US3898383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic dimming and recycleable lamp
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-24
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A sound responsive apparatus for automatically dimming a lamp from an initial condition of maximum brightness to a terminal condition of minimum brightness comprising a detector for detecting the presence of sound having at least a predetermined amplitude and an automatic dimming apparatus operatively connected to the detector to actuate the automatic dimming apparatus upon detecting sound having at least the predetermined amplitude. The automatic dimming apparatus, when actuated, controls the brightness of the lamp from a first level of brightness to a second, diminished, level of brightness. Means may be provided for varying the period of time required for the lamp to pass from maximum brightness to minimum brightness.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles G Herbits
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:00
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/08; H02M1/088; H02M1/096; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/04; H05B39/041; H05B39/044; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/105; H05B47/115; H05B47/12; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00; Y02B20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A sound responsive apparatus for automatically controlling the brightness of a lamp, said apparatus comprising: a lamp; detector means for detecting the presence of sound having at least a predetermined amplitude; dimming means for energizing said lamp at a first predetermined level of brightness, when actuated, and for automatically reducing the level of brightness of said lamp from said first level to a second predetermined level of brightness lower than the first level over a predetermined time period; and switch means cooperable with said detector means for actuating said dimming means in response to the detection of sound above the predetermined amplitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sound responsive apparatus for automatically controlling the brightness of a lamp, said apparatus comprising: a lamp; detector means for detecting the presence of sound having at least a predetermined amplitude; dimming means for energizing said lamp at a first predetermined level of brightness, when actuated, and for automatically reducing the level of brightness of said lamp from said first level to a second predetermined level of brightness lower than the first level over a predetermined time period; and switch means cooperable with said detector means for actuating said dimming means in response to the detection of sound above the predetermined amplitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including: threshold adjustment means for varying the minimum amplitude of sound at which said detector means will actuate said switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including: variable adjustment means for varying a minimum brightness of said lamp to prevent said dimming means from reducing the brightness of said lamp to below a predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including: variable dimming rate adjustment means for varying the time required for said dimming means to reduce the power available to said lamp from a maximum power level to a minimum power level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including: audio output means operatively connected to said switch means and actuated by said switch means in response to to said sound above the predetermined amplitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sound responsive apparatus for automatically reducing the power to a load from an initial condition of maximum power to a terminal condition of minimum power, said apparatus comprising: detector means for detecting the presence of sound having at least a predetermined amplitude; and means responsive to said detector means for providing an initial condition of maximum power to the load and for reducing over a predetermined time period the power available to the load from said initial condition of maximum power to a terminal condition of minimum power when said detector means detects sound having the predetermined amplitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sound responsive apparatus for automatically reducing the power to a load from an initial condition of maximum power to a terminal condition of minimum power, said apparatus comprising: detector means for detecting the presence of sound having at least a predetermined amplitude; and means responsive to said detector means for providing an initial condition of maximum power to the load and for reducing over a predetermined time period the power available to the load from said initial condition of maximum power to a terminal condition of minimum power when said detector means detects sound having the predetermined amplitude.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The appAratus of claim 6 and further including: threshold adjustment means for varying the minimum amplitude of sound at which said automatic power reducing means will respond to said detector means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 6 and further including: varible power reducing rate adjustment means for varying the period of time for said automatic power reducing means to reduce the power to said load from the maximum condition to the minimum condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the load is a lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
150 words
A sound responsive apparatus for automatically dimming a lamp, said apparatus comprising: detector means for detecting sound having at least a predetermined amplitude; first electronic switch means operably responsive to said detector means when sound having an amplitude at least as great as the predetermined amplitude is detected; second electronic switch means operable to control the average power available to the lamp; automatic dimming means actuable by said first electronic switch means for actuating said second electronic switch means to provide a maximum power level to the lamp and to reduce the average power available to the lamp from said maximum power level to a minimum power level to thereby automatically dim the lamp over a predetermined period of time when sound having at least the predetermined amplitude is detected; and means for supplying power to said detector means, said first and second electronic switches, and said automatic dimming means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
150 words
A sound responsive apparatus for automatically dimming a lamp, said apparatus comprising: detector means for detecting sound having at least a predetermined amplitude; first electronic switch means operably responsive to said detector means when sound having an amplitude at least as great as the predetermined amplitude is detected; second electronic switch means operable to control the average power available to the lamp; automatic dimming means actuable by said first electronic switch means for actuating said second electronic switch means to provide a maximum power level to the lamp and to reduce the average power available to the lamp from said maximum power level to a minimum power level to thereby automatically dim the lamp over a predetermined period of time when sound having at least the predetermined amplitude is detected; and means for supplying power to said detector means, said first and second electronic switches, and said automatic dimming means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10 and further including: threshold adjustment means for varying minimum amplitude of sound at which said detector means will actuate said first electronic switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 10 and further including: variable adjustment means for varying a minimum power available to the lamp to prevent said automatic dimming means from reducing the power available to the lamp to below a predetermined level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 10 and further including: variable dimming rate adjustment means for varying the period of time required for said dimming means to reduce the power available to the lamp from the maximum power level to the minimum power level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including: audio output means operatively connected to said switch means and actuated by said switch means in response to said sound above the predetermined amplitude.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |