Abstract: A self testing fault circuit interrupter device comprising a fault circuit comprising at least one line monitoring circuit, at least one line interrupting circuit and at least one fault detector circuit which is configured to selectively operate said at least one line interrupting circuit when a fault is detected. This fault circuit also includes at least one test circuit configured to initiate a self test on the fault circuit and at least one timing circuit for controlling the time period for a self test being performed on said at least one self test circuit. The timing circuitry can be in the form of external circuitry which comprises a transistor which controls the discharge rate of a timing capacitor. The timing capacitor is present to prevent any false triggering of a fault circuit. A fault circuit test condition does not stop until the capacitor is fully discharged.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.

Abstract: A touch/toggle dimmer circuit that includes a controller coupled to at least one measurement capacitor whose capacitance is known, and at least one touch pad where the controller is configured by an algorithm to measure changes in the capacitance of the touch pad in response to a user touching the pad. These measurements are used to adjust the power delivered to a load independent of the polarity of the connection between the power source and the dimmer circuit.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a lighting control system which include a control switch to control an electrical device are disclosed herein. The control switch includes a master display to display status information of the electrical device. Additionally, a remote control switch couples to provide user-initiated commands to the control switch for controlling the electrical device. The remote control switch includes a display and receive signals from the control switch to display the same status information of the electrical device which enables a user in a location separate from the electrical device to accurately control the electrical device. A second embodiment of the control system may include a unidirectional switch which generates additional control signals that are transmitted to the control switch for control of the electrical device.

Abstract: A timing device is disclosed which is for controlling electronic devices and which is mounted in a wall switch box. This timing device comprises at least one controller, at least one transceiver in communication with the controller, at least one interface; and at least one cover plate. This device can also include at least one key coupled to the cover plate for interacting with the interface when said cover plate is inserted onto said at least one interface.

Abstract: A method of sensing motion in a predetermined area is provided. The method may include using a digital output motion sensor to produce a digital output signal indicative of the presence of motion in the predetermined area. The method may further include transmitting the digital output signal along a signal path independent of analog amplification and filtering. The method may also include using a microprocessor coupled to the signal path to receive the digital output signal and to process the digital output signal.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic low voltage dimmer circuit that reduces DC magnetizing current which may be present in a dimmer system. The dimmer circuit delivers an RMS value of an AC supply voltage to a load while preventing or reducing a DC magnetizing current from damaging the dimmer circuit and/or load. The dimmer circuit includes a shutdown circuit which detects whether a DC voltage, corresponding to the DC current, is present across a circuit component and whether the DC voltage has reached or exceeded a predetermined voltage reference level, rendering the component non-conductive and thus preventing the DC magnetizing current from flowing through a load.

Abstract: A light control system having a full range of dimming for smart-glass by providing an interface between an off-the-shelf dimmer and a electrochromic glass device is disclosed herein. The light control system or electrochromic glass control device acts as an interface that converts an asymmetric alternating current (AC) power signal from the dimmer device into a symmetric, amplitude controlled AC output signal for controlling the tint of the smart-glass device. The electrochromic glass control device includes a powerline interface circuit that receives the asymmetric AC power signal from the dimmer. A controller connects to the powerline interface circuit to generate a control signal responsive to the asymmetric AC power signal. Connecting between the dimmer and the controller, an output stage generates the symmetrical AC output signal responsive to the control signal to control the electrochromic glass device.

Abstract: A power controller generates an audible and/or visual signal corresponding to a change in output power of the power controller in response to a user input. The change in output power is limited to a single discrete step in accordance with a discrete user input. In an embodiment, the user input device is a touch-plate, and the change in output power is limited to a single discrete step with each touch of the touch-plate.

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: A system and method for controlling devices that are part of a peer to peer network of controllers is provided. Messages are routed to controllers of the network and such messages are used to control devices coupled to said controllers. Status messages indicating the state of devices are routed to controllers to allow the state of the devices to be displayed by said controllers.

Abstract: A light control system having a full range of dimming for smart-glass by providing an interface between an off-the-shelf dimmer and a electrochromic glass device is disclosed herein. The light control system or electrochromic glass control device acts as an interface that converts an asymmetric alternating current (AC) power signal from the dimmer device into a symmetric, amplitude controlled AC output signal for controlling the tint of the smart-glass device. The electrochromic glass control device includes a powerline interface circuit that receives the asymmetric AC power signal from the dimmer. A controller connects to the powerline interface circuit to generate a control signal responsive to the asymmetric AC power signal. Connecting between the dimmer and the controller, an output stage generates the symmetrical AC output signal responsive to the control signal to control the electrochromic glass device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a two wire touch operated dimmer controlled by a membrane potentiometer. Adjusting the DC potential on the membrane potentiometer changes the output potential to a load. In many prior art touch operated dimmers controlled by membrane potentiometers, there is no isolation between the line power and the DC voltage on the membrane potentiometer. Thus, if the membrane is damaged, a user will be exposed to a ground current and possible shock when the membrane is touched. This invention avoids the above noted unsafe condition by employing a high frequency generator and a ground fault current limiting circuit which includes resistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic low voltage dimmer circuit that reduces DC magnetizing current which may be present in a dimmer system. The dimmer circuit delivers an RMS value of an AC supply voltage to a load while preventing or reducing a DC magnetizing current from damaging the dimmer circuit and/or load. The dimmer circuit includes a shutdown circuit which detects whether a DC voltage, corresponding to the DC current, is present across a circuit component and whether the DC voltage has reached or exceeded a predetermined voltage reference level, rendering the component non-conductive and thus preventing the DC magnetizing current from flowing through a load.

Abstract: An intelligent occupancy sensor, such as a Passive InfraRed (PIR) sensor, with variable adaptive timeout. When a person first walks into the room and, after a very short time, walks out of the room, the occupancy sensor operates with a short timeout. When, however, a person lingers in the room, the occupancy sensor switches to another mode of operation where the timeout increases or decreases based on the frequency that the sensor detects motion in the room and the amplitude and/or duration of the signal of the detected motion.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a lighting control system include a control switch to control an electrical device and are disclosed herein. The control switch includes a master display to display status information of the electrical device. Additionally, a remote control switch couples to provide user-initiated commands to the control switch for controlling the electrical device. The remote control switch includes a display and receive signals from the control switch to display the same status information of the electrical device which enables a user in a location separate from the electrical device to accurately control the electrical device. A second embodiment of the control system may include a unidirectional switch which generates additional control signals that are transmitted to the control switch for control of the electrical device.

Abstract: A passive infrared (PIR) wall switch is operable in a two-wire circuit to control power to a load. The PIR wall switch can include one or more PIR sensors with a low current two stage amplifier-filter. The PIR sensor(s) monitor infrared (IR) radiation. The amplifier can provide a pulse signal when an IR radiation level has changed. Power for control circuitry of the PIR switch may be derived from a ground leakage type power supply, which can supply phase line wire leakage current to ground of less than 0.5 milliampere.