Electric Switch Controlled By The Radiant Energy Responsive Device Patents (Class 315/159)
  • Patent number: 8536792
    Abstract: A system for distributed light control, including a light circuit, a first device associated with the light circuit, a second device associated with the light circuit, a network communicatively connecting the light circuit, the first device, and the second device, where the first device is configured to actuate the light circuit based upon a control command sent on the network and in accordance with configuration data stored at the first device, where the second device includes a shadow configuration comprising a copy of the configuration data, where the second device is configured to generate a shadow image of the light circuit based upon the control command and the shadow configuration, and where the shadow image comprises a computed status of the light circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Philipp Roosli
  • Publication number: 20130221851
    Abstract: A simple ambient light detection method that uses the same Light Emitting Diode both for illumination and for ambient light detection by alternatively forward and reverse biasing the Light Emitting Diode. The invention may be implemented without any additional hardware components when incorporated in a digital Light Emitting Diode driver circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Keven D. Coates
  • Publication number: 20130221859
    Abstract: A lighting device, such as nightlight or path light is provided. The lighting device includes a power supply input, a light source, and a phototransistor for sensing ambient light. The lighting device also includes control circuitry for turning the light source on and off based on the sensed ambient light. The control circuitry includes a first resistor in series with the phototransistor and a second resistor in parallel with the phototransistor. The first resistor sets an illumination limit to turn the light source on and off and the second resistor introduces hysteresis such that the light source is turned on and off at different illumination limits. A path light may further include a motion sensor for sensing motion of an object and turns the light source on when both motion is detected and the sensed light is below an illumination level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130221860
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling a parameter of a device through motion sensing are disclosed. One apparatus includes a motion sensor for sensing a first instance of motion. The apparatus further includes a controller interfaced to the motion sensor and the device, wherein the controller is operative to activate the light only if consecutive instances of motion are sensed, wherein each instance is sensed within a gap of time of a previously sensed instance of motion, and the consecutive instances of motion being sensed span an entire window of time after sensing the first instance of motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ENLIGHTED, INC.
    Inventors: Tanuj Mohan, Premal Ashar
  • Publication number: 20130200811
    Abstract: Various arrangements of a rechargeable lighting appliance are presented. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include a light. A rechargeable battery may be connected with the light. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include a communication interface configured to receive an enablement period. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include a non-transitory machine-readable storage device configured to store an indication of the enablement period. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to control a mode of the rechargeable lighting appliance. The mode may be configured to be set to a first mode or a second mode. The first mode may permit illumination of the light at least partially based on activation of the enablement period stored by the non-transitory machine-readable storage device. The second mode may allow for unlimited illumination of the light without activation of the enablement period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SONOPRO POWER & LIGHT, INC.
    Inventor: Sonopro Power & Light, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8497634
    Abstract: The invention discloses an illumination system having a first proximate detector with a first zone detector and a first transmitter. The first zone detector can detect the passing of a human body and the transmitter can send a signal upon such detection. The invention may further include a second zone detector and a second transmitter having similar capacities. In addition, the invention may also have a first staircase illuminator and a second staircase illuminator. Detection of a person passing near a zone detector may cause a staircase illuminator to illuminate a staircase area. The process of transmitting, receiving and illuminating may continue for as long as any of the illuminators within the illumination system that has not yet been illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Innovation Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Scharf
  • Patent number: 8491152
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting device having a battery housing to hold a battery, a light housing having a light source and a lens assembly into which said light source will emit light when activated, said battery and said light source being in circuit with a switch to open and close said circuit, said light housing being moveable relative to said battery housing to motivate said switch to open and/or close said circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Dalton, John R. Brown, Timothy J. Rugendyke
  • Publication number: 20130181617
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using gas detection techniques to determine if a room is vacant or occupied, and to activate, dim or deactivate lighting based on a detected occupancy status. The system and method may monitor a concentration of a first gas using a gas sensor such as a CO2 sensor. The space may also be monitored using second and third sensors, and a vacancy status of the space may be based on the concentration of the first gas and information from the second and third sensors. The second and third sensors can be passive infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, gas sensors, microwave sensors, audio sensors, or video sensors. An electrical load associated with the space may be controlled based on the determined occupancy/vacancy status. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Maddox
  • Patent number: 8476833
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating an LED arrangement, wherein a controller transmits a current intensity value for a respective LED to a driver and the latter feeds the LED with current in a time sequence containing a check pulse, and wherein a measuring device is configured to measure the light emitted by the light-emitting diode on account of the check pulse, wherein the controller is configured to use only measurement values which represent the light of check pulses for the stipulation of current intensity values, and wherein the driver defines a main factor, which is dependent on at least one of the temperature of the LED and on the voltage dropped across said LED, wherein the driver is configured to multiply the current intensity value by the main factor and this product defines the current intensities of all the current pulses in the time sequence apart from the check pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Frederik Hempelmann, Ralf Hying, Bernhard Reiter
  • Patent number: 8466626
    Abstract: A lighting control system is disclosed. The lighting control system is electrically coupled to a load circuit for controlling indoor and/or outdoor lighting. The lighting control system includes a control module with a night light for providing low-level night light illumination and one or more sensors for operatively controlling the indoor and/or outdoor lighting and the night light in response to measured light levels and/or detected motion. The system is preferably configured to provide low-level night light from the night light when measured light levels and detected motion are below threshold values and to automatically turn on the indoor and/or outdoor lighting and simultaneously turn off the night light when measured light levels and detected motion are above the threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Null, Melissa Lynn Smith, Thomas Joseph T. J. Beyer
  • Publication number: 20130147777
    Abstract: MEMS shutters are applied in displays and imaging devices. In a display, sensors may detect light from a light source that is back-reflected by a MEMS shutter and/or ambient light that enters through the MEMS shutter. The sensors may be used to monitor performance of the light source and/or ambient lighting conditions. In an imaging device, MEMS shutters may be applied to selectively block light to prevent overexposed areas within an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130147368
    Abstract: An optical sensor controlled lighting system comprises an ambient light sensor responsive to ambient light levels for generating an output signal proportional to the ambient light level. A light source having on and off states is controlled by circuit elements providing for developing a rate of change for the output signal and further providing for, responsive to the rate of change, selectively switching the light source between on and off states based on characteristics of the rate of change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Kim I. McCavit, Roger D. Bentley
  • Patent number: 8456092
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for light sources that use the photo-sensitivity of one or more colored LEDs to determine at least a portion of the emission spectrum of a white light source or other broad spectrum light emitter. As described herein, a white LED or other broad spectrum light emitter can be used as the light source, if desired, along with one or more additional colored LEDs, and the same colored LEDs can be used to emit light and to adjust a color point produced by the light source. Applications for the disclosed embodiments include but are not limited to general lighting, LCD backlighting, projectors, and direct emission displays such as OLEDs and digital billboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ketra, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 8436541
    Abstract: A lighting control system includes a power pack and an enhanced occupancy sensor configured to implement multi-valued signaling to encode additional information into the occupancy signal it provides on the signal line. The power pack is configured to monitor the signal line to detect and interpret the additional information. In one example, the lighting control system also includes a manual override switch coupled to the signal line and/or to the occupancy sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Olson
  • Patent number: 8436549
    Abstract: A drive circuit for a color temperature tunable LED light source. An apparatus includes a current driver configured to output a first drive current to drive a first group of LED chips of the light source to emit first color temperature light and to output a second drive current to drive a second group of LED chips of the light source to emit second color temperature light. The apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the current driver and configured to control the first and second drive currents so that the first color temperature light and the second color temperature light combine to produce a resulting light having a selected color temperature and a selected intensity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgelux, Inc.
    Inventor: Ghulam Hasnain
  • Publication number: 20130106294
    Abstract: One or more embodiments include a light module having a reflective light source having one or more organic light emitting diode (OLED) elements. The reflective light source reflects light from other light sources and/or emits light when powered. The reflective light source includes control circuitry which senses the amount of light reflected or emitted and powers the light source based on an intensity of the sensed reflected or emitted light. In one embodiment, the reflective light source is used with a primary light source in the light module which may be in the form of a fluorescent light, direct sunlight, or diffuse daylight. The reflective light source reflects portions of light from the primary light source while the control circuitry senses an interruption or decrease in the power supplied to the primary light source and powers the secondary light source from an uninterruptible power source such as a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefan Rakuff, Joseph John Shiang
  • Publication number: 20130106295
    Abstract: A method is set forth for automatically adjusting keypad brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, a keypad and a backlight for the keypad, comprising obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, turning the backlight from off to on in the event a current light level sample is less than a threshold value below which backlight illumination becomes necessary in order to read the keypad, and from off to on after a predetermined time period in the event the current light level sample is greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Research In Motion Limited
  • Publication number: 20130099678
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a pyroelectric sensor, a shutter and a lighting control unit. The lighting control unit is configured, when the lighting load is turned off, to turn the lighting load on if the pyroelectric sensor detects a change in infrared radiation. The lighting control unit is also configured, when the lighting load is turned on, to turn the lighting load off if a repetition count or time of a lighting retention time reaches a specified count or time, respectively, with no change in infrared radiation detected through the pyroelectric sensor within each lighting retention time per the passage of lighting retention time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: PANASONIC CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130099677
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid state illuminating system having a centralized controlling module, coupled with a monitoring module and a power supplying module, for converting electricity from a second format to a third format so as to embed a PWM signal therein in accordance with a status signal obtained by an user via a monitoring module. Accordingly, the present invention is capable of supporting various kinds of potential dimming control method and has the advantage of low manufacturing cost without substantially adjustment to the present illumining system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Verde Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard W. Boland, Jim Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8419243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling diode lamps comprising a lighting module having at least one diode lamp, the diode lamp pertaining to a predefined range, at least one device for transmitting a unique signature representing the range, and an associated control module comprising reception means (for receiving a unique signature transmitted by the lighting module, and current adjustment means for adjusting and supplying, as a function of the transmitted signature, a current to said lighting module to cause the diode lamp to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Loic Flandre, Stephane Richard, Benjamin Touzet
  • Patent number: 8415886
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a luminaire includes detection module and a control unit. The detection module is configured to detect traffic flow of a road and ambient light along the road. The control unit coupled with the detection module is configured to receive a detection result of the detection module and generate a control signal according to the detection result and a preset data stored therein for controlling illumination of the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Utechzone Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Chun Tsou
  • Patent number: 8410706
    Abstract: A wireless lighting control system comprises a daylight sensor for measuring a light intensity in a space and a dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to a lighting load in response to the daylight sensor. For example, the daylight sensor may be able to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals to the dimmer switch. The system provides methods of calibrating the daylight sensor that allow for automatically measuring and/or calculating one or more operational characteristics of the daylight sensor. One method of calibrating the daylight sensor comprises a “single-button-press” calibration procedure during which a user is only required to actuate a calibration button of the daylight sensor once. In addition, the daylight sensor is operable to automatically measure the total light intensity in the space at night to determine the light intensity of only the electrical light generated by the lighting load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Greg Edward Sloan
  • Patent number: 8410728
    Abstract: A method of, and a device for controlling a shed lighting, and a shed provided therewith. To support daylight, lamps are switched on, but only in the case when the measured intensity is too low and, moreover, the time in which the daylight intensity could become sufficient is too short to achieve a desired period of time with a minimum light intensity. This saves energy and service life of lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Lely Patent N.V.
    Inventor: Paul Hulsen
  • Patent number: 8405315
    Abstract: An energy-saving lamp includes a light emitting module, a light sensing module and a control module. The light emitting module includes a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting light. The light sensing module detects a light intensity of the light emitting module and generates a detection signal according to the light intensity of the light emitting module. The control module receives the detection signal generated by the light sensing module and adjusts the total number of lit up light emitting diodes of the light emitting module according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Tsai, Wei-Chih Kuo
  • Patent number: 8395323
    Abstract: A lighting system (1) and its applications are described that are suitable especially in the realm of lighting systems (1) with high power light emitting diodes (LEDs). The lighting system (1) comprises a control circuit (3) with a memory device (4) and a refresh circuit (10), and the refresh circuit (10) is adapted to prevent data loss of the memory device (4) due to the reduction of the retention time of the memory device (4) caused by the high operation temperature of the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Wendt, Theodore James Letavic
  • Publication number: 20130049610
    Abstract: A two-level LED security light with a motion sensor. At night, the LED is turned on for a low level illumination. When the motion sensor detects any intrusion, the LED is switched from the low level illumination to a high level illumination for a short duration time. After the short duration time, the LED security light returns to the low level illumination for saving energy. The LED security light includes a power supply unit, a light sensing control unit, a motion sensing unit, a loading and power control unit, and a lighting-emitting unit. The lighting-emitting unit includes one or a plurality of LEDs which may be turned-on or turned-off according to the sensing results from the light sensing control unit. When the motion sensing unit detects an intrusion, the illumination of the LED security light can be immediately turned on to the high level to scare away the intruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: CHIA-TEH CHEN
  • Publication number: 20130049609
    Abstract: An aesthetic and practical solar powered light fixture that has a 3D enhanced lens. In one embodiment, the fixture is an independent light capable of being moved to any outdoor position where the fixture will receive sunlight. The solar powered fixture does not require wires to be run or buried since it is solar-powered. The fixture comprises a cap assembly, a lens, a post, and a spike. The medium providing a 3D enhancement for the lens is lenticular lens material. The lens comprises this material and also may have a top and bottom lip for securing the lens to the cap assembly and the post. A light emitting diode in one embodiment may be used to provide the light source for the fixture. Configured in this manner, the fixture provides a welcoming ambiance for a home or business.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: John H. Browder
  • Patent number: 8384289
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a method and system for light sensing vehicle light modulator are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method, comprising detecting incoming light utilizing a plurality of light sensors operatively connected to an vehicle, measuring the incoming light intensity, and decreasing a intensity of light output by one or more lights of the vehicle based at least in pan on a measurement of the incoming light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Keith Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130038225
    Abstract: A motion activated toilet bowl lighting device includes a body member having inner, outer, top, and bottom walls that define an interior area. The inner wall includes an inwardly annular configuration complementary to a toilet bowl rim outer surface. The lighting device includes an attachment arm displaced from the inner wall. A bridge connects the top wall to the attachment arm such that the inner wall, attachment arm, and bridge sandwich the toilet rim. A motion detector is positioned on the outer wall and a light is positioned on the attachment arm. A light sensor is positioned on the body member. A battery and timer are situated in the interior area. The light is energized when the light sensor detects lower than a predetermined amount of ambient light and when the motion detector detects movement, the light being de-energized when the timer expires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Andy Brian R., Jeff S. Barbieri
  • Patent number: 8368313
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic candle and an electronic night lamp. The electronic candle includes a light-emitting diode (LED), a capacitor and a control circuit. The capacitor has a first terminal coupled to a first terminal of the LED, and a second terminal coupled to a common voltage. The control circuit has a first control terminal coupled to the first terminal of the LED, and a second control terminal coupled to a second terminal of the LED. In a detecting period, the control circuit provides a preset voltage across the first and second terminals of the LED so that the LED is reversely biased for a preset time. Then, the first control terminal of the control circuit is set to high impedance. Next, the control circuit detects a variation of a voltage of the first terminal of the capacitor with respect to time to determine whether to light up the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Generalplus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Tung-Tsai Liao, Li Sheng Lo
  • Publication number: 20130020950
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photo controller, a photo controller assembly, and a process for controlling non-unity power factor devices. The photo controller includes a housing and a circuit board positioned within the housing. The circuit board includes a photosensor, an electronic controller, and a thyristor secured to the circuit board. The electronic controller is configured to produce a series of trigger pulses for activating the thyristor; wherein the thyristor is configured to control power switching of a non-unity power factor lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard Charles FLAHERTY
  • Patent number: 8358075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the light emission (i) of at least three light sources (21, 22, 23), wherein the light emitted by the light sources (21, 22, 23) is detected in a sequence of measuring periods during a calibration phase, and calculated on the basis of the information on the brightness of each individual light source (21, 22, 23) obtained during the measuring periods. In at least one of the measuring periods, the detected light comes from a plurality of the light sources (21, 22, 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Ledon Lighting Jennersdorf GmbH, TridonicAtco GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Guenther Sejkora, Paul Hartmann, Eduardo Pereira, Alexander Barth
  • Publication number: 20130009555
    Abstract: An object detection device comprises an active sensor, an amplifying circuit configured to divide and amplify a sensor signal outputted from said active sensor with respect to each a plurality of frequency bands through each amplifier, and a determining unit determining the presence or absence of a detection target object by comparing an output of said amplifying circuit with a predetermined threshold value. A noise determining unit controls a switching circuit so as to turn off a switch inserted between said determining unit and an amplifier having a band pass including a noise of a particular frequency, when determining that the noise of the particular frequency is produced constantly by using an analysis result outputted from a frequency analyzer detecting intensity of each frequency of the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Murakami, Tamami Ono, Shigeo Gotou
  • Patent number: 8350482
    Abstract: A hybrid lighting device is described. The hybrid lighting device comprises a solar panel arranged to generate electric power; a wind turbine arranged to generate electric power; an energy storage device electrically connected with the power controller and arranged to store electric power; a power controller electrically connected with the energy storage device and the solar panel and the wind turbine and arranged to transfer electric power; and an induction-based light source electrically connected with the power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Olen Nevins
  • Publication number: 20120306384
    Abstract: An illumination device is adapted to control a primary illumination device including a wireless receiver module. The said illumination device includes a motion sensor, a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, and a wireless transmitter module. When the motion sensor detects a person entering a detection zone of the illumination device, the illumination device transmits a signal to the primary illumination device through the wireless transmitter module to activate the primary illumination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: CHIA-TEH CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120293076
    Abstract: A motion detector system includes the ability to detect motion through the use of a Doppler radar sensor or a combination of PIR sensors and a Doppler radar sensor. The system includes an outdoor light fixture having one or more lamps and a housing coupled to the outdoor light fixture. The housing includes a Doppler radar sensor and a microprocessor for analyzing the signals received by the Doppler radar sensor. Alternatively, the housing includes a combination of PIR sensors and a Doppler radar sensor and a microprocessor for analyzing the signals received from these sensors. The lamps in the light fixture are activated when either the PIR sensor or the Doppler radar sensor generates a signal indicating motion within the monitored area. Alternatively, the lamps can be activated when either the PIR sensor or the Doppler radar sensor senses predetermined number of motion activities over a limited time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: George Michael Drake, Ryan CRIST, Tyler FLEIG, Milton DALLAS, Scott KROEGER, Norm SIEGEL, Charlie KETELHOHN
  • Publication number: 20120286675
    Abstract: A glow-in-the-dark night light for a control device allows the control device to be easily found when the control device is located in a dark space. The night light may be provided on an actuator of the control device and may comprises a glow-in-the-dark material that has a luminance spectrum that decays with time after initial excitation. The night light is illuminated by an electromagnetic-energy-generating element to periodically recharge the glow-in-the-dark material with adequate energy to keep the glow-in-the-dark material visible in low ambient light conditions. The electromagnetic-energy-generating element draws relatively little current, such that the night light may be provided in a battery-powered remote control that has an acceptable battery lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Carmen, Matthew Philip McDonald, Walter S. Zaharchuk
  • Publication number: 20120286676
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load includes multiple wireless transmitters and a load control device that is able to automatically adjust how the load control device operates in response to type of wireless transmitters that are associated with the load control device. The load control device automatically operates in a first mode of operation if only the first transmitter is associated with the load control device, and automatically operates in a second mode of operation if both the first and second transmitters are associated with the load control device. The first transmitter may comprise a daylight sensor, and the load control device may only turn on the electrical load in one of the two modes in response to the daylight sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 8310163
    Abstract: A lighting control system employs a microcontroller to generate time-delay pulses that are synchronized with the AC power. The time-delay pulses control conduction period of a semi-conductor switching device for transmitting AC power to a lighting load. This lighting control system enables the lighting load performing two-level or multi-level illumination in a simple and power saving manner. While the conventional circuits use cumbersome passive resistor-capacitor scheme to generate required timing control, this lighting control system uses simple scheme based on a built-in oscillator in the microcontroller. This scheme provides high flexibility and accuracy to implement delay-time triggering. The system and method in the present invention may simultaneously be applicable to lighting loads of different impedance types, especially to incandescent lamp, fluorescent lamp, and AC light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Chia-Teh Chen
  • Publication number: 20120280627
    Abstract: A garden light including a movable display device and a solar powered light is provided. A control element is in electrical communication with the movable display device and the solar power light. The control element is operable to adjust control the movable display device and the solar powered light based on an ambient light input. When the ambient light input is above a threshold level, the control element activates the movable display device. When the ambient light input is below the threshold level, the control element deactivates the solar powered light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Xing Jian Wei, Karen H. Norman
  • Patent number: 8299717
    Abstract: An outdoor LED (light emitting diode) system includes an LED device, a storage battery storing an electric energy therein and connected to the LED device to provide an electric power to the LED device, a solar energy generator connected to the storage battery to provide an electric power to the storage battery, and a wind power generator connected to the storage battery to provide an electric power to the storage battery. Thus, the electric power of the LED device is supplied by two types of natural energy, including the solar energy and the wind energy, to prevent from incurring an environmental pollution so as to satisfy the requirements of environment protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Yu-Feng Chuang
  • Patent number: 8294373
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a power supply unit, a switch unit, a bulb, a wireless unit, and a control unit. The power supply unit is for supplying power. The switch unit is for opening or closing a circuit between the power source unit and the bulb. The wireless unit is for receiving wireless signals from an external control device, and generating a first control signal when receiving the wireless signals. The control unit is for generating a close signal according to the first control signal. The switch unit closes the circuit between the power source unit and the bulb according to the close signal to enable the bulb to keep emitting light; and opens the circuit between the power source unit and the bulb if no receiving the close signal, thereby keeping the bulb extinguishing. A related control device for controlling the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Ko, Suo-Bing Su, Po-Wei Kuo, Chih-Yuan Yang, Wen-Chun Chen, Li-Cheng Chiang
  • Publication number: 20120262073
    Abstract: A light emitting element drive device of the present invention includes a light emitting element; a drive unit for driving the light emitting element; an electricity storage element capable of storing electric power; a battery power supply capable of supplying electric power to the electricity storage element; and a boost chopper circuit having an inductor, for boosting voltage by opening and closing a switching element. The drive unit is switchable between three states: a storing state in which electric power from the battery power supply is stored in the electricity storage element; a first discharging state in which the electric power stored in the electricity storage element is supplied to the light emitting element; and a second discharging state in which electric power from the battery power supply is boosted by the boost chopper circuit and is supplied to the light emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Katsushi Sumisaki, Toshihiko Taniguchi, Tsunemi Yoshino, Satoshi Amari
  • Publication number: 20120256549
    Abstract: An emergency light unit (arranged in an elevator cage) of an elevator installation can be activated. A light sensor unit and a lighting unit are arranged in the elevator cage. The emergency light unit is activated by an elevator control unit in dependence on at least one light intensity value detected by the light sensor unit when the elevator cage door is closed and transmitted to the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Olivier Roussel, Lukas Barmet
  • Patent number: 8278844
    Abstract: This invention relates to a kind of dimmable energy-saving lamp with remote control and buttons dimming feature comprising: a power supply module (1), one end of which being connected to municipal power supply via the button-dimming switch (K), another end of which being connected to different parts of the whole circuit including the SCM control module (2), an SCM control module (2), the output end of which being connected to the dimming control module (3), the signal output end of said dimming control module (3) being connected to the signal input end of the energy-saving lamp tube as well as the energy-saving lamp tube as the illuminating component; the invention further features: a remote-control transmitting module (5) for transmitting wireless signals at least including dimming signals; a remote-control receiving module (6) for receiving wireless signals at least including dimming signals, the output end of said remote-control receiving module (6) being connected to an input end of said SCM control modul
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ningbo Huadian Envirotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bing Qin
  • Patent number: 8264156
    Abstract: A system for luminance characterization of a luminaire includes a ballast coil and a multi-tap capacitor connected in series with the ballast coil. The multi-tap capacitor has a plurality of tap capacitors integrated into a capacitor housing. A plurality of switches are each coupled to one of the plurality of tap capacitors for selectively coupling the tap capacitors together to produce a multi-tap capacitance corresponding to a configuration of the plurality of switches. A lamp is connected in series with the multi-tap capacitor and the ballast coil. A photometer is located to measure light intensity of the lamp and to produce a lumen output measurement. A memory is used to store a database having a plurality of lumen output measurements, each corresponding to a multi-tap capacitance corresponding to all configurations of the plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: LED Roadway Lighting Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald A. Cleland, Laurence E. Kubek, Carol A. Wong, Gerald E. Kurz
  • Patent number: 8258708
    Abstract: The invention relates to a an interactive light system for a clothing rack, particularly for creating attraction lighting for clothes hanging on a rail of the clothing rack. A basic idea of the invention to control light sources integrated in the clothing rack depending on the detection of an object such as a person. This allows implementing a kind of an interactive lighting function, and furthermore attraction functions for shoppers. An interactive light system (10) according to an embodiment of the invention for a clothing rack (12) comprises one or more light sources (14) integrated in the clothing rack (12), one or more sensors (16, 18, 20) adapted to detect an object (22), and a control unit (24) which receives signals (26) from the sensors (16, 18, 20) and is adapted to evaluate the received signals (26) and to generate control signals (28) for the light sources (14) controlling the lighting depending on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Theodorus Johannes Petrus Van Den Biggelaar, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman
  • Patent number: 8248271
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, an LED lamp is provided. In one embodiment, the LED lamp is made to be mounted in a traffic signal housing that includes other lamps, where the LED lamp can be red, yellow, green or another color and can represent a full ball aspect, an arrow aspect or another aspect. The LED lamp is adapted to be powered by an external power source and includes an input power circuit receiving an input voltage from the external power source. The input power circuit includes a power detection circuit that is adapted to determine a power state of the traffic LED lamp. The LED lamp further includes an LED load and a battery powered driving circuit. The battery power driving circuit drives the LED load if the power state of the LED lamp is in a power failure state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Cherif Ghanem, John Chrisman, Benoit Essiambre, Christian Poirier
  • Publication number: 20120200227
    Abstract: A portable illuminated device including a resilient plastic hanger and a battery powered LED light source. The plastic hanger allows the device to be placed over the exterior portion of a door lock handle to serve as a visual aid for emergency responders, such as paramedics, responding to a 911 call, to more easily locate the residence that is in need of emergency assistance. And, to allow hanging the device from the supporting member of a vehicle rear view mirror, allowing a person to easily locate their vehicle in a large, dark or unfamiliar parked location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: John R. Nasiatka
  • Publication number: 20120194085
    Abstract: An arrangement of an outdoor light enabling ambient light detection comprises an ambient light detector coupled to the outdoor light; and a user interface accessible by a user separate from the outdoor light; wherein the user interface enables controlling the operation of the ambient light detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: John Joseph King