abstract: An electrical device is disclosed for use in a wall box having a series of buttons that can either be rocker buttons or push buttons. These buttons can be supported by springboards formed integral with a support board. The springboards are for biasing the series of buttons. Much of the device is housed within a housing formed at a first end by a body and a second end by a strap coupled to the housing. The strap extends beyond the body, wherein this strap can be used to dissipate heat from the device. Inside of the housing can be at least one circuit board which has switches, which can be used to receive instructions from a plurality of buttons. In one embodiment, a plurality of light pipes are adapted so that they are housed at least partially inside of these buttons. At least one portion of the light pipe can be formed as a shaft and adapted to extend out from this housing and down to a light emitter disposed on the circuit board.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sensor which, when integrated into a dimming system, can turn the dimmer on and off, and vice versa. As an example, lights which are connected to the dimmer can be turned on by using the dimmer, the light level can be adjusted to provide a level of illumination desired by an occupant, and the sensor can turn off the lights when the room is vacant. The sensor here disclosed provides sensing functionality to a dimming system, and the sensors can be remotely controlled by other sensors, dimmers and dimmer remotes.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a reverse phase control power switching circuit for controlling the flow of current through a load from an AC source comprises a sensing bridge in series with the load and the AC source. The conductive state of the sensing bridge is responsive to a pulse generator and a zero crossing detection and overload protection means. Phase control means coupled to the pulse generator determines turn off of the sensing bridge is reset by the zero crossing detection and overload protection means. Responsive to a load current condition exceeding a maximum current caused by an overload or a short, the zero crossing detection and overloading protection network terminates conduction of current through the sensing bridge. The sensing bridge starts conducting current to the load at the beginning of the AC cycle and continues to conduct to a desired AC voltage phase angle or earlier if an excessive current condition caused by an overload condition or a short occurs.

Abstract: A sensor mounting mechanism that includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a structure and a base neck having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor with a ball-socket coupling and the second end is coupled to the base member with a rotating coupling. The mounting mechanism provides fine and coarse adjustment means for adjusting the scanning area of the sensor such as an PIR occupancy sensor without the use of a tool. The sensor includes a detachable lens holder for easy replacement of the lens.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a reverse phase control power switching circuit for controlling the flow of current through a load from an AC source comprises a sensing bridge in series with the load and the AC source. The conductive state of the sensing bridge is responsive to a pulse generator and a zero crossing detection and overload protection means. Phase control means coupled to the pulse generator determines turn off of the sensing bridge is reset by the zero crossing detection and overload protection means. Responsive to a load current condition exceeding a maximum current caused by an overload or a short, the zero crossing detection and overloading protection network terminates conduction of current through the sensing bridge. The sensing bridge starts conducting current to the load at the beginning of the AC cycle and continues to conduct to a desired AC voltage phase angle or earlier if an excessive current condition caused by an overload condition or a short occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method place a node in an unconfigured state, with the apparatus and method functioning within an electrical network including a plurality of such nodes. Each node is adapted to communicate over a communications network. Such electrical networks can be implemented utilizing the CEBus (EIA-600 standard) or LonWorks communications systems. The apparatus and method operate in a LonWorks communications system by placing a node in an unconfigured state for installation or maintenance purposes. A push button switch is in a suitable location in the apparatus to be accessed by a user. The switch is coupled between a service pin of a Neuron chip and ground. Under control of an executable application program, pressing the switch for a predetermined length of time causes the node to be placed in the unconfigured state.

Abstract: Two transistors are arranged as a Darlington amplifier to produce a constant current through an output resistor coupled to the emitter of the second transistor. AC power is supplied to a full wave bridge which converts the AC power from the source to a DC signal. A first zener diode and the base to emitter voltage drops of the transistors control the voltage across the output resistor. As the input voltage to the bridge is increased above the voltage between the emitter of the second transistor and ground, the extra voltage will be dropped across the collector to emitter of the second transistor. The same current will flow through the output resistor regardless of any input voltage in a defined range. By adding a resistor and diode and detecting the voltage between the resistor and diode with respect to the circuit the zero crossings can be detected.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a dimmer which incorporates an alternating current (AC) trigger which exhibits asymmetrical electrical characteristics. This eliminates the undesirable snap on hysteresis effect associated with conventional dimmers utilizing symmetrical AC triggers such as diacs and silicon bilateral switches (SBS). One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a zener diode to create the asymmetry. During one polarity of the AC source, the breakover voltage of the trigger is increased, forcing the trigger to breakover at a time later in the AC cycle than it would otherwise have with a symmetric trigger. This compensates for charge dumping of the phase control capacitor into the gate of the triac which would otherwise cause the snap on hysteresis effect.