Electric Switch Controlled By The Radiant Energy Responsive Device Patents (Class 315/159)
  • Publication number: 20120187851
    Abstract: A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools and other battery-powered devices. The system includes a power transmitter and a plurality of power harvesters or receivers. The receivers are located in power tools, battery packs that are attachable to and detachable from the power tools, a device or case that is interfaceable with the power tool or battery pack, conventionally-sized batteries, or other battery-powered devices. The power transmitter transmits radio frequency (“RF”) power signals to the receivers that are within transmission range of the power transmitter. The receivers receive the RF power signals and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, directly power a tool, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Huggins, Robert E. McCracken, Jason P. Whitmire, Mike Hornick
  • Publication number: 20120181938
    Abstract: The present invention describes a solar powered garden lamp (100,100a,100b). The lamp (100,100a,100b) includes a lamp assembly, a solar panel (192), a rechargeable battery (150), a sunlight-hour switch (154), an LED (146a,146b) and a control circuit (140). In use, a user estimates the number of hours of sunlight incident on the solar panel (192) and the sunlight-hour switch (154) is calibrated by applying a weather variability factor on a battery charger (142) capacity that is connected to the solar panel. The solar panel (192) converts solar energy into electric power to recharge the battery (150) during the day so that the battery (150) has sufficient power to light up the LED (146a or 146b) at a predetermined brightness continuously from dusk to dawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Ek Khoon Hobart Kay
  • Publication number: 20120176044
    Abstract: Disclosed is a standard size electrical end plate with a built in photosensor and light emitting diode (LED), which connect to a power supply/trigger circuit that taps electrical power from a standard electrical box. The photosensor in conjunction with a transistor in the trigger circuit, controls the LED so that when sufficient light is present, no current flows to the LED and it is turned off, and also to insure that when low light conditions are present, current now flows to the LED and it is turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Shannon Kunce
  • Patent number: 8217581
    Abstract: An induction lamp includes a brightness control module, an induction unit, a register, and an illuminating unit. The brightness control module, the induction unit, the register, and the illuminating unit are electrically connected to each other in that order. When the induction unit detects a control signal from a user, the induction unit sends a detecting signal to change an address of the register, and the brightness control module controls a brightness of the illuminating unit depending on the address of the register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Zhang, Xi-Qiang Yu
  • Publication number: 20120169242
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventor: James V. Olson
  • Patent number: 8203445
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate remotely controlling a wireless lighting module. The wireless lighting module can include a power source such as a battery, a solar cell, and the like as well as an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs can be controlled based upon a received input (e.g., communicated by way of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, . . . ). For example, the input can be obtained from a remote control, a sensor, a differing wireless lighting module, an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and so forth. The input can be utilized to switch one or more LEDs on or off, change the intensity or color of illumination, modulate illumination, alter the direction of illumination, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Wireless Environment, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Publication number: 20120147537
    Abstract: A system and method for the deployment of a motion detector is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a housing having an aperture to allow for infrared or ultrasonic sound waves to pass through to the interior of the housing. A top cap conceals the components of the motion detector inside. A receiver of the motion detector is adjacent to the aperture inside the housing and adapted to receive and register infrared or ultrasonic sound waves. A base is used to adjust the receiver inside the housing to achieve the desired zone of detection. A transmitting antennae is also built into the motion detector within the housing that is used to transmit a signal to a receiver that is remotely located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Lorenzo Burgess
  • Patent number: 8188667
    Abstract: A lighting device and a lighting system for a vehicle are provided. The lighting device includes a signal detecting portion which receives a light control direction signal; a control portion which controls a light source according to the light control direction signal; and a lighting state signal generating portion which outputs a lighting state signal based on the light control direction signal received by the signal detecting portion. The lighting system includes the lighting device and a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Noyori
  • Patent number: 8183512
    Abstract: A power device is provided in an optically-triggered power system having a controller for generating electrical control signals and a converter for converting the electrical control signals to optical control signals. The power device includes a pair of terminals and a P-body region provided adjacent an N+ source region. An optical window is provided at least partially over the P-body region, and an N? drift region is provided between the two terminals. The P-body region causes current to conduct between the first and second terminal through the N? drift region when an optical control signal is incident on the optical window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Sudip K. Mazumder, Tirthajyoti Sarkar
  • Patent number: 8172423
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a light source unit having solid light-emitting elements and a sensor unit having a wave transmission portion for transmitting energy waves of specified frequency and a wave reception portion for receiving the energy waves reflected from an object. The sensor unit outputs a detection signal by detecting the object within a detection range based on the difference in frequency between the transmitted and received energy waves. The illumination apparatus further includes a control unit responsive to the detection signal from the sensor unit for performing a control operation to turn on the light source unit, and a power source unit for supplying electric power to the light source unit. The power source unit is arranged outside the detection range of the sensor unit. The sensor unit is provided on the opposite side to the direction of light irradiated from the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamami Sobagaki, Shigeo Gotou, Tadashi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120098440
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic lighting control device for automatically switching on and off a lamp installed within a building in accordance with only the variation of brightness at the installation location. The automatic lighting control device is constituted as follows. A photoelectric transducer 1 has a daylight detection field that overlaps at least partially a lamp illumination field. A first comparator 2 generates a turn-on signal when the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 becomes lower than the predetermined light-up level. A memory 5 stores the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 after light-up. A second comparator 8 compares the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 with the output level stored in the memory 5 after light-up and it generates a turn-off signal when the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 becomes higher than the stored post-light-up brightness level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Masaaki Yen, Manabu Yen
  • Publication number: 20120091902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light emitting device system (112) comprising power supply terminals (114) and a remote control signal receiver (118), the power supply terminals being adapted for receiving electrical power from an external driver (100), the remote control signal receiver (118) being adapted for receiving a remote control signal, wherein the light emitting device system (112) is further adapted for providing the received remote control signal as remote control signal information exclusively via the power supply terminals (114) and/or via wireless transmission to the driver (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Harald Josef Guenther Radermacher
  • Publication number: 20120068613
    Abstract: A light assembly for a toilet, that is movement responsive, so that when a person enters the bathroom, and walks near the toilet, a motion detector will sense their presence, and activate lights. The light may be one or more LED's contained in a water resistant enclosure, such as a plastic material, and placed inside the upper rim of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Dominic M. Veneto
  • Publication number: 20120068612
    Abstract: A cover for an electrical receptacle including a faceplate. The cover also includes a first transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a first power line of the electrical receptacle and a second transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a second power line of the electrical receptacle. Additionally, the cover includes a device (such as a light source, circuit, port, or sensor) in communication with the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Cordell Eldred Ebeling
  • Publication number: 20120056546
    Abstract: A method and apparatus described herein uses sensors to detect illumination indicative of an active auto-focus system in the IR, near IR, and visible light spectrums. This signal is used to trigger a light in the visible spectrum that disrupts a contrast differencing, passive auto-focus system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Adam Harvey
  • Publication number: 20120049747
    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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: CHIA-TEH CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120038282
    Abstract: A solar power supply device includes a solar panel and a rechargeable battery. The solar panel is configured to collect and convert optical energy to electrical energy. The solar power supply device further includes an e-paper display unit, a charging connection connecting to a rechargeable device. A detecting unit detecting the charging state information of the rechargeable device via the charging connection, a light-operated unit detecting ambient illumination intensity, and a processing unit for controlling the e-paper display unit to display charging states information obtained from the detecting unit and the ambient illumination intensity detected by the light-operated unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KUAN-HONG HSIEH, HAN-CHE WANG, LU PAN, XIN ZHAO, ZU-PEI HE
  • Patent number: 8110994
    Abstract: A multi-zone daylight harvesting method and apparatus having a closed loop system utilizing a single light sensor is disclosed herein. This light control system includes an ambient light sensor connected to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone and converting the light signal to an digital one. A control device couples to receive a predetermined rate of change for each respective zone from a storage unit along with the converted digital signal. The control device connects each zone of a plurality of electrical loads to control the power supplied to the electrical load at the predetermined corresponding rate of change and responsive to the amount of ambient light detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Richard A. Leinen
  • Patent number: 8110995
    Abstract: An illumination system (1) comprises a plurality of light sources (11, 12, 13), each provided with a driver (21, 22, 23); a controller (30) for generating control signals (Sc1, Sc2>Sc3) for controlling the respective drivers; temperature feed forward means (60, 61, 62, 63, 81) for establishing a temperature feed forward (TFF) correction mechanism; flux feedback means (71, 82, 83, 84) for establishing a flux feedback (FFB) correction mechanism. The controller is capable of operating in a first mode of operation wherein both the temperature feed forward correction mechanism and the flux feedback correction mechanism are active, and is capable of operating in a second mode of operation wherein the temperature feed forward correction mechanism is active and the flux feedback correction mechanism is inactive. The controller is designed to monitor the duty cycles of the control signals and to select its mode of operation based on said duty cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter Hubertus Franciscus Deurenberg
  • Patent number: 8106593
    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: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Olen Nevins
  • Patent number: 8079717
    Abstract: An information handling system projector tracks lamp usage to generate a lamp order form for order of a replacement lamp when lamp usage is a predetermined usage. The lamp order form is automatically generated and displayed to include lamp usage and projector identification information so that a user need not manually input that information into an order form. A network module of the projector supports queries for lamp usage from a lamp management module running on an information handling system. A projector processor interfaced with the network module reads the lamp usage and projector identification information from firmware of the projector and provides the lamp usage and projector identification information to the lamp management module for automatic generation of the lamp order form display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Subramanian Jayaram, Jeffrey S. Layton
  • Patent number: 8081216
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling the lighting of a predetermined area is provided. According to one embodiment, the lighting control system comprises one or more light sources positioned in the predetermined area, the light source configured to include adjustable light intensity; a camera positioned and configured to capture an image of the predetermined area; and a controller in operable communication with the one or more light sources and the camera, the controller configured to control the one or more light sources and adjust the light intensity of the light source. The controller is configured to operate in a closed control loop to automatically adjust the lighting conditions of a predetermined area or environment. A false alarm checking process checks for temporary or localized events to prevent unnecessary lighting adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hong Kong Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi Hang Cheung, Shan Mei Wan, Kai Chiu Wu, Ming Lu
  • Publication number: 20110304273
    Abstract: A security lighting system includes a lighting fixture and a power source having an input electrical AC voltage and a rechargeable battery. A switch is selectively coupled to the lighting fixture and power source and is responsive to a motion sensor and a photo cell. A timer is associated with the switch to uncouple the power source from the lighting fixture after a predetermined time has elapsed since the motion sensor last detected a movement. A selector is associated with the switch having one of a plurality of modes of operation including an off, an extend, or a security mode of operation. The input electrical AC voltage is coupled either to a primary landscape lighting system or a solar power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Richard G. Bennette
  • Publication number: 20110285296
    Abstract: The invention provides a carpet unit comprising a laminate of a tufted primary backing layer providing a carpet unit top face, an intermediate adhesive layer, and a backing layer providing a carpet unit back face, wherein the carpet unit is selected from the group consisting a carpet and a carpet tile, wherein the carpet unit further comprises an optical sensor, arranged to generate a sensor signal, wherein, seen from carpet unit top face, the optical sensor is arranged behind the primary backing layer, and wherein the carpet unit is arranged to transmit light from the carpet unit top face to the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus VanHerpen
  • Publication number: 20110273097
    Abstract: A lamp control system includes at least one lamp structure; comprising: a lamp body; a ballast connected to the lamp body; the ballast including: a first stage for converting AC current into DC current and boosting of voltage; a buck DC-DC converter; a transistor of the buck DC-DC converter having an input end; a PWM controller being installed between an output end of the lamp body and the input end of the transistor; a frequency controllable oscillator being connected to the PWM controller and an oscillation controlling processor being connected to the frequency controller oscillator for generating instructions to change the oscillation frequency of the oscillator and thus to adjust the modulation frequency of the PWM controller; sensors about voltages, currents, and illuminations are installed for light strength control, temperature control, auto-turning on and off of the HID lamp, power control and time and illumination control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: CHIEN-CHIH KUO
  • Patent number: 8053994
    Abstract: An intelligent wall switch comprises an extend operation panel including sensor areas with a first conducting film; a glass on the back sides of the sensor areas including second conducting films; a first circuit board including a backlight LED and an infrared emitter and connected to a flexible cable connected to the second conducting film; a frame on a back side of the glass; a controller system including a second circuit board having an AC-DC power module, relays, AC output connectors, an AC input connector all on a back side thereof, and having a flat cable connector, an infrared receiver, and multiple indicating LEDs all on a front side thereof; a connecting piece and a housing being used to receive the AC-DC power module, the connecting piece being disposed on a back side of the frame, the AC-DC power module being connected to the cable by the flat cable connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventors: Yuan-Sheng Liu, Yen-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8035513
    Abstract: A sensor circuit for remotely commanding the operation of a remote device includes a motion sensor circuit for detecting motion relative thereto and having an output conditioned upon motion detection. Additionally, a photocell sensor circuit for detecting a low ambient illumination level has an output command conditioned upon the detection of a predetermined illumination level that is electrically coupled to a control circuit having a plurality of inputs. The invention further includes a data output comprising a remote device operation command and a transmitter circuit coupled to the data output of said control circuit for transmitting said operation command to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: HeathCo LLC
    Inventor: William C. Raper
  • Publication number: 20110241555
    Abstract: A battery-powered, low-power-consumption LED lighted curtain rod ornamental finial with an automatic light sensitive switch. The LED lights will require very small amounts of power, allowing very long battery life. The use of LED lights eliminates the need for a power cord connected to a household electrical outlet. The automatic switch will turn the LED lights on and off according to a predetermined setting, thereby enhancing the efficient use of energy, low power consumption, and increased battery life. In a preferred embodiment, the LED lights are also controlled by a manual, remote controlled power switch, so that a user may turn off the lighting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Lin, Hung-Chi Lin
  • Publication number: 20110241554
    Abstract: An electronic book includes a shell, a main body including an electro-phoretic display and mounted to the shell, and a lighting body mounted to the shell. When the electronic book is used in darkness, the lighting body lights the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: BIN GONG, MING-CHANG LEE
  • Patent number: 8030851
    Abstract: A light fitting is provided with a first connector piece arranged to support a light and provide power thereto, an input connected to a power source and arranged to provide power permanently to an output comprising a primary coil, and a transmitter operable to transmit a switch signal. A light is provided comprising a sealed light housing, a light source, a back-up battery, a controller and a second connector piece having a secondary coil and a receiver. The receiver receives the switch signal and the controller controls power delivery to the light source in response to the switch signal received by the receiver thereby to turn the light on and off. The light fitting and the light are arranged to present the primary coil and the secondary coil for inductive coupling therebetween and to present the transmitter and the receiver for wireless communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventors: David R. Vernondier, Richard J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20110227488
    Abstract: A road lamp structure capable of regulating illumination light color includes at least a road lamp body and a control module. The road lamp body includes an illumination light source and an auxiliary light source. An inside of the auxiliary light source contains a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with different wavelengths. The auxiliary light source can emit light colors at a wavelength range of 540 to 640 nm. The control module turns on or turns off the auxiliary light source under different environments for visible degrees, so as to provide clear illumination effect for users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Shih-Jen LIAO, Shih-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 8014905
    Abstract: An electricity demand limiting system for limiting the electricity consumption of at least one resistive load device. The demand limiting system includes a consumption controller associated with the resistive load device that is operable to infinitely vary the amount of electricity being consumed by the load device. The consumption control device is in operative communication with a load controller such that the load controller can generate a control signal to affect the operation of the consumption control circuit. Preferably, the consumption control circuit is a triac-based circuit that receives the control signal from the load controller and limits the amount of electricity consumed by the resistive load device. The load controller can receive input signals from sensors monitoring the electricity delivery system or from the premise electricity meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: Gregory A. Ehlers
  • Patent number: 8009042
    Abstract: A load control system controls an electrical load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device turns on the load in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and turns off the load in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors. The load control device is operable to determine that no wireless control signals have been received from the occupancy sensors for the length of a predetermined timeout period and to subsequently turn off the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Publication number: 20110187275
    Abstract: An improved hardware light switch and a system comprising at least one of the light switches and control/monitoring means is disclosed. The improved light switch and system provide a more flexible, convenient and economical means to reduce energy consumption both at the switch and remotely. In a first configuration, the improved light switch comprises an electronic switch, a broadband powerline communication (PLC) transceiver that includes processing ability, a unique MAC address and a TCP/IP stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: YWIRE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Rod M. Giltaca, Omar Tabba, R. Kyle Smith, Pablo Cassani
  • Publication number: 20110163678
    Abstract: Light assemblies may contain a light socket assembly powered by an alternating current source, the light socket assembly containing a female socket for threadedly or otherwise receiving a light bulb or a retrofit socket, for example. An AC/DC converter electrically communicates with the light socket assembly thereby providing direct current to the light socket assembly. A first set of direct current contacts communicating with the AC/DC converter is formed within or about the light socket assembly. A solid state lighting source contains a second set of direct current contacts contained within the solid state lighting source, whereby the second set of direct contacts electrically communicates with and corresponds to the first set of direct current contacts. When assembled, the solid state lighting source such as an annular ring coupled to at least one light emitting diode, operably engages the light socket assembly and is fixed about at least a portion of the light socket assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Jeremy M. Shew
  • Publication number: 20110148309
    Abstract: A lighting control system includes an enhanced occupancy sensor and/or an enhanced power pack, allowing for more sophisticated and/or accurate lighting control and energy management capability. In one example, the occupancy sensor provides additional information, such as information about movement detected in the monitored area, in the form of a signal superimposed on the occupancy signal, and a specialty power pack is configured to detect and respond to the superimposed information signal, thereby providing enhanced functionality to the lighting control system. The superimposed signal conveying the additional information is made high-speed/short-duration such that it is “invisible” to a conventional power pack and the occupancy sensor remains compatible with conventional power packs. The enhanced occupancy sensor may therefore be used seamlessly with both conventional and specialty power packs, and may be implemented as a “drop-in” component for legacy lighting control systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew Reid, William Stottlemyer
  • Patent number: 7965050
    Abstract: In an arrangement of lighting devices (10), a remote control device (30) and a central control device (20), a particular lighting device to be controlled by means of the remote control device may be selected by a user transmitting a selecting command (42, 43). When the central control device receives the selecting command (44), it carries out a selection sequence (45) during which it controls the lighting devices in one or the other sequence so as to have their output change temporarily (45, 46, 47). If the remote control device, which is directed to the particular lighting device (41), senses such an output change (50), it transmits data representing such an event (51) to the central control device. When the central control device receives such event data (52), it determines the particular lighting device as that to which the remote control device is directed (53) for subsequent control (54) of this particular lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Erik Nieuwlands
  • Publication number: 20110133655
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for autonomous shifting of at least a portion of a lighting load off an energy distribution grid, comprising electrically connecting a lighting device to the energy distribution grid; causing the lighting device to interpret information obtained from an information source proximate the lighting device; and causing the lighting device to select from at least two different power sources based on the interpretation, where selecting may include a sharing of the load between the two different power sources, and where one power source may be the energy distribution grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Patent number: 7928670
    Abstract: An LED driver includes at least two interlocked closed feedback loops. One feedback loop controls the duty cycle of the on/off times of a switch connected in series to the LED string, and the other feedback loop controls the duty cycle of the on/off times of a power switch in the switching power converter that provides a DC voltage applied to the LED string. The LED driver of the present invention achieves fast control of the LED brightness and current sharing among multiple LED strings simultaneously in a power-efficient and cost-efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: iWatt Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhui Chen, Junjie Zheng, John William Kesterson
  • Patent number: 7923936
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp sensor system is provided. The fluorescent lamp sensor system includes a plurality of bulbs and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the bulbs. A balanced differential circuit measures changes in electric fields produced by the bulbs in front of the electrodes. The balanced differential circuit includes a symmetric current source associated with alternating the surface potential of the bulbs. A current mode detection circuit detects the current associated with the capacitive effects of the balanced differential circuit. A synchronous detection circuit isolates the capacitive effects of the symmetrical current source from stray signals that differ in either frequency or phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John J. Cooley, Steven B. Leeb, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Leslie K. Norford
  • Patent number: 7902491
    Abstract: A device for controlling the luminosity of an illuminating device, in particular for LC-display units in household appliances, includes a sensor which is used to detect the presence of a user, and a luminosity sensor. An exchange between two different luminosity values of the illuminating device according to the presence of a user and according to the surrounding luminosity takes place in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lorenz Tilmann, Gerhard Mager, Bernhard Siegmar
  • Patent number: 7888887
    Abstract: A luminescent lamp lighting device includes a plurality of switch circuits 3, 4 each connected to each of luminescent lamps 5, 6 in series under one-to-one correspondence, a plurality of optical coupling circuits 9, 10 each connected to each of the switch circuits under one-to-one correspondence to turn on/off the switch circuits and a plurality of current detecting circuits 7, 8 each connected to each of the luminescent lamps in series under one-to-one correspondence to detect currents flowing the luminescent lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuki Utsuno, Kazushige Hirata, Toru Ashikaga, Toyotomo Morita
  • Publication number: 20110031881
    Abstract: An electrical wall outlet comprises an insulating cover portion, LEDs, and a pair of magnetic electrodes. The insulating cover portion encloses outlet electrodes of the wall outlet. The one or more outlet electrodes are ferrous. The LEDs are disposed on the front surface of the insulating cover portion. The pair of magnetic electrodes are disposed on the rear surface of the insulating cover portion, extending from a pair of common terminals of the LEDs that are disposed on the insulating cover portion, toward to one of the one or more outlet electrodes of the electrical wall outlet. The pair of magnetic electrodes are flexible to bend. Also, the pair of magnetic electrodes are resilient to recover when the insulating cover portion is plucked out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Henry Hyunbo SHIM
  • Patent number: 7880394
    Abstract: A lighting system comprises a light fixture (100) and a corresponding remote control transmitter (200). The light fixture can comprise at least one electrically energizable light source (102), at least one local condition sensor (103), a receiver (105), a memory (104), and a controller (101). The controller automatically controls energization of the light source as a function of input from the location condition sensor(s) and at least one stored modifiable operating parameter. The controller also automatically modifies the modifiable operating parameter(s) in response to instructions (106) as are received via the receiver. The wireless remote control transmitter (200) comprises a transmitter (202), an end user interface (203), and a controller (201). The controller processes inputs from an end user (as entered via the end user interface) regarding at least one of the aforementioned manipulable operating parameters and transmits this information to the aforementioned light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: HeathCo LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Sibalich, Mark L. Karasak
  • Publication number: 20110012433
    Abstract: A portable switching device may include a wireless receiver to receive a wireless signal from an occupancy sensor, and a power switch to control power to a load in response to the wireless signal. In some embodiments, the wireless signal may include an occupancy signal that indicates the occupied state of a monitored space. In other embodiments, the wireless signal may include a detector signal that requires further processing to determine the occupied state of the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Kevin Parsons
  • Publication number: 20100320917
    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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Chia-Chun TSOU
  • Publication number: 20100295457
    Abstract: A light control system includes at least one illumination module and a remote controller. Each illumination module includes an identification signal generator, at least one light source, a receiving unit and a control circuit. When the receiving unit receives a first wireless control signal, the control circuit controls the identification signal generator to emit an identification signal; when the receiving unit receives a second wireless control signal, the control circuit controls the ON/OFF of the light source. The remote controller sends the first and second wireless control signals to the illumination module, acquires the identification signal emitted from the identification signal generator to generate a plurality of images, and identifies the illumination module according to the images. The present invention further provides a control method of a light control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Chih Hung LU, Cho Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 7834555
    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: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Streetlight Intelligence, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Cleland, Laurence E. Kubek, Carol A. Wong, Gerald E. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20100277082
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises a solid-state lighting device and a heat sink. The heat sink is configured to be attachable to a fixture for a gas-discharge lamp to retrofit existing gas-discharge fixtures. The heat sink is conductively thermally coupled to the solid-state lighting device to dissipate heat generated by the solid-state lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: William G. Reed, John O. Renn
  • Publication number: 20100259176
    Abstract: A helium balloon includes a bag-shaped body, a heat dissipating lamp holder, at least one fixing ring and a sensor device. LED elements are settled inside the bag-shaped body through the heat dissipating lamp holder so that when the LED elements emit light, the entire bag-shaped body illuminates. Heat sinks at a bottom of the heat dissipating lamp holder serve to dissipate heat generated by the LED elements so as to achieve heat dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: TSENG-YI LIN