Abstract: A portable multi-color signal light having at least two color LED, such as red or blue or green or yellow, with or without covering color films, and at least one incandescent lamp, with or without covering color films. Independent switches allow for the selective operation of the LED and the incandescent lamp. The power source may be disposed within the signal light or relocated to a cell box to be worn on the belt of the user to provide weight decrease for long-term usage. The signal light may be used as a signal light for traffic control and illumination.

Abstract: An illumination level control device (10) is disclosed which sequentially reduces the illumination level of a multi-bulb lamp (12). The illumination level control device (10) incorporates two D flip-flops (38,40) configured in a master-slave relationship wherein the two D flip-flops (38,40) change their respective states when the clock (60) sends a positive-edge of the clock signal thereto. A portion (58) of the device (10) sets the two D flip-flops (38,40) when the wall switch (22) is off for more than a predetermined time. In the case of a three bulb (14,16,18) lamp (12), a zero state preventor (56) prevents all of the bulbs (14,16,18) from being turned off when the wall switch (22) is in the ON position. The zero state preventor (56) effectively eliminates the state wherein the outputs of both of the two D flip-flops (38,40) are low.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of appliances in distributed arrangement, in particular lighting fittings, having a command generator (1), a receiver (10) associated with each appliance (40), a control line (2) which connects the command generator (1) to each receiver (10), and a first memory (20, 23) in each receiver (10) in which an operational address (A2) for the associated appliance (40) can be stored. A control part (30, 50) is provided in each receiver (10) by means of which the appliance (40) associated therewith (30, 50) can be controlled by the command generator (1) if it (30, 50) has first been activated by selection of the operational address (A2) of the appliance (40) associated therewith. The control system for appliances that are to be in distributed arrangement is intended to make a particularly simple initiation of operations possible.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a lighting system including a sense transformer with two primaries and a secondary for receiving alternating current (AC) from a power source, a low ohmage resistor placed across the sense transformer secondary winding for preventing saturation of the core of the sense transformer, an analog comparator for detecting when ground-fault signals in the sense transformer secondary winding exceed a threshold voltage and digital counters for testing whether or not a ground-fault condition persists longer than three consecutive half-cycles of the received alternating current from the power source.

Abstract: A non-arcing electrical switch is disclosed wherein a solid-state switching element is operated in response to current flow within an external circuit. The switch is particularly suitable for use within an auxiliary lighting circuit of a gaseous discharge lamp. Because the switch operates in response to the current drawn by the gaseous discharge lamp rather than a specific sensed voltage, it may be used with virtually any type of clamp or lamp operating circuit.

Abstract: An electronic flasher producing various waveforms with user-controllable time durations, connected to a decorative string of dual-polarity dual-color light emitting diodes, in order to generate a controllable sequence of colors with interspersed OFF periods.

Abstract: A brake light or other indicator light is provided with a transparent or nearly transparent housing and two lamps (LA,LB) within the housing, which lamps are differently colored and can be lit selectively by a switch (SW). Accordingly, the housing appears differently lit according to which lamp is lit and its apparent color and brightness is substantially unaffected by external illumination such as sunlight.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating discharge lamps includes first closed circuit for connecting a discharge lamp through first switching means to a pulsating power source, second closed circuit for connecting the lamp to the power source through a series circuit of second switching means which operates during OFF period of the first switching means and an energy-storing means, and an arrangement for controlling the both switching means. A pulsating source voltage is thereby applied to the discharge lamp. The apparatus is made thus capable at least of minimizing current-limiting impedance and realizing a continuously stabilized discharge of the lamp.

Abstract: A synchronously-controlled light string includes a plurality of light string units, each of which has a plug in one end and a socket in the other end, thereby allowing the light string units to be coupled together. Each light string unit has a control circuit and a plurality of lights. When the control circuit receives an AC power source signal, the signal is rectified, and frequency divided to obtain a train of clock pulses which are sent to a shifting circuit and a pattern selection circuit to control a driving circuit to drive the lights with a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp device which is long in life and high in brightness and efficiency. The lamp device basically comprises a rare gas discharge fluroescent lamp wherein rare gas is enclosed in the inside of a glass bulb which has a fluorescent layer formed on an inner face thereof and has a pair of electrodes at the opposite ends thereof. In one embodiment, it further comprises a dc power source and a resonance circuit for generating pulse-like voltage across the pair of electrodes having the time rate of energization time to a period higher than 5% but lower than 70% and the energization time within a period shorter than 150 .mu.

Abstract: A large scale video display has a plurality of colored electrodeless lamps which are excited by RF energy coupled from a RF cavity upon which the lamps are mounted. The lamps are easily replaced and do not degrade as fast as conventional lamps which have electrodes.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system to be used with a high intensity discharge lamp having a solid state or electronic ballast. An auxiliary lamp is connected to a source of power through the normally closed contacts of a relay. The relay coil is in the input line to the solid state ballast. Above a predetermined threshold current to the ballast, the relay coil causes the normally closed contacts to open thereby extinguishing the auxiliary lamp. When the high intensity discharge lamp is turned on, or when there is an interrupt, the power requirements for the HID lamp are at a low point. Thus the input current to the solid state ballast is below the threshold, the contacts are closed and the auxiliary lamp is turned on.

Abstract: An improved lamp switching circuit for switching on a second lamp circuit upon every alternate application of power to a first lamp circuit. A magnetic latching relay alternately connects and disconnects the second lamp circuit in parallel with the first whenever power to the circuit is switched off. The relay is powered by the discharge of one of two capacitors, which respectively operate a set circuit and a reset circuit of the latching relay. Only one of the capacitors is charged at any time. While power is applied to the lamp circuits, one capacitor is charged while the other is kept discharged, in preparation for operation of the latching relay. When power is switched off, a control circuit senses this condition and triggers a thyristor to discharge the capacitor through the corresponding relay coil after a short predetermined time delay. A low voltage regulated power supply is derived from the a.c.

Abstract: An inverter-type fluorescent lamp ballast is powered from the power line by way of a common and either of two (or more) different power leads. When powering the ballast by way of the common and the first one of these two power leads, the power provided to the fluorescent lamp load is relatively high; when powering the ballast by way of the common and the second one of these two power leads, the power provided to the fluorescent lamp load is relatively low. The ballast itself is a self-oscillating half-bridge inverter loaded by way of a series-tuned high-Q LC circuit connected across its output. A pair of fluorescent lamps is series-connected across the tank-capacitor of the LC circuit. The inverter has two bipolar transistors, each driven by an associated saturable current transformer that provides for a transistor ON-time dependent upon the magnitude of an associated bias voltage.

Abstract: A control mechanism for use with a fluorescent lighting unit having at least first and second lamps utilizing a line switch. The mechanism includes an AC toggle which alternately interrupts and connects electrical power from a source to one of the first and second lamps, only. The toggle is responsive to the successive opening and closing of the line switch. A reset feature overrides the means for alternately interrupting and connecting power source to one of the pair of lamps by connecting power from the source to the second lamp. The reset feature is also responsive to the operation of the line switch.

Abstract: A panel controlling multiple lighting intensities of a multiplicity of lights in conjunction with a remote lighting dimmer module which utilizes operators mechanically movable to operate potentiometers. Each potentiometer is capable of setting an intensity level of a particular light of the multiplicity of lights. A display is also employed which indicates a lighting level of each of the multiplicity of lights associated with each operator and corresponding potentiometer. The operators and display are supported by a chassis which is mountable in an electrical wall box. Information may be stored which defines a lighting scene in terms of an intensity level of each light of the multiplicity of lights which is set by the operators in the chassis. The intensity level information may be retrieved and transported to a dimmer module which sets the intensity level in each light. One scene may be set into the multiplicity of lights while another scene may be previewed on the display on the chassis.

Abstract: An illuminator for cultivating a plant by a discharge lamp excited by the output of a high frequency power source by utilizing photosynthetic mechanism. The output power of the high frequency power source is controlled to high and low powers by a bright and dark controller to alternatively supply the high and low powers to the discharge lamp in predetermined periods.

Abstract: A preferred control circuit is adapted particularly for use in a system that controls the operation of at least a pair of light sources. The system permits switching, at a controller remote from the light head which contains the light sources, energizing power from an energized light source to a de-energized light source. The circuit monitors the integrity of the energized light source and switches energizing power from the energized light source to the de-energized light source when the energized light source fails. The circuit monitors the integrity of the de-energized light source and energizes a failed filament indicator when the de-energized light source fails.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an electrical lamp to control the electrical energy from a source of electrical power to the lamp to simulate the emission of a flame, the apparatus including an intensity controller section having first and second manually adjustable signal generating devices, the first being settable to the desired average brightness of the lamp, and the second being settable to a desired "flicker intensity". The flicker is effected by means of circuitry effectively providing a modulation about the value of the first signal. The magnitude of "flickering" may be reduced to zero permitting un-modulated full range light dimming control. A phase-angle controllable switching device in circuit relation with the lamp is actuated by a gate circuit within the circuitry. One or more lamps may be employed.

Abstract: A bright, economical, flat panel television/display is fabricated by laser welding incandescent metal particles together to form light emitting micro-beads, the ends of which are simultaneously welded to driving electrodes. The small physical mass and dimensions of each bead permit it to be fired to an incandescent state at high rates, becoming a controllable, bright, point source of light suitable as a picture element to create moving images. The beads are suspended between a heat resistant substrate and faceplate, both of which contain depressions proximate to each bead to provide thermal spacing and optical and thermal reflectivity to direct visible light out of the panel, and heat back to the bead, conserving power. Color filters provide full color image display in a system operating at approximately five volts, and which can be built to any size and shape. Three dimensional display capability is inherent when a plurality of transparent display panels are laminated.

Abstract: A lighting system having a high pressure gas discharge light source and an incandescent light source within a common sealed and evacuated bulb. A ballast unit fitted externally to the neck of the bulb includes in series with the incandescent light source an interrupter element and control circuitry therefor, and a choke coil in series with the gas discharge light source.The control circuitry represents an equivalence logic with two variables, wherein the output terminal of an equivalence circuit is connected to the control input of the interrupter element while its input terminal is connected to a voltage divider system connected across the gas discharge light source. The output terminal is energized only if either both or neither of the input terminals of the equivalence circuit are energized. The interrupter element is closed when the output terminal of the equivalence circuit is energized.

Abstract: Lights (LP) are controlled by a control unit (CU) which, in response to a remotely and/or automatically generated signal (MASTER OFF), interrupts the lighting temporarily (preferably by repeatedly flashing them on and off) to provide a warning and switches off the lighting after a delay period unless inhibited by a local switch (S1).

Abstract: An illumination mode selecting device for an illumination lamp having more than one individual illumination element is arranged so as to enable an operator to remotely control the number of illumination elements to be lit without special wiring between the remote control and the illumination lamp. A mode selector consists of a switch in parallel with an impedance. The mode selector is placed in series with an A.C. line connected between an A.C. power source and the illumination lamp. The speed of operation of the switch of the mode selector determines the mode of operation of the illumination lamp, that is the number of separate illumination elements which are to be lit.

Abstract: A controller for controlling operation of a multi-filament lamp is provided that permits selection of the filament to be energized from a control box placed at a remote location from the lamp. Only two leads are required to electrically connect the control box to the lamp. The controller automatically switches energizing power from a burned out filament to an alternate filament. The controller can also include a source of alternate power for the controller in the event that primary power is lost. The controller can also include a lock out feature which prevents switching energizing power at the control box from an energized filament to a failed filament.1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to controllers for lamps and, in particular, a controller for a lamp having more than one light source that permits control of the lamp from a location remote from the lamp.2.

Abstract: An electric light controller means particularly adapted for use with an array of lamps to produce a distinctive "fluttering" effect, which is the combined visual sense of movement wrought by a sequential chaser together with the substantially random flickering effect associated with a natural flame. The controller is particularly useful in decorative display arrangements, including advertising displays, theatre marquees, and the like for the purpose of attracting attention and notice.

Abstract: A device for causing the luminous flux from a main beam bulb (8) to fall gradually when the headlights are switched to dipped beam. The current to the dipped beam bulb is made to control a control circuit (6) which will gradually reduce the current supply to the main beam bulb (8). The control circuit incorporates an oscillator (65) which causes a counting chain (66a-66d) to advance. This activates a diode matrix (68) which is arranged so as to control the main beam bulb (8) via a shift register (69). The positioning of the diodes in the diode matrix will determine the shape of the dimming curve for the luminous flux.

Abstract: A frequency responsive power control system includes an improved isolator in series electrical connection with respect to a ballasted lamp load. The isolator has a high inductive impedance at low current for blocking ballast induced noise signals from interferring with proper operation of frequency responsive switching circuits in the system. In a particularly useful embodiment, the isolator is inductively matched to the capacitive characteristic of the ballasted lamp load so that the isolator-load circuit combination is resonant at a frequency sufficiently removed from any of the control system activation frequencies so as to block any noise signals induced by the ballasted load which might otherwise cause undesired activation of the switching circuits and flickering of the ballasted lamp loads. Under saturation current, with the switching circuit conducting, the isolator functions collectively with the load to provide an impedance which blocks control signals from reaching the load.

Abstract: A display intensity control apparatus for controlling under dark ambient conditions the display intensity of an automobile display system comprises a plurality of display units (e.g., LED, FLT, Lamp) for providing displays effected by display elements of different types. Under dark ambient conditions, a pulse signal with a predetermined duty ratio is generated at a predetermined frequency and the display intensity of selected one of the display units is decreased in accordance with the duty ratio. Simultaneously, the duty ratio of the pulse signal is changed, and the display intensities of the other display units are decreased in accordance with the changed duty ratio.

Abstract: A display system utilizing incandescent lamps arranged at the intersection points of a matrix array of row and column conductors includes a plurality of load resistors connecting the row conductors to a first voltage source and a plurality of load resistors connecting the column conductors to a second voltage source. To energize a selected lamp, the row conductor connected to that lamp is connected to the second voltage source and the column connected to that lamp is connected to the first voltage source.

Abstract: An electric light controller which serves to connect and disconnect an electric lamp element load from a power source in such rapid-fire pseudorandom seuentiality that the electric lamp appears to the eye as an illusion simulating the fluctuant brightness variations inherent in a flickering flame produced light. The result is an improved specious effect for decorative items such as electric lanterns used for outdoor lighting, simulated burning fireplace log arrangements, decorative chandeliers, holiday lighting equipment such as Christmas tree lights, and other such devices. Further enhancement of realism of the produced effect is provided for "open fire" decorative apparatus, such as electric fireplace log arrangements, through the optional inclusion of a popping acoustical sound translator, excited by a pseudorandom audio signal, which serves to simulate the crackling sound made by a burning material.

Abstract: A circuit including a switching regulator and a pair of pulse transformers for selectively starting and operating a pair of arc discharge lamps. The lamps are arranged to be connected in parallel across the regulator output, and in order to operate one lamp at a time, the circuit is provided with low-voltage switching means for selecting the lamp to be started and operated. This switching means, in the form of a ganged switch, includes a switch portion for completing an enable circuit from the regulator controller for enabling the regulator and a pulse generator, and a second switch portion for steering pulses from the generator to the pulse transformer associated with the lamp selected for operation.

Abstract: A combination floodlight, spotlight and flasher circuit is disclosed herein. The circuit is provided with a manual switch means, which will turn a spotlight to on, off, and flash, and turn the floodlight on, off, and to a battery saver position. The floodlight is operated through a unique inverter circuit and flasher circuit combination. Multiple combinations of switching modes make it possible to selectively accomplish various combinations of lights simultaneously.

Abstract: An isolator circuit for use with a switching circuit for energizing a ballasted load in response to a control signal of preselected frequency superimposed on AC power circuits which supply the load. In the switching circuit, a triac is gated to conduct the AC power to the load by a circuit including an impedance element and a series resonant LC network tuned to the frequency of the control signal. The control signal may be one of a plurality of control signals having different frequencies superimposed on the power circuits. The isolator circuit is connected between the traic and the load and comprises a plurality of series connected parallel resonant LC circuits each tuned to block a respective one of the control signals. A series choke blocks spurious signal voltages.

Abstract: A photocell-controlled lighting system is disclosed. The system comprises a first photocell-controlled operated by a photocell, at least one night or decorative light adapted to be connected to a power source, at least one spotlight, also adapted for connection to the power source, a second relay adapted for connection to the power source and responsive to energization of the photocell-controlled relay for energizing the night or decorative light and to de-energization of the photocell-controlled relay when the photocell is illuminated by the lights of an automobile entering the driveway of a house for switching off the night or decorative light, and a third time relay adapted for connection to the power source and operated by the second relay when the lights of the automobile are switched off for switching of the spotlight for a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A solid-state switching system which produces one or more switching signals in response to a power circuit current's reaching a preset level or levels whereby remote control of associated apparatus may be effected without independent control circuits.

Abstract: A circuit having two modes of operation for driving either one of a light emitting diode or a gas discharge tube (digitron) display from a single semiconductor chip. Respective voltages are supplied to the chip to enable the circuit to selectively operate in either of the light emitting diode or digitron modes.

Abstract: An emergency light system which incorporates flashing strobe type of lights located along the aisle(s) of an aircraft, or other passenger carrier, would provide flashing arrows indicating the location of emergency exits. The sequential firing of the flashing lamps will further create the effect of a moving light beam to lead passengers toward the exit area(s). Also, with programmable control means, there can be stroboscopic type flashing lights to direct egress to only those exits which are open.

Abstract: Device for triggering the discharge of flash tubes, comprising a priming transformer whose primary winding is connected up in series with a priming capacitor and whose secondary winding is connected up in series with at least a flash tube, an ignitron connected up in series with the tube and a transformer for controlling that ignitron, the primary winding of that transformer being connected up in series with a control capacitor.

Abstract: A plurality of flash units mounted as warning, navigational or signal beacons are driven from a remote energy storage power converter with reduced number and or size of discharge current cables by common use of cables combined with sequential flashing such that the discharge current for only one flash lamp is carried by a cable at a given instant. By very close spacing, the sequential flashes may be made to appear simultaneous to the human eye.