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US4551654A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Lighting control system and method

Assignee: KESSER ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL Inc
•
Filing: 1984-05-31
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Granted: 1985-11-05
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Expires: 2004-05-31
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Abstract

Abstract A lighting control circuit responsive to amplitude variations related to the effects of movement on the reflection of electromagnetic energy at an ultrasonic frequency.

Inventors

  • 👤 Charly Barnum

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 05:15
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/16; H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/105; H05B47/115; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00; Y02B20/40

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 156 words
A lighting system for a space comprising: (a) a source of illumination for the space; (b) a control circuit for said source of illumination; (c) means for radiating electromagnetic energy at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency and at a generally constant amplitude into the space to be monitored; (d) means for detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the objects in the space, said energy being in the form of the radiated ultrasonic energy modulated by a signal representing any motion within the space, said means providing a first signal; (e) means for automatically adjusting the amplitude of said first signal to within predetermined limits; (f) means for filtering out the frequency components of the amplitude adjusted first signal other than the predetermined frequency; and (g) means for detecting variations in the amplitude of said first signal in excess of said predetermined limit to generate a control signal in response thereto to energize and deenergize said illumination control circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 156 words
A lighting system for a space comprising: (a) a source of illumination for the space; (b) a control circuit for said source of illumination; (c) means for radiating electromagnetic energy at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency and at a generally constant amplitude into the space to be monitored; (d) means for detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the objects in the space, said energy being in the form of the radiated ultrasonic energy modulated by a signal representing any motion within the space, said means providing a first signal; (e) means for automatically adjusting the amplitude of said first signal to within predetermined limits; (f) means for filtering out the frequency components of the amplitude adjusted first signal other than the predetermined frequency; and (g) means for detecting variations in the amplitude of said first signal in excess of said predetermined limit to generate a control signal in response thereto to energize and deenergize said illumination control circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic energy detecting means and said electromagnetic energy radiating means are mounted on orthogonal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for radiating electromagnetic energy and said means for detecting electromagnetic energy are both provided with a vibration damping mounting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
The system of claim 1 including a second electromagnetic energy detecting means spaced from said first mentioned electromagnetic energy detecting means for detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from objects in the space and for affecting the operation of said control signal generating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 92 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said amplitude detection means for generating a control signal is adapted to provide a reset signal and a first control signal to effect energization of said illumination control circuit, and wherein said system further includes a timing circuit responsive to each reset signal generated, means for generating a second control signal responsive to the absence of a reset signal within a predetermined time period following each said reset signal, and means for applying the second control signal to said illumination control circuit to effect deenergization thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system further includes manually operable means for selectively applying said control signal to said illumination control circuit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 142 words
A method of controling a lighting circuit for a space comprising the steps of: (a) radiating electromagnetic energy into a space at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency and generally constant amplitude; (b) detecting electromagnetic reflected from the space to provide a first signal; (c) automatically adjusting the amplitude of said first signal to within predetermined limits; (d) filtering out frequency components of the amplitude adjusted first signal other then the predetermined fequency; (e) detecting amplitude excursions in excess of a predetermined limit to provide a reset signal and a first control signal; (f) enabling a timing circuit responsively to each reset signal; (g) applying the first control signal to the lighting circuit to effect the energization thereof; (h) generating a second lighting circuit control signal responsively to the absense of a reset signal within a predetermined time period following each reset signal; and
Claim 9
Independent Claim 142 words
A method of controling a lighting circuit for a space comprising the steps of: (a) radiating electromagnetic energy into a space at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency and generally constant amplitude; (b) detecting electromagnetic reflected from the space to provide a first signal; (c) automatically adjusting the amplitude of said first signal to within predetermined limits; (d) filtering out frequency components of the amplitude adjusted first signal other then the predetermined fequency; (e) detecting amplitude excursions in excess of a predetermined limit to provide a reset signal and a first control signal; (f) enabling a timing circuit responsively to each reset signal; (g) applying the first control signal to the lighting circuit to effect the energization thereof; (h) generating a second lighting circuit control signal responsively to the absense of a reset signal within a predetermined time period following each reset signal; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
(i) applying the second control signal to the lighting circuit to effect the denergization thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 15 words
(i) applying the second control signal to the lighting circuit to effect the denergization thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 7 including the preliminary step of manually effecting the operation of an override circuit to thereby control the generation of at least one of the control signals.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2903683A Cited
US3594768A Cited
US3459961A Cited
US3513463A Cited
US3646506A Cited
US4193055A Cited
US4305021A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-11-04 1989-05-06 1989-11-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-11-04 1993-05-06 1993-11-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-11-04 1997-05-06 1997-11-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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