Sound actuated light switch

Claim 2

A switch connected between an alternating current power source and a load for actuation of the load upon receipt of an external stimulus comprising: a direct current power supply connected to the alternating current power source having at least one direct current output; means for sensing the external stimulus and producing a first electrical signal representative of the stimulus at a first output thereof; a reset circuit means having a reset circuit input electrically coupled to the first output for producing a reset signal at a reset output when the electrical signal at the reset circuit input exceeds a chosen level; timing means coupled to the reset output for providing on ar;d off control signals at a control output, , said on control signal provided for a first period of time upon receipt of the reset signal and said off control signal provided thereafter; and connecting switch means, having a switch input connected to said control output and being responsive to said control signal, for electrically connecting the alternating current power source to the load when the on control signal is present.

Claim 3

A switch as claimed in Claim 1 in which the timing means further comprise: an electronic oscillator means for producing an oscillating signal, and an electronic counter coupled to the oscillator means and having a reset input coupled to the reset output and adapted to begin a count cycle by counting oscillations of the oscillating signal starting at a first count upon receipt of the reset signal, the counter including means for producing an on control signal at a counter output upon receipt of the control signal and an off control signal after the electronic counter reaches a certain count.

Claim 4

A switch as claimed in Claim 2 in which the oscillator means is adjustable so that the frequency of the oscillating signal can be varied.

Claim 5

A switch as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an on-off switch means, connected between the counter output and the switch input of the connecting switch means, for selectively electrically disconnecting the switch input from the counter output.

Claim 6

A switch as claimed in any preceding claim in which the external stimulus is sound and the sensing and producing means includes a microphone.

Claim 7

A switch as claimed< in any preceding claim further comprising means connected between the first output and the reset circuit input for amplifying the first electrical signal.

Claim 8

A switch as claimed in Claim 6 in which the amplifying means includes an adjustable gain amplifying means.

Claim 9

An electronic switch device for completing an electric circuit between a source of alternating current and a load upon receipt of an appropriate sound comprising: means connected to said alternating current source for providing a supply of direct current; an acoustic pickup adapted to produce a first signal at a first output; means coupled to said first output for amplifying said first signal to produce a second signal at a second output; a reset circuit means coupled to said second output for producing a reset signal at a reset output when said second signal exceeds a chosen level; an electronic oscillator means adapted to produce an oscillating signal at a selected frequency; an electronic counter means operably coupled to said oscillator means and having a reset input operably coupled to said reset output and adapted to begin a count cycle by counting oscillations of said oscillating signal starting at a first count value upon receipt of said reset signal, said counter means including means for producing an on control signal at a counter output upon receipt of said reset signal and until the count of said counter means reaches a second count value and an off control signal thereafter; and connecting switch means, having a switch input connected to said counter output and being responsive to said control signal, for electrically connecting the source to the load when said on control signal is present.

Claim 10

An electronic switch device for completing an electric circuit between a source of alternating current and a load upon receipt of an appropriate sound comprising: means connected to said alternating current source for providing a supply of direct current; an acoustic pickup adapted to produce a first signal at a first output; means coupled to said first output for amplifying said first signal to produce a second signal at a second output; a reset circuit means coupled to said second output for producing a reset signal at a reset output when said second signal exceeds a chosen level; an electronic oscillator means adapted to produce an oscillating signal at a selected frequency; an electronic counter means operably coupled to said oscillator means and having a reset input operably coupled to said reset output and adapted to begin a count cycle by counting oscillations of said oscillating signal starting at a first count value upon receipt of said reset signal, said counter means including means for producing an on control signal at a counter output upon receipt of said reset signal and until the count of said counter means reaches a second count value and an off control signal thereafter; and connecting switch means, having a switch input connected to said counter output and being responsive to said control signal, for electrically connecting the source to the load when said on control signal is present.

Claim 11

The device claimed in Claim 8 in which the direct current providing means further comprises: a current rectifier having an input and an output and connected to the current source at its input providing rectified current at its output; amplifier means having an amplifier means input connected to the rectifier output, an amplifier means output and a control terminal; and an electronic switch having a switch input connected to the control terminal and a switch output connected to a common line, the switch adapted to remain substantially open until the voltage at said switch input reaches a switch value whereupon said switch closes to cause the voltage a said control terminal to be substantially equal voltage of the common line.

Claim 12

The device claimed <in Claim 9 further comprising capacitor means connecting the amplifier means output to the common line.

Claim 13

The device of Claim 10 in which a voltage divider is connected between the amplifier means output and ground to provide first and second direct current taps at first and second voltages.

Claim 22

A direct current power supply for use with an alternating current power source, comprising: a current rectifier having an input, connected to the power source, and an output; amplifier means having an input connected to the rectifier output, a control terminal and a direct current power output; and an electronic switch connected between the control terminal and a common line, the electronic switch adapted to be substantially open when the voltage at the control terminal is between zero and a predetermined voltage and to be substantially a short circuit when the voltage at the control terminal exceeds the said predetermined voltage.

Claim 23

A direct current power supply for use with an alternating current power source, comprising: a current rectifier having an input, connected to the power source, and an output; amplifier means having an input connected to the rectifier output, a control terminal and a direct current power output; and an electronic switch connected between the control terminal and a common line, the electronic switch adapted to be substantially open when the voltage at the control terminal is between zero and a predetermined voltage and to be substantially a short circuit when the voltage at the control terminal exceeds the said predetermined voltage.

Claim 24

A power supply as Claimed in Claim 20 further comprising a filter capacitor connected to the direct current power output to reduce voltage fluxuations thereat.