Patent US4924151A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4924151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-zone, multi-scene lighting control system
Assignee: Lutron Technology Co LLC
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Filing: 1988-09-30
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Granted: 1990-05-08
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Expires: 2008-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling power to multiple groups of lights requires only a few controls. The system permits power to each group of lights to be adjusted independently and, at the same time, to be stored for later recall. Several combinations of power levels can be stored, and a particular combination can be selected, for example, by pressing a corresponding push button. In a preferred embodiment, a single control permits adjustment of any selected group, or groups, of lights.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D'Aleo
- 👤 Denis Darragh
- 👤 Jonathan Ference
- 👤 David Luchaco
- 👤 Michael J. Rowen
- 👤 Joel S. Spira
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:25
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A lighting control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for independently setting power levels to each of a plurality of zones of lighting, (b) means, requiring no operator action, for electronically storing a plurality of combinations of said power levels, and (c) means for selecting any one of said combinations of power levels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A lighting control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for independently setting power levels to each of a plurality of zones of lighting, (b) means, requiring no operator action, for electronically storing a plurality of combinations of said power levels, and (c) means for selecting any one of said combinations of power levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting said power level setting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control system of claim 2, wherein said adjusting means comprises a rotary encoder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control system of claim 3, wherein said rotary encoder comprises an endless travel thumbwheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 3, further comprising zone selection means to select a zone for power level setting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 5, wherein said zone selection means comprises a push button actuator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 5, wherein power levels of a plurality of selected zones can be set simultaneously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of 7 wherein changes in said power levels are proportional to the displacement of said rotary encoder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of 7 wherein changes in said power levels are proportional to the displacement of said rotary encoder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of 7 wherein percent changes in said power levels are proportional to the displacement of said rotary encoder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of 7 wherein percent changes in said power levels are proportional to the displacement of said rotary encoder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control system of claim 5, further comprising means for indicating said selected zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 10, wherein said zone indicating means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of claim 10, wherein said zone indicating means is adapted to flash said selected zone of lights.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 5, further comprising zone deselection means to prevent power level setting of a zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 13, wherein said zone selection means is adapted to select a zone when actuated once and to deselect a zone when actuated twice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 14, wherein said zone selection means comprises an alternate action push button actuator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control system of claim 13, wherein said zone deselection means comprises a timer adapted to deselect a zone at a predetermined interval after said zone has been adjusted.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of claim 5, wherein said zone selection means is adapted to, upon actuation, deselect previously adjusted zones.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 2, wherein said adjustment means comprises an endless travel linear encoder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of claim 18, wherein said endless travel linear encoder comprises a treadmill mounted on a rotary encoder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The control system of claim 19, wherein said treadmill is translucent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of claim 20, further comprising means for indicating said zone power levels mounted behind said translucent treadmill.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 2, wherein said adjusting means is removably connectable to said power level setting means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control system of claim 2, further comprising auxiliary means for adjusting said power level setting means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control system of claim 23, wherein said auxiliary adjusting means comprises a wireless transmitter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control system of claim 24, wherein said wireless transmitter is an infrared transmitter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control system of claim 1, further comprising means for indicating said zone power levels.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control system of claim 26, wherein said power level indicating means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control system of claim 27, wherein said power level indicating means comprises an array of light emitting diodes, the number of which successively illuminated indicates said zone power level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The control system of claim 28, wherein said array is vertically aligned.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system of claim 27, wherein said power level indicating means comprises an array of light emitting diodes, and the position of a single illuminated diode indicates said zone power level.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 1, wherein said power level combination selecting means comprises a push buton actuator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 1, further comprising means for indicating a selected power level combination.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 32, wherein said selection indicator means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control system of claim 1, wherein said power level combination selecting means is removably connectable to said power level setting means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system system of claim 1, further comprising auxiliary means for selecting any one of said power level combinations.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 35, wherein said auxiliary power level combination selecting means comprises a wireless transmitter.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of claim 1, further comprising fade means for prolonging the transition to a selected preset power level combination.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 37, further comprising means for adjusting the transition time of said fade means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control system of claim 38, wherein said transition time adjustment means comprises a potentiometer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of claim 38, wherein said transition time adjustment means is removably connectable to said power level setting means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 38 further comprising auxiliary means for adjusting the transition time of said fade means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control system of claim 41 wherein said auxiliary transition time adjustment means comprises a wireless transmitter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of claim 3, further comprising fade means for prolonging the transition to a selected preset power level combination.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control system of claim 43, in which said rotary encoder is adapted for adjusting the transition time of said fade means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 1, further comprising means for simultaneously adjusting all power levels in a combination.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control system of claim 5, wherein said power level setting means is adapted to allow simultaneous adjustment of all power levels in a combination, if no zones are selected.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control system of claim 1, further comprising a hinged cover that opens and closes to allow and deny access to said power level setting means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control system of claim 47, further comprising means, attached to said cover, for identifying said zones.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The control system of claim 48, wherein said zone identifying means comprises an array of labels, each label in said array being positioned so as to identify it with a corresponding zone selection actuator.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control system of claim 47, further comprising means, attached to said cover, for identifying said scenes.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The control system of claim 50, wherein said scene identifying means comprises an array of labels, each label in said array being positioned so as to identify it with a corresponding scene selection actuator.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of claim 1 further comprising means for storing selected combinations of power levels in a limited access memory.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 52, wherein said limited access storage means comprises an electronic memory.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of claim 53, further comprising a key locking means to control access to said limited access storage means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
37 words
The control system of claim 53, further comprising a circuit adapted for allowing access to said limited access storage means in response to a particular activation sequence of zone selection means or power level combination selection means.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lighting control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for independently setting power levels to each of a plurality of zones of lighting, (b) means, requiring no operator action, for electronically storing a plurality of combinations of said power levels, (c) operator-activated means for disabling said electronic storge means, and (d) means for selecting any one of said combinations of power levels.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lighting control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for independently setting power levels to each of a plurality of zones of lighting, (b) means, requiring no operator action, for electronically storing a plurality of combinations of said power levels, (c) operator-activated means for disabling said electronic storge means, and (d) means for selecting any one of said combinations of power levels.
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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) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |