Two terminal incandescent lamp controller

Claim 2

A two-terminal power control device normally in an off condition until activated by switch means, said device comprising: a. input and output terminals adjacent an AC power source and a power load, respectively; b. A bi-directional dual silicon controlled rectifier responsive to low voltage current pulses, said rectifier in series with and between the input and output terminals; c. micro-processor control circuit means in series with and providing triggering signals to the rectifier, and responsive to momentary power interruptions in the form of operator-controlled activation of the switch means; d. DC power supply means connected across the rectifier to provide power to the control circuit means when the rectifier is in a state of high or low impedance and in absence of AC potential across the rectifier; e. memory data retention means coupled to control circuit means to retain recently stored data during periods of power removal from said AC power source, f. input and output terminals on opposed upper and lower surfaces of a package, said package having dimensions such that it is retained between an Edison-style lamp screw shell housing and an incandescent bulb inserted therein, and g. said power control device being provided with a timer responsive to momentary power interruptions.

Claim 3

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the load comprises an incandescent bulb activated by the switch means.

Claim 4

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the micro-processor control circuit means delays the activation of the rectifier until after a zero crossing of an AC waveform impressed across the input and output terminals.

Claim 5

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the micro-processor is programmed to provide a predetermined level of power to the load depending upon the number of on-off cycles of the switch means.

Claim 8

The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising interrupting the AC power supply in order to provide a predetermined level of power to the load depending upon the number of on-off cycles of the switch means.

Claim 9

The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising interrupting the AC power supply in order to provide power to the load a predetermined period of time after said interruption.

Claim 12

Circuitry for controlling the current level, duty cycle and conduction time for current supplied to a selected load including, in combination: a. an AC controlled switch connected to a load, b. data storage and conversion means connected to a gate or control electrode of said AC controlled switch and responsive to manually controlled power interruptions which are made at a predetermined time and sequence with respect to the present current level, duty cycle or current conduction time at said load for in turn changing said current level, duty cycle or conduction time to another and different current level, duty cycle or conduction time, and c. said AC controlled switch is a Triac which is connectable between one side of said load and one side of an AC supply voltage, said AC supply voltage being further connected through a manually operated and controlled switch to another side of said load, and said data storage and conversion means including a micro-processor connected to a DC voltage supply and further connected across input and output terminals of said Triac and to a gate or control electrode thereof, said micro-processor being operative to store new data values therein in response to the manual switching action of said manually operated switch in a controlled sequence to thereby change the phase angle and conduction time of said semiconductor Triac and thereby in turn control and change the level of current, the duty cycle, or the conduction time of current conducted through said load.

Claim 13

Circuitry for controlling the current level, duty cycle and conduction time for current supplied to a selected load including, in combination: a. an AC controlled switch connected to a load, b. data storage and conversion means connected to a gate or control electrode of said AC controlled switch and responsive to manually controlled power interruptions which are made at a predetermined time and sequence with respect to the present current level, duty cycle or current conduction time at said load for in turn changing said current level, duty cycle or conduction time to another and different current level, duty cycle or conduction time, and c. said AC controlled switch is a Triac which is connectable between one side of said load and one side of an AC supply voltage, said AC supply voltage being further connected through a manually operated and controlled switch to another side of said load, and said data storage and conversion means including a micro-processor connected to a DC voltage supply and further connected across input and output terminals of said Triac and to a gate or control electrode thereof, said micro-processor being operative to store new data values therein in response to the manual switching action of said manually operated switch in a controlled sequence to thereby change the phase angle and conduction time of said semiconductor Triac and thereby in turn control and change the level of current, the duty cycle, or the conduction time of current conducted through said load.