2244 results about "Dimmer" patented technology

A system is disclosed for detecting and calculating the level of ambient and / or environmental noise, such as electromagnetic interference generated by electric power lines, ambient lights, light dimmers, television or computer displays, power supplies or transformers, and medical equipment. In some embodiments, the system performs frequency analysis on the interference signal detected by light photodetectors and determines the power of the interference signal concentrated in the analyzed frequency bands. The worst-case interference level can be determined by selecting the maximum from the computed power values. In some embodiments, the determined interference signal power can be compared with the noise tolerance of a patient monitoring system configured to reliably and non-invasively detect physiological parameters of a user. The results of the comparison can be presented to the user audio-visually. In some embodiments, the system can be used to perform spot check measurements of electromagnetic interference.

A multifunction sensor device which provides various transducer functions including means for performing temperature sensing, humidity sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, thermostat functions, switching functions, load switching and dimming functions, displaying actual and set temperature values, displaying time of day values and a means to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device has utility in environments such as that found in offices, schools, homes, industrial plants or any other type of automated facility in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or artificial or natural cooling, heating and HVAC control. The device can be used as a switch or dimmer, sensor or thermostat as well as to adjust and control all natural and artificial lighting, temperature and humidity devices. Key elements of the invention include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single package that can be mounted to a wall in a substantially flush manner; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel in the device, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis. The device may include additional transducers or sensors and is constructed such that the temperature and humidity sensors are neither exposed to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an airflow channel whereby a chimney effect may occur. The device can transmit and receive real time data, relative data and actual discrete data in addition to switching and controlling loads locally or remotely. An embodiment utilizing airflow channels to direct air over the temperature and humidity sensors is also disclosed.

Exemplary embodiments provide an impedance matching circuit for providing variable power from a dimmer switch having a triac to a switching power supply couplable to solid-state lighting. An exemplary impedance matching circuit includes a first resistor coupled to receive a first current from the switching power supply; a second resistor; and a transistor coupled in series to the second resistor, with the transistor responsive to a gate voltage to modulate a second current through the second resistor in response to a detected level of the first current through the first resistor.

A method and system allow a lighting device having light sources with multiple color temperatures to vary a color temperature of the lighting device in response to changing dimming levels. The light sources are non-incandescent light sources, such as light emitting diodes and / or gas-discharge lights. A dimmer circuit provides a dimming signal that indicates a selected dimming level. The lighting device includes a light source driver and a light source driver controller that cooperate to vary drive currents to the light sources in response to the selected dimming level. By varying the drive currents in different relative amounts, the color temperature of the lighting device changes in response to dimming level changes. In at least one embodiment, changes in the color temperature of the lighting device in response to the dimming level changes simulates the color temperature changes of an incandescent light source.

An exemplary embodiment provides a current regulator for controlling variable brightness levels for solid state lighting. The current regulator is couplable to a phase-modulating switch, such as a dimmer switch, which is coupled to an AC line voltage. An exemplary current regulator includes a rectifier; a switching power supply providing a first current; an impedance matching circuit; and a controller. The impedance matching circuit is adapted to provide a second current through the phase-modulating switch when a magnitude of the first current is below a first predetermined threshold, such as a holding current of a triac of the phase-modulating switch. The controller is adapted to determine a root-mean-square (RMS) voltage level provided by the phase-modulating switch from the AC line voltage and to determine a duty cycle for pulse-width current modulation by the switching power supply in response to the comparison of the RMS voltage level to a nominal voltage level.

Exemplary embodiments provide an apparatus, system and method for power conversion to provide power to solid state lighting, and which may be coupled to a first switch, such as a dimmer switch. An exemplary system for power conversion comprises: a switching power supply comprising a second, power switch; solid state lighting coupled to the switching power supply; a voltage sensor; a current sensor; a memory; a first adaptive interface circuit to provide a resistive impedance to the first switch and conduct current from the first switch in a default mode; a second adaptive interface circuit to create a resonant process when the first switch turns on; and a controller to modulate the second adaptive interface circuit when the first switch turns on to provide a current path during the resonant process of the switching power supply.

The present invention provides a method of programming a preset intensity of a dimmer switch from a radio-frequency (RF) remote control. A user is able to adjust the intensity of the lighting load to a new intensity and subsequently press and hold a preset button on the remote control to program the new intensity as the preset intensity. The remote control transmits a wireless transmission to the dimmer switch, which immediately responds to the actuation of the preset button by controlling the intensity of the lighting load to an old preset intensity. The dimmer switch then blinks a light-emitting diode representative of the new intensity to provide feedback that the dimmer switch is in the process of programming the preset intensity to the new intensity. Eventually, the dimmer switch stores the new intensity as the preset intensity and stops blinking the light-emitting diode.

Exemplary embodiments provide an apparatus, system and method for power conversion to provide power to solid state lighting, and which may be coupled to a first switch, such as a dimmer switch. An exemplary system comprises: a switching power supply; solid state lighting; a first adaptive interface circuit to provide a resistive impedance to the first switch and conduct current from the first switch in a default mode; and a second adaptive interface circuit to create a resonant process. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a switching power supply; and an adaptive interface circuit comprising a resistive impedance coupled in series to a reactive impedance to conduct current from the first switch in a first current path in a default mode, and further comprising a second switch coupled to the reactive impedance to conduct current from the first switch in a second current path, with the adaptive interface circuit further damping oscillation when the first switch turns on.

A power saving device for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp mounted to an existing fixture for a fluorescent lamp having a ballast assembly and LEDs positioned within a tube and electrical power delivered from the ballast assembly to the LEDs. The LED lamp includes a device for controlling the delivery of the electrical power from the ballast assembly to the LEDs wherein the use of electrical power can be reduced or eliminated automatically during periods of non-use. Such device for controlling can include an on-off switch mounted in the tube or can also include a current driver dimmer mounted in the tube that regulates the amount of power delivered to the LEDs. A computer or logic arrays control the dimmer or power switch. A sensor such as an occupancy motion detection sensor mounted external to the tube or within the tube can send signals to the computer or logic array to trigger a switch or control a dimmer. Two or more such LED lamps with one or more computers or logic arrays in network communication with sensors can be controlled, so as to reduce flickering between lamps when illumination areas are being alternately occupied. Preset or manually set timers can control switches or be used in combination with the computer, logic array, and dimmer.

The invention disclosed herein is a dynamic dummy load to allow a phase control dimmer to be used with LED lighting. The invention includes providing a dynamic dummy load to provide a load to the dimmer when the LED electronics do not provide sufficient load due to start up issues or ringing in the circuit, the dynamic dummy load providing a reduced flow of current when the LED and its converter electronics provide sufficient current draw from the dimmer. The system generally includes a power source electrically connected to a phase control dimmer, the phase control dimmer electrically connected to converter circuitry to convert the AC power output of the dimmer to DC power output for powering the LED lighting, a dynamic dummy load electrically connected in parallel with the converter circuitry, the dummy load varying its current draw in response to operation of the converter circuitry.

The AC output from a source is rectified and applied to a resistor / Zener diode circuit connection which determines the magnitude of the rectified voltage applied via a circuit to a first MOSFET device. The inverted output of the first MOSFET device is applied to the gate electrode of a second MOSFET device in a manner such that the second MOSFET device is ON even when the AC output passes through zero. The output of the second MOSFET device is connected to a resistor which determines the magnitude of the load applied to the dimmer.

A programmable wallbox dimmer is disclosed. Upon entering a programming mode, the dimmer presents a main menu from which the user may select one or more features to program. The user may scroll through a list of programmable features by actuating the dimmer's raise / lower intensity actuator. The user may select a highlighted feature by actuating the dimmer's control switch. The dimmer may enter a value selection mode that is associated with the selected feature. In the value selection mode, the user may scroll through a list of features that define the selected feature by actuating the dimmer's raise / lower intensity actuator. The user may select a value for the selected feature. The selected value may be stored in the dimmer's memory.

A power saving device for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp mounted to an existing fixture for a fluorescent lamp having a ballast assembly and LEDs positioned within a tube and electrical power delivered from the ballast assembly to the LEDs. The LED lamp includes means for controlling the delivery of the electrical power from the ballast assembly to the LEDs wherein the use of electrical power can be reduced or eliminated automatically during periods of non-use. Such means for controlling can include an on-off switch mounted in the tube or can also include a current driver dimmer mounted in the tube that regulates the amount of power delivered to the LEDs. A computer or logic arrays control the dimmer or power switch. A sensor such as an occupancy motion detection sensor mounted external to the tube or within the tube can send signals to the computer or logic array to trigger a switch or control a dimmer. Two or more such LED lamps with one or more computers or logic arrays in network communication with sensors can be controlled, so as to reduce flickering between lamps when illumination areas are being alternately occupied. Preset or manually set timers can control switches or be used in combination with the computer, logic array, and dimmer.

A power saving device for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp mounted to an existing fixture for a fluorescent lamp having a ballast assembly and LEDs positioned within a tube and electrical power delivered from the ballast assembly to the LEDs. The LED lamp includes means for controlling the delivery of the electrical power from the ballast assembly to the LEDs wherein the use of electrical power can be reduced or eliminated automatically during periods of non-use. Such means for controlling include means for detecting the level of daylight in the illumination area of said least one LED in particular a light level photosensor and means for transmitting to the means for controlling a control signal relating to the detected level of daylight from the photosensor. The photosensor can be used in operative association with an on-off switch in power connection to the LEDs, or with a computer or logic gate array in operative association with a dimmer that controls the power to the LEDs. An occupancy sensor that detects motion or a person in the illumination area of the LEDs can be optionally used in association with the photosensor and the computer and dimmer. Two or more such LED lamps with one or more computers or logic gate arrays can be in network communication with the photosensors and the occupancy sensors to control the power to the LEDs.

A lighting fixture having a lamp and alarm clock with a wake-up cycle and sleep cycle with gradually increasing and decreasing light and sounds. The lighting fixture includes at least one lamp for emitting light in the wake-up cycle and in the sleep cycle. The lighting fixture also includes at least one speaker for emitting sound in the wake-up cycle and in the sleep cycle. The lighting fixture further includes a dimmer switch for dimming the light and wake-up cycle control buttons for setting and controlling a wake-up cycle having a light control button for setting the time when the wake-up cycle control buttons activates the light mode and gradually increases the lamp brightness emitted from the at least one lamp; and sound control buttons for setting and controlling the time when the wake-up cycle control buttons activates the sound mode and gradually increases the sound intensity emitted from the at least one speaker; and sound selection switches for selecting one of multiple pre-set sounds for the sound mode of the wake-up cycle, or for full time operation as background sound.

A networkable power controller includes a mode selector for selectively conducting of a plurality of input signals to an output of the networkable power controller, where the input signals and the output signals satisfy the same signaling protocol. The networkable power controller may be networked with other networkable power controllers, lighting ballasts and other building automation control devices, and user-controlled voltage selectors to provide a lighting control network. A power controller may include a mode selector that may be used in combination with other control devices or components, including a rotary dimmer control, a digital slide dimmer control, a demand load shedder component, a photometer component, and a communications interface. The communications interface allows digital control of the networkable power controller.

A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.

A two-wire dimmer for control of a lighting load from an alternating-current (AC) power source includes a semiconductor switch, a power supply, and a control circuit. The power supply includes an energy storage input capacitor that is able to charge only when the semiconductor switch is non-conductive. The control circuit continuously monitors the voltage on the input capacitor and automatically decreases the maximum allowable conduction time of the semiconductor switch when the voltage falls to a level that will not guarantee proper operation of the power supply. The dimmer of the present invention is able to provide the maximum possible conduction time of the semiconductor switch at high end (i.e., maximum light intensity) while simultaneously ensuring sufficient charging time for proper operation of the power supply, and hence, the dimmer.

An LED lamp is provided in which the output light intensity of the LEDs in the LED lamp is adjusted based on the input voltage to the LED lamp. A dimmer control unit detects a type of dimmer switch during a configuration process. Using the detected dimmer type, the dimmer control unit generates control signals appropriate for the detected dimmer type to provide regulated current to the LEDs and to achieve the desired dimming effect. The LED lamp can be a direct replacement of conventional incandescent lamps in typical wiring configurations found in residential and commercial building lighting applications that use conventional dimmer switches.

A power saving device for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp mounted to an existing fixture for a fluorescent lamp having a ballast assembly and LEDs positioned within a tube and electrical power delivered from the ballast assembly to the LEDs. The LED lamp includes means for controlling the delivery of the electrical power from the ballast assembly to the LEDs wherein the use of electrical power can be reduced or eliminated automatically during periods of non-use. Such means for controlling can include an on-off switch mounted in the tube or can also include a current driver dimmer mounted in the tube that regulates the amount of power delivered to the LEDs. A computer or logic arrays control the dimmer or power switch. A sensor such as an occupancy motion detection sensor mounted external to the tube or within the tube can send signals to the computer or logic array to trigger a switch or control a dimmer. Two or more such LED lamps with one or more computers or logic arrays in network communication with sensors can be controlled, so as to reduce flickering between lamps when illumination areas are being alternately occupied. Preset or manually set timers can control switches or be used in combination with the computer, logic array, and dimmer.

A dimmer circuit applicable for LED device and control method thereof is disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The dimmer circuit is applicable for controlling at least a LED device. The dimmer circuit includes a rectifier, a bleeder, a phase angle detect circuit, a constant current circuit and a programmable micro controller. The phase angle detect circuit couples to the programmable micro controller. The constant current circuit couples to the LED device The programmable micro controller generates a PWM signal according to the output signal of the phase angle detect circuit to adjust current of the constant current circuit.

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.

A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) is operable to control the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) and has substantially no minimum load requirement. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, which is operable to be rendered conductive each half-cycle and to remain conductive independent of the magnitude of a load current conducted through semiconductor switch. The dimmer switch comprises a control circuit that conducts a control current through the load in order to generate a gate drive signal for rendering the bidirectional semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive each half-cycle. The control circuit may provide a constant gate drive to the bidirectional semiconductor switch after the bidirectional semiconductor switch is rendered conductive each half-cycle. The bidirectional semiconductor switch may comprise, for example, a triac or two field-effect transistors coupled in anti-series connection.

Automated control systems and methods for lighting systems are described herein. In certain embodiments, the control systems include either an improved dimmable ballast, an improved dimmer circuit, or both. The control systems are suitable for various applications including a light harvesting system and a security lighting system.

An LED lamp is provided in which the output light intensity of the LEDs in the LED lamp is adjusted based on the input voltage to the LED lamp. The LED lamp comprises one or more LEDs, and an LED driver configured to receive an input voltage and provide regulated current to said one or more LEDs, where the LED driver is configured to adjust the regulated current to said one or more LEDs according to the input voltage to adjust the output light intensity of said one or more LEDs. The LED lamp can be a direct replacement of conventional incandescent lamps in typical wiring configurations found in residential and commercial building lighting applications that use conventional dimmer switches that carry out dimming by changing the input voltage to the LED lamp.

The invention relates to a dimmer triggering circuit (12) for triggering a dimmer in an alternating current network. The dimmer has a voltage-level detector (15), and a bipolar current source circuit (18). The voltage-level detector (15) detects whether an absolute value of an input voltage of the dimmer triggering circuit is below a threshold value. The bipolar current source circuit (18) provides a current if the voltage detected by the voltage-level detector (15) is below the threshold value. If the voltage detected is not below the threshold value, the bipolar current source circuit is deactivated. The dimmer triggering circuit (12), in operation, dissipates an average power less than 100 mW.

A compact antenna for use in a device for controlling the power delivered to an electric load and operable to transmit or receive radio frequency signals at a specified frequency is presented. The antenna comprises a first loop of conductive material having a capacitance and an inductance forming a circuit being resonant at the specified frequency, and a second loop of conductive material having two ends adapted to be electrically coupled to an electronic circuit. The second loop is substantially only magnetically coupled to the first loop and is electrically isolated from the first loop. In a first embodiment of the antenna, the first and second loops are formed on respective first and second printed circuit boards, which allow for a small, low-cost antenna that is easy to manufacture and maximizes efficiency. When the antenna is installed in a load control device, such as a dimmer, the first loop of the antenna is mounted on an outer surface of the device. The second loop of the antenna may be at a high-voltage potential such as line voltage.